Buck, buck, buckaroo! Bee and Reg go eventing :O

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Lolo

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Today was the CRC ODE at Burnham Market and we all were feeling the strain- mum and I because of the organisation side, and Al as she had Bee doing her first ever ODE and Reg stepping back up to BE100 level.

We arrived first (first there, last to go... story of my life!) to find two horses in the lorry park. Only found this out when they came cantering up beside the lorry as we drove to the top! This was all sorted and Reg and Bee went for their walk about the place to help them settle... Bee was utterly bemused by this concept- Reg has to march about sniffing everything and staring wildly into space, whereas she is chilled!

The day for Bee can be summed up as:

Dressage
Cantering is hard on grass with no edges to keep you in. Trotting is cool, but there's a lot to be looking at and focusing is quite tricky. But she liked it and tried her socks off- not bad for a 5yo who was broken in May, and has done 2 tests both indoors... Scored 40, and 3rd out of 20 after the dressage. Would have been a lot easier if she wasn't in season (Oestress is being purchased for next year!) and if 2 girls hadn't cantered either side of her up the narrow track to the arenas... They were lucky not to have been booted- Al did try and warn them!

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Cantering is COOL. Fact. It's also quite hard to do when you're in an arena and you legs don't quite seem to be where you left them...

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But Donkey here enjoyed it anyway :D

SJ
Warming up is very exciting. Bucking is a LOT of fun :D The jumps aren't that big so she made them bigger... Went in, was being a tad extravagant and then jinked to the left at the double. Al was focussing on staying straight, and her commitment to this was good and she sailed straight on leaving Bee behind :D

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Warming up was a teeny bit excessive...

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Oops... Al is massively grumpy she fell off here as she is usually pretty sticky.

They eliminated her, I know that's not the rule so went and pointed at the rule. Al was ordered back in to start again! She went back in focussing hard on sitting very 'up'! Then this happened...

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Fence 1... Isn't she sweet and lovely?

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"How dare the pole touch my foot!"
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"I HATE YOU POLE!"... Second buck, utilising her 'whip her neck out the way' trick...

Tantrum over. she actually loves SJ and has no idea why Al made he stand in the corner and spin and buck... Mares!
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This is why I kept very quiet about her at first, as this is what was initially like all the time. Now, it happens rarely and she's snapped out of it quite easily!

XC

Finally, the XC. Very apprehensive by this point- XC schooling twice, with one of those times being over nothing more than a few 1' fences... There was a trakehner, angled fences, scary steps and a proper water splash. Bee was amazing; she set off with her best "I love XC!" face on and loved every second. She was looking for fences and tackling them all like she was a pro. She had a look at the water, but mum was stationed there to lead her through, and then they went back through again solo. So the Big E, but she cleared everything and the confidence at the water was more important than a battle for a rosette.

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They'd have come 3rd if not for the water detour :D

Here's a video of her entire day with the tantrum in glorious full:
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A good day out for Bee!

Now, it was Reg's turn... In the next post :D
 
Reggie's turn!

He stood like a lamb on the lorry all morning, chowing through an astonishing amount of haylege. He's decided he likes haylege, and now won't eat hay (it's nice hay, all the other horses stuff themselves on it...). He's got a sweet tooth!

Dressage
No one was optimistic about the dressage- it was a judge who never marks him well (although we think it may be more Al she dislikes?!). He went sweetly though, if not quite ‘through’ enough. He had a slip going round the arena, and just wasn’t so confident after this- it was nice though! Got 40 again (Mrs Consistent?) but there was no variation in marks. His lovely canter scored the same as his slightly scrappier trot… Hmm!

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Flicky ears, when he's concentrating he doesn't prick them but flops them :D

SJ
This was their first go back at 1m, and it just wasn’t great. I don’t think he likes that arena though- he’s quite claustrophobic (to the point he really struggles if he’s stabled) and that arena is quite enclosed, with the tannoy coming over the top and the high sides. Just musings! He warmed up really confidently and then shrank in the ring and got quite nervous. He stopped twice and got in quite close a lot, resulting in a total of 24. Which is gutting, as he’s been going so well recently  Ah well, positives include: it was the BE intermediate course put down, so quite tough; he didn’t take them down behind but in front as he got too deep as he was lacking confidence; Al has got her position back… And so on. Just feel so sorry for them both as they slog it and at home it is 200% better!

