Brady and Hamster Attempt a Balancing Act
I have been working with Hamster over gymnastics. I got the idea from Jimmy Wofford, who taught a series of four clinics at the Equine Affaire. I went to three out of the four, but I got the gist of what he was saying about how gymnastics improve your jump position and your horse’s shape over the jump and helps them learn adjustability. Hamster for all his good parts is a rookie at gymnastics in my opinion, but to be fair, I have done them before with Punky but it has been a while. Since I did them, I’m not a complete neophyte but pretty darn close. It kind of reminds me of Yin Yang because as soon as I get something down, I lose my skill at something else.
The key to gymnastics on a horse is don’t think. NO, HOLD ON A SECOND! Think just don’t interfere! Let the horse make the mistakes just DO NOT INTERFERE. Oh, and THINK and THANK ME FOR GIVING YOU THIS TIP. Some of the main issues on jumping with Hammy over gymnastics is that he has a tendency to be a bit reactive when I take my hands off the neck and don’t stay with the motion. He also has a tendency to want to move like an “S” and I have to say. “Dang it horse! We are going straight whether you like it or not!” Hamster is now more used to gymnastics. I have to be in balance with him, and then it’s as if he is a perfect little horse.
The gymnastics really have been working for me. Now my mom can easily say, “Do this, not that”. I really need to work on folding better. Also, I need to work on keeping my hands in the same spot throughout the jumping. I also need to keep up with him. Whereas I have a tendency to be behind the motion. I also need to keep my impulsion. Hamster calls me out whenever I’m doing something wrong. Sometimes it for my benefit. Sometimes because he wants to.
These are the things I learned at the clinic that I am working with Hamster to achieve some splendid results; I need to improve on; no alligator arms, shoulders ahead of hips, light 3 point seat, perpendicular leathers etc. Wish me luck.