‘What’s happened to summer’ Weekend Thread!

[daydreamer]

I managed a lesson this morning before the high winds. I haven't managed to do much with my horse (5 yo) this week so he was quite distracted, especially when all the other horses got brought in near the start of the session. I opted to lunge first which was wise as he was full of beans, but he only had one proper outburst and managed to hold it together the rest of the time. We ended up spending most of the session alternating between lunging and in-hand work over a couple of poles to keep his attention. I did pop on at the end for a short while and did a bit of walk, short trots and using the poles to do feet moving exercises. I had some squealing and whinnying whilst on-board but it was better than last time he was in a similar mood so I'm pleased and, as ever, I'm grateful that I have such a great instructor.

 

[Cortez]

I am thoroughly reevaluating my plans to leave Ireland (currently 16° and raining) and move to Spain (46° and in serious drought). Where on earth is there a happy median?

Off for a damp tramp with the dogs to give it some serious thought.

 

[humblepie]

I hacked earlier and cancelled competing. Not sure it’s as windy as they forecast but didn’t fancy the driving.

 

[shortstuff99]

I am thoroughly reevaluating my plans to leave Ireland (currently 16° and raining) and move to Spain (46° and in serious drought). Where on earth is there a happy median?

Off for a damp tramp with the dogs to give it some serious thought.

Portugal? Currently 25 degrees there which is much nicer and they understand Spanish so switching to Portuguese is not as hard

 

[Cortez]

Portugal? Currently 25 degrees there which is much nicer and they understand Spanish so switching to Portuguese is not as hard

Whilst I've spent a lot of time in Portugal (training) and have many Portuguese friends, I've never felt the same draw to want to live there. Might have a gander at northern Spain, Galicia and Asturias.

 

[DabDab]

Well my Saturday plan has successed. After devastatingly losing my big older horse Dabs (the reason for my forum name) a few months ago I tried to manage with just the two mares, because I couldn't really bear the thought of another after losing him. However unfortunately Arty (spotty mare) was also left in a bit of a state after he had gone, which is why she is off games now as she injured herself in one of her frantic separation anxiety episodes. And although she has got better, it was still difficult to do stuff with Pebbles and leave Arty alone. So another horse seemed necessary....and this is the result. She is a 3yo Clyde x Cob mare, blank canvas straight from the breeder's field:


We have taken to calling her Hetty Waintropp investigates, for reasons I can't fully remember

 

[Ample Prosecco]

@DabDab OMG she is GORGEOUS. What a lovely colour and what a sweet face.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

We’ve taken the plunge and moved yards! Always nerve wracking but the ponies seem to have settled beautifully!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

No riding for me (immensely pleased to be indoors for RDA yesterday) but I've gone a bit 'yeah why not' and signed myself up for a confidence bootcamp at the RS in Sept and a dressage comp in 2 weeks time.

Any tips for what to wear for smart but not full competition wear and what to do in a 15-20 min warmup slot with a horse you may have ridden once, twice before (or never if I'm unlucky!) very gratefully received!

 

[Cloball]

Whilst I've spent a lot of time in Portugal (training) and have many Portuguese friends, I've never felt the same draw to want to live there. Might have a gander at northern Spain, Galicia and Asturias.

Galicia is lovely but the climate is more akin to Ireland than you may want.

We’ve taken the plunge and moved yards! Always nerve wracking but the ponies seem to have settled beautifully!

View attachment 117909

Amazing, lovely looking field.

 

[Red-1]

No riding for me (immensely pleased to be indoors for RDA yesterday) but I've gone a bit 'yeah why not' and signed myself up for a confidence bootcamp at the RS in Sept and a dressage comp in 2 weeks time.

Any tips for what to wear for smart but not full competition wear and what to do in a 15-20 min warmup slot with a horse you may have ridden once, twice before (or never if I'm unlucky!) very gratefully received!

I would wear your normal boots, some breeches and a modern fibre type show top, like a polo top (if it isn't full competition wear).

I can't wait for the show report!

For a warmup, have an active walk on both reins, couple of halts to gain attention, and walk on actively again. Then incorporate some rein changes, making sure the bend is smooth and the inside hind active. Then, check girth and wiggle stirrups, blow nose and apply lip salve, and into trot, make sure it is forward first then incorporate bends and transitions. Is it an intro test or prelim? If intro, I wouldn't even canter in the warmup.

But any technical or smart polo short would be fine for not full competition wear. Coloured breeches are OK for all disciplines now, apart from showing. Even so, I would go for a muted colour, such as black, grey, dark blue etc.

You must wear gloves and I would do a bun for long hair.

ETA- this was me at Epworth Have A Go Day, sounds like a similar dress code.