XC
Finally XC, and the biggest test of the year for them both. There was a skinny to a big corner (looked like a curved line, but Al angled the skinny to get a straight line to the corner), a hanging log on a curve to another big skinny, the drop on a dogsleg to the skinny barrels, a skinny out of the water… And so on! Well. Reg is an XC god, it was like he’d walked the course with Al, he stormed round like an absolute pro locking on and sussing everything out. When I watch them, I’m never scared anymore because they just look like such a partnership. The pro photos are of the drop to the skinny barrels and they are fantastic because he’s clocked the question before Al’s started asking and his face is just one of absolute joy. I can’t say exactly how proud I am of them, they were one of 8 clears in a class of 20 and the other horses were either ridden by pros, had done the same course the week before or have done a fair few novices. They did get 8 too fast time penalties and usually mum would have words for that as it’s not great. But they never looked fast, just going. Al came back with a grin that wouldn’t go and Reg had his swagger back- LOVE this horse! The overwhelming feeling was they need to really focus on going out this winter with loads of SJ, as he is beyond ready for Novice now :eek:

[youtube]0jYnSKS1Qk4&list=UU8Bu1at0ZeLX4u4QZELauKw&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]

So 5/6 elements were really good and the SJ is just taking time. Al is very honest that she has lost her confidence in the arena too on Reg, and it will just take lots of time and practise to get the confidence back. He is worth it and no matter what happens he is her horse of a lifetime. Mum offered her a lift back to the lorry and I'd take Reg after her XC as she was knackered, but she just wanted the time to walk with him and have their post-XC moment... I'm soppy I know, but those two together are the perfect match :)
 
And some photos of the XC:
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He loves water :D
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And this isn't a full up fence or anything. You need to make them SO MUCH BIGGER. Cos you can... :D
 
Bee looks like a real sweety who also has a bit of Diva in there too!:D

And Reg really looks like he loves his job XC! Great report, I really enjoyed reading.
 
Bee = little toad!!! Norty norty but ever so pretty girlie :) Tough luck to Al for falling off, it happens to the best of us ;)

Wow Reg the superstar XC machine, definitely ready for a move up :)
 
Oh no, mares, who'd have em, eh? ;) She is so pretty though, you have to let her off.

Reg is such a dude, love him!
 
Oh no that's shattered my illusion that Bee could do no wrong! What a madam!

Very successful all round though aside from the few blips SJ. It's a great note to finish on anyway :)
 
Love the floppy concentrating ears! It's just the right time of year to head indoors and practise over coloured poles and I'm sure a winter of SJ will improve his confidence and experience a huge amount. Your new girl looks great and don't you know all great mares need to bring an opinion to the table? ;) Saffy certainly agrees! :D
 
Lyle said:
Bee looks like a real sweety who also has a bit of Diva in there too!:D

And Reg really looks like he loves his job XC! Great report, I really enjoyed reading.
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Thank you :) She is, she's the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead... When she's good, she's very very good. When she's bad, she's horrid!

nikkimariet said:
Bee = little toad!!! Norty norty but ever so pretty girlie :) Tough luck to Al for falling off, it happens to the best of us ;)

Wow Reg the superstar XC machine, definitely ready for a move up :)
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She was- it's the sort of attitude that works well in the end, but when she has those moments Al has to sit it out and not react. Whacking her would just be asking for a fight! And Reg is just so Perfect Peter to her Horrid Henry, it'll come SJ and then he'll budge up :) Love how keen he is though, he lives for XC.

JGC said:
Oh no, mares, who'd have em, eh? ;) She is so pretty though, you have to let her off.

Reg is such a dude, love him!
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Bee is cute, she looks like butter wouldn't melt! Luckily she's talented and funny and really keen for the job, so her moments aren't issues :D We all love Reg, he is heartbreakingly nice to everyone. It's why the SJ is so gutting because he does try!

