BBP
Well-Known Member
Thought id post ponys exploits in NL as well, didn't get time yesterday. For all of you who have perfect horses this will seem silly, but hopefully those who are struggling with a horse they think is too much for them will appreciate it!
Bonkers black pony and I did a proper trec last year, a level 3 one, with Ben the supercob as our trusty pair partner, and came second (thanks to trusty Ben the supercob and his super orienteer pilot) and a couple of indoor trecs this winter, so when asked by aforementioned super trekker if we would like to do the Keysoe level 2 we boldly said yes.
We (lets make that 'I') came to regret such boldness when I turned up to walk the course on the saturday. All the last ones obstacle course bit have been in fields the size of a big arena, and yet here at Keysoe it made use of the best part of the cross country course. Oh God, i thought, Im going to die. Bonkers black pony did not earn that nickname lightly. he is fabulous in company but alone he has panic attacks at the slightest change in what is usual in his life. He shakes, his heart pounds, his legs wobble like he'll fall down, and he snorts like a possessed demon if even one leaf is out of place from the last time he passed. He has only ever seen x-country jumps twice, and both times was taking a lead from a bold horse. And here I was faced with a trec around a course full of scary jumps and people in deckchairs hiding under hedges, with the BS tannoy blasting away.
the further around the course I walked the more my stomach wanted to free itself through my mouth! (guided course walk - rein back going between poles away from home, narrow corridor, ditch, gate at this point we were told - 'gate obstacle - one must have a hand on the gate and remain in control of the gate at all times...hmm i pondered, I wonder if one must also be in control of ones horse at this point also?), long gallop to bending poles, another to sbend, up a slope and down the other side towards collecting ring (visions of pony planting at the top on spotting warm up), water jump (please see video as to why this was a worry! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4IxdYg0sGg ), jump, step up with ditch in front, log, dismount and lead up huge step, load and unload from trailer and then mount on off side before riding to the finish. Not one single part of it could I see going well, except perhaps the little log towards home.
Vomity feeling continued so given the bad weather I decided to give pony the usual bad weather preparation of a hoolie around the arena with his little welshie best mate.
The sunday morning dawned sunny and still, i asked pony if he fancied another hoolie to get out any extra kinks and he told me in no uncertain terms that he was not leaving a jog trot and I would just have to wait and see what kinks remained when we got there. Fine.
Got to the venue, and hopped on the pony feeling sick with nerves. Would he rodeo me off in the warm-up with all that space to go at? Would he leave the other horses to go out on the course of would he plant and refuse? Would he get part way out and panic and ruin all the hard work I have put into him? Would he forget all the schooling we have done and just refuse to listen?
As soon as I got on I could feel he was bright but...he was soft, he was responsive, he listened, he floated around the warm-up area, trying ever so hard to behave and do what I asked, even if he did want to look around. The sick feeling left me and I was loving riding around on my beautiful pony imagining that everyone must have been thinking how gorgeous he is.
(my camera man has run off with the camera, so purely to decorate the report I have put in some semi-related ones from elsewhere!)
Control of paces...its meant to be a slow canter one way and a fast walk the other, but we seemed to do the opposite, not bothered, just happy he listened and didn't break pace or buck.
Then it was time to head out on the course.
He was the only horse in my class to score in the rein back, not only did he get a score, it was a perfect 10. Didn't hesitate at the narrow corridor, off to the maypole which he was dubious about but trotted around like a good boy:
Off to the ditch which totally took him by surprised and worried him, but when I represented him he leapt over. I lost a little control of the gate but he was very good. Lovely canter down to the s-bend
and at this point I realised I was thoroughly enjoying myself!
Hill up and down he didn't hesitate.
if you have watched the video you will see why I decided to then skip the water, as I didn't have all day and I need to spend the time schooling it outside of competition. The following were disappointing as little jumps, but he was a little worried and looking about and didn't have enough confidence. Rather than battle it out I decided to skip the jump and step after a couple of attempts as again, I should have done more work on them away from competition, not his fault. Hopped the little log once I rode properly.
Then hopped off and went to lead him up the step just as the next horse flew around behind us. Queue snorting like dragon, tail up, and fell up step. But what a good boy through the trailer, didn't hesitate. The mount wasn't great, but I was on and through the finish. I am so so proud if him, he went everywhere I asked, even if some of the obstacles didn't go well he still tried so hard and I couldn't be happier.
The 20k orienteering after that was a lovely lovely ride and I enjoyed every minute. My scores meant we only finished 4th out of 5 pairs, but as a learning experience for him and a day of building my confidence in him that he wont always be stupid, it was just the best day! very happy and proud of my shiny beast!
