Duh Moment – What Comes After Rhythm

G’s out of town this week so no lesson tonight. Instead we had a makeup lesson on Sunday.

As you may recall, at the start of the summer it took us awhile to find our outdoor rhythm again. We eventually found it and were able to make it down the lines no problem.

Turns out rhythm isn’t enough. Who knew?!?!? I can’t just close my leg and aim towards the next fence. I actually have to ride.

Huh.

It’s not like I’ve been getting refusals or run outs. Tucker is quite honest.

The thing is, our jumps could be better. I felt the better on Sunday.

G’s wife D was the one coaching us. She has a bit different style. I like that because you end up working on different things and it gives you other ways of looking at things.

She kept instructing me to apply different aids at different points around the course. For example we’d land off the in of a line and I’d close both legs to make the stride. But then she’d say close your outside leg. So we had the rhythm and then we got the perfect spot on a straight line by applying the proper aids. And the jumps felt GREAT!

Hmm.

Apparently I’ve been to much the passenger. Not that I’ve been sitting there doing nothing. Just not doing quite enough for the polished ride we want.

Flat ride tonight. Hopefully I’ll remember to focus on no stirrup work.

Check out the bath time giveaway.