Clinic Report: Sally Cousins 12/3/17

I've ridden with Sally many times at this point, but this lesson felt different.

She's never met Indy before, so to start we discussed who he was, where he was from, and what we had been doing so far while Sally ate her lunch. My regular trainer came to watch, and offered her input as well as running around making jumps for us.

We did a few fairly simple exercises; mostly using bending lines to keep him guessing. Indy was on his best behavior. I'm not sure what's been up with him lately but he's been jumping far more normally recently. Instead of me flopping around on his back with no idea when he takes off, I've actually been on the same page as him and we tend to make the jump together.

Sally really loved him. Unsurprising, as he's quite her type: a big, strong, athletic, rangy Thoroughbred.

such talent. much jump. so twist.

I've outlined a few takeaways below.

• The time for jumping little baby jumps is over. I can no longer be a crossrail queen. I'm sad about this.
• I cannot ever - EVER - lean at the jump. You're never supposed to lean at the jump, but it's been getting me in trouble. I lean, I lose the spot, and then Indy takes off with almost no help or input from me.
• I can't ride this horse with just my leg and hands. Sally stressed several times I'll need my whole body, including demonstrating the freakin' 4 inches of back muscle that pop out of her back when she has to ride her giant string of mammoth horses. She kept reminding me throughout the lesson to use my core.
• She also iterated that I can't ride like a little girl anymore (my words, not hers). I need to sit and ride and own the shit out of this horse. I can't perch in a half seat and equitate my way around a course.
• I need to channel my inner German man. Those actually were her words, and she shouted it at me as I came to a jump and I flung my brain around like a net until something in me said BE MICHAEL JUNG. Michael Jung doesn't flop around like an overcooked noodle when he's tired!! Michael Jung doesn't ride like a baked potato! But really I need to name my inner riding German. Gunther? Taking suggestions.

The biggest thing she stressed was I am currently in a window of opportunity. Right now, Indy is still working on learning and getting stronger. I need to teach and mold this horse into what I want now before he gets too strong and opinionated. It's imperative we fight all the little battles that I can stamp out now before they become huge wars that I'll never win.

Overall I came out of the lesson feeling very tired and sore but exhilarated and excited. Her last bit of advice was that this was my chance to chase my dreams, and I shouldn't sit around on my laurels.

I certainly won't.