Daughter and Dolly - update??

R

redmone

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 July 2010
Messages
1,713
Visit site
Hi everyone,

Oh how bad I feel for my lack of updates!!! I'm really really sorry!
:o
I just wondered before I start waffling on for pages and pages, would everyone like an update of how we're getting on! It's been a while and perhaps people have moved on or dropped of HHO - those who remember my original worries, rants, moans, panics, and eventual pride!

Anyway, as a starter, here's a summer pic!

S28C-111092207400.jpg


What do we think :D

RM x x x
 
Lovely photos! I don't think I saw your early threads but I've seen some more recent ones and confess I had wondered how you were getting on!
 
Piccy said:
I for one think they look great together and like your updates
Click to expand...

Thank you!

They're doing very well. Did a good few shows over Spring/Summer. Had a few fantastic moments - came 1st in dressage in one show, 1st in equitation - best overall rider at another show, and 2nd in equitation at another show.

Dolly travels very well and with no problems - I've learnt to load and unload her, and I'm soon going to sell my car for a horsebox!! Can you believe that!!!!! I wouldn't have 12 months ago!!

We've had a few :eek: moments and learnt what our strengths and weaknesses are!! Took her to Somerford park recently and it was hellish! She jogged and snorted like a bull for 2 hours! I walked the whole 7 miles with her (on a potentially broken toe after one particularly spectacular "spook" when she landed on me!!) and she just didn't calm down. We'll leave that for a while as she was very on her toes. Both Dolly and daughter enjoyed it, but I didn't!!!

She's still a cowbag in the stable and we've tried lots of techniques to stop her biting (no treats, but she still tries to bite us frequently). We've just learnt how to handle her. She's completely different out of the stable so I still think it's a food/territory thing.

Daughter has learnt to jump. She's doing quite well, but needs to learn to let Dolly "go" as she holds on to her sometimes (resulting in the odd refusal) because she can pick up so much speed if she doesn't. It's early days and I'm sure it'll come in time. I'm trying to get her private jumping lessons soon, to help build her confidence.

All in all, life is great! Daughter has grown a lot, which has helped, as Dolly was a bit much for her in the early days (and took full advantage of that :rolleyes:). We love her!

:D
 
Dolly and D! My fave pony and rider combo! Honestly Redmone, where have you been - of course we want updates!:D

Sounds like you have had a good summer, and they both look lovely and so happy together - the cockles of my creaky, cynical heart are warmed once again:)
 
Love an update. Remember those early posts and the angst of new pony, young children and WHAT HAVE I DONE. Now looks like you've well and truly got the bug and joined the unqiuely mad clique of us horsey folk! The cost of a happy daughter and pony ..... priceless.
 
rhino said:
YES PLEASE WOULD LOVE AN UPDATE!!

Though from that photo it's clear to see your daughter's lower leg position will still make me jealous! :rolleyes: :mad: :D
Click to expand...

See below!!

Is her leg position good? I know you've mentioned this before, but honestly, I can't tell (and I'm not being coy with that, I can see her heals are down, but other than that, I'm still a numpty on such things! maybe that's why she got her 1st :D).

:D
 
Digger66 said:
I think they both look fantastic. Other threads on here are giving novices with new horses a hard time. You have shown how to do it.:cool:
Click to expand...

Awwww thanks!!!

It was touch and go for a while, but we're getting there. I think it's about having a good few sources for support (here included) and educating yourself.

And keeping your child (or yourself) safe and within their comfort zone.

I tell daughter, she has all the time in the world and to take things slowly and go at her pace. Not to try to "keep up" with others. She's still only 10.

:D
 
Spudlet said:
Dolly and D! My fave pony and rider combo! Honestly Redmone, where have you been - of course we want updates!:D

Sounds like you have had a good summer, and they both look lovely and so happy together - the cockles of my creaky, cynical heart are warmed once again:)
Click to expand...

I'm really sorry!!! I've been meaning to update since about August!!!

BUT been soooooooo busy (flicks hair and rolls eyes!! :rolleyes:) with pony stuff (and work!) that never get the chance!

And then as time passed, I thought, well are people still around that knew of our plight, and would they still want to know. You know once time passes, it's like picking up the phone to an old friend - will they want a chat, or be peeved that you didn't call!

