1st weekend in March plans

[milliepops]

He looks very fancy!!

haha! very. there was squealing and prancing this morning..."look at me, i am FAN-CY!"

He was much more settled today. Still a flipping live wire but actually trying to think instead of just darting around. I hope we get it together because he's a talented horse with a good attitude, he just needs to slow down in his head and take instructions. Have to remember it's only been a fortnight since he arrived and I also can't tackle everything at once. being in control is a good start

 

[TheMule]

Nova had a little jump yesterday and felt super. I am just starting to build the fences slightly bigger as he finds the actual jumping very easy but still needs more strength and he has a lot to learn about everything else in the equation (mostly how to deal with my random dodgy strides!)

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Had a lovely day for our first “event” of the year.

Started off with one of his best dressage tests yet for 34 (66%). In September at the same event we got a 55 (45%) so a distinct improvement there!

SJ he reverted to being a bit nappy, possibly because we had to wait around quite a while as another rider had a nasty fall (luckily she was ok, just a bit sore). But still jumped nicely for a clear round.

XC I was incredibly nervous about today, but he was fab. Again, a bit nappy and the setup of the course didn’t help. We had one sort of glance off where he was napping to the car park so the steering didn’t quite work. But despite that I’m so happy with him because he just felt so confident over the fences and was really taking me to them. And it’s easy to forget this is only his 3rd run XC!

The napping was slightly frustrating as thought we’d mostly sorted that, but I’m sure once he gets into the swing of things it will improve. Or maybe he was just having a bad day, not sure. Either way, over the moon with the way he jumped, and even more thrilled with the dressage!

 

[oldie48]

I hacked Mr D out with owner's daughter on Saturday and today as owner is away for a few days and horses are in ATM because of extremely wet paddocks. They are all very fit and jolly! Having known Mr D from a 5 year old and hacked out beside him on lots and lots of occasions, I know he can be a handful if something worries him so it was with some trepidation that I set out to accompany the "youngster" on Saturday and Miss Tricky today. There are lots of trees down, which all the horses found very alarming and my companions were rather naughty, so both hacks have been interesting but actually very confidence building. Yes, we had a few "moments" but I was able to ride Mr D through them and give a lead. Sorry to sound boastful but I was rather pleased with myself (and of course the lovely Mr D).

 

[AandK]

Quiet one for us, moved house during the week so quite knackered! Not managed much this last week. Was supposed to be having a flat lesson yesterday but instructor lost her voice so we just did a light schooling session, first for two weeks as school fence was broken.

 

[Ambers Echo]

That's fab iknowmyvalue. What a HUGE improvement on the dressage/
What event was it? I m itching to get out and all these posts here and on FB are very inspiring. The season is underway - hurray.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

That's fab iknowmyvalue. What a HUGE improvement on the dressage/
What event was it? I m itching to get out and all these posts here and on FB are very inspiring. The season is underway - hurray.

Thank you! I’m so pleased, it’s nice that the hard work we’ve put into his flatwork in the 8mo since I bought him is starting to pay off!

It was Epworth, one of their “have a go” days which they run every month. Ground was brill too given all the rain we had on Friday, they did cancel Saturday to let it dry out. Everything except XC is on a surface which helps! I’m so excited to hopefully do more with him this year!

ETA: also those who I spoke to about his NPA, the shoes are on and looking great. This level of work has been cleared with farrier and vets based on pre/post shoeing X-rays etc.

 

[McFluff]

What a difference it makes with sunshine and lighter nights. Just feels so much easier when we go out and it’s dry, sunny and not too Baltic.
Super pleased with my boy - 2nd in a big prelim class and we won the novice (much smaller class, but it’s at the edge of our comfort zone, so delighted with him).

 

[Caol Ila]

Hermosa’s turn today. It was her longest walk thus far - about 6k. Can’t say it was as exciting as Foinavon’s. We went into the metropolis of Kirkintilloch and traversed a housing estate. Tedious, but good for horse training because they see lots of things. She was great, far less spooky than her two twenty-something walking buddies. She did bridges, tunnels, some steps. Nae bother. She really looks to you for guidance when she's not sure of something -- before she reacts or spooks. Foinavon could do with some lessons from her.

 

[blood_magik]

we survived AM96. Still pretty new at this level so happy enough with a smidge under 62% and 2nd considering it’s only his 3rd outing.

Raz definitely seems to prefer the more complicated tests. Me, not so much ? but we made it through with only one minor mistake.

He’s been feeling a bit one-sided the last few days so he’s off to the vet on Thursday for a work up to make sure his hocks aren’t starting to niggle.

He’ll have a couple of easy weeks while the 4yo gets some competition experience under his belt, then we’ll hopefully be ready to go back out and get that final score for his area festival qualification. ??

 

[J_sarahd]

My lesson was great on Saturday. We changed his bit as he has been going in a straight bar but now he’s started leaning on it. Once we put a simple lozenge in, he went quite sweetly. I just need to remember to ride him more forward but not let him run off with me. We didn’t go through my test like I had planned, but we’ve got a few more dressage lessons penciled in before Aston anyway.

We also had a saddle fit on Saturday, which was a bit disappointing. He is basically a very difficult shape to fit and with me being on the tall side for him, we have limited options. We tried a Bates GP and he went beautifully in it and I really liked it, but it slipped forward slightly. Then we tried a Discovery Jump (it was a 17in and he should be in a 16.5in) and it didn’t move, but he was a bit stuffier to ride in it and bucked into canter. So back to the drawing board.