Through September, I felt as though Ellie and I had overcome most of our major challenges. This is not to say things were suddenly perfect, and I certainly did stupid things like forget to put my leg on at times, but Babette had helped me learn how to balance her before a jump so 1. Ellie stopped fussing and could SEE the jump and 2. I could put my leg on because she wasn't rushing at the fence. I stopped allowing myself to be fooled by the fact she would take me to the fence and feel so forward and then surprisingly grind to a stop. It wasn't a true forward and it was too unbalanced. I learned how to set the canter pace and use leg to ask her to go forward at the base. It sounds so much easier when I write it out, but honestly it took me some time as a rider to really iron this out with Ellie.
So, with that newfound confidence, we entered the Fall XC Derby at Rest & Be Thankful (RABT), the farm where we take our jumping lessons. I was excited to give BN another try on a course I knew well.
We had a great warm up until I failed to put my leg on and we had a stop. Uggggh I would get so frustrated with myself back then. Babette had me jump a few more times before we headed off for our course. The first round was timed and counted for placings, while our second round was just for schooling/for fun.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD5XV8loiN3OzbWvw9TeWVc_Wo1m43LZ2KGbPwDpu_Q6758zx1xeci41Xm2gVtHcL908R06Be6qYnTPMSbJzkH836tlU_F8WzYYnqHBUapurPovRRHcdNX-8vDPfoWsGikPhBVPWOXyGr/w266-h400/IMG_6865.JPG) |
warming up |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtCemjGAAgpRwxiDvUTWyKjHrhFY0M-rU4JmtHz5qVXFS3uSTeedkSyEZirL2ReuU9d45UFKiHTna5lED_AilNhL7TgwPzo9yXy2X-TyEI49R1Cm5-ZMJunXxsnVpDi_qUw3Fmq4b9k2u/w266-h400/DSC_1261.jpg) |
jump 1 game faces ON |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiqBxQnkxhCewypG9OnbCfYomdEe6V2zCyYlYJcNXdaNROzu_sz-xsTNOMpjfXCf6rrYPn6Og0ofuLOfsbj98XbkKTXanVVk1MHimX6VKAm5o3fGn1tY7nqBD4RS4Bx3wJyDLVmgBrvBr/w400-h266/DSC_1781.jpg) |
also jump 1 just a different angle |
I love this post!!! Lots of amazing pictures of you and Ellie after a successful day. And, I have to admit- I forgot you were a green lover also! Your outfit is A+ on the matching green. What brand are those awesome green stirrups?
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some of those pics printed/framed!
The Rolex fence is amazing :D Congrats on a super successful day - you both look like you're having so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great round! Those pictures are amazing with your XC colors and Ellie's color and the trees.
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