Burghley September Weekend Plans

SaddlePsych'D

SaddlePsych'D

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Hope everyone has some lovely sunshine with them today. This early autumn weather is my favourite!

I'm out and about tomorrow but will try to watch Burghley on catch up on Sunday - is it going to be on BBC does anyone know?

I'm writing for dressage at BE tomorrow. A Go90 section which I think will bring a bit of variety of horse/rider combos.

Had a lesson today. If anyone has experience of working through 'the fear' with riding that's not been connected to having an accident or actual logical reason behind it, and it willing to share, I'd welcome a PM about how you got through it or whether you decided not to.
 
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H and I had a fab early morning hunt ride yesterday.

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It was an early morning kennel ride. Last ride we did was over 60 followers. Early morning one had 7 of us!

Today I tried a little jump at home to see how my knee coped. It is OK, so we will start to build it up again!
 
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It's been a busy summer (mostly with work!) so I've not been on this thread for a while. We did our Areas at Medium and AM just before the August Bank Holiday and I was really disappointed at my own riding, I seem to be getting tighter at comps instead of more relaxed and confident. Despite that we came third and just 0.5% behind the winner in the Medium and 5th in the AM with a surprising 64.21% given we fluffed four of the five changes - our penultimate change got 1s and 2s from the judges and our last change got 7.5s! The trot work felt great though, which is what rescued our score.

Anyway - we have received wildcards for both classes at the Champs in early October! So I've started on an action plan of more stretching and position work to improve my sitting trot, a sports psychologist to work on the 'tightness' at comps and Sammy has had his hocks medicated as late-behind changes are an early sign that he needs a bit of help. My mission this winter is to improve my trot position - if that is the one thing that I learn from having my wonderful loan horse, I will be a very happy bunny.

In other news, Chilli is thriving in his new job at my friend's riding holiday place in Spain. He's going out on the full day rides now and had his first beach trip last week - he seems to be loving it!

SPD - I think you have worked with a sports psychologist haven't you? I had my intro meeting this morning and really liked her approach (no NLP mentioned, which is good as I have some negative associations with it!), DM me if you'd like her details.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
Hope everyone has some lovely sunshine with them today. This early autumn weather is my favourite!

I'm out and about tomorrow but will try to watch Burghley on catch up on Sunday - is it going to be on BBC does anyone know?

I'm writing for dressage at BE tomorrow. A Go90 section which I think will bring a bit of variety of horse/rider combos.

Had a lesson today. If anyone has experience of working through 'the fear' with riding that's not been connected to having an accident or actual logical reason behind it, and it willing to share, I'd welcome a PM about how you got through it or whether you decided not to.
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I am fence judging tomorrow couldn’t let my local Eventing Ireland event down, but have asked for an embargo on any news from Burghley and switching my phone off….!
BBC will not be showing anything….far more important football or a ridiculous game show…
 
j1ffy said:
It's been a busy summer (mostly with work!) so I've not been on this thread for a while. We did our Areas at Medium and AM just before the August Bank Holiday and I was really disappointed at my own riding, I seem to be getting tighter at comps instead of more relaxed and confident. Despite that we came third and just 0.5% behind the winner in the Medium and 5th in the AM with a surprising 64.21% given we fluffed four of the five changes - our penultimate change got 1s and 2s from the judges and our last change got 7.5s! The trot work felt great though, which is what rescued our score.

Anyway - we have received wildcards for both classes at the Champs in early October! So I've started on an action plan of more stretching and position work to improve my sitting trot, a sports psychologist to work on the 'tightness' at comps and Sammy has had his hocks medicated as late-behind changes are an early sign that he needs a bit of help. My mission this winter is to improve my trot position - if that is the one thing that I learn from having my wonderful loan horse, I will be a very happy bunny.

In other news, Chilli is thriving in his new job at my friend's riding holiday place in Spain. He's going out on the full day rides now and had his first beach trip last week - he seems to be loving it!

SPD - I think you have worked with a sports psychologist haven't you? I had my intro meeting this morning and really liked her approach (no NLP mentioned, which is good as I have some negative associations with it!), DM me if you'd like her details.
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Great news about the wildcards and lovely to hear that Chilli is having a nice time in Spain!

I've done loads of sports psychology and rider confidence mindset reading, and had non horse riding related therapy (although I did bring some of the anxiety and self criticism stuff there which it did help with to some degree). I did email a trainee sports psychologist this week though as I need help putting all the useful things I've in reading into practice. I'll DM you as would definitely be open to contacting the person you saw as well to see if they are available.

