Monday, January 20, 2014

Literally progressing by leaps and bounds

A month ago, we couldn't trot with a steady rhythm up to and over an X. Every jump required a placing pole after it, to get Paddy to slow down and think. I was sitting the trot up to every fence to keep a decent rhythm.

A week ago, we were only allowed to canter a single vertical, and ONLY if we were steady up to it. (This while hubby on Reddums was gleefully cantering everything tidily. SO NOT FAIR.)

This week, we cantered damn near all the jumps, and while it wasn't anywhere near perfect, we got the job done and were significantly less of a train wreck... most of the time.

Jumps are apparently higher than they appear to be.

We are working on so many things. Rhythm, balance, straightness. So much to do, so much to keep track of.

Sometimes it looks awesome.

Sometimes it actually RIDES awesome too.



At this point in his training, I sort of have to micro-manage every footfall, especially in the canter. Otherwise he'll get strung out, fall on his forehand, swap leads, throw his shoulder, or all of the above. Sometimes all at once, too.

Then we look like awesome sauce. 

Sometimes, though, I remember to sit up, half halt him, keep the rhythm, and we make it work.

The roll top is lava! Don't touch eeet!

 Other times, not so much.

A classic "oh shit moment". Yes, I really did say "oh shit" at the base of this fence. He jumped it anyway, because he's just that kind of guy.

Wanna see this bad boy on video? Here you go. Just turn down your speakers, mmkay? The good news is that we recovered just fine and went on to do the line right after it. Eventers get the job done!


I'm just having SO MUCH FUN with Paddy. Every ride is progress, every ride is so much better than the last. He tries so hard and he works so hard, and he really, really wants to get it right. That combined with his athleticism, what more could I possibly ask for? Other than the adorable face, I mean!




30 comments:

  1. Oh man.. his form over jumps (well, the good parts). He looks ahhmazing! I just want to squeeze him.
    Also I still need to write back to your e-mail! I'm getting there, I promise.

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    1. He is very squeezable, and his form over fences is one of the things that initially caught my eye about him. Hopefully we can get more of the good ones as things progress!

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  2. Okay, he is the absolute cutest thing I have ever seen.

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    1. Oh just wait... I have something cuter. *cackles and rubs hands together*

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  3. Yay Paddy! At least you don't have to worry about whether or not he has scope haha. And it looks like your chicken wing elbows have disappeared!! If only I could be so lucky :)

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    1. The chicken wings have been replaced by a craptastic crest release. Maybe someday we'll have an auto-release?

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  4. He is so stinking cute!! Gotta love the fail photos, keeps things real :) hehe.

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    1. Yes, I plan to look at those fail pics in 6 months and laugh. They were less amusing when they were happening...

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  5. He wants to jump higher jumps :) He seems like such a good boy! I just want to squeeze him!

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    1. He's definitely got the scope to go higher! And you can come squeeze him any time you want. :)

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  6. Yay, glad you are progressing well! Paddy is just so gosh darn cute!

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    1. Hannah, it's really fun to make so much progress so quickly. I know it will level out eventually, but right now it feels like we're full speed ahead!

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  7. The whoops moments are getting less and less! He just looks so good :) I'm a haffie believer and I almost can't believe how quickly he's coming along!

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    1. The cult of the Haffie rules! YOU MUST BELIEEEEVE!

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  8. I know the feel, the joys of the green ones.

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    1. So true! Every ride is so much progress, it's really awesome!

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  9. There should be a surgeon general warning on posts this cute...

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  10. "He tries so hard and he works so hard, and he really, really wants to get it right." You say it of him but he could also say it of you. You're working really hard and diligently and the progress speaks to that. You GO, lady!

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  11. Ahhh, he is the cutest over jumps! Love it :) Glad you guys are having so much fun.

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  12. You guys look so good!!! His furry little knees are fantastic!

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    1. Haha, "furry little knees". I have been contemplating what to do with All The Hair. My goodness, Haffies are FUZZY little suckers!

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  13. Wow! He really loves to jump!
    Jumping a horse like that is the best. Taking it slow isn't so slow after all.

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    1. He does love to jump, which is super fun for me. We do have to take it slow though, so he can understand that he doesn't need to get worked up and can stay balanced and rhythmic up to and after the fence. He'd much rather just blast over all of them!

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  14. "Just turn down your speakers, mmkay?". Right. I turned them UP! :)

    Progress, smogress, y'all are doing awesome!

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    1. Hmmm, that warning didn't quite work the way I had hoped... ;) Sorry about the adult language!

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