Bonzo Dalry BS report and pictures

J

JenniferB

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Well I've not posted a lot recently between one thing and another, and not really been out and about much this year but we actually got to a show on Saturday so thought I'd do a wee report!

Plan was to go to Dalry show (held at Rowallan) and try and improve on our last outing (to cut a long story short a new bit that worked brilliantly at home was not appreciated by the fussy one in a show situation...). B had what we call his 'mad-eye' on all morning before we left, was a nightmare to groom and boot up, dragged me onto the lorry then proceeded to kick the crap out of it all the way there (until we got there and the hobbles went on mwah ha ha ha). Arrived just in time to walk the course for the Discovery, a novelty in itself!

Course walked well, second phase had some interesting options and there were a couple of meaty looking oxers but that's just because my eye is totally out. Watched a few go, in the early stages the course was causing some problems - a double with a bright bold filler going slightly away from the gate early on caught a few out. Decided not to wind myself up any more and go get tacked up.

Once we'd wrestled all the necessary equipment on the boy and got me half presentable I got thrown on and made my way over to the warmup, nearly running down Measles in the process (sorry!). He worked in fairly well if a little keen, someone I know made a comment about why I felt the need to have such a big old strong bit - errrr because I need it and it's the only thing he tolerates whilst still giving me some control? I told him if he'd like to try jumping it in a snaffle he was more than welcome...

Down to the ring to jump, feeling a bit nervous by this point - lack of practice is a horrible thing! But I needn't have worried. He set off at a fair clip and ate up everything in front of him. The spooky double at 4 we launched from miles out but he let me correct him for the second part, had a bit of a disagreement over straightness going round the corner but then carried on pretty sweet. Before I knew it we were in the second phase and I decided to let the handbrake off a little and try some turns. Bless him I couldn't have faulted him - did a slightly ambitious turn back to a double of uprights and came down to the last oxer on the sort of stride we school the NH and P2P horses on and nothing was a problem. Jumped into 3rd but slipped down to 4th in the end up - beaten by the most awesome whizzy little horse that looked like a show pony and jumped like a buck and two lovely young stallions. But a DC, a Scope qualification and prize money are not to be sniffed at (plus the 4th rosettes were nicer than the 3rds anyway lol!).

Wee picture of the boy with his prize - excuse his size, he's on a diet!

picture.php


And I promised pictures, so pictures you shall all have! Some shots from a schooling session last week - we're really lucky to have pro photographers who livery at the yard...

Clearly I’m ‘clicking’ here…
http://www.equiscot.com/photo14942751.html

http://www.equiscot.com/photo14942756.html#photo

http://www.equiscot.com/photo14942762.html#photo

Toes getting tidier!
http://www.equiscot.com/photo14942765.html#photo

Hmmm this one got sneakily put up!
http://www.equiscot.com/photo14942771.html#photo

Just cos he’s a handsome lad…
http://www.equiscot.com/photo14942897.html#photo

http://www.equiscot.com/photo14942774.html#photo


Was lovely to see Measles again after far too long, hopefully will cross paths with more HHOers as the season goes on!
 
KatB said:
Fab result, well done, and pics look good! what bit have you ended up with?
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I'm back with the rope gag for jumping, he's happier in that than anything else. I'm switching it up a bit though between the cosoquero pelham on the flat when he gets a bit rude and the NS waterford with the cheeks as a wee break every now and then. He's getting a bit of turnout at the moment though so is much more polite (shame he's limited as he literally doesn't lift his head - fat bloater!).

Harrie123 said:
Well done! You must be really chuffed! Love the photos too!
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Thanks, I was really happy as it was only his 3rd outing this year! It's great having pro togs around, good to see where you're going wrong in decent clear photos...
 
gorgeous boy :) well done on the result!!! and lol, i love it when people try and comment on your way of riding/equipment/methods of horse care when they don't know anything about you or your horse... silly people!
 
He's looking very smart - sounds like he had is sensible head on yesterday!! Well done on your frilly!

I was out your way with a friend viewing a horse yesterday - drove right part your yard!!
 
Nats_uk said:
Well done :)
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Thank you Nats_uk!

4faults said:
Really handsome boy!! Congrats on the result :-)
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Cheers 4faults, prize money is always a bonus...

MandyMoo said:
gorgeous boy :) well done on the result!!! and lol, i love it when people try and comment on your way of riding/equipment/methods of horse care when they don't know anything about you or your horse... silly people!
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I was actually quite taken aback when he passed comment - he doesn't really know the horse! I was quite polite about it but I was rather cross, would he rather I was ripping B's mouth to shreds in a 'nice' bit?

