Goal Achievement Unlocked: Oxers

this is now a non-event

One of my goals for this year (that I may or may not achieve) is to jump a 2'6" course at home including oxers. I probably should have broken this down into smaller goals, because there is one slight problem: I have major oxer phobia.

I've mentioned that I'm feeling much more confident on Courage in general and I'm pretty comfortable jumping anything that's 2' or under now and I've finally overcome my barrel phobia (now they're one of my favorite jumps!), but yeah. Oxers. It's worse if they're square but ascending is pretty bad too.

The good news is that since we actually have an over-fences comfort zone (this is new), there is a legitimate way to address this problem.

also exciting? GAME DAY

And that makes me excited.

You see, before everyone was all "EXPAND YOUR COMFORT ZONE" but like, when you don't have one? THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE.

Ahem. So since a 2' vertical ain't no thang (and I won't let myself jump crossrails anymore), I set the world's most baby-est and tiny oxer. Literally one end is on the standard and the other end is on the cavaletti box.

Not gonna lie--I screwed up pretty bad the first time. Totally gunned him at it, then jumped way ahead AND hit him in the mouth, which is not awesome.

has opinions. isn't wrong.

But. Usually I ride better than that, so he was all "wtf" but didn't get mad (yay trust bank!) and we tried again. That time I didn't hit him in the mouth, but unfolded early and made him have a rail, which got me another "wtf" and a little leap on the backside.

I set it back up, got us combobulated, and talked another boarder into taking video of us.

For your viewing pleasure:

yup. love it.

I realize it's not the most exciting thing ever--I mean. It is literally me trotting a 2' oxer on a circle, but I'm really happy with what that means for us.

All this dressage is working.

Courage is getting stronger and learning how to use his body correctly.

I'm learning to give him the ride that he needs (H/J NOT event, kthxBAI).

We're building a stronger partnership.

We're one step closer to achieving a goal I set this spring.


I realize our steps look pathetically small to some people, but I'm ok with that. I'm not here to prove what an amazing badass I am or stroke my own ego. I'm here to prove to myself that I can do this and have fun at the same time.

I'm here to do right by my horse.

I'm here to be the best horseperson I can be, whatever that means on any given day. 

And yeah. I am pretty proud of us right now.

(ALSO: GAMEDAY ERMEGERD)