Recent content by Ambers Echo

Unaff dressage for fun tomorrow. Just to keep her work-load varied and as a progress check. Then a well deserved day off Sunday as we have worked hard this week hacking and schooling as I try out a new bit that I will hopefully be jumping 2nd rounds in next weekend. So I want her to get used to it.

Yes that would make more sense!

That's what I thought.... though from next season, eventing will be her job again. Which obviously does include dressage. But I can deal with it then I guess.

Regularly!! She asks what they are feeding now and tells them dramatically reduce or stop. And she gives a talk too wich says forageis very often enough - and if your horse is overweight it needs to be weighed out. Yes she is from Saracens but she does not push extra feed that is not needed.

I am very happy that Lottie consistently changes leads whenever we change direction show jumping. But I am doing the odd Prelim just for fun and in P12 there is a FXH in canter move with the trot transition after X. Lottie anticipates the change of rein and skips to the new lead as soon as we...

That's awful but the fault there is with those reps, not the owners. I use a Saracens rep at all our camps who brings the weigh bridge. Regular camp participants call it the 'fat shaming session' because she tells 75% of owners that the horses are overweight. She condition scores them, explains...

But I only developed a degree of competence and confidence in knowing my horses by intially reading widely, taking lots of advice from lots of people and - often - probably over-thinking things.

Yes and no. Those old fashioned horse-folk knew instinctively when something was up, and acted accordingly. Horses owned by those sorts of horsefolk were also handled with far more skill and given a useful job, which they clearly understood. Horses like clarity, direction and to feel confident...

I think I was just getting over excited!! My initial plan of qualifying for amateur champs with safe clears, then focusing on getting faster/trimming the track, jump off turns etc, so I can be competitive at Champs, is fine. Plenty exciting enough.

Thanks @RachelFerd, that's useful to know. Sounds like DCs won't be enough. I need to start placing consistently too. Maybe that's a focus for another year! This year Amateur Champs are the big target - not just getting there but doing well there.

I'm beginning to think that too.

I have found out that courses 85-110 are all in the Bronze League and it's a points league which I like as it rewards consistency. Which is Lottie's strength. (We are 8 for 8 in Amateur Champs qualifiers - 5/5 last year and so far 3/3 this year. And 4/4 for BN qualifiers). The qualifying period...

Oh I see. Thanks for clarifying. Hopefully that will help a few people out who can swap with her!

I’m curious now! Amber was with Harry for a while. Nice yard.

A kid on our yard was buying her first horse after being on ponies. Not that experienced. Pony club/hacking/ the odd SJ lesson kind of rider. Wanting a straightforward allrounder. Saw a 7 year old mare at a sales & cop livery yard. Ticked every box on paper. Nice videos of her jumping. Said she...