Was not able (not allowed) to ride for about 8 days before sneaking back on the big fellow. It took about 2 or three rides to get back to where we were and things were going well. For the flat work I was doing a lot of transitions, including canter – walk and walk – canter. The aim being to get Occy to be more responsive and also to get him to use that big rear end of his more effectively. That seemed to be working nicely as my coach seemed pleased with progress.
Fitness wise managed to get out to do some hill work including gallops and long canters with lead changes.
For the jumping he was staying forward into the jumps including some short approaches on my arena. Not too many of his little time warps in front of the jump (to the uninitiated that means just a jump to the left and a step to the right, most disconcerting to ride). Had a lesson last Wednesday evening which started out nice and forward. I’m used to seeing the ground come closer when landing after the jump, but I knew something was wrong when I could clearly make out the grains of sand on the arena. Unfortunately he took a long stride to the oxer at one stage and collected the rear element. Abrupt end to the lesson, and Occy managed to get a few days off for recovery. Doesn’t seem to have done any major damage apart from some bruising on his shoulder and some bark off same where he landed.
I’ll give him some flat work on Sunday and see how he goes for that. Another treatment Monday night, and hopefully I will get the go-ahead to jump him in preparation for a horse trials the weekend after. Here is hoping.
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