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Whisper can jump…boy can he jump. And of course I forgot the camera.

Training began in the arena with Whisper fully tacked – bridle, surcingle w/side reins, and Jean perched saucily on his back. Samantha set up the cavalettis and the barrels (the pole was set higher than I had it last week) then said when he was lungeing comfortably to take him over the jump. The first couple of times he picked up his feet and trotted over. The pole was raised. Whisper jumped. Several times. After giving me pointers on my form Samantha took him and they worked out his tendency to speed up (very common in green horses) and some of his fear of jumping the barrels. Basically he canters on landing because he can - that gait seems to flow naturally after a jump. By the time he reached the arc of the circle he had slowed to a trot which is what he should do. He would then trot to the jump and jump. Samantha showed me how to give him added impetus by clucking and using active body language (that’s the only way I can think to describe it). She also showed me what to do when he starts leaning on the line and quits paying attention.

As he got into it I think he started to enjoy it. He refused a few times – mainly at the barrels – and changed directions without being told a few times but always came back to her and settled down quickly. At one point he made a flying lead change as he turned to the left after the jump. The pole was raised again – I think it was up to 24” but I’ll have to measure and Jean moved to riding sidesaddle. He totally ignored that thing flapping at his side. He never had any problem clearing the pole and even made one gorgeous jump over the barrels. Of course I had my back to him when he took off but I turned in time to see him with his forelegs tucked in sailing over the barrels. It made my day. I am so proud of him.