Some times you need to let go and see what happens

To escape fear, you have to go through it not around it
         -Richie Norton (or in our case over it)

Pc : Two hearts one oxer photography

On Saturday a small group of Lodestar team members made it out to the Aspen Derby for some extra schooling. I signed Charlotte up for one dressage test, a beginner novice jump round and a novice jump round. The great thing about Aspen Derby is the mixture of stadium and cross country jumps. We even had the opportunity to school the up and down bank. The Donida spring fling schooling show was such a success I was ecstatic to school some Novice cross country jumps this time. 

Walking out into the ring for course walk I happen to stumble upon a slatted cross country table that got me feeling a bit nervous. Its funny that I can feel nervous about one jump in particular but completely confident going into a line that should cause some question. Charlotte loves a question, and strives when there is a challenge presenting its self. Our best fence was the two stride to a bending line. Her cute lead changes are coming along as well which helps the roll backs and jumps that come up quick after a turn.                                                                                      

           

Tacking Charlotte up for dressage, thinking about the jump rounds coming up I started to make myself more nervous. Stepping into the warm up ring for our dressage test, I had a spicy Clydesdale! She was on fire! Hot Clydesdale! 

Fun fact :  

#5. The Clydesdale used to be a popular war horse. 

When warfare involved using Calvary and horses as an advantage, this breed of horse was one of the most popular because of its weight and size. It also has a uniquely calm disposition, which meant that it could go into various situations without getting spooked. This is believed to be why it is still such a friendly and docile horse today, despite its massive size.

Well Charlotte forgot that calm, cool collected nature back at the trailer! But thanks so much to our trainer Jenny for helping rein in the controlled chaos, we were able to use it to our advantage. Our test was not as calm as the ones at Donida however, we had more impulsion and she was much more in front of the leg. With a "hot" Clydesdale I was happy to receive a 33.10 on our dressage test with some very helpful and encouraging comments.

Warming up for our Beginner novice round and going over the course one more time in my head I was ready. The great thing about schooling shows is the number of jump rounds you can school. The number of jumps is usually around 9-10 as well so Charlotte had no problem keeping up. The fit Clydesdale was ready! Another great part of schooling shows is jumping some of the smaller jumps and while doing so she has a chance to gallop around and see the other jumps for our novice round. One small hiccup in the BN round was going through the puddle to the up bank.... If you don't know already Charlotte hates running through water and we have been practicing anytime it rains and creates puddles at home in the out door arena. A bit squirrely we made it through. Other than our lack of speed it was a great round. I think Charlotte is unimpressed with the low jumps now and gets more excited when they are bigger and more of a challenge. 

 Pc : Two hearts one oxer photography

Getting ready for our Novice round Jenny gave me some great advice, take one jump at a time. I was so worried about the very last jump I was not paying attention to all the ones leading up to it. Hawley preached about a good rhythmic canter and straightness is what you need and your horse will do the rest. So we cruised around the Novice course up the opposite side of the bank which resulted in jumping down into the puddle.... which Charlotte accomplished much easier than jumping our of. coming around to a fun roll top. I have to admit I had a slight hesitation before the roll top, fear of the unknown, fear that we would struggle through Novice on our road to Rebecca. But Charlotte quickly dissolved any fear I had by clearing the roll top with ease. 

Round the corner to the two stride to the bending line she took the challenge ears forward reading every question. Roll back to the bending line to the last jump...... the one I was nervous about. I still had adrenaline in my ears cantering up to it and I have to say this time last year with even the slight bit of hesitation Charlotte would have stopped or ran out. I saw her ears perk forward as we approached which gave me the confidence she had my back. Leg on and we soared over with room to spare and every hesitation was gone! trotting our of there I was so happy!                                            Pc : Two hearts one oxer photography

Jenny suggest we do the whole course one more time to solidify the things we learned. Charlotte was a rockstar, a little tired toward the end of the course but an absolute rockstar! We have some Cross country schooling coming up soon and with a few more outings before the first recognized event of the season we will be more than ready! I know that my nervous will get in the way, the excitement and adrenaline at each event is what we live for. I learned a very important lesson at Aspen, Charlotte is stronger than she has ever been and much more brave than last year. I have to sit back, leg on and let her do her job because you can tell she absolutely loves it and the last thing I want to do is get in her way. We have an unbreakable bond and we will use that to our advantage! 

Picture above of the "scary" jump that Charlotte easily told me was no problem 

USEA has published one of our articles to created a mini series on their website "Road to Rebecca: Meet Charlotte, the Eventing Clydesdale"  *** Go take a look! 

useventing.com/news/road-rebecca-farm-meet-charlotte-eventing-Clydesdale

Stay tuned for a few new products Charlotte is trying out and absolutely loving!