Save Us !!

 

It is a well-accepted truth that the reliable eventing horse must be able to get himself out of a tight spot or a sticky situation. But, how do you know if the horse you are riding has this skill? I mean, if you purposefully put your horse in a bad spot, don’t you think he will start to resent it?

Fancy Pony and I were jumping little grids, and we worked her up to her first bounce! She was getting it! She was quietly cantering in with impulsion and balance. She was lifting her shoulders and rounding over the jumps. She was hitting her striding nicely and the grid was teaching her not to rush on the landing side. She was never tempted to take the long spot (because why would you try in a grid??).

Then, she brought herself into the line in a less-than-ideal place and pace. I think she was getting a little too comfortable with the exercise! She nearly fumbled her jump into the bounce. There was nothing I could do to help her. Rather than ‘do nothing’ and wait for inevitable failure, though, I sat up, gave her some rein, closed my leg, and said to her “Get us out of it!”

It wasn’t pretty…

NOT pretty...

Nevertheless, she saved us! I can’t tell you what she did, because I don’t know. She pulled herself together, cleared the jump out of the bounce, and finished the grid (still relaxed! WTH??) – all I did was stay out of her way and tried to stay in balance!

I also got kudos on my walk-canter transitions. My pony is just that damn cool!

she's awesome!