Next stop, dressage!!:
Bonkers black pony and I did a proper trec last year, a level 3 one, with Ben the supercob as our trusty pair partner, and came second (thanks to trusty Ben the supercob and his super orienteer pilot) and a couple of indoor trecs this winter, so when asked by aforementioned super trekker if we would like to do the Keysoe level 2 we boldly said yes.
We (lets make that 'I') came to regret such boldness when I turned up to walk the course on the saturday. All the last ones obstacle course bit have been in fields the size of a big arena, and yet here at Keysoe it made use of the best part of the cross country course. Oh God, i thought, Im going to die. Bonkers black pony did not earn that nickname lightly. he is fabulous in company but alone he has panic attacks at the slightest change in what is usual in his life. He shakes, his heart pounds, his legs wobble like he'll fall down, and he snorts like a possessed demon if even one leaf is out of place from the last time he passed. He has only ever seen x-country jumps twice, and both times was taking a lead from a bold horse. And here I was faced with a trec around a course full of scary jumps and people in deckchairs hiding under hedges, with the BS tannoy blasting away.
the further around the course I walked the more my stomach wanted to free itself through my mouth! (guided course walk - rein back going between poles away from home, narrow corridor, ditch, gate at this point we were told - 'gate obstacle - one must have a hand on the gate and remain in control of the gate at all times...hmm i pondered, I wonder if one must also be in control of ones horse at this point also?), long gallop to bending poles, another to sbend, up a slope and down the other side towards collecting ring (visions of pony planting at the top on spotting warm up), water jump (please see video as to why this was a worry! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4IxdYg0sGg ), jump, step up with ditch in front, log, dismount and lead up huge step, load and unload from trailer and then mount on off side before riding to the finish. Not one single part of it could I see going well, except perhaps the little log towards home.
Vomity feeling continued so given the bad weather I decided to give pony the usual bad weather preparation of a hoolie around the arena with his little welshie best mate.
The sunday morning dawned sunny and still, i asked pony if he fancied another hoolie to get out any extra kinks and he told me in no uncertain terms that he was not leaving a jog trot and I would just have to wait and see what kinks remained when we got there. Fine.
Got to the venue, and hopped on the pony feeling sick with nerves. Would he rodeo me off in the warm-up with all that space to go at? Would he leave the other horses to go out on the course of would he plant and refuse? Would he get part way out and panic and ruin all the hard work I have put into him? Would he forget all the schooling we have done and just refuse to listen?
As soon as I got on I could feel he was bright but...he was soft, he was responsive, he listened, he floated around the warm-up area, trying ever so hard to behave and do what I asked, even if he did want to look around. The sick feeling left me and I was loving riding around on my beautiful pony imagining that everyone must have been thinking how gorgeous he is.
(my camera man has run off with the camera, so purely to decorate the report I have put in some semi-related ones from elsewhere!)
Control of paces...its meant to be a slow canter one way and a fast walk the other, but we seemed to do the opposite, not bothered, just happy he listened and didn't break pace or buck.
Then it was time to head out on the course.
He was the only horse in my class to score in the rein back, not only did he get a score, it was a perfect 10. Didn't hesitate at the narrow corridor, off to the maypole which he was dubious about but trotted around like a good boy:
Off to the ditch which totally took him by surprised and worried him, but when I represented him he leapt over. I lost a little control of the gate but he was very good. Lovely canter down to the s-bend
and at this point I realised I was thoroughly enjoying myself!
Hill up and down he didn't hesitate.
if you have watched the video you will see why I decided to then skip the water, as I didn't have all day and I need to spend the time schooling it outside of competition. The following were disappointing as little jumps, but he was a little worried and looking about and didn't have enough confidence. Rather than battle it out I decided to skip the jump and step after a couple of attempts as again, I should have done more work on them away from competition, not his fault. Hopped the little log once I rode properly.
Then hopped off and went to lead him up the step just as the next horse flew around behind us. Queue snorting like dragon, tail up, and fell up step. But what a good boy through the trailer, didn't hesitate. The mount wasn't great, but I was on and through the finish. I am so so proud if him, he went everywhere I asked, even if some of the obstacles didn't go well he still tried so hard and I couldn't be happier.
The 20k orienteering after that was a lovely lovely ride and I enjoyed every minute. My scores meant we only finished 4th out of 5 pairs, but as a learning experience for him and a day of building my confidence in him that he wont always be stupid, it was just the best day! very happy and proud of my shiny beast!
Next stop, dressage!!:
