DQ Gone Rogue

lol Hampton posing as an eventer. Complete with 5-point breastplate and wonder bit, plus
an amazing saddle. All borrowed from awesome friends! 

When a 2-time Olympian is at your farm for a clinic, you don't turn down a last-minute spot.

Which is how I ended up riding with Hawley Bennett on Saturday. Gotta say, she was fun. And it was immediately clear to me WHY she was am Olympian, and why I ... am not.

via GIPHY

We started out trotting and cantering through 3 simple poles on the ground. If you took the middle line at the trot, there were two strides in between. If you took the outside edge, you could fit 3 strides at the collected trot. Should be easy for a PSG horse right?!

bahaha.

The thing about jumping (for me anyway) is that it exposes all my flaws and holes in my riding. It is a major tattle tale. Hawley busted me for not using my outside aids on the circle - resulting in Hampton falling out or missing our distance.

Tip 1: How about not pulling on the inside rein? If you pull on the left rein, your horse's shoulders will go right. Use your outside aids!

The problem was - I was more than capable of riding this exercise quite well. I did it several times. Then Hawley asked, "If you can ride it this well once- why don't you do it every time?"

LOVED how this simple exercise brought his front end up though!

I had no answer at the time. But it's because I am SLOPPY AND UNDISCIPLINED. She is not. Which is why she rides at the Olympics. And Rolex. If you are sloppy at that level, you could die.

We moved on to real jumps. But she wasn't going to make it easy. It was ALL bending lines and the jumps were not wimpy. I was in the BN group but it was no cake walk. The jumps were bigger than I am used to popping over, that's for sure.

I did have two stops because I didn't quite get Hampton's eye on the jump, or I just plain rode like shit and he tries to protect me. But once I got my #meantrainerpants on, and some confidence, he was AMAZING. 5 stride to 5 stride bending lines, a line of bounces, big oxers, roll backs.

Tip 2: Use your HIPS to land on the lead you want after a jump. If you want to land on the left lead, move your hips RIGHT in the air. This opens up that left front leg.

He should have been a hunter I think.

I also need MORE CANTER. Hawley told me, "You like that pretty slow canter. If it feels pretty you need more canter!"

Once I got Hampton's engine rolling, he was amazingly in front of my leg. My posture improved and the jumps came easy. I tend to get a little flustered when I don't feel organized, so it took me a few rounds to get my sea legs back. As things come up quick and when jumping sometimes you have to be OK with being a little disorganized at times.

Tip 3: Don't change the rhythm. Wait. 

I was a little guilty of this, especially after the line of bounces. I had a SUPER rhythm going through the 5 bounces, then GUNNED it to the oxer 5 strides after. I should have just waited. This caused Hamp to jump the oxer over his shoulder.

Overall a super fun lesson. Had to skip the XC day because of work. Dumb.

I really liked her teaching - firm and demanding, but positive.

Certainly a nice change of pace, and a challenge! Hampton got a gram of bute for lunch, too. And I need a hot bath. haha.