Adventurous April Weekend Plans

[humblepie]

Cherry Blossom - vert smart and good result.

Jenni the dragon - what a lovely head on the ex racer

won’t let me quote reply for some reason

 

[Kunoichi73]

I could ask, I've not thought about it before but sounds worth finding out if it's possible.

They're good because you just take them as needed. GP gave my mum one for her driving test years ago!

It's quite rare that I take them for riding. The anxiety is usually something that has been building due to non-riding issues (work etc), but to stop it ruining my ride, I find them invaluable.

 

[RachelFerd]

Hope your events go well tomorrow @TheMule and @lannerch!

In the end I had a quiet but nice weekend, sans eventing. Both boys went around Somerford farm ride yesterday and enjoyed whizzing up some hills and popping some little brushes and things - not really demanding for them, but I think they had a good time - as did I.

And then today, the older boy was mad as a hatter out hacking - not fun for me, but at least he's feeling well. He might have his/our first intermediate entry going in next week if i'm feeling courageous. And the 6yo did his third elementary test at our home dressage competition and picked up another 70%+ score (3 out of 3!) so that was nice. All under different judges too, so we're getting consistent.

 

[LEC]

Thank you.
I think I'd convinced myself yesterday that it was no big deal but I'm actually feeling pretty glum about it today

No consolation, but it’s a rubbish champs! Drove me mad with the way it ran and had zero atmosphere. I qualified again this year and decided not to go as not worth the effort.

 

[Boulty]

The Fuzzball had lots of plans this weekend that involved long snoozes in the shelter & grooming sessions with his mates.

As the world we live in is an unfair one he was instead made to go hacking both days.

Today we finally had our first canter out on a hack & we had to do it all on our lonesome. (Was originally planning to try yesterday in company but the route we went was way too wet after all the damned rain we’ve had!)

Did about 5 short bursts. The first few were rather sticky & not very pretty (much leg required & sorta had to chase him into it) & were only 5 or 6 strides in length. Think he just couldn’t compute that yes we were going to do this in the big wide world. But had some nicer transitions once he got the idea & we managed maybe a 50m stretch. Yes I’m aware that’s slightly pathetic but progress is progress right? Hoping that if we can try again in company next weekend the other horse might motivate him a bit & we might be able to build up to some longer stretches.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Thank you! I spoke with owner today and she agreed it was a sensible thing to do so that's good.

Not sure how I'm managing to go backwards again with riding. Logically I should take confidence from yesterday, I stayed on the horse, handled the situation, and ended on a good note. Today I was anxious to even get on. Walked round the arena in hand, got on, OH lead reining me round for a bit and then got off. A couple of weeks ago I did a pole clinic. Make it make sense?!?

You did the right thing both in terms of safety (assess a hazard/ make a new plan) and your own anxiety (stay on and end the ride smiling). But the fact you posted meant you were 2nd guessing your decisions and aren’t confident in them. So it’s probably what iffing (will something else go ‘wrong’ next time) or self-doubt (did I do the right thing. Will I know what to do if anything unexpected else happens) and doubt in your horse (what will he do if….) that has led you to feel more anxious again. Does that make sense?

 

[j1ffy]

Plenty of horse time here (and a couple of visits to my friend in hospital), with two horses to ride and a day watching a Working Equitation clinic at Unicorn. It was lovely to be back on Pocholo again, it's like putting on a pair of comfy slippers...I'm not sure he appreciated it as much as I make him work harder than his loaner does... Chilli had a couple of gentle schooling sessions, sort of. They were supposed to be gentle but he was a bit over-excited about being allowed to trot!

Working Equitation looks both highly technical and a lot of fun. We've been talked into going to a local clinic next week to have a go, yay! @little_critter - where are you based? I wonder if it's the same one (this one's in Oxfordshire).

 

[little_critter]

Plenty of horse time here (and a couple of visits to my friend in hospital), with two horses to ride and a day watching a Working Equitation clinic at Unicorn. It was lovely to be back on Pocholo again, it's like putting on a pair of comfy slippers...I'm not sure he appreciated it as much as I make him work harder than his loaner does... Chilli had a couple of gentle schooling sessions, sort of. They were supposed to be gentle but he was a bit over-excited about being allowed to trot!

Working Equitation looks both highly technical and a lot of fun. We've been talked into going to a local clinic next week to have a go, yay! @little_critter - where are you based? I wonder if it's the same one (this one's in Oxfordshire).

We are going to one in Somerset ( apparently 2 spaces still available as at last night...)

