As some of you may know, I'm a total coward.
I loaned lovely Papillon for six months last year, which did help with my confidence, but I'm someone who thinks that two circuits of cantering is living life on the edge. And jumping is a no no for me, far too scary at 51.
I now do Western lessons, usually on Paps, and we both prefer it to English. I sense he is happier doing things the Western way and we have a better connection. He actually makes me look good sometimes.
Despite all the teenagers at the yard telling me that Paps loves jumping and is very scopey, I have never been tempted although strangely he does seem scared of trot poles on the ground, clearly believing they are Papillon murdering snakes.
So last week we are doing Western patterns and we have to trot up to and over a pole. As we approached, I just knew what was going to happen - I could feel all this energy gather and BOOM! we were over the pole like it was about 4ft high.
Well it was a little scary but also quite thrilling. And happily, no one else in the group had a clue I'd never jumped before, they all assumed it was intentional. :giggle:
So whilst I'm not going to take up jumping thank you, I would be really grateful for some advice on what is the best thing to do if this happens again (which it probably will by all accounts) as I kind of didn't do anything last week, just went with him an miraculously we landed ok, without me falling off. I don't want to over think or over analyse it, but would just like to know what to keep in mind for next time -ie, no idea what I should do with my hands etc.
Thanks in advance. x
I loaned lovely Papillon for six months last year, which did help with my confidence, but I'm someone who thinks that two circuits of cantering is living life on the edge. And jumping is a no no for me, far too scary at 51.
I now do Western lessons, usually on Paps, and we both prefer it to English. I sense he is happier doing things the Western way and we have a better connection. He actually makes me look good sometimes.
Despite all the teenagers at the yard telling me that Paps loves jumping and is very scopey, I have never been tempted although strangely he does seem scared of trot poles on the ground, clearly believing they are Papillon murdering snakes.
So last week we are doing Western patterns and we have to trot up to and over a pole. As we approached, I just knew what was going to happen - I could feel all this energy gather and BOOM! we were over the pole like it was about 4ft high.
Well it was a little scary but also quite thrilling. And happily, no one else in the group had a clue I'd never jumped before, they all assumed it was intentional. :giggle:
So whilst I'm not going to take up jumping thank you, I would be really grateful for some advice on what is the best thing to do if this happens again (which it probably will by all accounts) as I kind of didn't do anything last week, just went with him an miraculously we landed ok, without me falling off. I don't want to over think or over analyse it, but would just like to know what to keep in mind for next time -ie, no idea what I should do with my hands etc.
Thanks in advance. x