So (wow, I sure start a lot of posts this way...) my dog and I stayed with my good friend from the team, Chris, last weekend at her dad's townhouse (which is GORGEOUS btw) so we could get another practice in before stock show dress rehearsal on thursday night.
Vaulting wise, it was a long but fun day. We didn't drill on the barrel much at all, unlike before, so that was nice but we did more horse work. It just being adults again was really nice and we were able to get a lot done without getting stressed out. I finally vaulted on to Gus at the canter all by myself again. I don't know what my deal has been. Both the first time I ever tried and the first tiem I ever tried on him, I did it perfectly but for some reason I haven't really been able to sense. It went from fine, to clawing my way up, to not being able to get up at all and had begun to really frustrate me. In fact it was affecting me so adversly, I lost all my confidence and just quit altogether. I've been getting legs up for quite a while since then and my coach hadn't pushed the issue until this weekend. Completely doubtful, I tried and to my great surprise, I made it! Yes, there was clawing involved because I turned but not as bad as before. I actually made it all the way up without him having to stop the horse and it's on tape! I still have yet to watch it because, being the perfectionist that I am, I'm not far enough removed form it yet to see only the success of making it and let the failure to do it properly go. While I felt my comps at the trot to the right left much to be desired, we got to work at the canter and that was pleasanly surprising. I was full of dread, certain it would end hourendously considering I'd only attempted it once and that time didn't go very well considering I'd never worked past the walk doing anything at that point and hadn't vaulted at all in two months! This time however, I saw definitely progress. I was able to hold a steady (and what I'm hoping was a somewhat presentable) flag for a good 3 or 4 strides whereas before I barely got it up and immediately fell. I also attempted a stand at the canter for the first time and got half way there! (Gus was also not being particularly enthusiastic that day so I was a bit afraid I'd get up there and then he'd decide to trot and over his head I'd go so I felt it best to stop there for the day.) The mill was also considerablly easier than before, though I did fall dismounting...twice. Haha but I was still proud of myself nonetheless and for me, that is an achievement in itself.
Chris stood at the trot half-way for the first time (she still struggles standing at the walk, though she's much better than she gives herself credit for, and did all of her comps at the canter as well except for the stand. Haha she did eat surcingle though...quite literally! She was attemtping to stand at the trot and was oh prolly at least 1/3 of the way there when Gus suddenly decided to walk and she fell forward, hitting her teeth against the surcingle, hence the reason I felt it better to err on the side of caution when standing myself lol. She was a trooper though and it was great fun. We also worked afterward, pulling Gus's mane and clipping him for the upcoming exhibition.
Oh, competition leos are in and they're GORGEOUS! At least I think so. I've only seen Chris' and I won't get mine 'till Thursday so I don't have a picture now but I'll post one then. Can't wait to try it on! :D
The rest of our weekend was spent with pizza, Bones, and watching our dogs play. All-in-all, it was a very nice weekend with a very good friend. :)
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