 

[monte1]

A very good weekend for us, we went XC schooling at Tweseldown on Saturday with not much expectation, but Max was an absolute superstar and was just flying, great confidence boost for us both, I think, as often my nerves get the better of me and we make silly mistakes.
Then Sunday spent some time sorting out Ollie, who is three next month, gave him a good brush and clean up and then popped both his bridle on for half an hour and for only the second time put a saddle on him, which he was absolutely fine with, so very please with him as well, although i couldn't take a decent photo as he was being far too nosy :-D
Not so pleased that he was rather bouncy and excited walking to and from the summer turnout fields with me, but i put it down to spring grass as he feeling very well

not sure if the video will play here

 

[blood_magik]

Round 2 yesterday. Cas did a nice safe test for 68.82% and 2nd.

He’ll have a bit of fun doing poles and some jumping before our next outing in two weeks. Hopefully we’ll get our advanced score this time as we seem to be back on track

 

[Chippers1]

Buzz was great yesterday, did a really lovely forward, flowing and confident round so pleased. We came in 3rd, with only 0.15 seconds between us and 2nd and only a second between us and 1st! Secretly pleased as they were both much bigger horses with bigger strides than us and we had a nice forward canter to make up for it, compared to other recent outings

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

You did the right thing both in terms of safety (assess a hazard/ make a new plan) and your own anxiety (stay on and end the ride smiling). But the fact you posted meant you were 2nd guessing your decisions and aren’t confident in them. So it’s probably what iffing (will something else go ‘wrong’ next time) or self-doubt (did I do the right thing. Will I know what to do if anything unexpected else happens) and doubt in your horse (what will he do if….) that has led you to feel more anxious again. Does that make sense?

Yes! That makes a lot of sense, I can certainly relate to the what if and the self-doubt. Then of course the self-criticism because I wasn't understanding why things seem to be 'going backwards' even though I did navigate the situation and if anything thought I 'should' take confidence from that. Same with when share horse has spooked/bucked, I've stayed on and ridden through it until anxiety gone down - I struggle to think 'hey look I dealt with that, look at me go!'

 

[TheMule]

We went eventing!!

Nova was super- it was his 3rd event but he hasn’t been out since last June because he nearly severed his own hind leg out in the field in July. But he is such a pro, he's just beautifully focused and lovely to ride.
He did a very sweet test for 31- needs a little more balance in canter and the walk needs to march on, but the trotwork was 7.5s and even an 8. We were a bit lucky in the SJ as he uncharacteristically went a bit green/spooky at a filler, but he's pretty much a clear round machine and he did jump well. Then xc he just felt wonderful- he's so easy to ride. He doesn’t look at a thing, he doesn’t need setting up, he has plenty of jump…. so it was all just lovely. Except I thought we were cruising along but we came in 4 seconds over the time. Oops!
I need to invest in a watch I think as he will be quite a competitive horse (I've never needed one before, that tells you everything you need to know about what I normally event )

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Brilliant Mule!! Can’t wait till my season starts x

 

[TheMule]

Brilliant Mule!! Can’t wait till my season starts x

Where's your first event?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Where's your first event?

Norton Disney on Sunday 23rd x

 

[lannerch]

Hope your events go well tomorrow @TheMule and @lannerch!

In the end I had a quiet but nice weekend, sans eventing. Both boys went around Somerford farm ride yesterday and enjoyed whizzing up some hills and popping some little brushes and things - not really demanding for them, but I think they had a good time - as did I.

And then today, the older boy was mad as a hatter out hacking - not fun for me, but at least he's feeling well. He might have his/our first intermediate entry going in next week if i'm feeling courageous. And the 6yo did his third elementary test at our home dressage competition and picked up another 70%+ score (3 out of 3!) so that was nice. All under different judges too, so we're getting consistent.

Sadly Layla had to be withdrawn after she managed to get a swollen dft sheath in the stable, being scanned by hirds tomorrow .

 

[lannerch]

We went eventing!!

Nova was super- it was his 3rd event but he hasn’t been out since last June because he nearly severed his own hind leg out in the field in July. But he is such a pro, he's just beautifully focused and lovely to ride.
He did a very sweet test for 31- needs a little more balance in canter and the walk needs to march on, but the trotwork was 7.5s and even an 8. We were a bit lucky in the SJ as he uncharacteristically went a bit green/spooky at a filler, but he's pretty much a clear round machine and he did jump well. Then xc he just felt wonderful- he's so easy to ride. He doesn’t look at a thing, he doesn’t need setting up, he has plenty of jump…. so it was all just lovely. Except I thought we were cruising along but we came in 4 seconds over the time. Oops!
I need to invest in a watch I think as he will be quite a competitive horse (I've never needed one before, that tells you everything you need to know about what I normally event )

View attachment 111654

Although Layla was withdrawn i was there supporting my rider on his other rides, I think I saw your sj round mule, you recovered very well when he went green and he got away with it as he jumped herself out of trouble . He jumps very exuberantly .
Well done and he’s lovely

 

[TheMule]

Sadly Layla had to be withdrawn after she managed to get a swollen dft sheath in the stable, being scanned by hirds tomorrow .

Oh how frustrating, good luck for the scan today

 

[RachelFerd]

We went eventing!!

