FEeling Fresh and Free

Yesterday, I rode WallE for the first time since the Hunter Pace/Endurance Ride. I was expecting a quiet dressage lesson at the end of the lesson line up. Due to the darkness, I expected to keep it on the flat. 

When I arrived at the barn at 4:30pm (after a meeting ran late at work), my instructor suggested I hurry and tack up to ride in the jump lesson (While it was still light). 

I knew what I was getting into - Riding WallE in a jump lesson after a week break and probably three weeks without jumping. I quickly groomed and tacked up, before securing my helmet (which was not even on Virginia Tech's List of rated helmets) and zipping up my airvest. 

We went into the arena with Butterscotch. He was excited to be in the group and became a bit forward whenever she would zoom by. After a quick warmup, we were ready to jump. We did a few pole and bounce exercises before attempting our first low course.

Heading to the first jump, WallE was VERY excited. We landed, bounced around and made it to the next one. We settled as we headed towards the oxer before once again bouncing around and displaying our excitement to be in a group and jumping. Our instructor did not even let us finish the course. 

We schooled over the first vertical, trotting in, turning left and trotting a circle, then cantering and heading towards the second vertical. Our instructor told us to walk. I thought it was the other rider's turn and tuned out as we walked around. Our instructor proceeded to explain the full course, which I missed and had to ask her to re-explain (how embarrassing!). 

The course we did consisted of cantering to the vertical, making a small trot circle to the left, cantering to the next vertical, then oxer, rolling back to the bounce, going to the second vertical again, then rolling back to another bounce, then finishing with the last vertical. 

We were off course the first time, were asked to do it over, the second time through WallE proceeded to jump, buck and thoroughly enjoy himself. Normally he reserves this behavior for the warm up arena at horse shows (thus the old show picture). We watched Butterscotch the wonder pony complete the course perfectly, before trying again. We had moderate success and then worked on the bounces in a serpentine fashion. 

WallE did fine after the first one, but bolted after the second. We schooled over that one until he was calm and supple, before finishing for the evening. 

I knew that I was getting on the 'Fresh and Free' feeling horse at the start of the lesson and am very happy that I stayed on for the full lesson and got a few tools to use at our next horse show. WallE and I will school this week and give the course another try after working a bit more on the flat...