AbFab said:
Oh no that's shattered my illusion that Bee could do no wrong! What a madam!

Very successful all round though aside from the few blips SJ. It's a great note to finish on anyway :)
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When she was broken, it was uncertain Al would ride her for a while as she would do that at every slightest provocation. She stopped after a week of hard work, and now is just cheeky! She's had Al off once through the bucking trick (Al calls it dragon-necking when she flings her head under to one side!) but not since...

Yes, if it wasn't for the XC at the end, I think they'd have given up by now, lol!
 
Aha great reports.

I am still a Madam B fan, just tell her her halo needs a bit of polishing! She reminds me so much of our D loving the jumping just hope he doesn't decide to find a buck Mini might struggle with that next year! Love the size of the courses its just what D could do with although he is enjoying a holiday atm.

Reg is a total star xc, as you say a winter of sj'ing will help (ours will be doing that as well but they don't know it yet) onwards and upwards and heres to a fab 2013 season for them
 
Ha ha Bee looks SO cute and baby! Well done your sister for sticking on, youngsters eh! It's a shame about Reg's SJ, he's so confident XC which is big and looks really quite scary I wonder why he's not so confident SJ? He's obviously got the scope. Does he find it hard to shorten? Hope they get it sorted they are so close to doing well. His dressage looks lovely, he's very attractive.
 
measles said:
Love the floppy concentrating ears! It's just the right time of year to head indoors and practise over coloured poles and I'm sure a winter of SJ will improve his confidence and experience a huge amount. Your new girl looks great and don't you know all great mares need to bring an opinion to the table? ;) Saffy certainly agrees! :D
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If Bee turns out to be half as cool as Saffy we will be very chuffed! Al has got on very well with quirky mares in the past (birds of a feather?!) so fingers crossed! And yes, lots of time for low-pressure practising at that height and lots of lessons. Reg's ears are so cute, when I have a camera with good enough zoom I'm planning on trying to capture them on film as they make me laugh!

Sally-FF said:
Both are gorgeous! I have a soft spot for dark greys : )
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Her mum has stayed really dark, so we hope she will too! Especially because she hides the dirt so well :D

alwaysbroke said:
Aha great reports.

I am still a Madam B fan, just tell her her halo needs a bit of polishing! She reminds me so much of our D loving the jumping just hope he doesn't decide to find a buck Mini might struggle with that next year! Love the size of the courses its just what D could do with although he is enjoying a holiday atm.

Reg is a total star xc, as you say a winter of sj'ing will help (ours will be doing that as well but they don't know it yet) onwards and upwards and heres to a fab 2013 season for them
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Bee was very proud of herself for her display... The moo! They do seem so similar, aside from the bucking- I hope she loses it, but the attitude that creates it is quite cool :) And it was just perfect, and the XC was just superb- flowing with no twisty bits so you could get into a really nice rhythm. I know RC ODEs can be slated, but if you get good ones they're brilliant.

You probably know best about the confidence of teenage girls and I think it's such a public problem. No one really sees them be so good in the XC or dressage! I hope so too, Al has worked her socks off this year and if rosettes were awarded for sheer effort and perseverance she'd have a wall full!

Firewell said:
Ha ha Bee looks SO cute and baby! Well done your sister for sticking on, youngsters eh! It's a shame about Reg's SJ, he's so confident XC which is big and looks really quite scary I wonder why he's not so confident SJ? He's obviously got the scope. Does he find it hard to shorten? Hope they get it sorted they are so close to doing well. His dressage looks lovely, he's very attractive.
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Al came out saying all those years on naughty ponies has taught her well :D She has such a baby face, makes being cross quite hard!

I think they have lost their confidence when they get into the arena and with a horse as sensitive as he is that's difficult. XC he is so brave and keen, he's a different horse and he bounds out of the start box ready to tackle anything. He can shorten and lengthen and jump out of deep spots at home, but they quail in the arena and take a step back. Lots of practise and time and good lessons will help them out and it'll come. Positive thinking! And as he clearly doesn't lack the ping that's less of a worry :D
 
Bee is just so funny when she has a tantrum! not many can look that cute whilst having a strop. She looks very promising though.

