jump of doom

It's not that I doubt Isabel's ability; I'm pretty sure we will eventually get to BN height (fingers crossed!). But the pace of our progress is dictated by my confidence. So it goes slow. I'm just finally feeling super comfortable with 2' again, and 2'3" is doable. 

But I dislike rolltops. They look *big* to me, and I am a wuss. The one at my lesson barn OF is probably 2'3". So it's not entirely outside of our comfort zone. Except I hate it. 

Every week my trainer P asks me if I want to jump it.... and every week I politely decline while the brave 11 yr olds in my group sail over it, no problem.

Last week it was just pushed up against the rail though, and my immediate thought is - thank god, we get one more week without having to jump the monster.

phew - jump of doom is not set up.

This week, though... no such luck. And little did I know that 'against the rail' doesn't necessarily mean 'not set up.'

oh. shit.

Yea... because we are brave little eventers we are jumping *out* of the arena into the adjoining field for a little romp up the hill, then back downhill to a coop into the arena. 

Side note - I'm totally fine with coops, boxes, anything angular, even though I know they're not as easy for the horses as round obstacles like rolltops. It doesn't have to make sense though, that's just how it is in my head.

Anywho. P specifically did NOT ask me if I wanted to do this. She just told me that I was doing it. Honestly I kind of expected that... and was maybe waiting for that moment. The whole trust thing - she won't make me do something unless she's sure I can. So this lesson was the big moment.

She was nice though, and had one of the aforementioned brave 11 year olds pony me through. I just pointed Isabel at the horse in front and she did the rest.

lift off!

video proof (note brave kid leading the way)

It was awesome. 

Izzy jumped conservatively, but didn't really back off it. If anything, I'm holding too much. But we did it like it was no big deal. 

I am really loving that Isabel is in a place now where she can help me out - like 'just hang on, I totes got this."

So the jump of doom -- conquered!! Woo hoo!