What a jerk.

This past Sunday WallE and I, along with a student and Iris (a pony from the barn) ventured to Windridge Farm for cross country schooling. WallE, of course, loaded like a champ and was a perfect gentleman beside the trailer. We tacked up and then walked out to the field to see what the group before us was doing. We did great, standing in the shade and watching. Then we walked back with the group. The entire way back WallE sidestepped to the left. We literally went sideways up the hill. I am not sure what caused this as I felt I was calm and all the other horses were walking pleasantly. He was beside his friend, Iris, and there was no need for that behavior. 

When we got back to the trailers, I hopped off and lunged him before taking him and Iris to the schooling area. He felt a little agitated and the ground was very uneven with high grass, so we moved up the hill to a spot I found to be more flat and inviting. He was a bit distracted and spooky as we began our warm up, but then worked out of it rather quickly. Once Laura arrived she asked us to trot a single jump over and over again until he was relaxed. It only took three or so times before he felt settled. Then we got to add on two other fences to make a little course. He did slowly stop and did act a little fussy when he was away from his friends, but with a few circles and lateral work came back and was easy to convince to continue with grace. 

After riding the mini course successfully we ventured to another area of the field. We rode a small course, trotting all the fences with no refusals (go WallE) and a great attitude. 

Then we moved to a more spread out section of the field to do a larger course (mind you, we are still trotting the jumps and they are still the height of a beagle). We trotted the first fence with high expectations, no refusal, but right after the fence he stopped abruptly, turned to the side and tried to eject me. Rude. 

Irritated with the naughty behavior, we began the course again, this time riding a bit behind the motion and adding leg. Jumped fine and continued up the hill. The next fence was a blue and red stripped fence. He stopped and proceeded to back up about twenty feet, but then I asked nicely with my leg and over we went. We completed the next five or so fences before stopping to give him a pat. 

Then we ventured over to a ditch. We just walked over it and he did fine. We moved on to a bank, but he began to get fussy in the tack and being unsure of what he would do after the jump, I opted to just school on the flat. We walked with Iris as Laura schooled her horse. WallE continued to be fussy and full of himself. We all walked back to the original schooling area and dismounted. 

Writing it out, he doesn't sound like such a jerk, but he was. He was very irritable and unruly compared to his normal attitude. That paired with my lack of experience on the cross country course does not make for a fun afternoon for Savannah. I am out of town for the next few weeks, but upon returning I plan to hit the ground running with cross country and field schooling. 

We had a lesson on Monday and it was hard to separate the irritability I felt in order to be calm as we focused on our dressage. Hopefully we have a few nice rides before I leave for my travels.