Daughter and Dolly - update??

[JFTDWS]

Awwww bless them...

 

[redmone]

So I turn my back for a couple of hours and then come back on here to 50 odd comments!!! OMG!!!

You guys are the best! My head is seriously swollen now with pride at my daughter's leg position which I had no idea was good!! Thank you all!!!

I'm going to post another picture, just in case it was a fluke!!

I've told her you all think her and Dolly are great! She's proud (but rather surprised that I didn't already know that in a "god mum, you're so slow" sort of way"!!!!

And no worries about "highjacking" the thread! Don't even consider that! These pictures are just top, and I'm about to go back to page 3 or 4 where I last replied to messages (I'm sorry that I make every thread of mine about 20 pages long with my comments too, but I can't help reply to some - seems rude not too!) so that I can look and comment properly, now I'm not in work and skiving!!

Daughter says she'd happily give lessons on leg position (not that she knows why her's is good!) as long as you will all bring her carrots for "D" and sweets and donuts please!

Here's another pic!

What do we think?

RM xxx

 

[JFTDWS]

Perfect. I am so jealous

 

[rhino]

What do we think?

10/10 again for lower leg position, also looking up and ahead well. Little thing to work on is hands - offering a little more crest release should help Dolly round or 'bascule' more Gridwork is good for this

PS now you have seen JFTD and my pictures can you see how good your daughter's position is?

 

[redmone]

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..

Thank you! I am very proud, especially after some of the lovely comments on here.

Daughter point blank refuses a neck strap. She's only ridden with one once, and said it messed her control and steering up, and now won't have one! I think perhaps she needs to be taught how to use it/hold it properly.

She's the world's worst at long reins normally. I don't know if anyone remembers Dolly's early "putting head down in trot and canter" problems - she'd slam her head down in canter - didn't get daughter off, but close a few times. A really cheeky trick! Daughter believes that when she canters Dolly, Dolly needs to "have her head". So when not in lessons, she gives her longer reins and in all honestly, she goes better for her without any resistance or pulling or anything. Sometimes she scares me and canters on the buckle, I don't like it, but she's never done anything naughty whilst doing that, so I've learnt to shut it (mostly!).

In lessons she shortens up because otherwise she'd get told to! We find Dolly breaks more in canter with short reins.

BUT when jumping Dolly gets seriously excited and bombs it round the course (doesn't do it in single jumps or grids, just courses really) and daughter isn't confident enough to "let her go" - I think it's something she needs to build up on, and I'm planning on getting her some private lessons to help her learn (she's only had a few group lessons so it's still early days, but she's jumped up to about 75cms so far).

Thanks for your advice!

 

[redmone]

Gingers rock!
He was my first 'pony' too, although he is just shy of 16hh he is quite ponylike to jump

Gingers serously rock! Makes me smile the number of people who won't touch them with a bargepole, especially mares!

My OH says it's Rock and Roll.

Dolly rocks, daughter rolls!!!

 

[redmone]

*jums up and down excitedly* YES of course we need dolly and daughter updates with photos

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.

Thank you!!! She is reading, and is chuffed to bits with your lovely comments.

She's already a centre member of PC, and we're hoping to join a local branch very soon. Once we have a horse box, I can take her to rallys then!!

More early mornings but I think it'd do them the world of good.

 

[redmone]

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 Well done to both of them

Hi! I'm baaaaack!! Sorry!

Thanks. Dolly is still a chub (so am I! ) but much fitter and slightly slimmer than before! Some days she looks great and others quite fat, it's strange! And some pictures are kinder than others to her too!!!

More photos soon!!

 

[redmone]

R- they look absolutely blooming amazing. Look at them jumping! Did you have to look away?

I remember your first ever post, look at how far you've come. Daughter and Dolly are definitely looking like a real partnership now. Good on you for sticking with it and making it happen

Aww thank you!

I look away quite often!!! On this particular day I committed the cardinal sin and shouted instructions from the sidelines I couldn't help it! Dolly was bombing it and daughter looked a bit worried so I quietly suggested (or yelled soccer mom style!!!) she turned a circle, came back to trot, held on for dear mother of god bloody life!!!

I really do need to shut it sometimes

 

[YorksG]

I am still waiting for the puctures of Redmone on a horse Having seen Dolly and daughter doing so well, I think this has to be the next stage

 

[Mince Pie]

JDFT and Rhino - PMSL!! Why weren't these on the "jumping bloopers" thread?!

Redmone - where have you been?! Great to see updates and can you PM me so I can add you on facebook?

 

[Mince Pie]

I am still waiting for the puctures of Redmone on a horse Having seen Dolly and daughter doing so well, I think this has to be the next stage

*like*

 

[rhino]

JDFT and Rhino - PMSL!! Why weren't these on the "jumping bloopers" thread?!

I only dug mine out and scanned them to illustrate my point about lower leg position... funnily enough I've never bothered to scan them before (and kept them well hidden from view!)

 

[redmone]

Lovely updates and I gthink they look great. I have alwyas thought Dolly looks like one of those 'cool' ponies though like we used to have when we were kids - the ones who 'taught' you to ride and handle ponies through their own special ways!! Lol. Think it makes for a much more confident rider when you have to work a bit to get the best out of the pony. Ok, so she sounds like a bit of a monster in the stable but to me that's all about the character!!! hehe

You've completely got her number there!!

She certainly keeps life interesting!!

We're learning how to handle her better in the stable. We've stopped the treats and I spend much more time fussing her. I've learnt that she's really clever and responds to praise very well. So I "GOOD GIRL" everything good she does and generally ignore anything naughty.

