Horse shows are filled with excitement. You eagerly await a weekend show day or an even more exciting overnight horse show with your pony. You agonize over your jumping rounds—breaking down every takeoff, landing, and turn. However, there’s still one more very important class, the under saddle flat class, that makes up a division at a hunter horse show that you will want tips on how to master. At a hunter horse show, the under saddle class and the jumping classes make up a division. The scores from all of these classes combined decide who takes home the division championship ribbon that day.

Sometimes, in the scrutiny over the jumping trips, the under saddle class gets overlooked. However, this class could be the tie-breaker for champion or help you bring home your first ribbon of the day. With these tips on how to stand out, you will be able to show off in the under saddle, as well as your jumping trips.

1. Spend time on your turn out.

The under saddle class is a time to really make sure you and your pony shine. The judge is focusing on you, and you want to make sure that you put your best foot forward.

If your horse or pony is a gray or has white markings, you want to make sure there are no traces of dirt or manure. His coat should shine from a good grooming. Your tack should be spotless and fit you and your mount properly. In addition, your outfit should be clean and well-fitting, and without distractions.

Finally, always make sure that your back number is on correctly and securely before entering the ring. The under saddle class is the time for the judge to really study you and your horse, and every little detail counts.

2. Make your own path.

No matter how beautiful your horse’s trot or canter is, if it’s hidden in a clump of other competitors or stuck behind everyone else on the rail, the judge simply won’t see it.

Show yourself and your horse off by being smart about your path in the ring. Take advantage of trotting up the quarter line or making a big circle through the center of the ring, and think ahead in traffic.

Think just as carefully about your path in the under saddle as you do in your jumping trips, and you’ll be sure to catch the judge’s eye.

3. Be respectful of the other riders.

Horse shows are first and foremost about having fun and sharing a special time with your horse or pony. Remember, everyone is at the show to enjoy the sport, and you want to be mindful of that.

Don’t cut off other competitors in your under saddle class. Circling too close to them or cutting right in front of them can throw off their trot or canter step, and could upset their horse. It’s also not safe.

If a horse or pony has a red ribbon tied in his tail, or you notice a horse excessively pinning his ears or swishing his tail, be aware and give him the space he needs. This is one of those tips that applies to other divisions as well as the hunter under saddle flat class.

When lining up at the end of the under saddle, make sure you leave a safe and respectful distance between yourself and the next horse. Good sportsmanship goes a long way in the eyes of the judge, but more importantly, it helps make sure horse shows stay fun and safe for everyone.

4. Listen carefully.

Horse shows are busy and can be loud. In a flat class, you want to make sure you always have an ear on the announcer. You don’t want to lose an opportunity to win a ribbon because you weren’t listening to the announcer’s instructions and you were late in your canter transition. Stay alert and listen up so you don’t miss anything.

5. Don’t crowd the judge.

Making sure the judge notices you and your horse in the under saddle is key to being successful. However, you want to make sure that you don’t make the judge uncomfortable.

Don’t circle around or in front of her like a shark circling its prey. The judge will get dizzy watching you, and tight circles won’t show off your horse’s beautiful gaits. Ride a well-thought-out path, but give the judge some breathing room.

The under saddle class isn’t always the most exciting portion of your horse show experience, but it is important. It’s a great time to show off your horse’s beautiful movement and your thoughtfulness as a young rider. With these tips, you are sure to shine in the under saddle class and be the best competitor you can be.

This article with tips on how to show in the hunter under saddle flat class appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Shine on the Flat in the Under Saddle Hunter Flat Class appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Riding can be one of the most exciting and thrilling activities there is. There’s not much that can top galloping through the field on your horse’s back, soaring over a big jump, racing around a barrel, or gliding across the long side of the arena at a big, bouncy trot. But as most riders know, these thrills don’t come without a few spills. The time will come that you do hit the dirt, and this can really take a toll on your riding confidence. How do you regain confidence after falling off a horse? These five tips will help you to tackle your fear after falling off and get you back in the saddle with a smile in no time.

