It was more than a bit nippy this morning. Not really sure about riding four year olds was something I wanted to do in the cool morning air, but that was the schedule so....
I think I learn something every ride. Sometimes it's a good lesson, and sometimes it's a humbling one. Joey's first ride was not my best effort, and was definitely a humbling one. As always he was there, but I just didn't ride it well. Knowing how badly I screwed up , I stumbled back to the barn and prepared for round two. I only warmed up briefly, but patted him and told him how good he was twice as much. He's such a big sweet boy who tries so hard. I knew I needed to relax in order to be a better partner for him, and not try so hard to knock it out of the park. So off we went for the Sweepstakes ride. Less riding errors and a more relaxed horse gave us a nice 72. That's more like it!
Ruby went in next for his Championship. I remember thinking to myself, if you just relax and let him do his job, you got it. He warmed up beautifully. With Joey, it's about his confidence in you. With Ruby, the rides about partnership. If Ruby doesn't think you see him as an equal partner, he just won't do it for you. So we went in, and I "let go". The ride was our most wonderful ride to date, much steadier and softer to the bridle, and he came in third in the Training Level Championships! His second round he was a little cranky. But I was ok, and remember to try to "fix it" less. He wound up third to Joey in the sweepstakes.
Hey, we seem to be on a roll with this 'relaxed and less controlling riding' thing. Can we do this in Shorty's GP?
Shorty's class was probably the biggest GP Championship class I've seen! I was fully prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. A cool breeze and light rain moved in. Shorty's always been a mudder though, and weather doesn't phase him much. Shorty's ride is always about keeping him mentally relaxed enough for a nice connection that let's me half halt as I need.
We did our brief stretching routine, and he felt really good. The warm up started maybe a little behind my leg, but I've learned that when he gets tight, his medium gaits get him back into my hand, and a little shoulder fore helps him connect again. We headed into the ring, and Shorty saw the judges boxes, and started to get wired and bug-eyed. I reminded myself I promised to try to ride my test the way I rode Joey and Ruby earlier. That I had to relax more, and let the horse do his job. Breathe girl breath!
So I let go, and Shorty did one of the nicest rides I've ever felt. He was willing, and adjustable, and hardly ever tried to root like he sometimes does. (the pony in him speaking!) He showed his biggest passage, and even had some nice willing piaffe moments.
Even before I found out our placing, I was so very happy that Shorty and I had found a new level to our partnership, where he could have an 'edge', but would also stay submissive and nice. He trusted me in a tough spot!
Off to bed to rest up for day two, but what started as not the best day turned out to be a smiling one in so many ways. It really wasn't the ribbons that made me smile, but the lesson I've learned today about my partnership with my boys, and sometimes it's not about strength that makes a truly great ride, but about relaxing, and letting your horse do his job!
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