Post by april on Aug 24, 2009 10:23:19 GMT -5
I know that taking a horse over a cross country course can help them learn to jump bigger and bolder, but Teddy certainly doesn’t need that. He just loves the big challenging jumps. I can feel the vibrations of anticipation hum through him, and know he’s barely able to hold himself in. He’s perfectly obedient though, and stands so still that it would be hard to tell him from a statue. As he waits for my signal. When I ask him to move ahead, he responds almost before I give the signal, like he read my mind. Dressage has certainly has helped him with that, and the three types of events are all working well together to further his training. His long strides effortlessly devour the ground with a melodic one two three beat, and he takes each obstacle like it were just a twig in his path, easier even than caveletti, even though I know the jumps are meant to be challenging. He totally loves what he’s doing, and that makes all the difference. He seems amused by the hardest looking jumps which would spook most horses, giving a merry flick of his tail, his heart leaping every time he lifts off. He always amazes me by clearing each jump with at least a foot to spare, and jumping with no urging for me. I do all I can to position him and balance him, but the magic comes from doing what he loves to do best.