1) If you’re not hurt (and your trainer gives you the OK), get right back on.

Many people wonder what to do after falling off a horse. After you fall off, the top of your pony’s back can feel taller than the Empire State Building, and the anticipation of swinging your leg back over the saddle can seem like the scariest thing in the world. As long as you aren’t hurt and your trainer gives you the all clear to get back in the saddle, do it right away. This will help guarantee that you don’t have any lingering anticipation about mounting up. You don’t have to go right back to the activity that you were doing when you took your spill, but a few laps around the ring at the trot after a fall can go a long way toward kick-starting your confidence.

2) Go back and do something you’ve already mastered.

If you took a tumble while working on a new skill, take a step back and do something you already feel great at. If you had a hiccup while working on perfecting your flying change, take some time and go back to the trot-to-canter transition. If you lost your balance galloping on the trails, take a few outings at a relaxing trot through the woods. Practicing something you already know how to do well will help boost your confidence and keep nerves at bay.

3) Talk with your trainer.

Losing your confidence and feeling afraid after a fall is completely natural. While it may feel embarrassing to admit your fear to your trainer, talking with him or her about it can actually help keep your nerves from getting even worse.

Having an open communication going between you and your trainer will help him or her assess what you need to work on to get your riding and confidence back on track. This helps you to refocus and keeps you from getting sucked deeper into your post-fall worries. It is your trainer’s job to make sure you and your pony stay safe and to help you to achieve your riding goals, so keep anyone you work with in the loop on how you are feeling in the saddle.

4) Challenge yourself in other ways.

After a fall it can be tempting to start obsessing over exactly what, how, and why you fell off the horse. However, concentrating so heavily on the fall can start to take a toll on other physical and mental aspects of your riding.

In your rides following your spill, try to keep your mind busy and challenge yourself in different ways. Make a goal to try to do the first 10 minutes of your ride without stirrups, or ask your trainer for a longe line lesson where you ride the whole time without your reins.

Setting attainable goals that challenge your mind and body will help keep your focus centered on the ride you’re currently having, instead of the fall that happened last weekend.

5) Remember, falls happen to all riders.

Falling off a horse is just one step along the way in your journey to becoming the best rider you can be. Every great rider has fallen off—lots and lots of times. Riding is a fun and challenging sport that will definitely come with a few bobbles along the way. Don’t beat yourself up and don’t give up, and you’ll be back to feeling like a superstar in the irons before you know it.

Falling off can be scary and can definitely take your confidence down a few pegs. While it’s a normal part of riding, it’s also normal to feel some fear after you hit the ground. These five tips will help ease your worries and help improve your riding confidence until it’s better than ever!

This article about getting over fear of falling off a horse appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Overcoming Fear After Falling Off a Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The lights flickered on in the barn that morning, and I heard the familiar shuffling of all the other ponies in the barn. Jack, the pony next to me who the girls in the barn refer to as “impatient,” begins his daily ritual of trying to kick down his stall door until our grain is served. I feel my own excitement start to build as I hear the grain being dropped into buckets down the aisle and let out a high-pitched whinny. I can’t help myself—breakfast is one of my favorite times of the day!

Finally … FINALLY … the girls reach my stall.

Is it just me or have you guys gotten slower?

I nudge one of the girls as she pours my grain into my bucket, and she pushes me away.

Rude!

I dig into my bucket with excitement. I really like this barn. The breakfast is great! Then, I head outside to play with Jack … although I must admit he’s not much fun. Then, this little girl who always wears her hair like I wear my tail at the events where I get ribbons comes to brush me and ride me and feed me treats. Then it’s dinner time!

Every day is pretty much perfect, and I’m a pretty happy pony. I’m so glad I never have to leave this place.

Something’s Different With My Little Girl

After a fun morning of playing “follow the leader” with Jack—he’s always the leader—I can’t wait for the little girl with the fancy hair to arrive. Just then, I see her little head peeking into my stall.

I couldn’t wait to see you!

I press my nose up to the front of the stall to try and get closer to her.

