Jumper Derby Horse
I have a jumper derby horse. Not like the cool kind of jumper derbies where we fly down banks or do anything remotely outrageous… because we all know by now that I’m a chicken shit and won’t be trying anything crazy.
No, Simon is a jumper derby horse because we approach hunter derby courses with the gusto and enthusiasm of a jumper. A jumper without changes.
I’ve been on the fence about doing the derby this year, because even though it’s super fun for me (and let’s face it… when people throw their junior hunters in the little local derby… you go for entertainment value) the class is challenging. The barn who hosts our local derby does a great job with option fences, natural elements and tough courses. It’s not something I can head to after a few weeks of putzing around 2′ at home.
So we’ve been taking extra lessons and trying to remember what it’s like to have hunter distances (not flyers) while still carrying the right pace to do strides (which tends to produce flyers) and attempting to get our version of lead changes.
Basically, riding is hard.
Simon has been great, because he’s got such a great work ethic. He has settled a lot though in his ripe old age of 11, and needs a lot more leg in the first half of the course than he used to. Since his mom is incredibly out of shape, our whole picture suffers when I don’t ride as well as I need to.
Even after a long weekend of lesson boot camp, my usually fairly solid lower leg hasn’t returned yet. It’s replaced by a lazier mush of a foundation that prefers to lean and slip back at the fences. Not my favorite.
The good news is that I’m feeling a lot more prepared, and made the decision to actually enter the derby. So we’re going. We’ll be a little bit special – Simon is bound to show his opinion when I try to get him deep in the corners and who knows what kind of variety of lead changes he’ll offer. I’m sure to badly chip to at least one jump, and cause my trainer some form of mild to severe embarrassment.
My goal is to break into the 60’s and wear my shadbelly. One of those things is a guarantee, the other… meh?
Hunter or not, here we come.
26 thoughts on “Jumper Derby Horse”
All that matters is that you have fun! And any occasion to wear a shadbelly is a good one 🙂
Have fun! I’m hoping this year is the year I finally take Dino in a hunter derby.. seems like a blast!
Let’s face it. It’s really all about getting pictures of your pony over cool jumps wearing a fancy shadbelly!
You’re going to have a great time, look fancy in your fancy show clothes and get awesome pics. And that is what horse showing is all about!
Ah, so exciting!! You’re going to have a blast and get some awesome pics. 🙂
It can’t turn out too bad if you get to wear a shadbelly!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Yay! I think you’re going to be just fine, and I hope you have a ton of fun in the process! You two look so happy together (except maybe in that one photo…)
Eeeeee I love everything about this!!!!! My barn just had a derby and I sadly did not enter bc like reasons and stuff. But those jumps look so fun!!!!
I’ve always wanted to do a derby! It sounds so much fun, especially when you get to wear a shadbelly 🙂 Good luck and have fun!
I asked my trainer if it would bring dishonor on the barn to take Francis in a hunter derby, and she keeps tactfully dodging the subject. Womp womp. I will be derby-ing vicariously through you!
Luckily (or unluckily?), my trainer is used to me bringing dishonor to the barn.
This sounds like so much fun. Best to both of you and I can’t wait to hear about it.
Have fun!!!
I hope it’s the most fun ever 🙂
YAY Derby! I can’t wait to see your amazing pictures!
Holy great media!!
Sounds like a lot of fun and good for you for getting out of your comfort zone!
Good luck and have a wonderful time!
Cool pictures are the whole point of showing anyway! Have fun!
Yay! I’m so excited for you. This sounds like so much fun.
Any occasion to wear a Shadbelly is cause for celebration. Lead changes, schmead changes. Thank you in advance for having a fun post-show recap blog post on the horizon.
You guys will do fine. Looking forward to the pic’s with the Shadbelly and the recap.
Don’t forget the wine. You’ll need something to celebrate or comiserate with. Wine is versitile and shamelessly works both ways. 🙂
You two will look beautiful and that’s important too, right? 🙂
I’m sure that you will have a fun time.
And yes, riding is hard. That part drives me nutty.
“Hunter or not, here we come” – brilliant!
Sounds like it will be a lot of fun!
Exciting!