My instructor is quite straightforward 'don't overthink it' which is totally valid and 'the fear doesn't fit the situation' which my logical brain is completely and utterly on board with, but neither of these things help with the other bit of brain which keeps stepping into the moment and hijacking me.

Weirdly I achieved more this week than I did last week, I rode through the fear and did some proper trot, but I came away from my lesson in tears and feeling horrible. I would have thought that 'should' have been a 'yes I smashed it!' moment. Hopefully the sports psychologist can help me work that bit out!
 
Marshpiper said:
I am fence judging tomorrow couldn’t let my local Eventing Ireland event down, but have asked for an embargo on any news from Burghley and switching my phone off….!
BBC will not be showing anything….far more important football or a ridiculous game show…
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That's a shame. Perhaps I'll go for Burghley TV. Seems to be well received but have to be careful of additional charges apparently.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
That's a shame. Perhaps I'll go for Burghley TV. Seems to be well received but have to be careful of additional charges apparently.
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If you subscribe directly you'll be grand, people have been caught out going through things like apple subscriptions. Well worth it imo, planning to park on the couch for the day tomorrow 😄
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
That's a shame. Perhaps I'll go for Burghley TV. Seems to be well received but have to be careful of additional charges apparently.
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I have had Burghley TV from the very start…it is extremely good value..love going back to previous years…They have superb knowledgeable commentators….just look at the list….you see (maybe just over a couple of fences) every rider (BBC used to drive a friend and I mad when you never saw an Irish rider)….there are no additional charges, if you register through Burghley website….do auto renew….Apple for some reason are more expensive….and I keep my phone charged and keep in touch with scores through the equally impressive Rechenstelle site, and that’s free!
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
Hope everyone has some lovely sunshine with them today. This early autumn weather is my favourite!

I'm out and about tomorrow but will try to watch Burghley on catch up on Sunday - is it going to be on BBC does anyone know?

I'm writing for dressage at BE tomorrow. A Go90 section which I think will bring a bit of variety of horse/rider combos.

Had a lesson today. If anyone has experience of working through 'the fear' with riding that's not been connected to having an accident or actual logical reason behind it, and it willing to share, I'd welcome a PM about how you got through it or whether you decided not to.
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Unaffiliated Novice Working Hunter show on Sunday … practiced jumping (some duff strides but at least I did it ) husband at golf , cleaned saddle, curry in the oven, had a couple of ciders and feeling good ! Re working through the fear … yes still doing that! Jumping nerves are absolutely ridiculous .. often throw in the towel before the end of a lesson by shouting “ That’s it ! Am stopping now ! “ sometimes have only been jumping for 10 minutes … Instructor has patience of a saint … every week I think I will give up but somehow carry on hoping I will become a marvellous rider overnight !!
 
Work has been all over the place so I'm just grateful that I'm finally going to see my boy this weekend, after not having seen him all week. Need to figure out a better lifestyle/routine but that's not going to happen any time soon :confused:

@SaddlePsych'D dare I recommend trying a polo lesson? Sometimes having a goal (i.e., trot to the ball, instead of trot for the sake of trotting) can help with confidence, and polo also helps build your confidence by getting you out of the saddle more, stretching to hit the ball, so you feel more secure in your seat overall. I've known a couple people whose riding confidence improved from being unable to trot to galloping around a 10ac field thanks to their own competitiveness and a well-trained polo pony who stops on a dime.
 
stangs said:
Work has been all over the place so I'm just grateful that I'm finally going to see my boy this weekend, after not having seen him all week. Need to figure out a better lifestyle/routine but that's not going to happen any time soon :confused:

@SaddlePsych'D dare I recommend trying a polo lesson? Sometimes having a goal (i.e., trot to the ball, instead of trot for the sake of trotting) can help with confidence, and polo also helps build your confidence by getting you out of the saddle more, stretching to hit the ball, so you feel more secure in your seat overall. I've known a couple people whose riding confidence improved from being unable to trot to galloping around a 10ac field thanks to their own competitiveness and a well-trained polo pony who stops on a dime.
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Hope you can find the balance you need soon, it can be so hard to get right! Glad you had some time this weekend :)

I hadn't considered polo although I am signed up for a trick riding lesson in a couple of weeks' time, will be interesting to see how that works out! 🫣 I rode a polo pony a few times on school work experience but that was a loooong time ago. I'll see what I can find near-ish me.

Cloball said:
My husband's doing his first bike ride/race so I'm being supportive wife (and having a spa weekend ) ☺️
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Spa weekend for the win!
 
