That's a 10 second video of Connor doing the up bank bounce to an enthusiastic vertical, and then "taking off" afterward - "taking off" in quotes because his taking off isn't exactly the same as an OTTB taking off. Despite the fact that this is on the property, Connor and I have never schooled it before, so this was new for him.
My trainer did a fantastic job with him, far better than I could have, and gave him a positive and confident ride to things that would have been new for both me and Connor. This was also the first time she's ever jumped him, and he threw all his usual tricks at her - putting his nose down to inspect everything as they jump it, jumping unexpectedly huge, etc. As a spectator, I could see the wheels turning in his brain as he puzzled out each new question, and gradually became more comfortable with it as they repeated the exercise. Full writeup tomorrow - I am way behind on housework after spending all weekend at the barn! This was the end result, though:
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| Worn out pony doing his almost-famous sleeping-while-balancing-on-his-chin act. I tried to get a closer picture, but he woke up when he heard me. |
He's so cute AND awesome! What a good boy!
ReplyDeleteAnd athletic, thanks to his breeder. :)
DeleteOh, man, you are killing me over here with the CUTE. He looks like he's thinking so hard!
ReplyDeleteOh he was, just wait til you see the clips of him trying to figure out the down bank. I swear he was writing a thesis on the merits of whether to jump or not.
DeleteGreat, now I want a pony again! He's so cute glad he had a good outing!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am succeeding at enabling!
DeleteThat's adorable! I think it's really smart your trainer put some more time over fences on him. It's going to make life easier for all of you. :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I am just not experienced enough over fences to do it myself.
DeleteAw Connor! He is all like "Wheeeeeeeeeee I am so goooooooood!"
ReplyDeleteHaha he has always looked like that over up banks. Something about them makes him feel like superman!
DeleteHe is so cute!! He really does look steady for a green horse. I can see him looking but he goes right over :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! He likes up banks. He looks a lot more green going down. :)
DeleteSo freaking adorable!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful jumping!
ReplyDeleteHe is just the cutest! Homeboy loves his job, too. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, he made me wonder if he really wanted to event when I first got him, but now I am pretty sure he does!
DeleteEeeeextreme cuteness! Love how he's all "WHEEEE!!!!" after the last jump.
ReplyDeleteHaha yeah, something got into him there! He liked it, I think.
DeleteOh my goodness he is so stinkin' cute and not just cute but very handsome too! I can only imagine how much fun it was to get to watch him.
ReplyDeleteIt was awesome. Seriously no regrets about not being the one on his back. I was inwardly 'squee'ing the whole time.
DeleteI love his take off! He's just so excited! It's adorable :)
ReplyDeleteOMG. He is so cute! I love his ears!! He is such a good sport and oozes personality. You have an incredible mount!
ReplyDeleteSeriously - your pony is sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteGreat job through there!
ReplyDeleteHaha, the "runaway"! You know he was thinking he was hot stuff!
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