2nd weekend in August plans

[CanteringCarrot]

What's everyone up to?

It's going to be a hot one, but survivable. We'll be at a dressage comp, doing the German rough equivalent of AM. Only one test, late morning, so shouldn't be too bad. Otherwise the weekend will be fairly relaxed.

 

[Xmasha]

We where supposed to be going to the ID breed show with my mare and foal, but have decided to stay home. so its a weekend of not much now, unless we decide to pop over to Bolesworth and watch a couple of classes. Quite fancy a stint in the bar there

 

[j1ffy]

Not a lot here really - I schooled before work this morning to avoid the heat, will hack tomorrow and then make plans for the weekend. The yard has a free BHS educational event on Saturday which I've signed up for, mainly as there's a weighbridge coming and I'm curious about Chilli's weight and what they condition score him as. I seem to be blessed with good doers but he's not as rotund as last year, thank goodness.

Other than that, a neighbour has a bbq on Saturday that could get messy..!

ETA: I keep forgetting that I have a pole work clinic on Sunday! The last two have been rescheduled - the first due to the trainer moving house, then the poor lady was in a car accident on her way to our yard the second time. Thankfully all ok so third time lucky. We did one of her clinics earlier in the year and it was excellent.

 

[Bernster]

Sneaking an update in from last night - am doing alternate pole work lesson to really try and crack this jumping malarkey with Bertie. We’re having the same issues over poles as we had initially with the flatwork - me bracing in the canter, him losing balance and getting on the forehand. Not quite as messy as it was and I have faith that we can work it out as we’ve come so far with the flatwork, but it ain’t pretty at times! It’s a challenge that I’m enjoying though and it’s really rewarding working through it, having little light bulb moments, and little wins along the way.

Off to Ireland next week - novice OH is up for a 2 hr and 3 hr trail ride with me - I’m not sure he quite knows what he’s in for!

 

[humblepie]

Had entries in yesterday but didn't go as would have been travelling back when hot. Would have been fine I am sure and probably over protective. Fortunately nothing entered for the weekend. Good luck to those out and about.

 

[milliepops]

We have a wedding on Saturday. I am so not about non-horsey days out I did buy myself a new bag for it with a unicorn on it though, it matches my unicorn shoes from my own hen do, so ... small victories.

Other than that... sicknote will have finished his course of ventipulmin by the weekend, so will be experimentally working him and hoping that he doesn't need any further treatment. He feels full of beans again now so I think that's good news, jumping beans yesterday as the sun was shining on the arena letters and that was well scary

 

[Peglo]

I entered the county show but decided I didn’t actually want to go and would rather do riding of the marches on Sunday. So I will watch the horse showing and then in the afternoon I will do a stint on my work’s stall and then hit the beer tent (I know, all I’ve done recently is party ? I might actually need to hit it before I work as I’ve got terrible chat and farmers come by for tea and a yarn. After speaking about the weather I have nothing ?) and then will do half the marches on Sunday. Might try a dip in the sea tomorrow night.

tali wasn’t quite herself at her lesson on Tuesday. I only did a bit and decided there was something she wasn’t happy with so didn’t finish. So I’ve given her a few days off and will see what she’s like tomorrow and if she seems ok I will take her to marches. She’s seemed totally fine in herself otherwise and she boxed up really well so that was good. Hoping she was just having an off day but will be keeping a very close eye on her.

have a good one everyone.

 

[Chippers1]

I have a jump clinic - at 8am! Originally planned for 12 but times have all shifted so will be done and home by half 9 in about 24 degrees happy also because Buzz has lost 14kg over the last few weeks, all the super boring weight loss power walking (hard ground..) is slowly paying off

 

[ihatework]

Got one at Aston, day out at Hartpury to meet and cheer on friends, an angelic 3yo to ride, and a slightly less angelic 3yo to check up on ?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

My final attempt to qualify for the Brigante cup at Eland. On at 8.46 so that should be fine. Lottie seems unbothered by heat anyway. I did the CT at Kelsall in 27 degree heat and she barely broke a sweat and jumped a lovely forward clear. So I am sure she will be fine. They are providing loads of washing off containers onsite and buckets for competitors.

