Angel, aka "The Magical Flying Arab" has been in Nacogdoches for three weeks now. We've done quite a few canter sets to get up her fitness and she seems to be coming along quite nicely. Flying changes were a breeze for this one... she seemed to just "get" what I was asking immediately. I challenged her a bit today by circling at one end of the ring and asking for the change on the straightaway in the center of the ring, and she got the change every time. The right to left change is still a little delayed, but the left to right is practically seamless and right on que. We jumped yesterday, her first time to ever try out bending lines and we were, for the most part, successful. I still need to work with leaving her alone 3 strides before the fence. I fussed with her a bit too much and caused a run-out on the second fence of the bending line twice. She seems to get flustered if I over correct. Her straightness over fences is improving, which has lead to improved jumping form. We're practicing a lot of jumping straight and then halting straight after the fence, which seems to keep her paying attention and waiting for my cue. She's never going to be a hunter, but I think, with work, she'd be an excellent lower level jumper prospect. We only have standards and poles here, so I'm definitely anxious to try her over some different types of fences and see what she thinks of those. She is still fussy with the bit and despises flatwork, but tough cookies.
Eli, the HUS prospect turned pre-Eventer, is doing FABULOUS. Leslye called him a "Steady Eddy" today. Who, Eli? Who would have thought. He is starting to accept this whole "job" thing and has a lovely attitude about it. He is sweet, kind, and seems to want to be friends. As he learns to go in a frame, his movement is really improving and I'm super impressed with his gaits, especially his big, ground covering, rolling canter. He looks like he could win the hack in good company. Yay Eli!
Had Lesson No. 2 with Jo this past weekend, which admittedly, was frustrating. One of my biggest issues is that I over-manage the horse, especially when fences are involved. Jo is a very "leave the horse alone" type trainer, which I find very difficult, especially when things are not going swimmingly. But, one of my goals this year was to learn to be more effective in the tack by being less micro managing, so I have another lesson scheduled for Sunday. Its hard for me, since I am definitely the But Why? type, and Jo is more of the Just Do, Dont Ask Questions type. In my head I'm thinking Whhhyyy?? but I am training myself to follow instructions. I am paying for Jo's opinion, not for me to tell Jo my opinions of her opinions, if that makes sense. Leslye and Jo are like night and day... Leslye is definitely an explainer. So, I have a balance of explainations and Shut Up and Ride.
Anyway... will probably do some low gymnastic work with Angel tomorrow. Since we're confident over 2'6"-2'9" oxers now, I'll take her back to cross rails and two foot verticals. Should feel easy-peasy to her and built her confidence even more.