Babybear said:
He's looking very smart - sounds like he had is sensible head on yesterday!! Well done on your frilly!

I was out your way with a friend viewing a horse yesterday - drove right part your yard!!
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Thanks Babybear! You should have popped in to say hi, did you have any joy with the horse?
 
No diet required despite his warmup racehorse tendencies :D And who cares about former bitting issues when he has a brain like that? What a clever chap he was and he really wants to jump - your jump off line through the double of uprights was :D : D

Great to see you out and about again. We'll get to do more when A's dreaded exams are over.. Have we missed your show next to the Scooby Doo haunted abandoned funfair? Can't do Blair this year as B's birthday is in the Saturday and he doesn't want to spend it in a field watching XC. Can't think why ever not, but for some reason when you are 9 you want to play with your friends and get presents...??
 
measles said:
No diet required despite his warmup racehorse tendencies :D And who cares about former bitting issues when he has a brain like that? What a clever chap he was and he really wants to jump - your jump off line through the double of uprights was :D : D

Great to see you out and about again. We'll get to do more when A's dreaded exams are over.. Have we missed your show next to the Scooby Doo haunted abandoned funfair? Can't do Blair this year as B's birthday is in the Saturday and he doesn't want to spend it in a field watching XC. Can't think why ever not, but for some reason when you are 9 you want to play with your friends and get presents...??
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I was very smiley about getting away with that line through the double - I've done quite a lot of jumping him on circles and it paid off on Saturday, he was very cute. The racehorse moment in the warmup was 'interesting', but I think schooling the racehorses actually helps my showjumping as I get much less 'hooky'. He really does seem to enjoy his jumping though, and the more you dare him the more careful he is I think!

Can't believe you're missing Blair (even though after about 4 years in the mud and rain I'm sorely tempted to give it a miss as well...). You've not missed our show, it's on Saturday the 2nd June with BN through to 1.30m - schedule on BS Scotland website or on the show website proper www.newmilnsshow.co.uk, the unaffiliated schedules are on there in case you want to bring a small one to do some showing/games/unaffiliated popping? The field is looking good, the rings have been rolled and will be topped at the end of this week/beginning of next week. Just praying for a dry day and hoping my helper can indeed help so I can get a class or two in myself!
 
measles said:
Great - will look later at schedule and see you there, hoping to repeat last year's performance :D

I should also bring B. Can he enter unaff on the day?
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Yeah red ribbons on repeat is a good plan, I might try to get a clear round this year lol! You can enter everything on the day, but what you're doing dictates whereabouts on the field you enter - come find me first and I'll keep you right, saves a frustrating traipse up and down the show field lol! The unaffiliated is pretty low key, but it might keep B occupied for a wee while...
 
measles said:
Sounds like a plan. Let's order good weather :D

If you new a hand with B just let me know as we can come down earlier and help :)
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My mum has decided to abandon me in my secretary's tent/lorry/caravan and bog off to Ireland for the weekend. Got BF roped into coming to help but don't know how useful he'll be lol! If he's struggling the shouty man can help him while I ride if you're about to give me a jump ha ha... Hoping to jump the 1.05m and the Newcomers as it gets a bit less hectic for us by that point. Have already pre-ordered dry so you can go with calm and mild - a day like last year wouldn't be so bad at all!
 
JenniferB said:
My mum has decided to abandon me in my secretary's tent/lorry/caravan and bog off to Ireland for the weekend. Got BF roped into coming to help but don't know how useful he'll be lol! If he's struggling the shouty man can help him while I ride if you're about to give me a jump ha ha... Hoping to jump the 1.05m and the Newcomers as it gets a bit less hectic for us by that point. Have already pre-ordered dry so you can go with calm and mild - a day like last year wouldn't be so bad at all!
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Happy to help - just shout!
 
Fab result well done, and lovely pics :)

Ignore people commenting on the bit, if he is happy in it and goes well who cares! I ride my youngster in a grackle and Vulcanite pelham, ive tried her in allsorts but she is happiest in that so thats what she is staying in :)
 
Escada2004 said:
Fab result well done, and lovely pics :)

Ignore people commenting on the bit, if he is happy in it and goes well who cares! I ride my youngster in a grackle and Vulcanite pelham, ive tried her in allsorts but she is happiest in that so thats what she is staying in :)
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Thanks Escada, I was just a bit taken aback as in fairness it's not the most horrendous bit in the world (and it suits him anyway!). Suppose it's better to be asked straight rather than spoken about behind my back though... If it had been one of the more 'pro' riders I might have been more concerned, but this guy is as much of an amateur as I am (possibly more if he can't understand the thinking behind a particular bitting/noseband arrangement). But that's showjumping for you...
 
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