When Mom Wasn't Looking, She Jumped Three Feet

This time last week we were all a-dither over Lily's loss of confidence. Would we have to sell Buddy (her boisterous apx-QH) and buy a dull plug (since we can't afford a made horse)? Maybe we should send Lucy (my ignorant, untrained, unpredictable TB) out for training and hope it takes, then let Lily have her? Maybe we should sell the horses, move to town and take up tennis?

Then we had the confidence building lesson. (See Losing Confidence and Gaining it Back.) I wasn't sure how long Lily's confidence would stay boosted. All Buddy had to do was appear to be thinking, or perhaps not thinking, about bucking her off and it would all be over. (He bucks rarely but eventfully.) Yesterday I couldn't go outside because the pollen and dust are so bad, so I let her ride on her own with just a few glances out of the window. A horsey friend (not as advanced) was over and they were both taking turns riding Buddy. Apparently the friend was also excellent as Lily's personal jump crew.

Last night Lily said, "Mom! Can you believe I jumped three feet?"

Gosh, I hope not. Before now her highest jumps have been in the 2'6" range. "When did you jump three feet?" I asked.

"Today. It was great. I made him stop between jumps, then take a couple of steps and jump it," she said.

?!?!??!?!

"I think he gets to canter when he jumps three feet," I said. Her answer was a bit wobbly, I'll have to say.

"You can go see the jump," she said. "I really did it. Do you think I can jump 3'6" before the end of the year?" (Note: her New Year's resolution was to jump 3'0".)

"Not while I'm watching," I said.

"That's fine," she said. "You weren't watching yesterday." But she knew what I meant.

Maybe I liked her better scared (just kidding).

You should see the jump. A set of standards with one pole stuck up three feet in the air. No ground line. And a cavaletti in the way on the approach.

Good old Buddy. His athleticism and attitude paid off for something.

Is there such a thing as getting TOO confident? I know the answer. But I'm not going to slow her down until this confidence thing seems to have taken serious hold -- again.

Comments

[Beth]

Phew. I think I would have had a heart attack. I think I would have her trainer give her a lesson in building jumps...just for safeties sake.

Pictures of said jump please.