You look kind of different today.

Her face and her eyes are redder than normal. She pushes open my stall door, but instead of putting my halter on like normal, she puts her tiny arms around my neck and squeezes me. I love when she does this, so I try to stand perfectly still so she doesn’t stop.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” the little girl says into my neck. I’m not quite sure what she means by this, so I just keep trying to stand perfectly still.

“You’re the best pony in the whole world,” she whispers, and again I just try to stand like a statue. The little girl stays with me for a little while longer and then leaves for the day without ever taking me out of my stall.

That was weird.

I can’t think about it too much longer though, because the girls have started to feed dinner. The only thing I love more than breakfast is dinner!

Pony Moving Day

The next morning the lights flicker on again, and I whinny with excitement for another amazing day ahead. The girls move slowly as can be down the aisle as usual, and I am practically spinning with anticipation by the time they get to me. They pour grain into my bucket, and right before I dig in, I notice the goo mixed in.

“A little ulcer medicine before your trip today, Tucker,” says one of the girls.

What trip?! I hate this stuff.

I turn up my nose but reluctantly decide I’m too hungry not to eat it. One of the girls pulls Jack out of his stall, but not me, and I really think they’re starting to lose their minds around here.

Hey! You forgot me!

I whinny after them. Instead of turning around for me though, another girl comes into my stall and takes me to the area where they always brush me and put my saddle on. She starts grooming me and puts the fluffy pads around my legs, and I realize I am getting on the trailer.

Where’s the little girl?

I swing my head around and start to dance. She’s usually always here before I get on the trailer! As they lead me out and load me onto the trailer, I’m starting to really worry. Not only is the little girl not here, but none of her friends are here, and even worse, I’m the only pony on the trailer! Things are not good at all, and I have no choice but to anxiously paw the ground as they close up the trailer doors.

After what seems like forever, the trailer slows down and pulls up a long drive. I could not be more worried by the situation. I put my head up as high as possible and prick my ears trying to see or hear anything that’s going on outside. I finally feel the moving stop. The doors open, and I see a group of new girls waiting at the bottom. They don’t look like the girls at my home. I know I told them they were feeding us slower lately, but I actually did like them a lot!

“Hi Tucker.” One of the new girls walks up to me.

Who told you my name?

I prance off the trailer with her. “Welcome to your new home,” the new girl tells me.

What?!

I leap in the air. The new girl doesn’t yell at me when I do this. I do know it’s naughty, but I don’t want a new home! I liked my old home. I liked the breakfast there and playing with Jack and my little girl and the dinner there, and my old home was white, and this home is red, and it’s bright, and … I am so scared!

I continue to jig after her down a long walkway with strange ponies until she stops at a stall and leads me in. The stall has fluffy shavings, hay and water like my old stall, but Jack doesn’t live next door like he did at my old stall. I press my nose against the divider trying to see the pony next to me, but he doesn’t even seem to care that I’m here, wherever “here” is.

Change of Heart

The next morning the lights flicker on again, and for a second I think I’m back at my old home. But then I realize Jack isn’t next to me kicking at his door, and I hang my head in disappointment.

I don’t even want the breakfast here. I don’t pick my head up when one of the new girls drops grain into my bucket. She softly rubs my neck before she walks back out.

After a little bit, one of the new girls comes back to take this little pony outside to a paddock, but I’m all alone, and I miss Jack, and I don’t even feel like playing. Instead, I just pace up and down the fence hoping one of the new girls comes to take me back inside.

Suddenly, after pacing for what seems like hours with nobody caring, I see two little girls walking toward me. I stop pacing and stare at them. One of the little girls is the same size as my old little girl, and the other girl is even littler!

They keep walking all the way up to my fence and stop and smile at me.

“Hi Tucker!” They hold out their hands, which have peppermints in them.

How’d you guys know I love peppermints?

I take them very gently from their hands, making sure I am extra-gentle with the
smaller girl.

