Post by april on Jun 30, 2009 11:23:42 GMT -5
I notice a change in Faith's physique since I started training her as an eventer. It's been so gradual I barely noticed it, but although she's always been a gorgeous horse, she's developed an elegance, suppleness and balance from her dressage training, and she's also developed very strong hindquarters that propel her easily over the jumps I've set up. Of course, she's always had excellent propulsion when she was a racer. I raise the jumps a few inches higher than last time, and she takes them with such confidence that I decide she could benefit from some gymnastics work. It would be hard work for a green horse, but Faith isn't green anymore. I set up the course, and think about the rhythm. Jump. Land Squeeze. Jump. Land. Squeeze. No strides in between, with the jumps gradually progressing higher. Faith takes the course as if she had wings on her heals. She doesn't have quite as much style when she jumps yet as Sterling and Razzle do, but that will come in time and it's clear she enjoys herself. I grin, and give her plenty of petting and praise as I cool her out.