A Happy Post

I took a lesson last Thursday and rode a cute jumper named Charlie (and I got to wear my new Trophy Hunters!). No pictures unfortunately.

Holy. Smokes. It felt so good to be back on a jumper! I haven't been in the saddle for about a month so I did flop around like a sack of potatoes in between turns, and my legs have gotten loose, but we nailed 99% of our distances. It was just a huge confidence builder overall. I'm one of those riders who gains and loses muscle tone very very quickly. One month off is enough to throw off my strength; it is frustrating in that regard.

Charlie is a neat horse; his changes are automatic and if you give too much leg, he'll do 2 beat tempe changes until you fix your leg (ask me how I know). He also goes around with his tongue sticking out of the side of mouth and his ears pinned. I've watched him before in the 1.0m jumpers, and his "game face" is adorable.

I had a blast though- we only tackled 2' fences, but I had some related distances, jumps at angles, tight turns, and a couple oxers to make things interesting. Can confirm: the jumper ring is the ring for me.

Candy's rehab is going alright. His legs have gotten so angry from the standing wraps; I've started cold hosing before his hand walks so his legs will be dry when I rewrap with clean wraps. He's on 25 minutes of hand walking, and possibly 2 more weeks of stall rest! His pastern area still puffs up now and then, but it's nothing like it was. I rode him bareback the other day- it was so beautiful outside and I love riding him so much. It's moments like these that make me remember why I ride.

-K&C