XC Grid Clinic: Clever girl!

 We had signed up for the XC grid clinic with Beth since I had to cancel the Lucinda clinic. It was a nice consolation prize. And it was exactly what she needed! I think she was much better off doing this than Lucinda, especially as there weren't any BN spots left. And today was mostly tadpole height, but trickier. It was great! 

We rode in one big group of 5 and we were all about at the same place. Lyric was the only "crazy thoroughbred" and she was definitely the hottest of the bunch. But it was nice to play with other steady eddies vs more hot crazy thoroughbreds. She didn't really have anyone to feed off of. 

We started out over a small log. Beth had set up some poles in zig zag shapes. It was a trot in and canter out. I expected Lyric to lose her mind as there were poles everywhere! A swirly whirly sea of candycanes!! Hee hee. But she was so brave! She got a little squirrely but she really just went through the grid and jumped the jump! How amazing is that!?! She didn't try to stop or do anything silly other than get a little wiggly and a little quick. I'm so proud of her! I did reward her on the backside by letting her canter off some. She got a little quick but she was still under control. We did that a few times and she got a little more worked up as we went going. Beth told me to ignore the "white noise". So I did. I just... rode and kept her straight and forward. Once the horses got through it a time or two without being too rowdy, we worked on us. She told us to ride in 3 point. Don't sit.... don't get in full two point. By staying it two point... we could just stay in three point and not change anything. And it was great because it kept me off Lyrics back and didn't let me drive/push, but it also allowed me to stay back and be where she likes me to be. (Ie.. NOT Throwing my shoulders at her). And it worked. I did have to keep my shoulders up though, as they tend to tip still. 

So then we moved to the banks. We walked up and down and then Beth set up the poles. We trotted up and down and added our position. In down banks, we stay in full seated position until they leave the bank, and then we switch to 3 point. We don't want to land on their backs but if we get into two point... well, that's not safe! On the way up the banks, we got into three point and stayed there. That is harder for me. For whatever reason, I fell back a few times and sat on her on the top of the up bank. But I did fix it. Then we added a little log to the banks and worked on staying in 3 point over the log too. It's nice, because... nothing has to change! It makes it smooth.

Then we went down to the ditches. They sent me over it first because "Lyric was a pro". But they jinxed us because the poles through her brain for a loop... even though she had already done a bunch of poles. But, she danced for a minute and then went over the ditch! Good girl! After that she was okay with it. We did it a few times and then trotted in and cantered out. Also in 3 point. One of the times, she got a bit big for her britches and had to shorten her stride to make the out. She clipped herself on the heel bulb and got mad and went on a little bucking spree. Luckily it wasn't too bad and she simmered down quickly. After a few times Beth told me to continue on after the grid ditch and canter the bigger ditch. And she did! It was a bit squirrely but we did. Then Teller had to do it and he panicked and needed a lead, so... we led him over. Awwww... just like big brother Dan! But then when we were standing around, Sunny came too close to her butt and she fired out and kicked him! EEEEKS! Luckily she just got him in the meaty muscle. I think by now her brain was just... way overstimulated! She had been doing her rooting/head bobbing thing a good bit. 

We finished in the water and walked up and down the bank into and out of the water and then trotted it. We quit with that!

I'm so proud of her. She really has stepped up to the plate!