10/3/09
Miaren Schooling Cross Country

I'd planned on Bart taking pictures the day of the show, so
we didn't get a lot of good pictures schooling. Unfortunately
the show was cancelled due to rain, so this is what we have.
He was brilliant schooling for Laura, and looked eager and happy the entire
time. Well, except for when he was learning that he had to go when told,
even if there was a drop or ditch involved. He didn't hold a grudge, and once he
figured out his rider wouldn't give in, he seemed very proud to do the ditch
and bank in the end.
The photographer's timing was off with Miaren, so we got a lot of landings, and not so many take offs.
 

Some jumps weren't worth much effort. We eyed the Novice level jumps, but there was a big difference in the questions involved. That and we were competing the next day, so we didn't want to take too much out of them.
As I said, a lot of landing shots.
 
Here they landed and continued on to the next jump on course.
A little close, but at least he jumped.
 
He has done banks before, but this was enough of a question for him that he tested his rider. Guess who won?
And cantering away from the bank with a swish of the tail.
 
The only horse in our group that didn't care that the jump looked like a little barn. No refusal for him.
He's definitely a water baby. Grew up in the parent's pond. This was Laura's first time to try him in water, and she was pleased.
 
Little ditch, but here he showed his stubborn side. No kicking up at the whip or spurs, no leaping about, just standing still and refusing to move forward. Definitely some cob in there. Again, he gave in, and then jumped back and forth as if it were his idea.
He wasn't impressed with the Beginner Novice jumps, but that's how you start. Let him build his confidence and want for more.