Loch Moy - Cross Country- Win

Ahhh the most exciting phase of the day: Cross country.

If I had to pick the weakest phase of the day with the most struggle, it was here. It was a bit frustrating, especially since my other Start trials she was so lovely in this phase. I guess it was to be expected after our XC schooling. It was slightly better then our last cross country school since we didnt have any head between the knees galloping, but we did have some protesting and attempts at it. So I used the round as a schooling round and did circle her twice or brought her down to a trot.

The positives I can take out of this phase was:

• We could actually warm up, where as other events we couldnt even do that with how worked up she was. 
• My lower leg is MUCH improved. 
• We didnt have any head between the knees galloping...just uphill unintentional galloping. 
• Better jumping form! 

I am not sure if it was the right thing to do, but I wanted to teach the mare that we can jump the fun big things, but you need to half halt WHEN I say half halt. Not when you feel like it. So lets run through the wonderfully colorful of photos I have of all the good moments. Ill post some of our fails soon:

Love this photo!

I had to hold her a bit here with home and trailers straight ahead...

Tillie looks totally innocent here...but inside I can feel her coiled ready to spring