New Focus on Jumping Brings out the Best in Irish

Christmas came early for Irish. Santa brought him a new bridle replete with brow band bling.

Irish is doing wonderfully! His trot has come a long way and is incredible – forward and flowing. We are now working on his canter. Trying to convince him to use that BIG hind end of his! He’s getting it! I decided to jump him for the first time to see if I could find that nice canter and low and behold there it was, so I know it’s in him! He LOVES to jump! His whole demeanor changed once we started. We were both smiling going over the jumps!

We only did 2-2’3. I haven’t jumped in a while, so it’s a good starting point for both of us and it’ll be nice to progress together. I never would have thought he lacked confidence. He took me right to the jump like a champ. Didn’t flinch, look, etc. I hope to take him to a jumping clinic and schooling show in January.

He’s put on some weight and his top line is coming along. He also hasn’t spooked or been worried about anything lately. He’s really settled in. He comes right to me when I get to the pasture gate and always waits patiently at the end of our ride for me to put carrots in his feed dish. I also gave him a jolly ball and he can’t stop playing with it! He can be such a sweet goof!

Alison