Turns and Straight Lines

Today was our first lesson back after the October War Horse. I rode WallE once last week, where we worked on staying round as we transitioned through the walk, trot and canter. It rained eariler today and for the lesson I taught, I set up jumps where the footing was solid and there were no puddles. This made for an interesting course with a three stride line, a bending line, two diagonal jumps and one jump across the arena with an odd approach. 

After a long walk up and down the hill outside the arena (while we waited for another rider to finish), Laura helped WallE and I warm up and get focused at the trot and canter. After the horse show, I have tried and am trying to be very specific about the way I ask for the trot and the canter. Explaining to WallE that he MUST stay round and accept the bit through the transition. Sometimes a wiggle on the outside rein works and sometimes he needs a circle to the inside to encourage him to stay round. Either way, it requires more work on his part and he did express his displeasure a few times. HOWEVER, we worked through it and pretty soon were walk, trot and cantering with ease and some grace. 

Laura explained our first four jump course. It began with developing a straight line over the crossrail across the arena. Picture a jump on the centerline, jumping across the arena from M to H. Now at letter M there is a jump that causes you to be unable to simply turn off the rail. 

The first time, I went around the jump and turned to the right whilst jumping. That was wrong. Then we approached on a turn and still turned while in the air. I could not figure out what needed to be done. We kept jumping the small crossrail, Laura put out ground poles and buckets to try to get me to understand, but I just could not. Eventually, after what seemed like forever, I figured out that I was turning left, so I needed to have my left leg on, but when I found a line to the jump I needed to put my right leg on so we would straighten out and stay straight after the jump. 

Did I mention that during this exercise our goal was to maintain a gentle, pleasant canter with little movement of the hand? It was A LOT for my brain to handle. Nevertheless, I did figure out how to make a turn that ended with a straight line and we were able to progress. 

The rest of the course went relatively smooth. However, WallE did get excited about the lead changes and seemed to struggle. Laura had us take it back to simple changes, which was a little bit difficult, because WallE was so forward. 

WallE will be traveling with me to Harmon Field this weekend. I am taking a few riders to show and if there is time, I will take WallE out and school or enter a few classes. We shall see.