Then we did an exercise with a x pole oxer and a tight figure of 8 thinking about opening the hand to indicate the new leading leg each time. Took me a few goes to get it but was on a roll after that. Not done that one before - good to get him thinking and me seeing a stride round a corner. Chris said that was a good one for us to be able to practice at home.
Then started working round some courses. He was jumping well, meeting things mostly on good strides.
Rode the vertical out of the corner forwards so got a nice jump and a nice 4 strides to oxer and same back the other way.
Then we had a tricky line of vertical, 3 strides to 1 stride double which Chris said most people had messed up by adding a stride to the vertical then taking 4 strides to the double. I got a good forward shot round the corner and almost had to hold to fit in 3 strides so was pleased with that then surprised him by jumping the skinny brush but we did it ok.
Then onto a corner - did it on 5 strides curving line from vertical and he jumped it well.
Then the skinny brush followed by corner:
Then Chris made it wider and we came on a straight line, I saw a good positive forwards stride, had whip in left hand, rode forwards and didn't even think about hooking and the bloody horse ran out 2 strides away.
At this point Chris got on him and gave him a bit of a sorting out. He said I had a good line and a good stride and he was naughty to run out at that point and if he does that and I have got it right then he does need a telling off. He rode him over the skinny brush and the corner and then jumped everything else in the arena on an angle whilst doing the corner several more times and the pesky pony didn't put a foot wrong.
I got back on and did the brush and corner again - aimed more for the middle first time which he did but Chris wants me aiming for the narrower part as if we're going to be aiming at BE Novice the wider part will be too wide so we need to have him locking on to the smaller part. Narrower part the second time and he jumped well so left it there.
Homework is more corner practice. To start with build them against the fence line of the arena so he can't run out and gradually make them wider. Then away from the fence line but with a guide pole. Need to teach him slowly that running out is just not an option. Kind of concerning as first event is only 6weeks away and this may take some work.
Have got arena XC this weekend with Lucinda Fredericks so need to make sure don't do anything to encourage a left run out and ask to use guide rails if needed. Then have booked on to arena XC clinic at Coombelands with Chris a week Sunday. We will sort this if it kills me! Am now feeling that SJ is no longer my weak point - I am happy to take him round a 1m10 course. XC technicality is my new stumbling block and if moving up to Novice or even going to get round Badminton in one piece we have a lot of homework to do.
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