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| Subject: Melanie gets to jump Lucky Gamble for the first time!!! | |
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Author: Melanie |
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Date Posted: 20:03:03 06/17/02 Mon Melanie led the big bay Thoroughbred up from the pasture and hooked him in cross ties. She was so excited! Jenny had said earlier that day, "Melanie, you are doing such a wonderful job with Princess. I was thinking...maybe this afternoon you can have a jumping lesson on Gamble?" Melanie had stared at her with her mouth open. "YES!" she had exclaimed. "Ok. First you'll have a dressage lesson on Princess though," Jenny had smiled and walked off. Now Melanie bent to pick out Gamble's front hoof. Of course Jenny had let her ride Gamble before, but she couldn't remember actually jumping him. She set the hoof down and moved to the hind one. Jenny & Gamble showed over 5' fences!! Melanie picked the other 2 hooves and start brushing the 16.3 hand gelding. She couldn't even see over his back! Grinning wildly, she finally finished grooming his shiny bay coat and got the tack. Gamble dropped his head and accepted the bridle, but Melanie looked up at his back, towering above her head. Hmmm...She stepped up on the mounting block and heave the huntseat saddle onto his back. Gamble stood patiently. Melanie almost got hit in the face by a stirrup. Finally the Thoroughbred was tacked up. Melanie led him outside, stepped onto the mounting block and jumped into the saddle. Wow! She gathered the reins and her grin stretched even wider, if that was possible. He was huge! Jenny came out of the barn. "Hey," she said. "You look happy. Now, I know what you're thinking. Gamble can jump 5', but you 2 are only going over 3' today." "WHY?" Melanie demanded. "Because you've never jumped him before! I should be starting you over 2'," Jenny threatened. She helped Melanie adjust the stirrups to her length, raising them a few holes shorter. Melanie collected the reins and squeezed. Gamble strode off briskly. They circled the ring, warming up, while Jenny set up the fences. Then Melanie trotted & cantered over cavelletti and Gamble practically stepped over the cross rail. Melanie cantered a 20 meter circle for warm up. Gamble had huge, long strides, much bigger than Princess's. Melanie sat deep and moved with the big bay, leaning to the inside as they cantered the circle. Then Melanie tightened the reins and pressed Gamble towards the first jump, a 3' oxer. The bay bounded over it effortlessly, throwing his rider forwards in the saddle. Melanie trotted him back to Jenny. "Didn't expect that big of a jump!" she laughed. Jenny nodded and smiled. "That's ok. This time, grab some of his mane as you go over, and you know what to expect now. Keep the reins tighter. Go ahead." Melanie turned Gamble around and he cantered to the jump again. She rose out of the saddle, her gloved hands following his neck as he sprang over it, tucking his slender legs in. This time Melanie moved with him smoothly. They landed softly and cantered lightly to the next jump. Gamble glided over the fake wall. When they landed, Melanie sat deep and circled him to approach the gate. Gamble surged over it, having a blast. 6 strides to the bounce...Melanie leaned into 2-point and they soared over it. Melanie was so happy! She nudged him faster with her heels and they bounded over the 5th jump, a hogback. Then they cantered to the triple. Melanie tightened her grip on the reins and slowed the big Thoroughbred. They jumped the first one neatly, then sprang over the 2nd one, landed, collected, and flew over the last one! Melanie grinned as they cantered to the final jumps. The Thoroughbred pounded over them and then Melanie circled him. He dropped to a trot and she posted back to Jenny. Melanie halted him and beamed down at Jenny. "Well?" "Perfect," Jenny said. "How does it feel from Princess?" "Well, with Princess she is smaller and faster. Her jumps are not as long, but more springy...and I have to urge her more for the higher fences...she requires more of an effort I guess." "Right. She's still learning. Gamble is trained. Now, out there was excellent, but we don't want you to become a passenger rider, letting him to all the work while you just sit up there & look pretty." "How can I correct him if he is already perfect?" Melanie asked, dropping her boots out of the stirrups. Even if she stretched her legs out as far as they would go, her toe was still inches above Gamble's belly. Jenny smiled. "He isn't always perfect. If you let him go as he please, he would eventually make mistakes...clip a rail, take off too early, he needs a rider to guide him smoothly. Mel, you did really good. I hope you still want to jump Princess after this!" Melanie grinned and dismounted, hitting the ground a bit harder than she had expected. They walked to the barn chatting. After Gamble was bathed & put up, Melanie cleaned the tack and went home. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |