Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
| [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1] ] |
| Subject: Jumping Lesson on Better I Do It "Bet" | |
|
Author: Alli |
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 17:45:13 10/07/02 Mon Alli walked through the barn and sighed, plopping down on a haybale. She was bored. Mom was too busy with her star horses, paticulary her string of foals coming up and Darkie, to give her a lesson and she really wanted to do some higher level stuff. Laura walked into the barn, whistling softly, and saw her glum sister. “Hey, Alli. I was wondering, you want to have a riding lesson?” the 17 y/o asked. “Yeah!” Alli said excitedly. “Cool, you get Bet. Tack up for jumping.” Laura replied, walking to the other side of the barn. Alli grinned and got out Better I Do It’s tack. She ran out to his paddock and opened the gate. He snorted in surprise and walked over, tossing his head playfully. She clipped the lead shank to his halter and led him into the barn, stroking his glossy brown coat. She hooked the prancing TB/QH in crossties and began to brush him off. After a thorough grooming, she laid the jumping saddle on his back and tightened the girth. He pinned his ears back as she slipped on his bridle. “Silly boy.” She cooed and he relaxed again. She led him to the arena and received a leg up from Laura. The older teen held the stallion bridle and said, “Okay, Bet needs a firm, yet gentle rider, who gives crystal clear signals. He was trained by Derrick Burdridge, Mom’s friend in Ireland. You will have to use all your riding skills to ride this stallion.” Alli nodded and touched Bet with her legs. He sprang into a fluid, long strided walk, head and neck relaxed. He looked gorgeous, his muscles rippling under his gleaming coat. Alli began to do some circles, struggling a bit as the spirited stallion danced beneath her. After a few circles each direction at walk, the teen squeezed and began to post as the 16.3 TB/QH moved into a gliding trot. He was in a nice hunter frame and was perfectly on the bit. Alli pushed him through some serpentines and then moved him on a 20 meter circle. Without thinking, she gave a sharp squeeze, like it usually took to get Feather cantering. Bet bucked in surprise and then flew into a hand gallop, throwing his head defiantly. Alli sponged the reins and cooed, “I’m sorry, Bet. Shhh, calm down.” He dropped to a more controlled canter and began to relax. After finishing warm up, Alli guided Bet towards a 2’ warm up jump. She sat lightly in the saddle and kept her heels shoved down. Bet snorted and tried to speed up, but she checked his pace and squeezed lightly at the foot of the jump. The talented stallion soared over it as she rose into perfect two point. “He jumped that like it wasn’t even there!” Alli said entusiastically. “Well, it was and you need to remember that he needs to use his head and neck more over the higher fences. Be sure to give plenty of rein!” Laura said skeptically. She raised the jump to 3’ and added a 2’6” spread behind it, leaving about 5 strides between them. Alli nodded and squeezed firmly. Bet sprang into a big canter and headed for the first jump, excited. Alli kept the stallion moving and at the right moment, she squeezed. He leapt it eagerly and bounded for the next one in a faster canter. Alli rated him and rose out of the saddle as he pushed off for the spread. “Good. Now, you two will do this 4’6” jump and then this 4’ bounce fence.” Laura said approvingly. Alli smiled and pushed Bet to the first fence. It seemed huge! After 2’6” fences on Feather most of the time, 5’ was going to be gigantic! As he soared over it, she began to prepare for the bounce. She shortened his stride and once he went over the first, he rocked back on his hindquarters and bounced over the next. Laura nodded and pointed out the 5’ course Alli and Bet were going to jump. As Alli headed for the first fence, she felt a touch of nervousness. These jumps were so big! Bet felt her hesitation and put on an extra burst of speed and taking the fence by himself. Alli regained herself and took him through the rest of the course in perfect style. “Good girl! You ride Bet well. Put him up and then come in the house.” Laura said, sounding pleased. Alli untacked Bet and put him in his stall. She then got some feed and took care of all the stallions, giving Cobalt a special kiss! [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
|
Forum timezone: GMT-8 VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB: Before posting please read our privacy policy. VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems. Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved. |