‘What’s happened to summer’ Weekend Thread!

[blood_magik]

I could just scream… got up at 4am to drag the horses in from the field, drove two and a half hours to my area festival to find that someone had taken the wrong bridle out of the lorry this morning

Managed to scramble and borrow the correct size bit from our neighbour (thank you!) and made it to the warm up with 10 minutes to spare but Cas just wasn’t happy so ended up withdrawing and going home.

Thankfully I’ve managed to reroute to another venue just over the border but honestly…

Think I’m going to chuck the horses back out and go hibernate for the rest of the day

 

[humblepie]

I could just scream… got up at 4am to drag the horses in from the field, drove two and a half hours to my area festival to find that someone had taken the wrong bridle out of the lorry this morning

Managed to scramble and borrow the correct size bit from our neighbour (thank you!) and made it to the warm up with 10 minutes to spare but Cas just wasn’t happy so ended up withdrawing and going home.

Thankfully I’ve managed to reroute to another venue just over the border but honestly…

Think I’m going to chuck the horses back out and go hibernate for the rest of the day

Oh no poor you. I took entirely the wrong saddle and bridle when my horse was at a showing yard. I thought I was the only one out that day so took the tack left on the saddle horse. Whoops no. Fortunately was near even someone from the yard drove over with my tack. Hibernate sounds good. I did that yesterday

 

[maya2008]

Daughter stole her brother’s pony and had a great time. Might let her keep stealing him - her pace of life suits him better at shows!!!

Son took Little Miss Perfect. I told him to let her canter between jumps this time out. Result = two first places and qualifications for Sunshine Tour. Not sure if we will go (a bit buzzy for a 4 year old pony maybe?) but he’s chuffed. I have told him he has to go up a class now though!

12hh still nervous chap went to his second arena hire and was pretty calm. Jumped a bit bigger this time, and he showed promise with fillers (stopped, had a sniff, jumped from a standstill).

I was trying to discuss a more bouncy SJ canter with my mare. She did agree by the end that it was easier. Lots of work to be down there though!

 

[Marigold4]

I've had a couple of days off, mostly due to the weather but also I fell off on Thursday! First time for years. Horse spooked really dramatically at a pile of his own poo - for heavens sake! I got straight back on and we then did some really good canter work but I think I've bruised my coccyx. It's been too windy to do much anyway but I'm back on board this afternoon - if sitting in saddle isn't too painful. Trying out a new venue on Tuesday, then a lesson on a mechanical horse on Thursday. Lots of foal watching in between.

 

[Britestar]

Got mostly , apart from a big buck in a medium canter, and a break of pace in left canter ( my issue not hers).
Booked a place to champs in pairs DTM. Happy with that.

 

[RachelFerd]

Lorry wouldn't start, was very kindly allowed to borrow a 3.5tonne, so took 1 horse not 2 to our SJ lesson. But glad I did still go, because Isaac gave me the best feel over a SJ that I think he ever has. Just confirmed to me that it's worth putting the effort in to cracking his SJ, as he's definitely willing and capable - just doing more training (and the right training) will get us there. He's jumping 1m10ish track here and making it feel comfortable and rideable and I can actually ride FORWARD without the brakes on - honestly so happy about it.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Looking good @RachelFerd

 

[scats]

Millie was very pleased with herself this evening

 

[MuddyMonster]

We've had a cracking weekend ❤

A brilliant lesson on Friday & dressage now entered as a result, Trec training on Saturday and a really lovely couple of hours hack today in the almost sunshine but definitely not rain, which I'll take as a win

I don't really want to go back to work tomorrow!

 

[MuddyMonster]

I am a size 7 hand and have a medium.

No, no phone.

Thank you

I'm a size 5.5 to a 6 normally so might order one pair small and one pair medium and see what fits!

 

[SEL]

Babycob went to dressage. There was no bucking, plunging, napping, rearing. In fact he went round like a normal grown up pony and that was despite sharing the warm up with a newly broken welshie who was full of himself (as bad as Babycob last month!)

I need to get my sheet but apparently he came 4th which I'm pleased with.

 

[McFluff]

Not such a successful weekend for us. Pony was very well behaved, and music test felt the best it has so far, but got lowest score yet for it. Lowest music and floor plan collectives yet. Bit of a come down from our winning last weekend.
Then today, just didn’t happen for us. We did spook at one of the judges box (the Welsh brain just doesn’t believe that there should be one on the long side!), but marks felt harsh. Never mind, actually pleased that he coped with the 40mph gusts - there were points when I felt us both being pushed back by the wind!
No more competing for a while, going to get out to some clinics and just have fun.

