Practicing Jump Position, Irritated Horse, and Two Falls

 Yes, two. I started the lesson by working on my two point while on a circle at the walk. Then I tried it at the trot, staying up for half of a 20 meter circle instead of posting. I was working on my jumping position even though I'm not jumping yet so I know how to do it.

Holding two-point

 After working on the circle both ways, I exited the dressage portion of the arena, heading left toward two sets of jump standards(without poles) set a stride apart from each other. I worked on holding my two point while I rode through the standards, headed back into the dressage arena, then did it again in the same direction. As I continued to do it I got better and better at hold my position. I rode from the patter several times, then changed directions and did it the other way.

Two point over pole.

Next, Meghan added ground poles in between each set of standards to imitate the poles in jumps. Like the time before, I held my two-point in between. The first time I rode it this way, Chester was coming towards them a little fast, and when I didn't adjust his speed cantered over them. He was excited to be doing fun stuff. Thankfully, I managed to maintained my seat.

 I made him slow down and stay in the trot for the next times. Later on however, he became excited about something a few strides after the set of poles. It ended with the two of us parting ways for the first time. I wasn't hurt, so I led him back to the step. Before I got on, Meghan adjusted his fitted black half pad, which had slipped back and likely caused the fall. I got back on and continued riding.

 A few minutes later Chester spooked a second time when he saw a bee, but I stayed on an continued riding.

 The next element of the course was for me to sit and post in between each set of standards and two point over them, as you would do when riding a jump course, except at the trot. Finally, I rose out the saddle, leaning over Chester's neck as he crossed the poles, then sat and posted in between. I did this a few times each direction. Now that I now the basic position, I can later on add the cantering and the jumps, though will be for another time.

 I was going to end the lesson with a few steps of cantering, but Chester was acting more and more on edge. His pad that helps fit the saddle to him was slipping which may be the cause. Just before the canter depart to the left, he acted up again, leaning forward and unseating me. I managed to hold on to his neck for a few moments but ended up eating dirt...again! Must be a record ha ha.

 I once more remounted but Meghan decided it was best not to canter with how irritated Chester, so I just circled in the walk and trot and dismounted. Meghan got on after to see if maybe she could figure what was wrong, riding him in the walk and trot for a few moments. His slipping pad could be the problem. I'm going to start using a jumping pad on him to see if that helps. As you might noticed from the pictures I use a dressage pad, the only he has. Hopefully it helps with his slipping fitted pad!