Horses of the outside world. UNESCO: Equestrian art in Portugal
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Goldy
Rosewood Stables
30 May 2026
Catching up on lessons, day 1.
Saturday 16 May. Positive. Got a big canter on the flat. Less positive. Wasn’t ready to jump at that pace. Had to convince Goldy to dial it back when we moved on to jumping.
Another smol vertical & another flying change.
Note to self after lesson. Goldy is sensitive to my head position. If I flop or lean or tip my head, he decides I’m out of position & slows down. I know this. I must remember this.
Note from future self. Been good about doing this in subsequent lessons. Easier because he makes it so obvious when I do it wrong and equally obvious when I do it right.
Wednesday 20 May [The Goldy Ticket, H/J Lesson]
Saturday 23 May. Good footing but sloppy. One crossrail had a tiny puddle under it. I called on my eventing heritage. I didn’t jump into the back seat, but I did stir in a trace of defensive riding. Nice jump with a “Good trot” comment beforehand. Hmm, is that what they mean by the horse being ‘In front of the leg’?
Note from future self. Been trying this for jumps. Seems to work?
Saturday 30 May. Indoors because hot. Lots of flatwork to get Goldy on board. He knows how to do it. He has to believe the rider. Gotta convince that it is time to shift out of Grandma mode. Good jumps.
Have you ever gotten an inadvertent flying change? We were on a circle, I had lined myself up badly. I asked Goldy to go wide so we had more room. Apparently, those particular aids are the same as the aids for a flying change. Fling.
Goldy: You ask for flying change. I give you flying change. Why you so surprised?
What a ⭐.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 