 

[Red-1]

Not such a successful weekend for us. Pony was very well behaved, and music test felt the best it has so far, but got lowest score yet for it. Lowest music and floor plan collectives yet. Bit of a come down from our winning last weekend.
Then today, just didn’t happen for us. We did spook at one of the judges box (the Welsh brain just doesn’t believe that there should be one on the long side!), but marks felt harsh. Never mind, actually pleased that he coped with the 40mph gusts - there were points when I felt us both being pushed back by the wind!
No more competing for a while, going to get out to some clinics and just have fun.

Sounds like there were a lot of highlights.

 

[McFluff]

Sounds like there were a lot of highlights.

Thank you. It’s easy to focus on the negatives, and you’re right, there were positives.

 

[Accidental Eventer]

We had a great morning show jumping on Saturday. Two clear rounds, just picking up a few seconds of time in each, it was tight! We weren't going slow, just focusing on good riding. it was a big step forward for my confidence, I started to get a bit adrenalized in my second round but realised it, refocused and had it fixed before jump 4, then the rest of the round was great, I made decisions and kept riding. A bonus was I felt really secure and strong in the saddle. Looking forward to some more jumping in the coming months. My goal is to compete at 90 at the state champs.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Baby Spots had his dressage debut, and came 6th in the Intro! So much to work on but he was very well behaved, I’m a very proud mum!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I had a rather entertaining day judging yesterday. Lots and lots of lovely ponies forward but the highlight of the day was the foal classes. They are such hyperactive little twerps who don't give a crap and do what they want totally brilliant little ponies

 

[j1ffy]

Nothing exciting here, just more lovely hacks on happy, sound horses plus an in-hand session for Chilli. He's feeling fantastic so his lameness issues are behind us and we can crack on. I'm nervous of making plans but starting to this that maybe, just maybe, we can do some BD before the end of the year...

 

[Alibear]

Really pleased with how Saturday went, although everyone got to see a new side of me as they've not seen me scared before. Amber was keen but not confident, so we had some acrobatics. But she slowly settled and got braver with the help of experienced horses and just walking in a circle for 20 mins as far away as we could be whilst still in the arena with the cows. Then we could follow at the back of the horses as they walked the cows around the arena. Later on, she'd walk through the gap if someone else split the cows into 2 groups, varying success on that, but it improved, and in the afternoon session, she had a go at keeping a cow out of the heard if someone else got it out from the herd to start with. She was quite good but wouldn't go to the arena wall to stop them; confined space + cow = no, space + cow fine, and she'll boss it about. It's all just confidence, but I think she's going to need a lot of sessions to gain it. Once she's confident, she can turn really well, so that should come quite quickly. She was also really funny, she nudged one to get it to move, and it swatted her in the face with its tail; she was NOT happy with that. Unfortunately, that made her back off them, and instead, she took to waving and stomping her left fore at them to try and get them to move. She was the only horse to try that technique, and it wasn't that successful, and I was less keen when she tried both front feet at the same time. I was very glad to have the saddle horn, and I was shattered when I got off. We'll do it again, but I'm happy that it may well be next year before we try. Also, she was back to the snorty dragon when we came out for the 2nd session, she settled in about 10mins, but again, I think we'll have to do a lot of clinics before she's calm and confident.
We had the wind and rain, but concentrating on cows meant it didn't affect our day, and somehow I managed to tow home just fine. I did take it very steady, though. 6 am start, and we were home for 7 pm, a long old day.
Yesterday she pulled a shoe in the field, so she has booked this week off until the farrier comes out on Friday.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Took Skylla to explore some of the many bridleways near the new yard, super excited to have all this on the doorstep!



Happy girls

 

[RachelFerd]

glorious views @HufflyPuffly - whereabouts in the country is that?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

glorious views @HufflyPuffly - whereabouts in the country is that?

North Wales, specifically the Clwydian Hills in between Denbigh and Ruthin , beautiful part of the world!

 

[RachelFerd]

North Wales, specifically the Clwydian Hills in between Denbigh and Ruthin , beautiful part of the world!

ah, amazing! always keen on any recommendations for places I can box to and hack in that area. I did 12 miles around Moel Famau a couple of years ago and it was an absolutely stunning ride!

