Firsts: Hand gallop and ground poles course

Someday I'd like to look back on this blog and think it'll answer other beginners' questions on how they can expect to progress in lessons. That's always the question in the back of my mind between lessons - "What will my instructor give me next and when will I get to do XY and Z?"

I thought I would get to try going over a little jump yesterday, but my instructor wanted me to feel really comfortable at the canter, standing up in stirrups and everything. Her solution was to have me go beyond the canter and hand gallop! Granted, I was on good old Chewie (the biter with grazing reins) and although he's pretty naughty, he's very safe for a first hand gallop. We had the ring to ourselves since it was a make-up lesson. As I described it to my boyfriend, it felt like I was driving a mini-jet around the ring! Amazing!

We also tried a standing still to canter transition. I'd never done it before, but it was no problem because Chewie's kind of a rock star with his willingness to canter.

After that, D set up 5 ground poles and explained a course to me and how to memorize it. The terms I learned were:

Line: 2+ jumps in a row
Single: One jump
Outside: jumps along the rail
Diagonal: jumps set up on diagonal lines
Up: Going away from the in-gate
Down: Going toward the in-gate

The first course was outside single up, diagonal down, outside double up, trot all the way around the perimeter and finish with diagonal up. (Or something like that)

The second course involved a bending line, which I did totally wrong, and she explained it was more like two lines. She also explained how it can be easier to remember a course by abbreviating, and sometimes just knowing the first jump is enough to figure out what makes sense for the rest of the course.

Then she went into some details about what a hunter course would look like (lots of pretty lines, using the rail) versus a jumper course (efficient turns) versus equitation (uhh...similar to hunter? I forget).

As you can tell, my memory is not perfect with my lessons. I should probably write stuff down right after, especially since I only ride once a week and am apt to forget things.

I should point out that the lesson didn't end perfectly even though I woke up this morning feel stoked about it overall. By the end of the lesson Chewie's will power increased and mine waned so that going through that last course, he would flat out stop abruptly (I probably could have anticipated that and willed him on better), or when starting the course by trotting a warm-up circle, he would wobble all over the place...

Therefore, things I need to work on:

• When Chewie is trying to get out of going straight, he gets wiggly, and then I get wiggly to try to correct him, when really I need to have a firm seat and close off any openings for where he can go with my legs and reins.
• When warming up with him, I need to establish my authority with some walk to halt transitions and look for a burst of energy into the trot to know he's listening.
• For the course, I need to not turn too soon (I think my perception is off on this) to get the correct line to the trot pole. Planning ahead and finding a spot on the wall that is inline helps.

One last exciting thing! D asked if I had my own riding crop. I always use the ones at the barn. We have two indoors so sometimes I have to go hunting around for one in the dirt, by the stalls. You guys, this is going to sound really materialistic but I am so FREAKIN excited to go buy my own crop. Any opportunity (re: excuse) to buy something from Dover/Smartpak/local tack shop gets me amped! Was also thinking of getting some treats for the horses since that has been ok'd. So excited!