Poor Reg I hope he gets his sj confidence back again maybe he needs to watch the video of his half brother go round burghley :cool:, seriously though he and Al work so hard I really do hope a winter of practice really helps him as he is such a machine xc.

Sorry we didnt make it :( had some stuff going on here that made it very difficult I'll message you as hopefully its on the way to being sorted but not without lots of stress.
 
dafthoss said:
Bee is just so funny when she has a tantrum! not many can look that cute whilst having a strop. She looks very promising though.

Poor Reg I hope he gets his sj confidence back again maybe he needs to watch the video of his half brother go round burghley :cool:, seriously though he and Al work so hard I really do hope a winter of practice really helps him as he is such a machine xc.

Sorry we didnt make it :( had some stuff going on here that made it very difficult I'll message you as hopefully its on the way to being sorted but not without lots of stress.
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She's not funny, she's making her point in a mature and dignified matter... For example, she doesn't like cantering past here and accidentally did so several times without registering her objection. So she did this:
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Silly Moo :D She's funny, and it's not nasty, just cheeky!

Hopefully the winter will be the perfect time to work on him. He's such a star, it just worries him :( Poor boy.

And :eek: Hope it gets sorted soon. Massive sympathies.
 
Well done :)
They both look lovely and Bee throws such similar tantrums to Louie except his are 'no I will not canter in the corner' and 'how dare you ask me to canter a 20m circle don't you know who I am?'

Must be a steel grey thing :p
 
Snorts! shes a very funny baby pony :D I do like the babies they are such good fun.

JT - Will be ok if I can get the pony moved ASAP which is proving harder than it needs to be :( I'll send you a quick over view of whats happening so you can warn others to avoid in future ;)
 
Jess, think when you're 18 you're a bit more invincible! You wouldn't get me on her for all the tea in China :D Your steel grey girl is a lot better made, reckon next year you'll be waving to each other at events :D

K, she's so like that. When she's doing it, we always laugh and say "Don't you know who I am!"! It's a real testing moment, and when she's thwarted she gives up so quickly and goes on and behaves beautifully :D Hopefully her dressage will be as good as Little Louie's!
 
DH- you can alway send the lovely yp to me ;) in all seriousness though hope everything gets sorted.

They're just hilarious aren't they? He'll do it at the start of the session then behave beautifully but his face is a picture it's the 'I hate you so much I'm going to call the rspca for making me work' face. :p Hopefully they'll grow out of it when the stop being steal grey :D
 
dafthoss said:
Snorts! shes a very funny baby pony :D I do like the babies they are such good fun.

JT - Will be ok if I can get the pony moved ASAP which is proving harder than it needs to be :( I'll send you a quick over view of whats happening so you can warn others to avoid in future ;)
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He could probably come and live with us for a bit if you were desperate. We sort of have space.
 
J, so will Al! She wasn't smiling during the first 2 bucks- I think she thought she was going to eat dirt again... Amazing what sheer determination and a death grip on the neckstrap and the grab strap on the saddle will do to keep you in the plate :eek: When she started spinning though, all you can do is laugh at her!

She's the spit of her mum, who is still steel grey at 14... Oops? :D :D
 
Thanks JT looking at some where tomorrow morning so fingers crossed, will keep you in mind if we get really desperate though. Sorry Lolo complete hijack :o
 
Feisty is one word for her :p She's great fun, but has had Al off as many times as Reg has over 3 years in 4 months! I think Reg has bucked all of once in his lie, and then apologised profusely for it :D

Al loves him- he's been a stupendous schoolmaster for her, despite them both being as green as grass when they got together!
 
Lovely report, I really enjoyed reading it. Well done Al, she is going so well. I really like the look of your mare,I'm sure she will grow up loads over the winter and next year she will hopefully be a bit less likely to buck!

Reg is SO handsome, and sounds like Al and he are quite a XC team. After all, that's what it's all about!!
But I do hope they regain their SJ confidence over the winter. I know only too well how disappointing a poor SJ round can be. :(

Has Al got lots of plans for the winter? Good luck to her anyway. :)
 
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