Dressage King or Jumping Fool?

Roo and I are finally coming together and having excellent rides.  I have figured out how to forget about the “impending spooks” and just ride him in the moment, not what “might” happen.

I actually rode in tons of company and we both handled it great.  He didnt spook and we were able to continue working.  I have to drop my irons a hole because they are too short and I am having to adjust my leg back behind the block too much.  I know that my leg needs to be draped, but I have big thighs and getting used to having that much block is hard.  Also, because he was so spooky, my irons were shorter just for safety.

I am able to get him softer, rounder and suppler much faster.  I am learning what his body should feel like and how not to force him to the bit, but ride him too it.  Its coming.  To the left is much easier than to the right.

So after our work on Sunday, jumps were being set up in the ring for a lesson.  So I walked him over a tiny cross-rail, he was looky at first, but then was perky and seemed to love it, so I popped him over a bigger cross-rail, he loved it.  He was jumping these teeny 18″ cross-rails like they were 3 feet high.  It was cracking me up.

I think I am going to change up our work pattern and pop him over fences occasionally, but I have to be careful because he has hock changes.