2nd weekend in June. What do people have planned?

[webble]

We had a fun ride outing in North Wales, had a great time and not too hot

 

[Pippity]

As expected, we got about halfway through our dressage test before I decided discretion was the better part of valour and retired. Blue was absolutely terrified of the mirrors, of being in an unfamiliar arena on her own, and just life in general, bless her. Plan is for a few of us to hire the school for a couple of evenings in an attempt to get her as settled there as she is at home. It's confirmed that she absolutely doesn't have a future as a dressage cob but that's fine! Neither of have ambitions in that direction - I just wanted an excuse to scrub us up and go out somewhere. And she did scrub up nicely.


Edit: After seeing all the nice comments about Joe Midgley elsewhere, I've contacted him to see about having a lesson or two. It doesn't bother me if we can't go out and compete every weekend, but I'd like Blue to be more confident for her own sake, so we'll see.

 

[Flame_]

We had a fun ride outing in North Wales, had a great time and not too hot

Did you go to Kinmel? I was first out and it was epic.

 

[mavandkaz]

Not a huge amount happening this weekend but did get out and about on the weekend. Like alot of others, the lack of rain,wind and now heat has meant that the ground is like concrete.
So I couple of us went out to the gallops to do some fast work. My first time on this particular gallop, and it's position running along the ridge of the downs is just amazing.

 

[Britestar]

Round 2 at the beach today, with another pair.
What a pair of idiots! First neither were willing to go over the small rocky bit to get onto the beach.
That conquered, there was a rivulet about 10m further on. Another 5 mins getting over that!

Then much teleporting because of the waves.
Finally got them going and just had to walk , as apparently far too scary - both these ponies have been to the beach multiple times .
Turned for home and much more relaxed, lots of paddling in pools that were left on the beach.

Won't let those 2 go together again!

 

[webble]

Did you go to Kinmel? I was first out and it was epic.

Yes, I must have just missed you we were 930, it was brilliant wasn't it
Eta you weren't the lady on the chestnut whose reins had snapped were you?

 

[Alibear]

Had a lovely weekend just playing about with my pony. We can work the 5 bar arena gate no problem. Which I give us extra credit for as it’s a bit wonky so needs to be lifted as you move the handle. Had a mooch around the yard and drive ways and just generally enjoyed ourselves. Tweaking her shoeing again has definitely worked.

 

[Alibear]

Had a lovely weekend just playing about with my pony. We can work the 5 bar arena gate no problem. Which I give us extra credit for as it’s a bit wonky so needs to be lifted as you move the handle. Had a mooch around the yard and drive ways and just generally enjoyed ourselves. Tweaking her shoes again has definitely worked.

 

[Flame_]

Yes, I must have just missed you we were 930, it was brilliant wasn't it
Eta you weren't the lady on the chestnut whose reins had snapped were you?

Happily not, no. I have a (not-really-quite-)black arab with sound reins. I love the Flint and Denbigh Fun Rides, they're all amazing and the marking's great. Right, I go embarrassingly wrong on every EGB ride I ever do, but no one passed me today and I didn't get lost once, even when a steward sent me into the wrong field and I was like, "erm no, the markers are here, look..."

Already looking forwards to the next one.

 

[Ambers Echo]

Fab day at BE90 at Epworth. Warmed up better for dressage but test wasn’t great. But moving in the right direction! I’ll do a separate post on the Joe Midgley thread about that.

Then another double clear to gain qualification to the Regional Championships. Which I’ll do at Chillingham Hall. So any info about the venue /course welcome as I’ve never been there. Love my lovely Lottie

 

[Cloball]

Did you go to Kinmel? I was first out and it was epic.

Didn't realise there were so many North Walians

 

[Ambers Echo]

And I really did have fun!!

