"don't worry about problems that might arise"

"Worry about the problems you're having right now."

In other words, "don't worry about chasing the mare and getting fast-n-flat and behind your leg. Worry about the fact that you're adding too many strides and crashing into fences."

Noted. 

this is a 12' stride emma. you may also apply this same strategy to stadium. kthxbai.

These were Dan's (paraphrased) words from this week's lesson. As previously mentioned, we signed up for coaching at Fair Hill, marking the first time he got to see us in action in the show ring. Naturally, he was less than impressed.

(Fun side story: I jokingly asked if I got a discount on the coaching fees for getting eliminated and he was incredulous, saying I ought to owe more... womp womp)

He proceeded to come into this lesson with a serious game plan: course work. Didn't even touch my warm up flat work - just told me to get out and get it done while he set fences. Then sent me over a low wide oxer on a circle to get started. Circling until I got it right. Change directions and repeat.

Then immediately onto the course: A super simple outside in 4, bending diagonal in 6, outside in 4 pattern, ridden in both directions (all square oxers and verticals). Jumps set just a hair less than a true 12' stride. And he was crystal fucking clear: NO ADDING.

Specifically:

• Forward. More. 
• Seriously, more forward. Now. 
• DON'T SLOW DOWN IN THAT CORNER!!
• But into the bridle. 
• Mare should be PULLING you to the fences. 
• Needs more weight in the reins - none of that loopy rein nonsense.

If you get to the jump at a not great distance, the forward stride will carry you over. 

Don't cheat on a bending line - don't take the shorter direct route to make the strides easier to get. Have to fit in ALL the strides - but each stride must be the SAME LENGTH. Otherwise you're disrupting your 12' stride rhythm, which totally undermines the purpose of getting the strides and screws you through the rest of the course. 

Don't worry about lead changes right now (and for fucks sake, stop twisting your upper body over the fences) - you get too bogged down and lose your rhythm. Just ride forward. GO. Mare will figure it out. 

brief aside: our hackamore totally fell apart mid-canter out in the fields the other night. did i worry? no way, this mare is awesome and i have total and complete faith in her stopping ability. which begs the question, WHY DO I PULL IF I FEEL SAFE CANTERING HER IN THE OPEN WITH NO BRIDLE?!?!?! ughhhh emma, c'mon! 

Do..... do you wanna know how that worked out for us? Well? We jumped the jumps. All of them. And it felt loooooads better. Isabel was like, 'jesus fucking christ, hallelujah - she's finally letting me go!' 

Sure, there were occasional ickies and uglies, and a few knocked rails for good measure. But generally, we were way closer to where we needed to be - where we have been before. Somehow, somewhere along the way I just totally lost my feel. I got backed off. 

It's starting to come back tho. Hopefully. A little bit at a time. Phew. 

The next steps in my action plan include a lesson with trainer P at OF that will undoubtedly include a grid or two and some course work. Then a local h/j show where I plan to lay down a couple rounds in hopes of breaking my recent habit of freezing up in the show ring. Wish us luck. 

i'll never doubt you again, my darling!! 

And in the meantime, on a slightly different but related vein: Dan referenced the following commercial with regard to moving on from mistakes and low moments. Well, I say he 'referenced' it when in reality he pretty much quoted it word for word. 

"Short Memory" ft. James Harden & Charles Barkley

SOLID GOLD right here, folks

Happy Friday, y'all.