Anyhow, getting back to the horses, the other weekend I took my favorite rearer off to an XC clinic at Gasstons Yard in Headley. I don't know if I can actually call this horse a rearer any more as he seems to have lost the rear in his rear. He was an angel and jumped like a super star. I thoroughly enjoyed the lesson, was able to make it over all of the fences we were pointed at including a massive massive table that made me want to cry a little as it went through an arch that I didn't think me and my 16.3hh warmblood would even make it through, but we did, awesome happy times.
We even jumped a ditch without issue. The thing about having great teacher like Lucy, is that when she tells you jump a jump, you just do it, its as if there is no other option, you just simply have to jump the jump, and oh my god can this horse jump. I even made it over a few Novice fences which was pretty darn fun I have to say.
So, the upshot has to be, I never thought I would enjoy riding a warmblood as much as I do. Yes he is a lot of work to get going on the flat, you really have to gee him up, but when it moves, oh my god. And this horse has definitely had some education at some point, and well, when it jumps its gorgeous. The last thing on my list has to be neater SJ, at the mo we always have one pole, but I think with more flat work and getting a more compact canter, we will get there. Thank you to Lucy Gasston (XC and SJ help) and to Madeleine Herridge for some brilliant flat lessons, you have definitely got me going with a horse that had a decidedly dodgy future ahead, now has a very pleasant looking one !!