One or two jumps, and it clicked for Nero. I'd turn him to head to a jump and he'd leap into a canter and we'd be on our way.

 

This is a local Beginner Novice course. The jumps aren't big, but since we were going to compete, we were sure to jump them all.

The vest is a Tipperary. It doesn't fit well under my hunting jacket, but when we go without jackets, I tend to wear it.

Half way through the course he was pulling me to the jumps.

The biggest jump on course. He may have rapped it with his hinds. Finally he's getting comfortable and not doing a lot of over jumping.

This one was a refusal the first time.  The second try was a high awkward jump, so we finally took it nicely on our third try. He's more into natural looking jumps.

A little sloppy with the feet. There's no picture, but he also did a good job over a novice ditch on course.

Our first go at the water would have been a refusal.  He wanted to sniff it first. No cantering through, but a splashy trot was better than the first sluggish walk. He has an uncomfortable habit of leaping into the water on the approach. Then there's the big splash when we hit.

Last jump and off to the finish flags.