Recent content by Ellevis

Mine is a 14.2 connie x ISH - I'm about 5'6 and a bit heavier than you and I find I'm at my limit height wise but I have short legs so get away with it :D Mines just the right amount of chunky and is a brill all rounder, he's just a grumpy ****** in his stable - but obviously that's just him...

She is, just difficult to get hold of!

thanks smja - I'd love to bring my instructor with my but he's extremely busy! Good idea about showing him the video though because I suppose he sees us at our best on the lessons, but not when we're struggling.

Yes think you are both right - I think because I've always been happy jumping that height I thought I'd be fine, but it was actually a bit much too soon. Think next thing to do is just troop on with the lessons and as you suggest, build up the height gradually again. A friend has offered to...

Does anyone else struggle with this? Up until the last few months we've been jumping really well around 80/90cm with a couple of wins at the start of the year. In the past we've been confident up to 1m - but pony is clever enough now that if I don't ride every fence properly there's always a...

Mine does this! Most times he's a saint and canters out on a loose rein, and then sometimes he just gets a bee in his bonnet about going a certain way and will just plant himself like a stubborn mule until i either get off and lead him, or turn around! Won't add any advice as think other...

Aintree EC isn't a livery yard, but there's Ashton's in melling, and bullens farm in Kirkby area that spring to mind as being close by

Thanks for the replies hypopit and be positive! All good advice and will take on board! Be positive that is our main issue when schooling, we've worked on it lots and its a lot better than it used to be but still have to remind myself not to nag with my leg, one ask should be enough! He is...

Thanks merlod, it's fine I've definitely got to consider that it's me causing the problem!! I do find this dressage malarky a lot more stressful than jumping!

Thanks sultana, good idea will definitely try! I had considered that, and think it may partly be the case, but there are times when we've hired/ had lessons at certain places and he just wont settle and I've definitely not felt nervous

Has anyone used a type of calmer for spookiness/tension when ridden? It's a tricky one because when he's in a familiar place he takes a lot of leg and is not sharp in any way shape or form, but if we go to a slightly spookier or different arena to do a dressage test, he immediately tenses up...

Has anyone had a pair of the mark Todd vision country boots? https://www.bootsuperstore.co.uk/mark-todd-vision-country-boots Like the look but struggling to find any reviews! Thanks

Just thought I'd update and say I've bitten the bullet and have booked a b&b and overnight stabling- it's unlikely I'll ever qualify again so decided to suck it up and make the most of it :D

Thanks everyone for the help it's been very useful :-) upon ringing around various b&b's and finding little to none availability (there's 3 of us going) think I'll have to give it a miss as it's going to end up too expensive and too far really :-( it's a shame they had to move a national champs...

Thanks all for the replies. Pony is a good traveller! And cause we've not got a box we'd also have to pay for b&b aswell as the stabling...just seems a bit much! Would you consider hiring a small horse box to travel in instead or do you think trailer would be adequate?