Frankie and I started with the first two Poplars and I have been very pleased with her Dressage... YES.... I said DRESSAGE, and quite pleased with her show jumping. The first show jumping track was very tight and twisty and the second track was wide open in the grass with both the triple and the double downhill. Each course presented different challenges at the Intermediate height. Carving a good turn, landing and organizing the canter, and finishing my lines from the jumps are all becoming second nature for me. I am still working on not making a quick decision, supporting my decision with my leg, and not second guessing myself in front of the jump and staying taller in the air.
Now I am forced to evaluate the way I ride XC. This is brand new territory for us. After a mishap this past summer, Frankie is requiring me to sit up, keep my butt down, and get my hands off her neck. She is not letting me get away with the same mistakes I have made in the past which I think is really good. In the end, this will keep us safe and as her Mom and rider, I appreciate that! I need to be more accountable for my part of the ride and more accountable I will be. It is a slow process of course, changing the way I ride XC but I am not discouraged because I feel like I am learning.... I changed the way I show jumped about three years ago so I am confident I can also change the way I ride XC. I LOVE learning and I really feel like I am PART of the ride- not just the person steering her. Now, at February Poplar I proved to be the part that made a mistake two jumps from home.... but I only made one mistake around that entire course that day. Old habits die hard that's for sure. Frankie is more trained than she was a couple of years ago so I need to ride her like she is trained. Like Craig said, "The good news is she's careful and smart and the bad news is she's careful and smart." I actually appreciate that quality about her!
She galloped happily, in her SNAFFEL, at the second Poplar. I decided to try my snaffle because now that she is so much more ridable, I sometimes feel that she would bounce off the contact and slip behind my leg. I was really happy with her in the snaffle.... she has not been swimming or galloping long sets like she did for the 2* or the Adv so that may be something I have to play by ear but she always has plenty of gas in the tank and not once did she blow me off. I changed the balance early, sat down, and kept my hands off her neck.... oh, except once when I did the opposite and she stopped. When we reapproached, I was correct and she was happy to jump. Here is the video of the mistake I made and my second approach.
We finished 3rd but placing never matters to me really. I've seen bad rounds win and FABULOUS rounds place out of the ribbons! It is all about being able to put all three phases together!
I have teamed up with Megan Moore and team CEO for some help. Megan has produced Advnaced horses of her own and can ride anything so she hasa TON of ideas! Her suggestions have proved to be spot on what Frankie needs from me right now. We had a FABULOUS XC school at Masterson last weekend and I will meet up with her in Aiken for a weekend of training in March. I am also excited to participate in the Joe Meyer clinic te first weekend in March and of course we will continue jumping with Craig Shegog.
Hope you are all having a wonderful winter and learning lots!
Suzie
This is a wonderful commentary on a thoughtful rider and an amazing horse. I am moved by your self assessment and your determination to be the best you can be for your horse, and for yourself. Bravo to you!
ReplyDeleteI was at the Cobblestone Rocks water complex when you had your fall. I was wowed by your horse and so very glad you both were OK. The pictures of the fall are good ones, but to watch it all was something else. I became an instant Frankie fan - she was brave, and correct and just flat out IMPRESSIVE.
Wishing you both the very best.
Annie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words and support. Frankie really is a smart and amazing mare. I know I am very lucky to have her. She has taught me a lot about myself personally and shown me that through patience and dedication anything is possible. It is important to have goals, as we all know, but more important to be able to listen and reflect. I use that reflection to guide me to where to go in our training next. It's not a race or a competition against anyone else and I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere- all the events I'd like to compete in will still be there when we are ready.... just as they have been in the past.
Again, Frankie and I thank you. I think she knows how special she is!
Suzie