We've still had our moments with Dolly. The stable behaviour needs a lot of work, and we had a "walk of shame" moment in an in hand class where Dolly wouldn't stop eating the grass (which was really :mad: but also quite :p) and daughter came last and I had to walk out of the ring with her upset, but then she went on to win equitation and judge said "stick to riding this pony, she's a lawn mower!". We've had a couple of falls also (actually got a belter on video - must try to upload at some point!) but nothing bad. Just an "over the handlebars" moment or two!!!

We love her to bits though!

Here's another piccy.....

315495_2322225345304_1539690854_2543102_269134631_n.jpg


She did a bit of racing at one competition :eek::D
 
Double_choc_lab said:
Love an update. Remember those early posts and the angst of new pony, young children and WHAT HAVE I DONE. Now looks like you've well and truly got the bug and joined the unqiuely mad clique of us horsey folk! The cost of a happy daughter and pony ..... priceless.
Click to expand...

Definately got the bug - I'm selling my convertible (it's crap anyway!) for a horsebox soon!!!!

But do still have those "WHAT HAVE I DONE" moments! Especially when Dolly has one of her "special" moments!! I trust daughter to handle them now though, even if I can't always trust Dolly to be a good girl!!!

:D
 
redmone said:
Is her leg position good?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is. She is nicely flexed at knee and hip whilst retaining stability down through her lower leg. I tend to 'pivot' at the knee and my lower leg flies back :(

This is how not to do it:
edi1-1.jpg

Yes, it was a very long time ago (1st show in fact) and yes, I had obviously forgotten my hat and had borrowed one several sizes too big but this is what I used to look like! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

I have never shown that photo to anyone before :D
 
rhino said:
Yes, it is. She is nicely flexed at knee and hip whilst retaining stability down through her lower leg. I tend to 'pivot' at the knee and my lower leg flies back :(

This is how not to do it:
edi1-1.jpg

Yes, it was a very long time ago (1st show in fact) and yes, I had obviously forgotten my hat and had borrowed one several sizes too big but this is what I used to look like! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

I have never shown that photo to anyone before :D
Click to expand...

Awwww love it!!! Great jump and lovely pony!!! :D

What about the other jumping pic (end of page 2) - is that ok?

I love that pic of Dolly - she looks like a jumping machine, all arched and ears forward. BUT from that pic it is obvious just how much of a pony she is - there's rather a lot of her!!! :eek:
 
redmone said:
What about the other jumping pic (end of page 2) - is that ok?
Click to expand...

That's great too; imagine if you took the pony out of the picture - your daughter would land on her feet! By keeping her lower leg balanced like that it means she is not collapsing her upper body onto the horses neck or having to use her hands to balance. Which is less irritating for the horse and will mean your daughter can react and turn quicker in jump offs :D and Dolly won't be allowed to charge off after a jump as her jockey has control :)
 
rhino said:
Yes, it is. She is nicely flexed at knee and hip whilst retaining stability down through her lower leg. I tend to 'pivot' at the knee and my lower leg flies back :(

This is how not to do it:
edi1-1.jpg

Yes, it was a very long time ago (1st show in fact) and yes, I had obviously forgotten my hat and had borrowed one several sizes too big but this is what I used to look like! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

I have never shown that photo to anyone before :D
Click to expand...


*Snorts Loudly*

But only because I am sure if I tried very hard I could dig out nearly exactly the same picture of me :D
 
rhino said:
Awful, isn't it? :o Although I do like how I'm looking up towards the next jump (even though quite clearly I couldn't see it with the hat over my eyes :eek: )
Click to expand...

It's not awful at all!! You're over the jump, that's what matters!!!

Top jump too, and just realised, pony is a BIG DOLLY!!!! :D:D:D

PS daughter's hat used to do that, but Dad has inserted more padding into rim to secure it!! :p
 
Lovely pictures - if you are worried that your daughter grabs Dolly when jumping, just stick a neck strap (stirrup leather) so she can hook her hands into that and not the pony.

Also, being elderly and traditionial - how really nice to see a child still in jodpur boots!

You must be very proud. And just think, these memories you are making with your daughter really will be something she has all her life..
 
*jums up and down excitedly* YES of course we need dolly and daughter updates with photos :D:D

Daughter looks fab and has a lovely position so well done if shes reading. They look like a very confident team together over them jumps and I'm loving the xc set looks fab.
Are you thinking about joining PC next year with them as I think they would both enjoy it and get loads out of it.
 
Was wondering where you'd got to! They look like they're doing fab together, her jumping position is great as well :) They've come on so much and Dolly looks great weight wise too :)
More photos are needed ;) :D Well done to both of them :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top