“Did you know you’re our new pony?” the smaller girl says, and I stop chewing on my treats. I am not sure how I feel about this. I still don’t know if I like this strange place, and I miss my old little girl so bad.

“We heard you’re maybe scared about being here, but we already love you so much and promise that you’re going to love it here.” The bigger girl climbs up on the fence and strokes my head.

“Yeah, we promise!” The smaller girl climbs up too and rubs my nose. The girls sit with me and rub my head and laugh with each other and sneak me some more peppermints.

After a while with them, for the first time since the trailer ride to this strange place, I start to feel happy again. I even begin munching on the grass, which tastes delicious here. Maybe this new place isn’t so bad. I start to think that even though I miss my old home, and Jack and my little girl, that this new home could be really special, too. I could teach BOTH of these little girls how to ride me, and they already seem to love me so much!

After a while, the little girls tell me it’s time for them to leave, and they both give me a kiss goodbye. One of the new girls comes and leads me into my new stall and gives me a big pat.

“You’re a very sweet pony, Tucker. I’m sure you’ll like it here soon.”

That was nice of her.

I hear the dinner grain coming. This time when they pour it into my bucket, I decide to dig in. It tastes exactly like the grain at my old home!

After I finish dinner, I let out a soft-but-happy sigh. I have officially decided this place isn’t so bad after all. I lay down for a little rest and think about how I can’t wait for the lights to flicker on tomorrow morning.

This short story about a pony finding a new home with two little girls appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Short Story: A Strange New Home appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Riding is Brianna’s special thing. Can she learn to share it with her little sister or will this young horseback rider deal with jealousy?

Brianna grinned from ear to ear as she asked her bay pony Hollywood Star—Holly for short—to come back down to a walk.

“Brianna, that course was lovely,” Brianna’s trainer, Melanie sung out in praise. “You should be feeling very proud of yourself!”

Brianna reached down to pat Holly’s neck. It did feel like she was bursting with pride. She’d been working hard lately, taking extra time to practice without stirrups and asking Melanie if she could help exercise the lesson ponies. She wanted to make sure she’d be ready for all the big shows coming up, and it felt so good to see it was all paying off!

Brianna took her time after her lesson pampering Holly. She gave her a thorough bubble bath and sprayed coat polish all through her glossy black tail. Finally, she gave her beloved pony a carrot and put her away for the night. Brianna then skipped out to the parking lot where she knew her mom was waiting for her.

First Signs of Trouble

“Chelsea is so excited for her first lesson this weekend,” Brianna overheard her mom saying to Melanie when she reached the parking lot. Brianna’s heart sank a little. She had forgotten her little sister Chelsea was signed up for her first lesson that Saturday afternoon.

Brianna didn’t quite know why she was feeling so jealous and even a little angry about Chelsea starting riding lessons. She loved her little sister! Chelsea was her best friend, and Brianna was sure she’d love riding just as much as Brianna did.

Maybe that was the problem. There was a small part of Brianna that didn’t want to share Melanie, her special trainer whom she idolized, or the praise she earned after working so hard. And probably the biggest reason: Brianna really didn’t want to share her beloved pony, Holly.

Brianna waved goodbye to Melanie and held back a sigh as she buckled herself into the car. The young horseback rider tried to push the green monster of jealousy out of her mind, focusing instead on what a great lesson she’d just had.

Riding the Struggle Bus

The next day, Brianna’s school bus had barely come to a stop in front of her house before she was leaping down the steps. It was Friday! That meant she would have an extra hour of time at the barn this afternoon and two full days of fun ahead.

Thoughts of the afternoon ahead raced through Brianna’s head with excitement as she pulled on her breeches as quickly as possible. OK, so I’ll hack Holly without stirrups today and then ask Melanie if any of the other ponies need to be ridden or bathed! And I can watch Maisie’s jumping lesson today too.

“I’ll pick you up at 5:00, have fun sweetie!” Brianna’s mom blew her a kiss as she dropped her off at the barn. Brianna waved back and went to head inside when she heard her mom call out again.

