Woody Leaves the Barn and the Donkey Behind to go XC Schooling

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NERDS!!!!!

We headed out for some XC schooling yesterday and I couldn’t have been MORE pleased with how the day went… yes even WITH me busting ass and falling off.

As Jess and I were discussing my inability to defy gravity we decided sometimes you need to bust your ass to get it in gear. I fell into my old habit of CRAWLING down to fences that decidedly should be approached at something other than a western lope.

Anyhoo, Woods, cause he was being a superstar, jumped it. I have a hard time staying with his hind end when he’s NOT compensating for having to jump a training level oxer at a crawl.

So there you have it. I came off on the other side. For a minute I thought I was going to be able to make it. Which was unfair to Woods, cause it led to me HANGING ON HIS FACE! Something he did not soon forget as you can tell by THIS lovely video which was taken after I ate dirt.

I decided to do nothing. So I grabbed the martingale strap. I can’t tell if the twisting is because he doesn’t have enough slack in the rein or he’s compensating by saying “Bitch, you just hung off my face for 10 seconds trying not to fall off (didn’t work). SO I’m going to now protect that side of my face by pulling it away from the offending hand.”

Probably a little but of both!

He’s such an honest willing egg. So other than that display of amateur action, we had a great day. Woody CALMLY cantered down to every single thing I pointed him at.

See, like the big log wagon in the woods!

And the big log into the non-existent water!

Woody thinks while dropping into the water.  His Face!  It kills me!

A picture of Woody’s Butt!

Here are some additional super cute pics.  The day was FILLED with Canter Ponies and they were ALL amazing.  Kelly rode her ass off, adn her and Klondike were AMAZING. 

For Cereal, Kelly and Klondike are too cute. :

Check her blog for more pics and Videos!

And then there is Parker!

What it looked like from his perspective… Or Pants’ I guess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m sure Allie will write about his outing, too.  He was terrific!

 

And then, DIXIE!  Be sure to check all the CANTER blogs!  Lots of stuff went on yesterday!

So now that we’ve had a schooling, I’m feeling pretty good about next weekend!  Woody will have his first outing at Marlborough Starter Horse Trials!  I’ll keep you posted