Falling off into the water jump on cross country. This was a VERY long 1 stride in this combination. I rode Goldrush wrong the first time around but cleaned it up the second time around by lengthening his stride and asking him to jump bigger over the first fence. When I fall- it's amost always onto my feet- which has come about from years of falling off on purpose. I do a lot of "falling off" on horses when I break them in or re-break them in so they learn not get frightened or run off. I teach them to halt as soon as my feet hit the ground from the walk, trot and also the canter. (Goldrush didnt halt here but he normally does) I train a lot for 'rainy days' - for those times when the 'custard hits the fan'. The purpose for this is not only to keep my reaction times quick in my mind & body but it's all about safety for us both. I don't want to know I can do well when my circumstances are good- I want to know that my horse and I will be ok when we get into a bad stride- or if we slip, or mess up.

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