“Don’t forget to tell Melanie how excited Chelsea is for tomorrow!”

Brianna felt like a balloon that had just been popped. She’d forgotten that tomorrow was Chelsea’s first lesson, and the green monster of jealousy instantly returned.

“I will not be doing that,” Brianna mumbled to herself.

She didn’t understand why her mom couldn’t have just signed Chelsea up for ballet or swimming. Riding was supposed to be Brianna’s special thing!

Brianna’s mood didn’t improve as she practiced her jumping position while Holly trotted around the ring.

“Holly, you are so lucky you don’t have a little sister,” she complained to her pony as she held her position for one more lap. “You never have to share anything!”

Holly blew an understanding snort and Brianna settled back into her posting trot.

“I knew you’d understand.”

Brianna reached down to give her faithful pony a pat. The young horseback rider once again tried to push the monster of jealousy out of her mind as she finished up her ride on Holly and got ready to watch her best barn buddy Maisie’s jumping lesson.

Brianna did manage have to a fun afternoon once she buried her jealousy. She got to hack an extra pony, Piper, one of the older school ponies who sometimes needed a refresher from a more advanced rider to help set her up for the right lead canter.

She watched her friend Maisie tackle a tough 2’6” course, a height both of them had just moved up to. She also felt like she really pushed herself in her jumping position and no-stirrup work during her hack with Holly.

Ready or Not

Brianna woke up Saturday morning with the familiar sore, but successful, feeling in her legs. The satisfying memory of yesterday’s ride was quickly subdued, however, when her mom reminded her she’d be helping Chelsea at the barn that day.

Today was Chelsea’s first lesson, and she was going to be riding Holly. Brianna tried to keep herself calm the whole car ride to the barn. She’d helped Chelsea with her breeches and braided her hair into two braids.

She tried to smile encouragingly as her sister bubbled with excitement through breakfast and all the way to the barn. Brianna remembered the feeling of pure joy and excitement before her first lesson, and as jealous as she was feeling, she still didn’t want to ruin it for her little sister.

Maybe she won’t like riding, Brianna thought as she dutifully tacked up Holly while her mom and Chelsea were lacing up Chelsea’s hand-me-down paddock boots. Maybe she’ll think that the trot is too bouncy and it’s just too scary. Brianna slipped Holly’s rubber D-ring bit into her mouth as Chelsea buckled on her helmet.

Maybe she’ll even fall off… Brianna felt guilty for even having that thought as Melanie walked up to greet them.

“Hi, Chelsea! I’m so excited for your first ride today. Are you ready?” Melanie smiled down at Chelsea, who beamed back up with a look of pure adoration.

“Holly’s ready too,” Brianna said as she handed over the reins to Melanie and quickly ran off, mumbling about how she had to use the bathroom. She fought back tears.

Once she was out of sight, she broke into a run and headed straight to her spot in the hay loft where she sometimes went when she needed a good cry after a tough day.

No Hard Feelings

Brianna was wiping her eyes on her shirt sleeve when she heard footsteps approaching.

“Brianna?” Brianna heard her mother’s concerned voice call out, but she was too choked up to reply. A few more footsteps and her mother was standing in front of her.

“I thought you might feel like this,” her mom said with a sigh as she settled into the hay next to her.

“I’m sorry! I know it’s awful, I’m happy for Chelsea, I swear. I just feel like the green monster of jealousy has taken over my body,” the young horseback rider cried.

“The big, green, pony-riding monster of jealousy?” Her mom offered up a small smile that Brianna tried to return.

“I just love Holly so much, and Melanie! And I’ve been working so hard to be good at everything,” Brianna sniffled.

Brianna’s mom took a deep breath before responding.

“Oh honey, just because Chelsea may fall in love with Holly and think Melanie is the greatest doesn’t diminish how you feel about them, or how they feel about you. I know you’ve been working so hard, and I’m so proud of all your accomplishments. However, your little sister riding doesn’t take away from that either. In fact, quite the opposite. You are her hero! Especially now that she’s going to start riding.”