Dark blue breeches, standard Sports Direct Slazenger polo shirt, £5! Blue silk and gloves. I think it was smart enough! Wore the same for dressage, although I should have done a bun - I didn't!

I would double check with the organisers what they are expecting to be sure.

 

[SEL]

@DabDab omg she's gorgeous!!!

I love a heavy - miss big M desperately - and have a soft spot for a Clydesdale. I once herded cows from one which was great fun. Hopefully you'll have peace in your herd now

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I would wear your normal boots, some breeches and a modern fibre type show top, like a polo top (if it isn't full competition wear).

I can't wait for the show report!

For a warmup, have an active walk on both reins, couple of halts to gain attention, and walk on actively again. Then incorporate some rein changes, making sure the bend is smooth and the inside hind active. Then, check girth and wiggle stirrups, blow nose and apply lip salve, and into trot, make sure it is forward first then incorporate bends and transitions. Is it an intro test or prelim? If intro, I wouldn't even canter in the warmup.

This was SJ, but the sort of shirt I mean...

View attachment 117911

But any technical or smart polo short would be fine for not full competition wear. Coloured breeches are OK for all disciplines now, apart from showing. Even so, I would go for a muted colour, such as black, grey, dark blue etc.

You must wear gloves and I would do a bun for long hair.

Intro this time then there's another a couple of weeks after where I may do the Prelim, depending on how the first one goes

Warm ups terrify me, but the centre I'm doing the test at have a rep for being incredibly friendly and welcoming. I wrote for the judge at a recent combined training and thought if ever there's a venue I could have a go without it being too scary it would be there!

I've got olive green breeches, perhaps I can pick up a top similar to the one in your pic in a sale somewhere. Or I have navy riding tights and a olive green long sleeve tech top.

 

[Kunoichi73]

@DabDab she's lovely!

 

[Red-1]

Intro this time then there's another a couple of weeks after where I may do the Prelim, depending on how the first one goes

Warm ups terrify me, but the centre I'm doing the test at have a rep for being incredibly friendly and welcoming. I wrote for the judge at a recent combined training and thought if ever there's a venue I could have a go without it being too scary it would be there!

I've got olive green breeches, perhaps I can pick up a top similar to the one in your pic in a sale somewhere. Or I have navy riding tights and a olive green long sleeve tech top.

That all sounds perfect! Just don't forget gloves.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Well my Saturday plan has successed. After devastatingly losing my big older horse Dabs (the reason for my forum name) a few months ago I tried to manage with just the two mares, because I couldn't really bear the thought of another after losing him. However unfortunately Arty (spotty mare) was also left in a bit of a state after he had gone, which is why she is off games now as she injured herself in one of her frantic separation anxiety episodes. And although she has got better, it was still difficult to do stuff with Pebbles and leave Arty alone. So another horse seemed necessary....and this is the result. She is a 3yo Clyde x Cob mare, blank canvas straight from the breeder's field:
View attachment 117900

We have taken to calling her Hetty Waintropp investigates, for reasons I can't fully remember

Does Hetty have her own thread?! She needs a thread, she is gorgeous

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

That all sounds perfect! Just don't forget gloves.

I have my tatty black pair. Might treat myself to a not tatty pair!

 

[Red-1]

I have my tatty black pair. Might treat myself to a not tatty pair!

I use these all the time. They look smart, are grippy, wear well and are not too expensive. Loads of colours too...

They feel quite expensive but are not. Wash fine too.

Pardon our interruption...

They are the only ones I wear and are in both photos. They do brown and grey etc. as well as blue and vibrant pink, which I use for hacking as they are so visible.

 

[Red-1]

I am really excited for you. Look back a few months and wonder if you'd predict you would be on the weekend thread in competing and training, looking for competition wear for an upcoming competition! You have worked so hard at your riding, you deserve every bit of joy (and adrenaline LOL) that it gives you.

 

[shortstuff99]

We’ve taken the plunge and moved yards! Always nerve wracking but the ponies seem to have settled beautifully!

View attachment 117909

I feel I should point out that one of your horses is clearly being abducted by aliens.

 

[DabDab]

Does Hetty have her own thread?! She needs a thread, she is gorgeous

I'm not sure I'm dedicated or interesting enough to create a whole thread on her, but she is lovely, so you never know!

 

[Michen]

I am thoroughly reevaluating my plans to leave Ireland (currently 16° and raining) and move to Spain (46° and in serious drought). Where on earth is there a happy median?

Off for a damp tramp with the dogs to give it some serious thought.

