In which I jump a Gypsy Vanner...

Wink and his owners continue to make slow, steady progress. As I mentioned last time around, we've started working on some jumping. The ground work and lunging have really helped get Wink to start picking his feet up. This is a horse who is more likely to plow through something than jump over it, so this has really been an accomplishment. Haha.

Last week, we were finally ready to send Wink over some jumps with a rider on board. I hopped on and warmed him up. Then we set up a low obstacle in the middle of the ring. I trotted in and cantered out. Wink knocked the pole with his back feet, but seemed quite proud of himself nonetheless. I took a lap to get him organized, then cantered over the obstacle again. This time, he made a better effort to avoid smacking the rail. Good pony! I also have to say that I'm very pleased with how far Wink's canter has come. He used to have two speeds... fast trot and crazy cart horse gallop. I don't know that he'll ever do a peanut rolling lope (or that I would want him to) but he is finally relaxed and fun to ride.

From there, we set up the big plastic roadwork blocks along the fence to make Wink actually have to jump. Once again, I trotted in for the first attempt, then came around and did it at the canter. Wink popped right over like he'd been doing it his entire life. I have to say he's probably got the most comfortable jump I've ever ridden. I shouldn't be surprised. He really is like a spotted couch with a lot of hair. Haha. I called it quits there because you're really not going to get a better first attempt at carrying a rider over jumps, and he was being super honest despite the deep, sandy footing. You know I love to quit on a good note.

Wink's owners are not going to be jumping any big obstacles any time soon. In fact, their main goal is to be able to hop the occasional log out on the trails. It is a skill set they want their horse to have, even if they don't use it. Ken and Kathleen have never jumped at all so we're really starting with a completely blank slate. We started out with the little obstacle in the middle again... setting it just high enough for Wink to have to lift his knees over it... and we spent the rest of the lesson having them trot over it back and forth. 

Kathleen practices trotting over a baby obstacle.

I explained two point to them and their homework for the week was to ride in two point as much as they physically were able. 

Mostly I'm just excited because I've never jumped anything this fluffy before...