 

[Patterdale]

Man v Horse was a bit brutal yesterday! Incredibly hot, hard and humid conditions with the crew veterinary briefing emphasising the need to support all horses in the event of trouble. And trouble there did seem to be on occasions!! A couple of people had rather unwisely chosen to compete without a crew; potentially that is do-able but needs organisation and probably sacrificing riding competitively. From what I saw, that didn't necessarily apply....but the mid-way crewing point was able to support a couple of horses that were struggling. Some really high heart rates with much careful cooling needed, many lost shoes and quite a number of horses vetted out for a variety of reasons. A couple of apparantly clueless riders not having arranged crews but still pushing their horses which really wasn't great. On the other hand most horses were incredibly well managed - vetting quickly and successfully and with well prepared and organised crews enabling their recovery. It was much harder for the horses yesterday so a runner won the race but many, many runners also found it brutal and vetted themselves out for welfare reasons lol. I had a couple of friends running and truly, even for an experienced endurance runner yesterday's MvH was tough and totally unforgiving.

My friend and her horse did so well - riding conservatively due to heat and size of horse so his mid way HR was immediately fine to go to the vet and was even lower at the end. No placing but huge satisifaction in managing a big horse over such a difficult course. I felt quite choked about it all tbh!! Having said that, sadly there were horses that were carrying too much weight for this kind of event and the same for some riders: that made me sad, cross and frustrated tbh and added more weight to my view that we need enforced horse/rider weight ratios and limits for competitive events or where disciplines demand significant physical exertion in training and/or competing. No horse ever preferred a larger rider than necessary, or to carry too much weight themselves although I absolutely understand the struggle for riders and horse keepers to manage optimum weights. But a lot of food for thought!! Man V Horse is a great event; really friendly, well managed and yet properly 'testing' of horse and rider fitness and horsemanship. I just think our 'culture' needs a bit of a talking to about fitness, fatness and sporting demands. The winning horses and riders were fantastically well prepared and managed and were a real credit to 'amateur' horse sport though. I was delighted to get home after a long, hard, hot day and very pleased to see my own horses relaxing, oblivious and entirely untested lol.

I’ll write my proper report later but tbh the amount of horses being pushed to ridiculous limits, carrying fat riders (one, the enormous lady on the grey Arab should not have been allowed to compete. It was abuse) really left a sour taste for me.

I was without crew, but I have years of experience as an event groom including from the days of the ten minute box, and I walked my horse the last half mile, and got off and led him up the last hill before the vet check. He arrived at the check chilled and shortly after was passed by the vet. Some very kind people helped me wash him off which was appreciated but it wouldn’t have been detrimental for him to have just me!

Not all riders were as considerate to their horses though. I thought a lot of the behaviour disgusting tbh. I won’t be going back!

Did you go to Kinmel? I was first out and it was epic.

I went too! With 2 of the children. Good ride but again, so hot!!

 

[palo1]

I’ll write my proper report later but tbh the amount of horses being pushed to ridiculous limits, carrying fat riders (one, the enormous lady on the grey Arab should not have been allowed to compete. It was abuse) really left a sour taste for me.

I was without crew, but I have years of experience as an event groom including from the days of the ten minute box, and I walked my horse the last half mile, and got off and led him up the last hill before the vet check. He arrived at the check chilled and shortly after was passed by the vet. Some very kind people helped me wash him off which was appreciated but it wouldn’t have been detrimental for him to have just me!

Not all riders were as considerate to their horses though. I thought a lot of the behaviour disgusting tbh. I won’t be going back!



I went too! With 2 of the children. Good ride but again, so hot!!

I hear you!! Glad it went well for you and good to know that you were able to manage the crewing stations well; it is absolutely do-able but needs planning as you say. The overweight riders (at least 2 were outstandingly obvious) were pretty distressing as you say and there has been quite a lot said about them elsewhere too. I think I will communicate my own thoughts on that to the event organisers as it just isn't acceptable for an organised event to be complicit in that way. I didn't see 'a lot' of disgusting behaviour but I was only at the mid-way vetting and finish and my rider did a fabulous job on a well conditioned and prepared horse. Some of the front runners were very well looked after and were definitely fit but I did wonder about some of the other competitors. Interested to hear your experience out on the ride when you post.

