Jumper Day

I find myself writing these blog posts later and later! It may seem like I'm always charging ahead with boundless energy but the truth of it is, I pass out when I get home! And then I eventually roll off the couch and into the shower and come out a little more awake to write these updates before hopping in bed.  Tonight Michelle came over with a pizza and some VERY spicy hot wings and we vegged out and watched TV, a perfect way to unwind after a very busy day.

Everybody jumped today, with the exception of Carino who had another day off after his Novice debut. Devin had the best school she's had yet, and she is really starting to come around the fences and use her head and neck to stretch a bit rather than throwing herself over them.  What I really liked was how relaxed she was, and how easy it was to switch gears and do a little cool down flatwork after jumping.  Diem also had a really good school and jumped all the skinnys and the lines like they were a cakewalk.  He needed a minute to process the triple I put up for him, but after sorting out the footwork he was hitting the one stride-one stride triple perfectly.  Ari started out a little distracted, but the fences really grabbed her focus and as I get more comfortable with that closer distance she keeps jumping better and better.  Her flatwork is actually much better after we jump because I have her full attention, too bad i can't jump in a dressage warmup!

Today Beacon and I had our first lesson with Doug and it went really well!  I think he really likes this new bridle setup and he stays really super light and soft with it.  Doug tweaked a couple of things right off the bat and had me cantering around in a very uphill, but also very relaxed and soft balance in no time.  This relaxed and uphill balance made the jumps very rideable and we focused on keeping the balance all the way around the ring.  He had me softening almost to the point of putting a loop in the reins in between the fences  in order to relax him so that I could gather him up and ride up to the base of each fence.  The result was a pretty happy jumping Beacon! We finished up feeling really positive, I can't wait to work with Doug again.

Tomorrow Stewart arrives!! Also, Ari and Diem are scheduled to go to Paradise for a jumping derby and Beacon and Devin will practice dressage tests for the Apple Tree Farm 2 phase on Thursday.  Marissa will be back tomorrow as well and we'll get Carino back in gear. I'm also jumping with both feet into the dressage saddle search, I've already test ridden in a couple and have an appointment with a CWD agent.  I also have plans on trucking out to a big tack store that has a huge stock of used saddles.  With a little bit of luck I can find an awesome saddle in my price range.  Ride on!