XC at Ashland

 finally got to ride with Dawn. almost got rained out but didn't. 

got there and was a hair late compared to the others (still on time but barely) but it was fine. warmed up over tiny jumps. Dawn told me to keep my butt closer to the saddle... don't get "up" so much. Stay hunkered down. It kept me more pushed back instead of sneaking over the pommel. 

Funny was super! Honestly. she was pretty chill and hung out and waited her turn quite patiently. She also showed them how to do banks and water. walked the up and down bank multiple times. When trotting it, Breathe at the last stride.. exhale.... alternating half halts... stay posting. helped!

jumped a few jumps and worked on my butt staying hunkered in. think it helps my hands too. but I held for one stride too many on a few jumps. then did the ditch and wall to the fallen tree hidey hole. good brave girl. 

finished with "hide and seek"... or something like that... get the right trot/canter and then hunt for a fence and keep that correct gait. Then jump. picked off a few doing that. definitely helps. then asked if i could trot the up bank in the water to get help. Kinda launhced the first time though maybe not quite as bad. So then dawn had me think walk at the last stride. If she walks, great.. it's tiny. If she doesn't walk.. she should stay small. And it worked. She got to the base correctly. yay!

had been on for two hours, even though mostly standing and waiting our turn, so opted to just hack home. good pony

photos: 8-26 xc with pta, hi babe