 

[RachelFerd]

Fab day at BE90 at Epworth. Warmed up better for dressage but test wasn’t great. But moving in the right direction! I’ll do a separate post on the Joe Midgley thread about that.

Then another double clear to gain qualification to the Regional Championships. Which I’ll do at Chillingham Hall. So any info about the venue /course welcome as I’ve never been there. Love my lovely Lottie

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Well done!

 

[Ambers Echo]

Well done!

Thanks I am so so happy! Now weighing up a 100 run before the Regional Champs??? Eek scary thoughr but I've done 4 90s and she's been great. A silly stop at ND at straightforward fence but clear elsewere including Frickley... What is Skipton like?

 

[ycbm]

We did the second loop of the farm ride mounted, at the second attempt. I didn't realise that the tannoy for the big show would start before 8am on Saturday . I decided at the third announcement that discretion was the better part of valour, waited until he stopped neck snaking and marching backwards for a few seconds, hopped off and led him the rest of the way home . Tried again today sans tannoy and he was fab. He also did a gate, twice, without getting off, which I never expected. Win win today.

We are up to 45 minutes in the saddle now his back has some muscle. Canter soon and I am really looking forward to that, I already know it's smooth!
.

 

[Boulty]

We had a bit of a disaster I’m afraid. He was quite tense setting out on the POR (not helped by a few people who’d initially gone the wrong way flying past trying to make time back up) did get off a few times as the ground near the start wasn’t great (downhill, hard & rutted / holey with long grass so you couldn’t see said horrid bits) and was worried about what he may do to himself if he started messing around (he’s taken a long time to feel like he has any balance at all coming downhill and he still dislikes steep hills) but was coaxed by my pair into getting on & continuing (she also made a lot of the major map reading decisions which proved a wise choice as we avoided any wrong route penalties!). Once he’d settled he actually did quite well and even went first through the water crossing (my friends horse has a bit of an issue with water) but he did feel a bit tired towards the end and did trip a few times.

We were down to do our MA / PTV at about 1.30 on Sunday when it was very warm. I’ll admit that my warmup mainly consisted of walking him around inhand to try and conserve energy and keep us both from getting too warm (I also didn’t like that the warmup was right next to where the other horses were corralled with no fence or anything in between). Sadly he felt lame in the MA corridor (which I only asked for trot in as I knew the ground was far from ideal as although mostly free of actual holes it was still hard, rutted and uneven) so pulled him up & withdrew. I don’t tend to boot for MA or PTV as I know they don’t have the best grip on grass but maybe with the awful ground I should have done / maybe he would have felt ok to continue if I had but tbh the whole PTV course was rock hard, rutted had areas where there were holes (think it had been used for cow grazing) and grass was too long to see what the ground underneath was like. I suspect with a decent amount of rain it would have been better but my friend put her foot down a hole near the start and injured her ankle when walking the course. After I withdrew she pulled out also as saw no point risking her horses legs (maybe in hindsight we should have done that anyway when we weren’t happy with the ground?)

The Hooligan mostly behaved & enjoyed all the attention, people thinking he was cute and feeding him pizza crust etc and even got to sample some tango ice blast on the way home as I was worried he was getting too warm (I bought it for me not JUST for him to clarify!). If these kind of temperatures become the norm though I’m going to have to think about ventilation in the lorry though as even with 3 windows open as wide as they go plus a roof vent it was far too warm in there when we got back (oddly my previous lorry without roof vent didn’t seem to get as warm but horse area in that one wasn’t fully sealed off & was coachbuilt so a bit roomier in general). I know the ideal would be air con but I doubt I can stretch to that (although I may see if someone can get the aircon in the cab working as I’m pretty convinced it isn’t at the moment)

 

[Boulty]

 

[RachelFerd]

Thanks I am so so happy! Now weighing up a 100 run before the Regional Champs??? Eek scary thoughr but I've done 4 90s and she's been great. A silly stop at ND at straightforward fence but clear elsewere including Frickley... What is Skipton like?