 

[SEL]

Really pleased with how Saturday went, although everyone got to see a new side of me as they've not seen me scared before. Amber was keen but not confident, so we had some acrobatics. But she slowly settled and got braver with the help of experienced horses and just walking in a circle for 20 mins as far away as we could be whilst still in the arena with the cows. Then we could follow at the back of the horses as they walked the cows around the arena. Later on, she'd walk through the gap if someone else split the cows into 2 groups, varying success on that, but it improved, and in the afternoon session, she had a go at keeping a cow out of the heard if someone else got it out from the herd to start with. She was quite good but wouldn't go to the arena wall to stop them; confined space + cow = no, space + cow fine, and she'll boss it about. It's all just confidence, but I think she's going to need a lot of sessions to gain it. Once she's confident, she can turn really well, so that should come quite quickly. She was also really funny, she nudged one to get it to move, and it swatted her in the face with its tail; she was NOT happy with that. Unfortunately, that made her back off them, and instead, she took to waving and stomping her left fore at them to try and get them to move. She was the only horse to try that technique, and it wasn't that successful, and I was less keen when she tried both front feet at the same time. I was very glad to have the saddle horn, and I was shattered when I got off. We'll do it again, but I'm happy that it may well be next year before we try. Also, she was back to the snorty dragon when we came out for the 2nd session, she settled in about 10mins, but again, I think we'll have to do a lot of clinics before she's calm and confident.
We had the wind and rain, but concentrating on cows meant it didn't affect our day, and somehow I managed to tow home just fine. I did take it very steady, though. 6 am start, and we were home for 7 pm, a long old day.
Yesterday she pulled a shoe in the field, so she has booked this week off until the farrier comes out on Friday.

Its a shame my Appy is retired because she would absolutely love that. We used to have a herd of those big white french cows in a field with a bridlepath through it. Lots of scared horses and in would go the Fat Appy pushing cows out of the way of the gate and making evil faces at them if they even thought of crowding her.

The other two would be halfway home under their own speed if they were put in an arena with cows so well done Amber.

 

[Red-1]

XC lesson this morning was great.

BH has never been the bravest, although he does his best and is lovely. Last time, we went a bit bigger but that got the wind under his tail, which isn't bad in itself, but then he sucked back due to being worried which I hate the feeling of.

Today we spent longer on the warmup, riding diamonds and controlling the shoulders and going up and down through the gears. That made him feel a whole lot more rideable. We then did 5 fences, that were well spaced. First at trot, then trot with canter getaways, then the whole lot at canter. That third time had a whole different feel to it. He was genuinely curious, stayed in front of my leg in a nice was and was smiling through the bridle.

I won't put a vid as it was teeny tiny, and slow, but I'll add 2 photos...



So pleased, there is just a different quality to his emotion. We were doing it together, rather than me pushing him or him pulling on me.

I finished the lesson there, after just 32 minutes! It just seemed that we'd made progress, so stopping there banked it. Besides, we have a dressage lesson tomorrow!

 

[Cloball]

North Wales, specifically the Clwydian Hills in between Denbigh and Ruthin , beautiful part of the world!

Just where you want to be, I love it up there.

Quiet one for me but a few little breakthroughs. Schooled by myself in the bad weather on Saturday and kept a lid on any exciting behaviour and personal melt downs despite the fact she was a bit nappy and we both got drenched. Cleaned my tack on Sunday and discovered my borrowed stirrup leather has sheared half the way through.... bad Cloball for not keeping a better eye on my tack ... lesson learned! So did some pole work on the ground in the Sunshine last night and practised our turns on the forehand.... D has gone from spooking at poles and jump wings making noses or moving to helping me move them. I had her loose whilst I made a slightly complicated arrangement as she was being too helpful and getting in the way and she just quietly stood next to me or followed me and investigated the poles when i put them down. Last time I tried to do this she just trotted back to the gate and demanded to leave. She does have such a nice attitude to investigating new things when shes in the right frame of mind (which i supposed is true of most horses). Come to think of it she only really spooks at things once if she gets the chance to check it out shes usually bang on. We have a little repertoire now we do on the ground... walk over tarp 'water tray', back up straight between 2 poles, park (improving), touch creaky barrels with nose... suggestions on things to add in greatly appreciated. I love watching her learn new things I'll make a TREC pony of her soon.

 

[TheMule]

Good weekend for me- new boy arrived safely and has been very level headed so far (for a 4yr old who has never left home at least!)
And had a fun day eventing with @LEC in Sunday

 

[Patterdale]

Daughter stole her brother’s pony and had a great time. Might let her keep stealing him - her pace of life suits him better at shows!!!

Son took Little Miss Perfect. I told him to let her canter between jumps this time out. Result = two first places and qualifications for Sunshine Tour. Not sure if we will go (a bit buzzy for a 4 year old pony maybe?) but he’s chuffed. I have told him he has to go up a class now though!

12hh still nervous chap went to his second arena hire and was pretty calm. Jumped a bit bigger this time, and he showed promise with fillers (stopped, had a sniff, jumped from a standstill).

I was trying to discuss a more bouncy SJ canter with my mare. She did agree by the end that it was easier. Lots of work to be down there though!

We are qualified and going! From the other end of the country should be great fun though!!
Youngest has only qualified for one class on her pony though so we have one more show on the 28th