[KZWestern]

A jumping horse! Yeah, I know... I'm crazy. I've been wanting to learn how to jump for a long time, mostly because I want to rate through the Pony Club and thus far haven't been able to do so because I don't jump! I'd like to get my D3 thru C2, and then I'd do the concentrated rating for dressage. I think C2s have to jump 3 feet. Well, the area of MN I live in is pretty sparce when it comes to jumping instruction. The closest barn that has a credible instructor (she events, has evented thru CCI**) is about 30 miles from where I live. BUT it's the closest. Due to insurance though, I have to either own or lease a horse... and since I'm not interested in trying to train one of my horses to jump while I'm trying to learn, i decided to lease. I'll actually be half leasing. I haven't me the horse's owner, but I met the horse today.

I talked to the jumping coach at the barn and she said this horse was jumping over 4 foot and trained to 3rd level dressage. I thought, PERFECT!! And I get to half lease for $75 a month, no vet or farrier bills, and the owner said i could show whenever and however much i want because she's too busy to.

When I went to meet the horse i'll admit I was a bit skepticle. he just hits 15 hands and he's a QH. I was expecting a TB or something, and a bit larger. Well, this other girl rode him for me to watch and HOLY SCHMOLLY can that horse jump. She was jumping 4 1/2 ft jumps and he cleared it with a foot of clearence, legs snapped up to his belly.

Then I rode him on the flat afterwards. He does do some nice dressage work although I could tell he was a little rusty. He did very nice shoulder in, haunches in, leg yields etc but he was NOT forward the way a good dressage horse should be. I didn't push because he was tired from the jumping (that COULD be why he wasn't forward) and I wasn't interested in training the first ride. But I was encouraged by the way he molded nicely into lateral movements and i'm looking forward to working on his dressage more. Oh yeah, and jumping!! I'll probably take my first lesson later this week.

[Quiggles]

Thats so great!! What a fantastic opertunity for you You would be surprised at what other breeds appart from the standard TB/WB can do, im even seeing more standardbreds out compeating.

While your at it make sure you get lots of photos, and get some of Gratty too, I havn't seen any of his more recent ones.

[Liberty's Gal]

That sounds awesome. I know there is a dire lack of jumping instructors. I was trying to find one for another member and came up almost empty handed.

How are the rest of your horsies doing? Will you be showing any dressage this year? If so we should try and meet as I will be taking my greenie Arab out (And not expecting greatness).

[KZWestern]

Lauren... I don't really HAVE pictures of Grady... I just never get around to taking any. He's doing well though, and I hope to be getting some pics of me riding him soon. You guys can see how pretty he is!

I am planning on showing ALOT of dressage this year, both schooling and class A.

[HUS_WP_lovr]

Sounds great! Make sure you take loads of pics for us.