We were finishing up our dressage ride, the canter was feeling really good, and the temptation was just too much to not turn in on the diagonal and pop over.
I also jumped him this Saturday, only I went wild and threw on my generous barn mate's jump saddle. I set up two whole fences in the ring: a 2'3" vertical on a quarter line and a big X on one of the diagonals. It was rainy and cold, I'd waited all day for lessons to be over so the ring would be clear of small children, and even though I had to temporarily relocate a horse (who was weathering the storm in the indoor with an upset tummy, but is now back to normal), I was going to do some jumping--half assed or not.
I swung aboard and immediately wondered where the rest of the saddle was. I've become such a dressage snob--or maybe just a cushy County dressage saddle snob--that every time I sit in anything it feels fucking weird.
Also my stirrups felt really short. I don't usually adjust them because my barn mate is a shorty and her flat length stirrups are my jump length. Even so, I could have comfortably put these down a hole. Or two. Or even three. But no. I wanted to get my ride over with so off we went.
W/t warm up, easy peasy. Into the canter at half seat, also easy. I took a light seat for the jumping, my butt skimming the saddle at the canter. Opie was perfection. Metronome canter, adjusted at the slightest cue, popped over from the perfect distance every time and cantered off without missing a beat.
Then my foul weather headache slammed in and I quickly got off and put him away after fifteen minutes so I could get home without throwing up on myself. All told I was in half seat for maybe...three minutes of that ride?
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| does love the jumpies |
You guys. I got home, walked down my short driveway to get the mail, and my thighs were literally quivering.
The next morning I woke up and my calves hurt all day.
This morning my calves are still sore AND my left butt cheek aches.
Once upon I time I could gallop multiple horses in a day. Once upon a time I could do eleven minutes of two point without breaking a sweat. Apparently now I can't even warm my horse up without aches and pains.
True Confession: Someone on this blog may be a weakling when the stirrups get raised higher than the longest available hole. #itme
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