Chris Burton SJ lesson. 10-02-16

Have been feeling a bit down about our jumping recently.  Since we xrayed his hocks before Christmas I just keep thinking he's 17 now and he's got a few mild changes in his hocks but maybe I shouldn't be pushing him to go jumping anymore.  It's niggling away in my head all the time even though he's been as keen as always XC and out hacking, he is always so laid back about SJ.

Today took him to Chris Burton who knows him well.  Explained what's been going on and got him to have a sit on.  He popped him round a 95cm-1m course to start with then whacked them all up 6 holes - guessing around 1m15 ish and he pinged round not touching a thing.  Chris pronounced him the same lazy toad as always and just need to sharpen him up again and then he flies.  Yay!  Was so paranoid he might say he didn't feel right.  Great to know he is fine and just his usual laid back self.

So, we started with a bit of work moving him on and back, trying to keep him connected through the bridle, not letting him run on and all the energy fly out the front end.  Make a click click sound and if he doesn't listen then sharp leg aid.  Aiming to just be able to make the click click at any point and he will take me forwards.  He said he used it when he was slightly off to a fence to make sure he moved up instantly and made up the distance and need that kind of reactivity from him.  Let him chill out in walk in between work, but as soon as pick up the reins want him instantly reactive.  Reaction and connection.  Don't nag!

Then we went straight into a course.  No time to mess around with warmup fences for me as used half the lesson with Chris riding so he said he hoped I had my eye in!!  Eek.  (very glad I did some pole work and a little x pole yesterday now)   Proved I don't need a tiny x pole every time I get on though.  Went straight into an upright of reasonable size and round a course.  I tried to go into panic meltdown pull for a stride ridiculousness at the one stride double but thanks to the forwards conditioning from Chris, Monts just took over and pinged through no probs.  Great feeling!

Short break, then on to another course with a couple of trickier lines.  Got told to just sit quieter down the treble but well done on riding positively through the corner to it.  We got a little close to the final double but generally really pleased with how happy and forwards he felt.  Time to forget about his age.  He'll tell me when he's had enough.  Onwards and upwards!