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Post by .*.Brandy.*. on Jan 5, 2008 19:30:55 GMT -5
 [ x ]reed miller. ~*~ - Caper Captain Classic @ Tropical Equine
- 2'9-3'3 for $1,000
~*~
After just warming her up in the outdoor arena, Dahlia had already sweated herself up a good bit & had white foam on her muzzle & bit. She tossed her head and it amazed me how much energy the dark bay mare had. She had an unbreakable spirit & it was my job to keep her focused without discouraging her. She wasn't super young but she wasn't a senior horse either. I loved riding Dahlia because she was a challenge. Her talent was overwhelming and with the right amount of training, she could go very far. Eyes up, I caught sight of Kayla leaning on the in-gate. She smiled at me, giving a little wave. I smile back before I collect up my reins and ask for a canter from a walk. Dahlia responded quickly, cantering a tad quicker than I wanted and I gently pressured her bit, slowing her slightly. She rocked her body back and forth as if she was going to buck but didn't. I cantered her in an opening circle before my eyes move towards the very first fence.
It was an easy 2'9 square oxer. The problem with square oxers were that the horses can't see the extra pole until they were right there so they really had to trust you on where to take off. Dahlia threw her head up as we approached, trying to quicken her pace. I mumured to her softly, keeping her a little slower as we take the jump at the correct spot. She used her neck as we powered over the fence & then down the line a few strides, jumping a 3 foot oxer in the process. My eyes shifted to the left as we finished jumping the second oxer, making a tight turn towards the diagonal fence. It was an interesting fence. It was a pole that on one side was placed at the 2'9 mark and on the other side, placed at 3'3. It was an optical illusion, making the horse pay attention. Auds forward, Dahlia rocked back on her hind end, taking off with me in control. After landing, I slowed her to the next fence a few strides down the line, a skinny fence set at 2'9. Dahlia felt as if she was going to cut out but I kept my leg on her persistantly and she jumped it, doing the lead change sloppily over the fence. We turn tightly, turning towards the line that was in direct proportion to the first line.
We jump the 2'9 oxer with ease this time and I slowed her on the strides in between towards the second oxer. It came to her much easier and made the turn afterwards much smoother than the first time around. I turn towards the other diagonal. This one was a vertical that Lily had taped streamers to. Dahlia whinnied now, auds flickering forwards & backwards, pace quickening. She was scared of it. I clucked to her and she powered forward, jumping it a little cross eyed. We cantered down the line & jumped the last fence, a simple 3'3 vertical with ease. I cantered her in the final circle before rolling my eyes & slowing her to a walk. I rubbed her neck as she sighed. Now of course, she was quiet enough to be a lesson horse. She was a spazz.
Dahlia, you're such a trip.
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