We had our first Christmas party and course day together today! Athena was awesome about it the only time she was a bit green was going into a small x-rail that had material over the rails (which I still find a little strange, but that's okay). I was so happy with her going over it and even though she had to take a good look at it the first time we trotted up to it she still was so honest and hopped over. To be honest it was more just a bigger step since she doesn't like cantering over things unless I'm specifically asking her for it.
Scary jump
Friday was the first day of cantering into any jumps and of course Athena isn't super crazy about x-rails so in my lessons we go direct from ground poles to small verticals. It works for us and it almost made her lazy in the first round of our course today. She completely took out the first part of the one stride, but at least we didn't totally crash and burn because of it. Unfortunately only a bit of video was taken as my group was the last of the day and my camera ran out of juice.
I'm feeling like we still need to work on trying to get that right lead a little more, it's kinda funny watching us counter-canter around one side of the arena. I also have a lot of things to learn still but it felt so great to be cantering and jumping and not falling!
I love this mare so much. We did a really beautiful (feeling) line through that one stride on our third round when most of the jumps were raised to be closer to 2' verticals. I wanted to try it again after but my coach said because I rode it so well that it's better to leave it on a really good note instead of potentially messing things up. That's fair enough but I want to jump all the small things now.
We've had some good rides lately, but due to my personal life I have put aside riding for a wee bit. I'm stressed out about it but I am so excited for my annual ugly sweater party as well.
I feel like it's times like these when the stress is getting ridiculous and you snap at small things (like my sewing desk being moved), that I need to get out of the city to visit Athena. I try to not let my stress unload on her, so usually on the drive out I'll just try to let go of those things which have been bothering me. Take some deep breaths and maybe sing along to loud music. It pains me to see the weather outside today and know that I don't have time to go visit my mare. It's chilly (-7C/19F) but beatiful blue skies, it would be wonderful to go hack around the hay field.
