This week in lessons

Well Clare won last week's challenge, with Kelsey a close second. That Zander can really adjust as long as you believe it is possible!

This week in lessons we will be working on perfecting 15 meter circles at trot and canter, as well as counting down strides to a single jump.

It is important to look UP and past the jump when trying to judge take off and just have the jump in your peripheral vision. If you look down at the jump you will tip forward and usually it will end in a chip! You should also make sure you count in rhythm with the canter. If you find yourself counting faster as you get closer you will likely push your horse past the distance.

Remember this is all in fun, and being able to count down your distance to a jump is not indicative of your ability to ride, it just helps me know how aware you are of how far you are from the jump. We will also work on identifying the distance you got once you get to the jump. Was it: Long and weak? Long and powerful, short and weak, a chip, perfect, good distance, but weak? Rushy and flat? To help learn this part of it, it is important to WATCH the other riders, and to learn what I am looking for when I judge the quality of a jump.

Karen