Hunting on Wed - was expecting nice, quiet meet as it was the Children's meet but it was just like a normal meet only less people. All the kids went with 2nd field master and me and Andrew went normal speed jumping all the normal fences. Was generally a good day apart from Monty deciding to stop at about the 4th fence we jumped which caught me totally unawares as he never stops. It was a 90degree right hand turn, one or two strides to a little tyre jump in a dip between 2 fields but he'd normally happy jump off a rubbish stride esp out hunting and he just didn't. Smacked him, came round again and he stopped again. Another smack and a growl and he went over it and jumped everything else fab. Took Andrew's cue and rode him a bit more forwards into the fences instead of getting tempted to hook back and all was well. Still slightly concerned about him stopping though. That's a few too many stops in the past couple of months considering he's never even thought about it before. I've had teeth, back, saddle, physio etc all checked though and most of the time he's going really well. Just a bit off-putting really as I do not want a stopper. Must just remember to keep riding forwards. 2nd line was about 3.5miles long - we had a breather halfway through to let others catch up but Monty was proper knackered by the end. 3.5miles is about 2 normal XC courses though so although fitness could be a bit better I think he'll be ok for eventing in 3wks time.
Day off Thursday. Lovely hack on Friday - he was really forwards, really stepping under from behind into canter transitions and coming back to me when I shifted my weight back - lovely! :)
Today we did some schooling in the rain. Started with flatwork - deeper to start with in trot and canter to get him to relax a bit. Then did some canter work - on and back, walk to canter and canter to walk with some 10m circles to help get him back. Need to concentrate on keeping him round in the medium canter as he wants to stick his nose out. Then did some nice trot work on both reins in a comp outline. Need to work on keeping him in an outline during upwards transitions on the right rein but in general feeling good.
Then changed gear, slightly forwards seat and popped over the raised canter poles on each rein. Then round and over the 2ft6 jump straight and then at an angle. First few times stopped after and then similar aids so got him back by the time we turned the corner and had my nice powerful canter back again. He went to be spooky at the jump first time as had put 2 jump blocks underneath but wearing nice, long spurs due to flatwork first so he got a timely reminder and jumped it really nicely. Putting something spooky on the jump really helps him round over his back a bit better. Then the rain really started hammering down! We jumped the single barrel on its side with 2 guide rails. Remembered not to hook, keep riding forwards, first time he was trying to wave off line and stuck his head in the air but did jump. 2nd time again rode forwards, kept soft hands, nice stride and he really rounded over it. Finished there - very pleased with him. Is actually quite handy riding in the GP/jump saddle as enables me to do some flatwork then finish a session with a few jump having them set up in the other half of the school and can really mix up what we do and also jump more often than we were as do really need to pop over a few regularly to keep confidence up.
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