Brianna blinked up at her mom. She’d been so consumed with her own feelings toward Chelsea that she didn’t even think about how Chelsea might feel toward her!

She realized that instead of being jealous about everything she was going to have to share, she should be excited about everything she was going to be able to teach Chelsea. Brianna had worked hard to become a good rider, and who would understand that better than her little sister?

Sister Act

“We should head back and watch the rest of Chelsea’s lesson,” Brianna said as she wiped away her remaining tears and smiled up at her mom.

“Let’s do it!” Her mom extended her hand and they headed back down to the arena together.

Chelsea was gleefully bouncing around on Holly, trying her best to get a solid posting trot. She had a huge smile on her face, and Holly looked relaxed and content with her little rider. Melanie was encouraging and enthusiastic in her instruction as Chelsea managed three posts in a row. Brianna smiled as she watched. Chelsea had a long way to go, but she personally knew how rewarding the journey was, and she was now super excited to share it with her.

“Brianna! Did you see me? I got three posts! Riding is so fun, but so hard. You’re amazing, I can’t wait to ride like you one day!” Chelsea was bursting with excitement as the family piled back into the car. Brianna laughed, feeling lucky to have such a great little sister.

“Don’t worry Chelsea, with a lot of hard work and our amazing pony, one day you will!” The sisters exchanged a high five and Brianna smiled. All traces of the big, green, pony-riding monster of jealousy were gone.

This short story about a horseback rider dealing with jealousy originally appeared in the September/October 2019 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Short Story: Brianna and the Big, Green, Pony-Riding Monster of Jealousy appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

As a horse-crazy kid, there’s a lot to look forward to when fall arrives. The flies have finally given up and summer heat is fading away. It’s the perfect time to enjoy trail rides through colorful leaves with friends, a shopping spree for a new riding jacket at your local tack shop sale, and year-end fall shows to wrap up the season. However, there’s one other thing looming on the horizon: school. And knowing how to balance school work and riding.

After a long summer where days were filled spending quality time with your pony, it’s time to change gears from lessons in the arena to studying in the classroom. Your days and evenings will be devoted to a different type of learning: studying and homework. As a kid trying to balance school and riding, look to these five tips to help you go from desk to saddle as smoothly as possible.

1. Keep an organized school planner.

You just had a perfect Thursday afternoon lesson. You finally nailed that tricky rollback, and you can’t wait to text all your pony pals about your latest achievement. Flash forward to the next day and you realize that you forgot about that Friday math quiz in all your excitement.

If you use an organized planner that comes with you everywhere, you can avoid this particular pickle. At the end of every class period write down exactly what is expected of you that evening and the next day.

After school, bring your planner with you to the barn, whether it’s on paper or an app on your phone. That way, when you’re taking off your half chaps after a ride, you can check it and refocus yourself on homework time.

2. When the barn is closed, focus on school.

Ponies and trainers need days off. In the summer when your trainer was off on Mondays, you could still sneak over for a pony kiss and a peppermint. But now you can use this off day to your advantage and catch up on some studying. Take this time to work on that project due next week—after all, next Sunday’s horse show could run late!

3. Saturdays are for ponies. Saturday is your mini-summer.

Take Saturdays to turn off that school brain and tune in on pony time. Give your pony a fun bubble bath and use some whitening shampoo on those socks.

Ask your trainer if the extra lesson pony needs to stretch his legs with a more advanced rider, or stay late to watch your best friend’s lesson. You’ve been a hard-working student all week, and now it’s time to really enjoy the barn.

4. School is school, and the barn is the barn.

Don’t let a bad grade come between you and your pony during a lesson. And refuse to allow that missed change at the horse show over the weekend distract you when you’re supposed to be working on that history essay. The most important part of balancing it all is separation: Focus on what’s right in front of you, whether it’s the next jump or the next test question.

5. Remember, you’re doing great!

It’s not easy being a kid and doing it all. Take some time every night before bed to remind yourself that you are doing your best. You’re balancing school and riding, and that definitely deserves a pat on the back.

