What I Learned

In the week since the show I've tried to reflect on what I've learned from it, rather than dwell on the negatives. 

I didn't realize till I saw the pro pics, but the brown jump behind us in the above photo, we jumped on a long approach of the left lead.  Aka, the exact fence we've been having issues with all winter.  And it never crossed my mind at the show that it was supposed to be our "bogey" fence. And we had zero issues with it.  I sat up, turned on our approach, left him alone till about four strides out then added leg when I saw the distance was going to be a little long. And it rode perfectly fine.  You would have never know that a month ago we couldn't do that.

I also learned when to say no.  Ending our second round one jump in, and saying no to a re-ride was not something I would have done a few years ago.  My pride would have forced me to keep trying while I (and my horse) would get more and more frustrated.  It was absolutely the right decision to call it quits before completely pissing off my horse and myself. This show wasn't our show, but there will be others. I'd rather save my horse and my sanity for another day than try to fix issues that weren't going to be fixed that day.

Seriously, not the most huntery fence for a hunter course but #peebsdontcare