only_me
Well-Known Member
Well, it is now the end of Billy’s first eventing season as he has started his holidays, I would have loved to finish the eventing season but tbh there was no need, we had such a good last event over a proper galloping course I didn’t want to upset his form by doing one event too many!
In total he has done 6 EIs, where he has been 2nd,2nd, 3rd and 2nd! He has done 3 pony club events, one normal, the areas and the championships at Intermediate level (PN) where he has been placed 3rd, 3rd, and 3rd! He is quite consistent my billy
As he is out and I have now tided my yard, I was doing a bit of reflection on our year, as someone said to me that he is really looking quite smart now, which makes me lol, as what did he look like at the beginning of the year?! But in all honesty, he has come on so much it is hard to believe, just some pictures to show the difference!
End of October 2010, when I tried him out
But has gone on hols looking a bit more like an eventer, or at least, a sports horse
His dressage has been improving, problem is he is very intelligent and quick to learn things he is also very quick to learn bad habits as well But he always wants to please – If you tell him off, he gets in a right strop! So I just have to ignore the bad behaviour and reward the good
November 2010
This year
His showjumping was, and still is, a work in progress But one day, I will get the hang of gathering up his front legs and keeping the back legs working, one day
Start of the year, we took baby steps
http://www.lawrencemckenzie.com/wp-content/gallery/3rd-jan-11-b/3-1-11b-080.jpg
End of the year, slightly better, although a winter of grids and trotting into fences ensues! Plus a new bit, so I can hold his giganticness a bit better
We even dabbled in some county show hunter, which was great, he came 2nd in the novice LW, even with his splint!
His xc is where he has shown the most improvement – at the start of the year he was very very green about water and ditches, we had a battle over a ditch where I won by pure perseverance, no shouting etc. but by making him jump every ditch I found at the start and end of every riding session, he soon got the idea
Stropping at the water
And now, water is no issue whatsoever for him – he just needed time to understand
Permission to post
And of course, what billy does best – sleeping!
Thanks for reading, it has been nice to reflect on how far he has come in such a short while! I can't wait till he comes back into work again!
In total he has done 6 EIs, where he has been 2nd,2nd, 3rd and 2nd! He has done 3 pony club events, one normal, the areas and the championships at Intermediate level (PN) where he has been placed 3rd, 3rd, and 3rd! He is quite consistent my billy
As he is out and I have now tided my yard, I was doing a bit of reflection on our year, as someone said to me that he is really looking quite smart now, which makes me lol, as what did he look like at the beginning of the year?! But in all honesty, he has come on so much it is hard to believe, just some pictures to show the difference!
End of October 2010, when I tried him out
But has gone on hols looking a bit more like an eventer, or at least, a sports horse
His dressage has been improving, problem is he is very intelligent and quick to learn things he is also very quick to learn bad habits as well But he always wants to please – If you tell him off, he gets in a right strop! So I just have to ignore the bad behaviour and reward the good
November 2010
This year
His showjumping was, and still is, a work in progress But one day, I will get the hang of gathering up his front legs and keeping the back legs working, one day
Start of the year, we took baby steps
http://www.lawrencemckenzie.com/wp-content/gallery/3rd-jan-11-b/3-1-11b-080.jpg
End of the year, slightly better, although a winter of grids and trotting into fences ensues! Plus a new bit, so I can hold his giganticness a bit better
We even dabbled in some county show hunter, which was great, he came 2nd in the novice LW, even with his splint!
His xc is where he has shown the most improvement – at the start of the year he was very very green about water and ditches, we had a battle over a ditch where I won by pure perseverance, no shouting etc. but by making him jump every ditch I found at the start and end of every riding session, he soon got the idea
Stropping at the water
And now, water is no issue whatsoever for him – he just needed time to understand
Permission to post
And of course, what billy does best – sleeping!
Thanks for reading, it has been nice to reflect on how far he has come in such a short while! I can't wait till he comes back into work again!
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