Nova was super- it was his 3rd event but he hasn’t been out since last June because he nearly severed his own hind leg out in the field in July. But he is such a pro, he's just beautifully focused and lovely to ride.
He did a very sweet test for 31- needs a little more balance in canter and the walk needs to march on, but the trotwork was 7.5s and even an 8. We were a bit lucky in the SJ as he uncharacteristically went a bit green/spooky at a filler, but he's pretty much a clear round machine and he did jump well. Then xc he just felt wonderful- he's so easy to ride. He doesn’t look at a thing, he doesn’t need setting up, he has plenty of jump…. so it was all just lovely. Except I thought we were cruising along but we came in 4 seconds over the time. Oops!
I need to invest in a watch I think as he will be quite a competitive horse (I've never needed one before, that tells you everything you need to know about what I normally event )

View attachment 111654

Great result - where next?

 

[lannerch]

Oh how frustrating, good luck for the scan today

Was not good news she has a hole in the tendon , needs stem cell and rehab all over again. Another year lost another fight let’s hope she has 9 lives

 

[TheMule]

Was not good news she has a hole in the tendon , needs stem cell and rehab all over again. Another year lost another fight let’s hope she has 9 lives

Oh damn, that’s rubbish news,
I’m so sorry for you

 

[TheMule]

Great result - where next?

RC areas next week then, assuming all is ok, we’ll have to go unaff to get a 100 run in because there’s nothing in the BE calendar within 2 hours until the end of May and I’d rather keep up the momentum

 

[ihatework]

Was not good news she has a hole in the tendon , needs stem cell and rehab all over again. Another year lost another fight let’s hope she has 9 lives

Oh pants

 

[Cloball]

I'll join with my slightly feeble effort hastily organised a last minute lesson last night as I've been anxious through the roof all day everyday with what feels like adrenaline surges. I think a combination of work stress, hormones and riding anxiety plus too much coffee does not a happy rider make. Monday night I put all the summer electric fencing up so I could jog off the adrenaline. Not fair to ask Darcy to deal with that at the moment.
Tuesdays lesson she was full of spring grass, I wanted my instructor to help me sort a lunging issue and she was zooming around bucking so I wasn't feeling brilliant about getting on. But I hopped up and was she was very sweet. She did.massive spook because the letter H flapped at her and I fell off for the first time since pre COVID! I actually feel quite good about getting that over and done with. She hasn't spooked at anything like that since she arrived and a Chinook almost landed in her field a couple of weeks ago. What was very sweet was when she got to the gate to escape the letter that flapped at her she saw me whickered and trotted back to me for a cuddle which considering half the time I feel like she just tolerates my presence as her slave did melt my heart. Hopped back up and continued lesson feeling fine. Worked on not rushing off to the leg, lengthening the stride and starting to bend more. She finds this quite difficult as we don't think she has done much in the way of moving sideways and her natural instinct is always to just go faster she is Mrs Bustle after all.
Wednesday and Thursday are usually my full livery long work days but I think I will change my plans as the weather is nice until Friday and then raining all weekend. We'll do some long walk hills today and some more school work Thursday and then she can have Friday off.

@SaddlePsych'D I feel exactly what you are saying. I had a melt down Saturday feeling things were all going wrong when objectively nothing had happened. I think I got caught in a what if cycle and wound myself up! One of the main differences I can imagine is a clinic has lots of other people there and an instructor whereas you've really been pushing yourself to do things by yourself which is quite a different ask as you have to solve any problem yourself without any support. I'm often at the yard alone and I feel like I have completely different comfort zones depending on who is or isn't around. I think there must be something in the air (or grass) for us anxious types this week.

 

[j1ffy]

I'll join with my slightly feeble effort hastily organised a last minute lesson last night as I've been anxious through the roof all day everyday with what feels like adrenaline surges. I think a combination of work stress, hormones and riding anxiety plus too much coffee does not a happy rider make.

Weirdly I've been feeling anxious this week and it's not normal for me (minus a regular day of PMT when I have a huge anxiety knot!) - work stress and concern about my friend in hospital I think...but maybe the first signs of perimenopause?! Thankfully riding has helped and having Pocholo to ride is good as he's been my unofficial therapy horse for many a year now but I do have to pick what work to do with Chilli as he's not a horse to get tense or frustrated with.

Good to hear that you and SPD both worked through your anxiety, and I hope you're not sore after the fall.

 

[Cloball]

Thanks @Jiffy barely felt the fall landed on the soft bit
Darcy is so good but she is a bit of a worrier as we've discovered as she does hide it so I don't want to make things worse by being a hot mess but also don't want to be avoidant!
Funny about the collective anxiety !! Maybe we've all been on the spring grass.

 

[j1ffy]

Funny about the collective anxiety !! Maybe we've all been on the spring grass.

Maybe we all need a magnesium supplement!
Good to hear you had a soft landing