Horse Jumping

the best part of horse riding is jumping! the feeling is absolutely exhilarating! it's an excitement i can't describe. for one, it's truly a partnership between the horse and the rider. anyone can go over a jump on a bike, motorbike, etc. you have better control handling an object compared to an animal that thinks on its own with moods. it is dangerous. remember what happened to superman? so it's a must that the flatwork is close to perfect before jumping.

my problem then...and sadly it has returned...is my recovery. after a jump, i seem to be having problems leaning/sitting back to avoid falling over the horse. it has been my biggest dread and after i have been doing so well and was told that i am 90% close to perfecting my recovery from a jump...i fell off the horse just this sunday. i'm fine but sore on the side where i first hit the ground. i was honestly shaken, and still am. as much as i dream about entering a competition, i'm not quite sure i have the guts any more. falling off is inevitable but i don't know how many falls i can take (2 falls so far and it wasn't a good feeling at all).

indeed, practice is very important. just before the new year, i had 3 lessons in one week and ended my last lesson jumping 3 poles - 1 bar, 1 bar and oxer. it went very well and my instructor seemed very pleased. however, january started off very busy in the office leaving me physically and mentally exhausted plus activities left and right. i was only able to go back to riding this sunday - missing 2 weeks or 4 lessons. i think that's why i didn't do too well.