Two Parts!

Part 1: The Show

My plans to take Jay to the show almost got derailed before they started. I took Jay Friday for a lesson and a "makeover," and when I got him there I realized he was missing a shoe and was a little off. I put a call in to my farrier who is wonderful and said he could come out Saturday morning, and proceeded with Jay's beauty treatment.

When I pulled Jay out Saturday morning he was definitely sore and pointing his foot. I didn't think it was looking good for him going to the show. As soon as he got his shoe on, though, he jogged out sound, and we were still able to make it to the show in time for Ellen's first ride. It was really nice to meet Ellen and Skate, and they did a wonderful job, especially with such a hectic start!

Before lunch I rode Jay over to a corner of the cross country field to ride for a bit. I love this horse, he goes into "show mode" and is easier to ride at a show than at home! Wonderful! I could feel him perk up when he saw the cross country jumps. Its not time for that yet, Jay!

Jay still doesn't like a crowded warm-up, but this time did go smoother than last. There was only one instance when two horses were coming at us at the same time, and rather than letting me have the rail one rider cut to the outside so that they were passing on each side of us. Jay grunted and jumped sideways. He just doesn't like other horses coming at him, poor guy. I can't say that I blame him, and I can't foresee wanting to be out there in the mix jumping the fences during a schooling break. Even if I end up doing some hunter shows like this over fences, I would prefer to stick to the warm-up area (which I am hoping wouldn't be as wild...it hasn't been at this show and most others I have been to in the past), and then go in for the jumping round without schooling the horse over them first, like it is done in eventing. I have also decided that I DEFINITELY want to get back into the dressage ring, too.

After the schooling break, I found out my class had been canceled because I was the only entry! Oh well. So Ellen, you didn't miss much! I took Jay back out to the cross country field and rode some more. It was a fun day even though it was long, and Jay was a super star!

I hope to have the video ready to go soon. The software that came with the camera is not very good, and it is hard to use, so John and I need to get it converted to a format that is compatible with Windows Movie Maker, which should be much more user friendly.

Part 2: The Trail

Sunday I took Jay for another trail ride with my friend who has the older QH, expecting another easy, low pressure trail ride. Ha Ha. This time her granddaughter couldn't come, and there were three other riders. We took a different route, and came upon a small, pretty, grassy field that in the past would have been calling my name for a good gallop. Well, we walked along it and back into the woods.

At the next nice grassy field, my friend told me the other riders were going to go faster...just as they were taking off! Thanks for the warning people! My heart jumped into my throat, and my friend said "Just turn him in a circle if you don't want to do that." Good advice. Well, with only one horse walking and three cantering, Jay wanted to go, too! Jay and I ended up cantering in a circle there near my friend. I must say I was thankful for the time I have been spending at the Y, because I think that in the not very distant past I would have just crumbled and popped off. I felt stronger and MUCH more in control of my body, and even though my adrenaline level was off the chart it ended up being a rather nice canter under the circumstances! The other riders cantered back and rejoined us at the walk. Jay was still a little "up," so I trotted on ahead of them to the end of the field rather than try to hold Jay back and make him more unhappy.

When I spotted the next field through the trees, I knew what was coming. I was nervous! This time, though, my friend asked the others to go a little further over from us before they took off, and I was able to take Jay out behind them at a trot. Jay is such a GOOD boy! I was just concerned about how he would react if I cued him for the canter, just because of recent past experiences and because three other horses were taking off in front of us. Would Jay take off with me? I must admit that I was wondering when, or if, cantering through a field would be fun again.

At the next field everyone walked...there was a ditch in the middle of it. Then we crossed a road into another field. This time we all needed to stay along the edge, so I bit the bullet and took Jay out behind the others at a trot. When he smoothly and politely broke into a canter, I just eased into two point, planted my hands on his neck, and vibrated the reins just a bit to rate him. Yippee, it WAS fun! *BIG grin*

The next field we came to was a bit down hill, and I still just didn't trust MYSELF. The three others took off cantering all over that field, but Jay was happy to stay at a walk with my friend. That was a good experience, too. We don't always have to GO just because others are!

So overall it was a fun ride and a GOOD experience with a breakthrough for me! Jay is so good, and so well behaved. Most of the ride I had him on the buckle. We crossed three streams. When the other riders stopped to let their horses have a "snack," Jay stood quietly on the buckle resting a hind foot. (I am just not used to stopping on a trail ride to let my horse graze for a "treat," no matter how appreciative I am of him carrying me on the ride!)

It was a GOOD weekend!!!