 

[J_sarahd]

We finally have a saddle!! So the hacking can commence. Going with a very sensible friend this evening for a short plod down the lane (a route she has already done in hand). She was very well-behaved for our quick ride at the saddle fit yesterday - better behaved than some more experienced horses!!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I did polo arena hire 1st thing this morning, was glorious to be able to roll on more, actually it was brilliant to actually canter!
SJ comp on Sunday is cancelled as also a couple of other local large events at Bookham and Pachesham due to high temps forecasted.
However the agricultural show is still going ahead and announced they will be sticking to timing on schedule. Nightmare as public and exhibitors share same entry road and I can see some getting stuck in the usual monumental jams..... I'm def not going as the 2 main classes I could do are 1pm and 1.30, which would mean travelling in temps around mid 30s, my idea of hell.

So, if I'm out early enough tomorrow and Sunday, I'll go for a pootle in the woods like I did yesterday.

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

I’m at at Dressage Ireland show on Saturday as one of the organisers, going to be fun I hope, first time I’ve been on the other side so slightly nerve wracking ?

Any top tips for scribing? Am likely to have to do a slot (unless I find a volunteer!!) which I’ve not done before - it’ll be a level I’m v familiar with, and have done some research into scribing in general.. will also try and catch up with the judge beforehand. Quite looking forward to it, it’s to be a lovely day here ?

 

[ITPersonnage]

I've been lucky and written for some lovely judges, it's a really good way to learn what they are looking for.

My top tip - don't write "square", "circle", draw it, and abbreviate "trot", "T" etc... most people will understand these. The numbers are the most important bit so make sure they are clear! Try and watch the test movements if you can, your neck wlll be strained though

 

[lottiepony]

Hoping for a little intro dressage outing Sunday morning if it's still running, a lot of events are cancelling in our area due to the weather.
I'm not too worried as doing intro should be done and dusted nice and early before the real heat of the afternoon kicks in!

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

We hired a local arena and were jumping at 7am this morning. Well done to the venue for allowing people in so early.Had a lovely time but could feel it starting to hot up even by the time we'd finished. I'm not an early riser but having horses puts pay to that.
Was supposed to be eventing on Sunday but withdrew last week because of heat and ground

 

[blood_magik]

Baby Nashville got the all-clear from the vet the other day so today we had our first trot in almost 14 weeks.



Jack’s first BD attempt on Sunday - on pretty late (3 and 3.30) considering we’re only doing prelim but at least it means I can get the others ridden before we have to leave. Back again on Wednesday with Raz to do M73.

Hope everyone has a good weekend

 

[Red-1]

Doing a local show tonight, just the clear round. It is close enough to stroll to and we will be out of the yard for less than an hour in total.

Other than that, relaxing and keeping cool!

Oh and teaching the dogs to let us clean teeth and Rigs to have his new inhaler.

 

[RachelFerd]

Hoping to fit in a jumping lesson tomorrow for the 5yo, and then he's at the BD Area Festivals at Field House on Sunday. We're on at 12.30 so nearly heat of the day - but he's been worked in the heat quite a bit this year and seems to cope ok. At least he hopefully won't be too fresh and silly?! There's a huge entry of 40 horses, so not expecting anything much results wise.

 

[nikicb]

Maddie will be having a quiet weekend. We spent part of the week at Sheepgate for our Novice area festival. It was a long drive, but worth it as we placed 9th out of 24, with 65.7%. That included a break in one of the canters, and was only our 5th novice test together. I also tried a calming cookie for the first time, and I think it took the edge of her a little too much!! All three judges said various combinations of forward/active/willing/obedient - they clearly didn't realise that it would probably have been less effort on my part to have physically carried her round the test, but hey, she didn't spook!

I'm writing/scoring for a show at our trainer's yard tomorrow - they are starting at 7 and finishing by 12, so hopefully it will be bearable. She did give competitors the option of transferring to the next show, but very few people chose to do that.

@Sheep writing is a great experience. Most judges are lovely and when there is time they will explain why they are giving certain marks. They will generally give you the comments during the actual movement, but they have to wait till the end of the movement to give the mark. Other common abbreviations are bal, trans, supp, eng, imp, c/l (centre line), g/c (ground cover), s/o (strike off) and R and L for right and left. You can also underline (if needing more) or tick (if achieved/good) the words in the directives to the left of the comments box.