Going back to school is an exciting time of year. However, it can be hard for an aspiring young rider who is also hoping to make the honor roll. With these tips, you’ll be bringing home the blues—and the A’s!

This article on balance school work and riding originally appeared in the September/October 2019 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Balancing School Work and Riding appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In this short story, a young rider discovers what she is afraid of and then conquers her fear. 

Ava smiled as her pony, Fine Diamond (“Didi”), jumped in flawless form out of a tricky five-stride line. Ava guided Didi around the corner and got a smooth lead change at exactly the right spot. The young rider was elated as she conquered the line without any fear or trepidation.

Gosh, I hope Mom is videoing this, Ava thought to herself as she rounded out the corner and focused in on the long approach to an oxer on the diagonal. Didi held her perfect pace. They were 12 strides away.

Wow, that looks a little bit bigger than the rest of the jumps. Ava nervously shortened her reins half an inch as the oxer loomed 10 strides away.

A lot bigger than the rest of the jumps! She shortened the reins again and Didi’s ears flicked back, confused at the new command just five strides from the jump.

Way too biggg! Ava pulled hard, but Didi was right at the base of the jump. The pony knew she was not supposed to stop, and did her best to leap over the oxer from nearly a standstill as Ava became unseated and tumbled through the air.

She thudded to the dirt as Didi landed on the other side and stopped beside her owner. Ava’s eyes began welling up with tears; she wasn’t hurt, but was completely embarrassed. Her trainer, Miss Kim, calmly made her way over and began asking Ava if she could feel her fingers, toes, and if she knew what day it was.

After the Fall

Ava composed herself, reassuring Miss Kim that she was not hurt and felt fine as she blinked back her tears.

How stupid can I be?! Ava screamed to herself in her head. The course was going perfectly! She gathered up Didi’s reins and patted her faithful pony.

“Let’s get you back on and try that again,” Miss Kim instructed, legging her back up into the saddle.

“Go ahead and take a circle to get your canter, then let’s head back to the diagonal oxer,” she said, and Ava squeezed Didi forward. She got her back into the correct rhythm and once again made her way to the oxer. As she turned the corner, however, the fear started creeping back in. Ava turned away and asked Didi to make a circle.

“Come on, Ava! Keep that same pace, eyes up—you got this!” Miss Kim urged her on, but discreetly lowered the oxer. Ava took a deep breath as she once again came around and her anxiety lessened as she realized Miss Kim had dropped the height. This time she kept her pace, and she and Didi jumped over the oxer beautifully.

“That’s it! Good girl, let her walk,” Miss Kim praised her, knowing to end the lesson on a high note. Ava slowed Didi to a walk and gave the little gray pony a big pat.

Ava was still beating herself up as she retreated back to the barn.

“Oh Didi, what if we can never get over that oxer?” She whispered to her pony as she ran a curry comb across her shiny dapples.

Ava wanted so badly to move up to the medium pony hunter division that summer with Didi. She knew Didi would be able to tackle the harder division with ease, but after today’s spill, she was losing confidence in herself.

“At least I know you will always be perfect.” Ava kissed Didi’s nose and offered the pony a peppermint before leading her back to her stall.

Jealousy & Doubt Creep In

The next day, after a sleepless night of worrying about the oxer, Ava returned to the barn. She was just supposed to hack Didi after the big jumping lesson yesterday, but she wanted to watch her biggest rival Kacie’s lesson. Kacie and her pony, Splash, were also aiming to move up to the medium pony hunter division that summer.

Ava slipped into the viewing room after a smooth and easy hack on Didi. Kacie had just begun jumping in her lesson. Ava watched politely as Kacie and her pony glided over their warm up fences and then settled down for their walk break as Miss Kim began adjusting their course.

Ava slid toward the edge of her stool as Miss Kim headed to the oxer. She propped up the back rail and raised the jump two holes. It was now set exactly as it had been yesterday.

“So the course is as follows…” Ava listened as Miss Kim directed the same course as she had yesterday. She saw Kacie nod, gather up her reins, and then ask her chestnut pony to step forward into a canter.

