Jumper pony!

Today I’m riding a jumper pony named Nikko! I have ridden him in the past but today I want it to be different. Better! So I set myself up to be perfect. I wore a cute outfit (LFF inspired) and I thought very, very, very positive thoughts! 💭

When I got to the barn Nikko was still enjoying turn out. I walked to get him and remembered that the last time I got him from turnout he bit me… But nowwww he didn’t- he was so good! I put him in the cross ties and started grooming him. He is not a gray like Coco is, so it’s much easier to clean him up and have him lesson-ready. 🧽

I put his saddle on (he didn’t bite me) then got my helmet and boots on. As I’m walking up to the ring I realize I am SO excited to ride him today because it’s GOING to be BETTER then last time, right?? I walked him around the ring lots to get him ready to trot. There were some others riders in the ring jumping like 4’0”! Wow- I love watching them ride. 😃

I started trotting (with tight reins for control) and Cindy told me to loosen the reins. Again, the last time I rode him he was a crazy pony, so I was not expecting him to be so calm. 😌 So, I loosened my reins and you will never guess what happen next!? Cindy told me to put one hand on my head so I did and he was perfectly calm!

My mind is being blown right now!! After trotting both ways I picked up the canter. He is so good in the canter- so smooth and I love it! He is being very good so far! 🤯🤯 I cantered him both ways to finish warming up so we could JUMP!!

Today he (we?) worked on just staying calm and getting over the jumps! I did several of courses and, well, yes, it was my fault he stopped short of the jump in the first video below. I was going a LITTLE toooooo fast up to it, but then I wanted him to leave the ground wayyyyyyy too early, so he stopped. I should have seen my distance better (because there is no slowing him down!)

However, I am so happy I stuck it and did NOT fall off. All that positive thinking must have paid off! 😂

I fixed my error and as you’ll see below, the next time around he was great! Here we are working together!

And that was my lesson! Bye! I hope you have a good day or night where ever you are!