I was musing on what makes Radar such a superb hunter and I kept coming back to one thing. In three complete seasons of hunting he has never, ever, fluffed a landing. Most people who fall off do so because the horses land awkwardly, pecking and either throwing them over their shoulder or pulling them out of the saddle if the rider isn't quick enough to release the reins.
Radar has never failed to get his feet safely on the floor, without unbalancing me in any way. Only twice has he had a problem. In his first season he got a boot caught on a twig in a hedge and he nearly failed to get his foot down because his leg was held by the hedge. The twig snapped and he got his leg free at the last possible moment. After than one I gave up boots.
Last season the Field Master suddenly turned right angles just in front of me and jumped a hedge only three strides or so away. Radar followed and got too close to the hedge and jumped it very badly, and although he still landed it I was way out of balance and fell off 50 yards further on when he realised I was out of control and galloped off.
But apart from that, in 3 whole seasons he has landed smoothly and galloped away easily from every single fence he has jumped, no matter what the landing and no matter how big the drop.
That, I think, makes him very special. I told him so today :-)
C
My Russell R. was pretty incredible that way. He somehow always managed to get us up and over safely when he jumped. Any faults were usually mine.
ReplyDeleteHorses like Radar are the kind that make you confident and brave yourself. It makes for a special combination.
I loved Tetley because he restored my confidence in myself after struggling with an awkward horse called Jack for 4 years. I love Radar in a similar way because he has given me something other than eventing to get excited about. He doesn't have Tetley's wonderful character, though, he's not a cuddly horse.
DeleteC
When your hero is a horse you are less likely to be disappointed than were he a human.
ReplyDeleteHow true!
DeleteI'm pretty happy with SH as well though :-)
C
And, you made him all yourself :D He's been a superstar, and when you nearly lost your bottle for jumping huge fences, he popped up in your life and just refused to take no for an answer. I remember your first time on the farm ride with him, saying you were going to see what he thought of solid fences, and coming back saying you'd jumped nearly all the big ones on your first visit. The yin/yang of him and Jazz must be such a great thing for your riding skills, then Ace on top with his super sensitivity - your ability to "feel" how to ride a horse must be really finely tuned in a way most of us only hope for in a life time.
ReplyDeleteSuper Radar.
Tracey B
I have to admit I am pretty chuffed with the fact that he's all my own work Tracey :-)
ReplyDeleteI am so lucky with the contrast of the three. Jazz has Radar's power with a dressage brain. Ace is probably an elite horse, if only I can learn enough sensitivity to ride him.
What I love about this riding game is how you never stop learning.
C