Don't panic if you miss a mark - just mention it to the judge and depending on what is currently going on in the test, they will either give it to you then, or they will say they will come back to it when they can. If it's a test with quite a lot of different movements, it's worth just checking in with the judge which number movement you are on half way through.

Some judges like you to keep track of the collectives for each competitor, so check before you start. Some judges also like a brief description noted down, especially if the class is big - eg. bay cob/chestnut TB big walk/etc. so it's worth checking for that as well. One particular judge I write for regularly likes to keep a note of how many 7s and above she gives through the test.

A couple of practical points - don't write the competitor's details until you have seen them enter the arena and checked their number - it's a pain to waste sheets when someone doesn't show up. Plus make sure you have several pens that you are comfortable writing with - I tend to take my own rather than using the venue's ones. Most of all, enjoy!!

Have a good weekend everyone, whatever you are up to, and try to keep cool!

 

[Red-1]

Any top tips for scribing? Am likely to have to do a slot (unless I find a volunteer!!) which I’ve not done before - it’ll be a level I’m v familiar with, and have done some research into scribing in general.. will also try and catch up with the judge beforehand. Quite looking forward to it, it’s to be a lovely day here ?

I write the word rhythm on a piece of paper on the dash. That way, I write it the same every time ?

If you think you are out of sync, tell the judge. They will glance and sort it out. Usually they give mark then comment. If they just give a mark, then another mark, you know to leave the comment.

Be aware that sometimes they say things they don't want you to put down. If not sure, ask if that is to be written on the sheet.

 

[ITPersonnage]

Excellent comments from Red-1 and nickicb, they obviously do it more often than me

 

[Red-1]

Did our little show. I was quite excited to wear my new hat and shirt!

Double clear round too, what's not to like?

 

[Peglo]

Took Tali a quick hack to the beach to see how she was. She seemed totally herself, very spritely and happily popped into trot, canter and gallop and back down so hoping she just wasn’t feeling it on Tuesday. I know I will question every little thing she does for a while though.

I tried her in the sea for the first time solo and she went in without any fuss on the first ask. We just dipped our toes and had a wee wander. I’ve never really pushed her with water, she wasn’t a big fan when I first got her, so I’m really chuffed how she’s come on without me working on it.


eta it was raining when I got home from work so had tea and motivated myself to go a ride when the rain had stopped. That is a small crappy win for me. Last year I never would’ve bothered considering it.

 

[nikicb]

Excellent comments from Red-1 and nickicb, they obviously do it more often than me

Thank you! I was only trying to add to your list of abbreviations, but yes I write several times a month - intro to GP, Quest to CDI across various venues, and list 5 to international judges, along with writing for several judges for their exams. I absolutely love doing it. It's something I want to do well into my senior years, even after the point when I can no longer ride, hopefully that's a few years off yet.

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

The scribing advice is hugely appreciated! Thanks so much everyone - have screenshotted your posts ?

 

[Red-1]

Have bought a couple of photos from last night. Also, we have entered a bigger class for Sunday!

 

[Red-1]

Excellent comments from Red-1 and nickicb, they obviously do it more often than me

No, I don't do it often, only when pressed ?. I have done more judging than writing TBH, again, only when pressed.

I live near a Trailblazer show centre and can step in at short notice, if I must! It changed hands and not recently sine then, but it was a good arrangement where I did something that felt like pulling teeth but got free arena hire in return, and discounted arena hire all the time for the fact I would, if pressed, write, judge, do the office or do the Bing Bong on SJ days.

 

[scats]

Working today. It’s pretty horrific in the salon at the moment but the dogs have 2 fans on them so they are fine. Its the poor groomer who is suffering!
Just came down to a kitchen awash with dog vomit. And I’ve got a headache.

 

[Red-1]

Working today. It’s pretty horrific in the salon at the moment but the dogs have 2 fans on them so they are fine. Its the poor groomer who is suffering!
Just came down to a kitchen awash with dog vomit. And I’ve got a headache.

Oooh, I'm sorry you are unwell. Maybe try a rehydration tablet/powder a couple of times a day? If you have too much water without re-balancing, that is not good.