I've not been to Skipton as it always clashes with Gatcombe, and I've not been to Chillington either. But I think friends that went to Chillington said it wasn't especially big - so you're probably not desperate to get a 100 run in to prepare.

If you are looking to slot one in, I think Buckminster is a nice straightforward run. Has a decent set of steps down, but always seems to jump well. Or go back to Epworth for Epworth (2)? Or if there's an Aston you can get to, that's guaranteed to be a straightforward first 100 (although showjumping tends to be full up).

 

[Red-1]

It is a while since I've done Skipton, but I do remember it to be rather hilly. It was always fair though. I did the 100 a few times.

 

[GinaGeo]

Haven’t been for awhile. But Skipton was always an upto height, hilly but fair course. It always felt fairly old fashioned and gallopy as opposed to technical.

Was always one my favourite events

 

[Ambers Echo]

Buckminster feels too soon…on the other hand big and gallopy is my least favourite type of fence. But I have time to school a few times over big gallopy fences before Skipton. Sadly I can’t make Aston. That would have been perfect. Arghh decisions, decisions. I think I need to see a bigger track even if Lottie doesn’t.

 

[oldie48]

I had a rematch with friend's little mare and she was completely different, we got on fine, still finding the buttons but not the car crash of last Friday. Mr D has been checked over and has a week of walking before introducing trot. I'm going over to hack him quietly out on Wednesday, fingers crossed he'll be OK.

 

[RachelFerd]

Buckminster feels too soon…on the other hand big and gallopy is my least favourite type of fence. But I have time to school a few times over big gallopy fences before Skipton. Sadly I can’t make Aston. That would have been perfect. Arghh decisions, decisions. I think I need to see a bigger track even if Lottie doesn’t.

Or Shelford? It's certainly not big as they go, can be a bit twisty and trappy though.

 

[Ambers Echo]

Away then too. And for Epworth.

My choices within 3 hours are Richmond, Buckminster, Skipton, Kelsall, Offchurch, Warwick.

Or something unaff? But I don’t know what’s on. Brigante Cup has Eland but I’m not keen on the broken bridge!
Smallwood has a BRC ODE in July though entries appear closed already. Don’t think there is a list of unaff events anywhere so maybe I need to search calendars venue by venue. Or bite the bullet and go to Skipton.

 

[Red-1]

Away then too. And for Epworth.

My choices within 3 hours are Richmond, Buckminster, Skipton, Kelsall, Offchurch, Warwick.

Or something unaff? But I don’t know what’s on. Brigante Cup has Eland but I’m not keen on the broken bridge!
Smallwood has a BRC ODE in July though entries appear closed already. Don’t think there is a list of unaff events anywhere so maybe I need to search calendars venue by venue. Or bite the bullet and go to Skipton.

Of those, I would prefer Buckminster or Skipton, but then I like the old galloping courses. Richmond was fairly straightforward years ago!

 

[RachelFerd]

Of those, I would prefer Buckminster or Skipton, but then I like the old galloping courses. Richmond was fairly straightforward years ago!

Richmond was fairly straightforward when I last did it. I don't tend to head up there any more as Older horse doesn't love the surface for SJ. Offchurch is big and technical. Warwick is flat and generally pretty nice - SJ usually causes some trouble as always built more.like a BS track with lots of related distances than your typical BE track. But yeah, Buckminster would definitely be my pick of a first 100 run (as I don't know what Skipton is like).

 

[Cloball]

Had a lesson yesterday and I think it was either too hot and/or D had been up all night with the thunder because it was like someone had body swapped my pony we had no dramatic spooking and bogging off, and I actually had to/could use my leg. Just need to stop riding like a numpty in the brave position and we might get somewhere.