Come back to Colorado it’s as green as Ireland right now

 

[Michen]

Well my Saturday plan has successed. After devastatingly losing my big older horse Dabs (the reason for my forum name) a few months ago I tried to manage with just the two mares, because I couldn't really bear the thought of another after losing him. However unfortunately Arty (spotty mare) was also left in a bit of a state after he had gone, which is why she is off games now as she injured herself in one of her frantic separation anxiety episodes. And although she has got better, it was still difficult to do stuff with Pebbles and leave Arty alone. So another horse seemed necessary....and this is the result. She is a 3yo Clyde x Cob mare, blank canvas straight from the breeder's field:
View attachment 117900

We have taken to calling her Hetty Waintropp investigates, for reasons I can't fully remember

I am so sorry I had no idea you lost Dabs, huge hugs. Xxx Hetty is gorgeous.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I use these all the time. They look smart, are grippy, wear well and are not too expensive. Loads of colours too...

They feel quite expensive but are not. Wash fine too.

Pardon our interruption...

They are the only ones I wear and are in both photos. They do brown and grey etc. as well as blue and vibrant pink, which I use for hacking as they are so visible.

Sorry to hijack but what is the sizing like on these & can you use a phone whilst wearing them (not the end of the world if you can't)?

I should ride in gloves but always lose them or pony chews them (don't ask) but at this price, I could live with that!

 

[YourValentine]

I would so love to have a competitive or training report lol but currently not on the horizon. However all 3 of our horses have been doing 'proper' work on the farm as we have been gathering the hill for shearing and moving sheep. Having brought in the main flock we have had to have several subsequent small gathers this week for recalcitrant ewes (our Welshies are pretty feral tbh and don't necessarily want to come in). It's pretty small scale but great fun and really good for the horses to have to be so responsive and go from 'go, go, go' to standing still quietly watching. Senior horse has decided that sheep cutting is ace fun and his athleticism and ability to sprint round gorse bushes is certainly handy. Alw's mode is more one of gentle persuasion but has enjoyed racing around too and is in great form which is wonderful. I tried to attempt to get to a 'special' lesson last weekend but after a 2 hour basic journey and then total satnav failure I had to turn for home, ££££ down and with nothing to show for it. Really disappointing tbh as my training budget is small and I had made a huge effort to ensure I knew where the location of trainer etc was. Trainer was actually ok about it but I probably won't try that trip again so back to square 1 with finding any useful 1-1 training. Ho hum. I am starting to wonder if I just need to accept current limitations and do what I can on my own. And sheep and cattle work with OH is fun!! I love being out on the hill and love that the horses are actually doing something 'useful' and I 'think' it might technically count as 'training'....!!

You will absolutely be teaching them things that will pay off when you next get in an arena.
Self carriage and balance (to dash round gorse bushes)
Listening to your seat (when you're focused on sheep)
Obedience to the leg, (to go when you say go),
And
Patience, to stop and wait (great for showing, halts at X)

It might not look like DR or be in a textbook contact but all valuable, transferral skills.

If you really want to do a bit more 'schooling' add leg yields round bushes etc. I've done loads of schooling in scrubby fields and mountain sides.

 

[DabDab]

I am so sorry I had no idea you lost Dabs, huge hugs. Xxx Hetty is gorgeous.

Aw, thanks x
Yes didn't really post about it as was too cut up, but Hetty is a nice little ray of light now, for other personal reasons surrounding her purchase too.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I am really excited for you. Look back a few months and wonder if you'd predict you would be on the weekend thread in competing and training, looking for competition wear for an upcoming competition! You have worked so hard at your riding, you deserve every bit of joy (and adrenaline LOL) that it gives you.

Absolutely would not have predicted this a few months ago. I think that was around the time I ended my last share with my confidence having taken an absolute nosedive, considering giving up completely and believing what I had been told (paraphrasing) that if I couldn't make it work with that horse then there was no hope for me. Just shows what finding the right people/environments/horses can do for confidence!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I feel I should point out that one of your horses is clearly being abducted by aliens.

Beryl very nearly stacked it by falling over her own feet , she was so excited to have so much space to run round in!!

 

[Red-1]

Sorry to hijack but what is the sizing like on these & can you use a phone whilst wearing them (not the end of the world if you can't)?

I should ride in gloves but always lose them or pony chews them (don't ask) but at this price, I could live with that!

I am a size 7 hand and have a medium.

No, no phone.

 

[AandK]

Another very successful trip out for Charlie. A local arena hire yesterday morning before the wind got up. He was on his tippy toes to start with but settled and did some lively relaxed work, and we managed a canter, I didn’t think we’d get that far so super chuffed! Husband came along to watch/take pics as it was 5min from home so I have evidence!! Good ginger pony!