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| Subject: Show Jumping | |
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Author: Melanie |
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Date Posted: 10:28:01 06/17/02 Mon "Princess!" Melanie yelped. She was standing in the stable ailse with her Arabian mare. As she had reached to tighten the girth, Princess had leaped sideways and the saddle slid off. Princess turned her head and looked at her 12 year old owner innocently. Then she let out a deep breath and snorted. Mel instantly drew the girth tight, satisfaction on her face. "Haha, got you." Princess laid her ears flat and stomped her hoof. Melanie pulled the stirrups down and put on her helmet. "You grumpy old thing," she cooed softly, feeding Princess a carrot. The mare brightened. Melanie brought the reins over her head and led the gray out of the barn. She mounted and collected the reins. Princess strode off eagerly at a fast walk. They entered the large jumping arena. At one end there were cross rails and cavelletti and at the other end of the huge arena there were 8 colorful jumps. Princess snorted and broke into a trot, eyeing the jumps eagerly. "Easy," Mel laughed, sitting deep. They circled the arena at a walk, trot, and canter in both directions, then did half circles, circles, figure eights, serpentines, and half halts and lead changes. After about 25 minutes of this, Princess was supple and responsive - but bored. She tilted her ears back when Melanie said softly, "Ok, girl ready?" Melanie sat straight and deep, heels pushed down, hands light and steady. Princess instantly broke into a smooth canter, gliding over the ground with her tail up like a flag. Jennifer entered the ring. "Hey, all ready? I had to turn out some horses." She nodded at Melanie. "Ok, over the cavelletti and poles first, then take those 2 cross rails, canter a half circle, and begin the course. Ok? The highest fence is 4'6" and the lowest is 2'6". Let's go!" Melanie cantered Princess lightly over the ground poles and cavellitti, loving the spring in her mare's stride. Then they effortlessly jumped the cross rails and headed towards the first jump at a strong canter. Princess easily cleared the chicken coop, fake wall, and oxer. Landing, she pivoted to the right and sprang over the gate. When they landed lightly, Melanie gathered the reins and cut across the ring to the next jump, a bounce jump. Easily in and out. Then a painted board jump and a difficult 4' triple. The last jump loomed an impressive 4'6" high - it was a decorated hedge jump with lots of bright flowers. Princess didn't hesitate and she surged over it with room to spare! Melanie was grinning so wide she thought her face would break as she cantered back to Jennifer. "Excellant! Is she tired?" Jenny asked. Melanie leaned fowards and felt Princess's heartbeat and replied, "Nope. She's cool to the touch." "Well, in that case, why don't we go a little higher? She may be small but Princes has a lot of jump in her!" Jenny said excitedly. "And you can handle bigger fences. Now, I'll raise the hedge to 5 feet, it is going to feel a whole 6" higher than you've done before. Can you handle it?" Melanie nearly exploded. "Oh my god! 5'!??" she exclaimed happily. She trotted Princess in a slow circle while Jenny raised the fences. "Now the course is 4-5'. Lots of power or she won't take it!" Jenny stepped out of the way. This time they ignored the warm ups and headed straight towards the now 4' chicken coop at a swift canter. With an energetic bound Princess cleared it. They soared easily over the next 7 and then approached the 5' fence - the hedge. Princess perked her ears fowards as they approached the looming fence. Melanie knew what she was going to do but it was too late. Princess dug in her heels and screeched to a halt. Mel flew up on her neck but luckily didn't fall off. She settled back in the saddle, trembling. Princess glared at the high fence, then shook her head and snorted. "Let me try her. She's never gone this high either," Jenny walked up. "And you can watch my form." Melanie agreed. Her mom had done SIX foot high fences in the Washington D.C. show. Princess shifted her weight uneasily when Jenny mounted. Jennifer adjusted the stirrups, gathered the reins, and urged the mare in a circle. They cleared the first 7 jumps easily again and pounded down on the 5' hedge. Again Princess began to slow. Jennifer squeezed HARD with her legs and rocked fowards in the saddle. Loosening the reins, she pointed the uncertain Arab at the middle of the 5 foot obstacal. Princess finally gathered herself and lifted off the ground. Jenny was perched fowards in the saddle, urging the Arabian over. Princess landed hard on the other side but Jennifer collected her and instantly began praising the mare. She rode back to Melanie and swung to the ground. "How did she look? she asked breathlessly. Melanie was speechless. Jenny helped her back up and said, "Now we don't want to tire her out, so just take the first 2 fences before the hedge, then call it quits." "Ok," Mel said, only slightly disappointed. She shortened the reins and pressed the willing mare into a canter. Her mare could jump 5'! She was so small though! Only 14 something. Excitement and nervousness bubbled up inside the 12 y/o as she rode Princess to the 4' painted board jump. Princess jumped it like it wasn't even there. Then she easily did the difficult 4'6" triple, landing and heading straight towards the decoarated hedge. Princess didn't slow this time. Melanie pushed her forwards and a few strides before the fence she leaned into 2 point and kicked the mare in the sides. Princess lifted off the ground, legs tucked under, knees up to her chin as she surged over the 5' jump. Time seemed to stand still for Melanie. She felt like she was flying through the air. Then they landed and with a jolt Mel was brought back to reality. "That was amazing!" she gasped, slowing the mare to a trot. Princess was sweaty now and she nickered tiredly. "Yeah, I know you're tired," Mel cooed. She dismounted, replaying the glorious sensation in her head, and led the mare to the washracks. After Princess had been bathed, groomed, led, and put into the paddock with a treat, Mel cleaned the tack and ran to tell Bogsdan and Stephanie about the amazing jump. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| Subject | Author | Date |
| Jenny, i think you wrote a book! :-) (NT) | Lauren | 10:29:11 06/17/02 Mon |
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