Quiet one here, just hacking maybe. Spent most of our lesson on Thursday trying to mobilise my hip flexors (to great effect!!!) but its upset all my little compensations so with that and about 20k steps today doing a work-social treasure hunt I am feeling quite tender 🥲

Never felt so properly seated in the saddle though, very worth it and will keep at them, and have ordered the activate your seat bungi so I can start putting the work in. Pony much much happier with me properly balanced for once, was showing some proper flicky toes which I didn't think she had in her! 😍

I loaned an ex polo pony for a few months and he was very very cool to ride. Unfortunately not fully sound, but still an absolute dude. Trick riding sounds AMAZING, would love to give that a go! There was a stunt rider on as a guest on the That Equestrian Life podcast this week and she was saying how great it is for confidence!
 
smolmaus said:
Quiet one here, just hacking maybe. Spent most of our lesson on Thursday trying to mobilise my hip flexors (to great effect!!!) but its upset all my little compensations so with that and about 20k steps today doing a work-social treasure hunt I am feeling quite tender 🥲

Never felt so properly seated in the saddle though, very worth it and will keep at them, and have ordered the activate your seat bungi so I can start putting the work in. Pony much much happier with me properly balanced for once, was showing some proper flicky toes which I didn't think she had in her! 😍

I loaned an ex polo pony for a few months and he was very very cool to ride. Unfortunately not fully sound, but still an absolute dude. Trick riding sounds AMAZING, would love to give that a go! There was a stunt rider on as a guest on the That Equestrian Life podcast this week and she was saying how great it is for confidence!
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Ooh I will check out the podcast.

I've also been thinking of ordering that bungi so will be interested to hear how you get on with it.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
Ooh I will check out the podcast.

I've also been thinking of ordering that bungi so will be interested to hear how you get on with it.
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Will definitely post about it, for the guts of £70 it better help 😂 i already follow Maeve on all the socials and she seems very sensible so I think its a good bet. If it can get me the trot I got on Thursday reliably it would be worth 10 times that!
 
Nicnac said:
Have pm'd you @SaddlePsych'D

Quiet one here after Lincoln last weekend. Burghley TV and RC end of season Fun Day on Sunday. Just taking dogs for the sausage olympics and Shetland to do some inland stuff with her.
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I need to know more about the sausage olympics! Sounds either like canine chaos, something deliciously edible, or both.

Not sure what I’m going to do this weekend, after our dressage excitement last weekend. I’ve got a new bit for hacking, which he actually responds to even when he’s excited and wants to disappear off into the wide blue yonder, so we’ll definitely be testing that again one day, and in the school the other, but I feel a bit aimless.
 
Sausage Olympics:
Musical Sit - 1st to 5th get a sausage
Ignore the Sausage. Person holds dog and owners call standing past the Sausage
Find the sausage. Hidden under a cone; fastest to find wins.
Catch the sausage thrown into air.
Wait for the sausage. On a plate and not allowed to have it until owner gives command.

Also doing Horse and Hound and Junior dog handler. It will be mayhem as gymkhana and handy pony also going on!
 
Writing for BE yesterday was really an enjoyable experience. Sometimes it can be a bit 'meh' depending on who you're writing for. The judge I wrote for was lovely and we ended up speaking a bit about my 'wobble' on Friday; she was very kind and encouraging. I learned some new things from the judging comments too.

The venue/event management team are really welcoming too which helps. Also the lunch was absolutely top notch!
 
Also loving sausage Olympics!

Windsor sponsored ride today. I was solo with the Hooligan but if the 2 lovely ladies on ponies are reading this - thank you!! We caught them up and they suggested i ride with them which calmed him down instantly.

What a superstar pony. He trotted nicely, cantered beautifully and popped every (small) fence i asked of him. Bit spooky at the gazillion deer but his field deer don't have antlers and these were sporting impressive sets all round.

I am going to give myself a pat on the back for the superstar fun ride behaviour. He's come a long way from his rodeo antics in company and that is from sheer bl**dy hard work!
 
Ended up doing a big fat nothing with pony tbh, I'm too tired and sore and it's too bloody wet! Was up in time to take murderous revenge on a wasp that stung her on the bum, so not the worst horse mum in the world.

Might have an offer to bring her to an R+ workshop next weekend tho, organiser needs another pony! 👀
 
I had my first consultation session with a Sports Psych yesterday and have my first session next week. Felt like she 'got me' and why I'm feeling so stuck, and seems she already has ideas for things for us to focus on to try to crack the gap between my rational brain and my instinctive brain. Woop woop!
 
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