Are you and your horse doing what you love? After six good years with Tonka I stumbled onto a sport that he has told me is what makes him really happy. He likes to fly.
We’ve had fewer than 20 lessons over jumps. We’re sensibly staying at a low jump height of 18-inches. Tonka chooses to go higher. Here is a sequence from this week’s lesson. Note the enthusiastic tail swish at the end.
Tonka goes this big when we come into the fence “wrong” – too far out. If Tonka had his druthers we’d be jumping “wrong” every time. Too often, when I try to come in at the right distance, I misjudge and we get in too close. He doesn’t like that, but he keeps going. This horse makes me look good.
Occasionally, I manage to ride Tonka to the exact right takeoff spot.
“Exactly right” isn’t flying, and so it doesn’t generate that tail-flipping exclamation of joy, but it will give us longevity in this sport. And it will keep me in the saddle. We’re working on this compromise!
I can’t wait to see how he handles a proper oxer!
Steph, my trainer, tells Tonka that she’ll let him jump an oxer only when his rider catches up to his skill 🙂
Sounds like a good compromise to me, you are both having fun and that’s what it’s all about.
Love these jumping stories and photos! You both show beautiful form and are in great condition! BTW…that tail swish made me grin. Bravo to Tonka’s joy.
I’m happy to spread the joy!