and jumping and dressage and head ASPLODE

still looks kickass in jump tack

Courage and I have had a bit of a rough year jumping--apparently there's not a lot of wiggle room over fences if you spend a month not turning right. Toss in a couple of bad decisions on my part, a heavy show schedule, and lessons with mixed success, and well, whatever you get is what I have right now.

So Monday seemed like a fantastic day to set a couple of fences that weren't technical questions and just see what we needed.

always looking fabulous

I was THRILLED with Courage--he was honest. He was easy. He wasn't rushing or jetting off into the sunset or flinging himself around and flipping me the bird, all of which are reactions we've worked through this year.

And then I watched the video. And I was like "wtf why did it switch to slow mo?"

Annnnnnd then there was that awkward moment where I realized that it hadn't and yes, I really did just go that slow.

Oops.

But hear me out!

In dressage, I'm working on changing his balance around to prepare for the lengthenings we'll see at first level. He has to stay in that longer frame and still move across the ground, which takes a whole different kind of strength than jamming up his topline and scooting (default) or even going long and low and slow (training level dressage).

OMG.

WORLDS COLLIDING RIGHT HERE.

bridle collection level excellent

I can and have just kicked Courage forward and jammed him around jumper courses, but it's not fun for either of us and leads to explosive unhappiness. But now? I'm starting to develop the tools I need to get Courage to still cover ground and go forward, but without the tension that characterizes past jumping efforts.

Between that and our jump instructor's very methodical training?

Damn.

We might actually get this horse broke.