Lightning and Prince

[horsgal517]

Kelsey walked Prince up to me and we nudged our horses towards the trail. Lightning kept trying to nip Prince, but I held him back. When we reached the trail I asked what Kelsey wanted to do first...

[hunterjumper]

Allie let it up to me what we would do...so I said "How about a quick gallop and then for the first couple of jumps?"...

[Allie]

Sounds good to me! I said...and I nuudged Lightning. I had warmed up on the way and Lightning was raring to go! LOL We galloped a little ways, Prince leading...as I was holding LN back a little then we cam to a small oxer...

[hunterjumper]

At the oxer, I let Allie go over it first. LN looked amazing, shining in all of his painted glory. LOL. I followed close behind with Prince. He rounded his neck and back over the jump. I was getting used to that. It was quite comfortable. We hand-galloped to the next fence, a water filled ditch...

[Allie]

I was a little worried because, while LN was a great jumper before now, he had really only stuck to the jumping ring and was always afraid of water jumps. I slowed him to a long-strided canter and urged him toward the ditch. As soon as he saw the water he shied to the right. I groaned. I took him back at it again, Kelsey was shouting a ll sorts of pointers-"Don't let him get away with that!!-Urge him on!!!"-I nodded at rounded him back again taking him towards the jump. He tried to put on the brakes but I clapped my heels into him and he moved ahead. Then he suddenly stopped right at the edge and tried to pull right again. I yanked on him let and straightened him then gave him a little pop with the whip. He gathered himself and cleared it. I gave him a huge pat on the neck. While it wasn't pretty and I certaily handled it a little ruff-he was a big horse and needed to understand I was in charge. Kelsey said we could work on his fear of water later, but for now we should go on up to the in and out ahead-and leave this jumpa on a good note...

[hunterjumper]

It wasn't the nicest looking jump, like I've seen Allie do, but I was proud that she had made LN do it. I followed after Allie with Prince up to the ditch. He shied at it the first time, but i knew it was just the "first-time" fears. I steared him the opostie direction he shied to and picked up the canter again. This time, I let him go a little faster, but at the same time not letting him get strung out. Over the jump, I gave a huge release, almost up to his poll. I had squeezed over the jump too, giving him a little encouragement. I gave Prince a pat and trailed behind Allie to the in-and-out...

[hunterjumper]

by the way Allie, im going to the shore tomorrow and i wont be back until sometime Wednesday or Thursday. Sorry ~Kelsey

[ALlie]

Thats ok! Have fun...oh and you know you can always e-mail me with new horses/selling horses and all that -right? I am co-admin..LOL! Have fun at the shore!! We'll continue when you get back..k?

[hunterjumper]

okay. seeya then!!! have fun while im gone ill miss everyone!! Rocky, Fly, Prince, Lexi (Barley Legal), Kiki, Zen, and Lightning....oh, and........................YOU!!! seeya when i get back. <3 kelsey

[horsgal517]

I trotted LN toward the in and out. The jumps were small, and after that last jump I knew LN could do it with no problem. I circled and cantered towards it....then AUUGHHH! LN spooked at a bird by the first jump. Luckily he only shied to the left. I sighed...this was not our day! I pulled him back right and made him circle. Then we charged the jump. We soared over the first one easily, and I kept him straight for the stride in between the jumps...the nudged him to boost his confidence and we were over! I patted him sound on the shoulder. Kelsey followed us. Prince was a lovely jumper. LN wasn't bad either, he was just really big and today was uncooperative. Prince took the jumps easily with a small bounce step inbetween..text book perfect! Then we moved on...

[hunterjumper]

Prince went really great through the in and out. Allie complimented us "That was text book perfect! Great job!" "thanks". The next, and last jump for today, was a "drop in" water jump. We slowed up to a walk to check the footing and the landing into the water. everything seemed fine, except LN shied a little away from the water. Allie pulled up on her reins and stroked him on the neck to calm him down. I offered to go first, since LN wasnt being the horse i knew he could be. I cantered a circle and went for it. the jump was a brush sort of thing, like a wood holder with brush in it. Anyway, Prince perked his ears up and charged at the fence. I squeezed my heels in encouragement over the fence. I gave a long release over the jump. Into the water, I leaned waaay back in the saddle. We made a huge splash in the water. Prince wasn't sure what it was, so he lifted his feet really high at the canter. Once we were out of the water, i slowed him up and made sure I was out of the way for Allie. She circled at the canter, too, and went for it. LN didnt shy this time. He bounded over the fence and into the water. They looked like they had done this a million times. LN was calm in the water and gently trotted right out. Both of the horses had a good day on the CC course. We did some light trotting and cantering on our way back to the barn...

[hunterjumper]

That was the best CC day I have ever had with Allie.