Shows of the outside world. Academy Nationals was last weekend. A most excellent way to skip a show is to be on a horse at another show. [Nationals I Have Known]
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Preparation for the show. [The Ride, AHJA Year End Show 2026]
October Plans & Posts
This show got put on the calendar in early October.
Continue SSF lessons but driving only. [Trying to Give Myself a Hand, ASB Driving Lesson] 16 October
Wanna ride in an ASB show? Yes, please,
One more general h/j lesson. Did not think about show. [Goldy Evening Light, Hunter/Jumper Lesson] 21 October
Better remember how to ride. [Getting Ready to Boogie, Saddle Seat Lesson] 22 October
Show [A Chance to Boogie, Stepping Stone Farm, Show Report] 24 October
Okay. Saddle seat out, hunter/jumper in.
Show Prep Mode
Took as many lessons as I could schedule.
Lesson, Wednesday 28 October. Jumped height! (or darn close). Not quite co-pilot but sporty grandma mode. What I have is faith in the horse. Goldy, “I think we should canter this line this time.” Okay. Leg. Eyes up. Still have to ride. That’s what tells him I’m with him.
Lesson, Friday 30 October. Let’s make major changes to my position the week before a show! First we talked about lower leg as ankle & heel with knees off the saddle. Lower leg is not calf. Then Coach Deana explained full seat vs half seat vs two-point as a function of hip angle. This resonated. Then she pulled my heels back, centering them underneath me. With my two-point, she’s always on about me to not have my hands so far up the neck. I, on the other hand, don’t think I should be riding with my hands in my lap. In an earlier lesson, she had said that if you falling back in two-point, bend your knees. All of these came together.
Coach Deana: Hands closer to the saddle.
Me: grumble, grumble. Now my shoulders are in front of my hands.
Coach Deana: Then move your shoulders back.
Me: oh.
A lot of changes all at once. Let them settle over the weekend.
Lesson, Monday 2 November. Courses. Worked on solidifying position from previous lesson. Change never feels as brilliant on the second day. Ride felt good. Observers pleased.
No lesson, Wednesday 4 November. Rain. Not overly perturbed. As ready as I was going to get. Goldy, of course, has done it all & seen it all and didn’t require any schooling at all. It was all for the rider.
Onwards!
Katherine