Kacie’s first quarter line jump was nice. Miss Kim mentioned it was a little bit under pace, so Kacie stepped it up as she headed down the tricky outside line that Ava had mastered yesterday. Ava swallowed as she watched Kacie come around the long approach to the diagonal oxer. Twelve strides away, Kacie held a great pace.

Five, four, three, two, one...Ava counted the strides down in her head as Kacie and Splash rocked back and flew over the jump.

“Beautiful!” Miss Kim called out. Ava buried her head in her hands with a groan, jealousy creeping in.

What if I never make it over that stupid oxer? Ava left the viewing room with a sigh. She went in to Didi’s stall to cuddle her pony until she received a text from her mom saying it was time to go.

Try Again

Ava wasn’t able to go to the stables for the next two days because she had a big math test that took up much of her time, but on Saturday she returned for another jumping lesson. Ava rider felt extra jittery as she tacked up Didi, feeling the anxiety over the oxer creeping back in. The young rider knew confidence conquers fear.

“How did that test go?” Miss Kim called to her with a smile as Ava led Didi into the ring.

“I think I got an A!” Ava exclaimed back excitedly.

“That’s my girl!” Miss Kim smiled back proudly, and Ava mounted up. Despite Ava’s anxiety, she had a lovely flat portion of her lesson and Miss Kim was satisfied enough to begin having her jump.

“You’re going to warm up over this cross-rail a couple times, remembering three key things: rhythm, pace and track,” Miss Kim instructed.

Ava picked up her canter, made a circle to try get those three key things, and then headed to the cross-rail. She cantered over it comfortably twice each way, and Miss Kim called for her to walk.

“Do you remember the course from the other day?” Miss Kim asked. Ava nodded, feeling the familiar pit of worry in her stomach.

“OK, let’s see it! Remember rhythm, pace, and track to EVERY fence!”

Ava trotted a neat circle and then asked Didi to canter. Her first jump was fine. She was still distracted by thoughts of the diagonal oxer, however. She barely made it down the tricky five-stride line with Didi stretching to her limit to make it out of the line. Ava tried to regroup herself in the corner, but she was consumed by nerves as she headed down to the oxer.

Would she be a young rider who conquers her fear?

I can’t do it. Ava circled away and pulled Didi down to a walk.

“Miss Kim, I don’t think I can jump that high,” Ava admitted, a little choked up. Miss Kim remained her usual calm self as she cleared her throat.

“Ava, if I didn’t think you could jump that high, I wouldn’t have asked you to. You and Didi are ready for that height, just like you will be ready for the pony hunters this summer. You just need to believe in yourself, your pony, and your rhythm, pace and track!” Miss Kim encouraged.

Ava trusted Miss Kim more than anyone else in the world, and she realized Miss Kim was right. She wouldn’t ask Ava and Didi to do anything they weren’t ready to do. Ava really just needed to have faith in herself. She and Didi were ready for that oxer, just like they’d be ready to move up to the bigger division come summertime.

“Go ahead and start from the beginning,” Miss Kim called out.

Ava asked Didi to canter with brand new determination. She could do this! Together, they found the perfect distance to the first jump and floated down the five-stride line easily. Ava asked Didi for a lead change in the corner and she responded instantly.

It was time for the long approach diagonal oxer. Didi’s ears pricked forward as they set their sights on it and Ava pushed her heels down and focused on her rhythm.

Ten strides out…

Six strides…

Three strides….

ONE! Ava and Didi soared over the oxer, and Ava’s face exploded into a huge grin.

“We did it!” Ava exclaimed to Didi. “We nailed that no good, very bad oxer!”

Miss Kim was calling her praise as Ava brought Didi down to a walk, smiling away. She realized that with her perfect pony, rhythm, pace and track—and most importantly, self-confidence—there was nothing she and Didi couldn’t do, oxers included!

This short story about a young rider who conquers her fear originally appeared in the March/April 2019 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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