I used to give her the occasional smack if she went to bite me, but I've packed that completely in now. No point, she doesn't learn from it and it winds her up more. If she's really nasty, then I've started shouting "NO" and throwing my arms up in the arm. It stops her in her tracks and generally she puts her head down next to me and nuzzles me then. I make her move around the stable a lot to - I like the "control the feet control the pony" theory and daughter does all this with me too.

But yes, she still is a monster in the stable. Very rarely out of it though, so if it's nice, we'll always groom her outside.

She is a character, and for such a grumpy madam, everyone loves her!

 

[redmone]

I am still waiting for the puctures of Redmone on a horse Having seen Dolly and daughter doing so well, I think this has to be the next stage

Your wish is my command!!

Here we go! How's my leg position

Note the fact that it's a little ginger ninja like Dolly! How weird is that! She was called Ginger and she was my world

 

[redmone]

ok redmone, own up, you've superglued daughters legs in position haven't you she and Dolly look a perfect team,

If I could do that, it'd be her bum in the saddle I'd superglue!!

We've been asked a few times if we'd patent the jodphur glue and velcro that daughter wears. Although it has failed the past few months!

 

[dafthoss]

Thank you!!! She is reading, and is chuffed to bits with your lovely comments.

She's already a centre member of PC, and we're hoping to join a local branch very soon. Once we have a horse box, I can take her to rallys then!!

More early mornings but I think it'd do them the world of good.

So she should be she looks great .

I think her and dolly will love being branch members and will get so much out of it, I did this year. Dont worry its not all early mornings ours was after school, college ect . I think you will enjoy it to if there is a good bunch of mums they made my mum very welcome even though she is totaly non horsey and most will be willing to help you and your daughter along the way. But dont forget we need pics of them when they do go .

 

[redmone]

10/10 again for lower leg position, also looking up and ahead well. Little thing to work on is hands - offering a little more crest release should help Dolly round or 'bascule' more Gridwork is good for this

PS now you have seen JFTD and my pictures can you see how good your daughter's position is?

Hi again!!

Sooooo many comments, and don't want to drive everyone mad commenting on everything!

Your pictures absolutely ROCK!! Made my day, they're just fab!!! Daughter loved them too, and is insisting that I upload one of her falls caught on photo soon!

Definately the hands need work whilst jumping. As I've mentioned somewhere else on here, if anything she rides with too long reins normally, but when jumping Dolly really lights up and it seems her natural reaction is to shorten up those reins. I think we just need lots of practice. She's only had a few group jumping lessons, so I'm trying to get her some private lessons to learn to let Dolly "go". She just goes so fast. I think in a previous life she might have been a mounted games pony - if not, she'd be good at it. It looks like she takes corners like a motorbike sometimes! It's just very quick for daughter and she needs to build her confidence up to it.

I don't particularly like this photo to be honest. But I don't have many other jumping pictures as they're all blurred from my hands shaking

I can see what you mean about her legs now I'm very proud of her, but quite surprised I didn't know it was a good thing!!!

Thanks!

 

[YorksG]

That really did make me lol
and a more up to date one?
Edited to say that the quote thingy was supposed to show the picture of a little Redmone

 

[rhino]

Definately the hands need work whilst jumping. As I've mentioned somewhere else on here, if anything she rides with too long reins normally, but when jumping Dolly really lights up and it seems her natural reaction is to shorten up those reins. I think we just need lots of practice. She's only had a few group jumping lessons, so I'm trying to get her some private lessons to learn to let Dolly "go". She just goes so fast.

I know you have great instructors, but a useful technique I have used is to bring the pony back to halt in a straight line as soon after a jump as possible (you only need one or two little jumps up for this). They soon learn that they are going to be asked to pull up and begin to do it automatically, and you can then begin to ride them forwards. I wouldn't use it for anything that didn't particularly enjoy jumping but Dolly looks like a little jumping machine

I'm sure your instructors will be able to advise but I have found this has worked well for me in the past

 

[redmone]

That really did make me lol
and a more up to date one?
Edited to say that the quote thingy was supposed to show the picture of a little Redmone

Ha ha - now you're just moving the goalposts!!

Well I could be a smarty and dig out my western riding pictures from Las Vegas a few years ago (rode a big pony that kept standing in every cactus plant in the desert, and I came back to camp looking like I'd been self harming - also she had a REALLY good look over the edge of a canyon which I didn't like, and fell down a hill on her arse but stood up at the bottom - not the highlight of my year!!!) but instead I thought I'd give you a couple more pics of daughter and Dolly!

This one is us messing about in the indoor school - poor quality I know, but I'd be interested on thoughts on her position when we're just messing - not when she's in a show and on her best behaviour!

Also, I like this one!

And this one shows her moody side!! Can't you just see that attitude!!

 

[rhino]

A picture showing complete trust and confidence in the pony - lovely

 

[redmone]

JDFT and Rhino - PMSL!! Why weren't these on the "jumping bloopers" thread?!

Redmone - where have you been?! Great to see updates and can you PM me so I can add you on facebook?

Sent!!

Sorry I've not posted for a while (I have been lurking though!) been so busy with pony stuff and work, and just haven't had chance.

If anyone else wants to add me on facebook, PM me. Lots more pics on there!! LOTS!!!

 

[JenHunt]

I soooo need to dig out a pic or two of my old pony - he was so like Dolly, attitude and all! But he was an incredible pony (aged 48 when he died) and taught everyone so much!

well done to daughter and dolly, and I'm so glad you're all enjoying it - what a great little partnership!

 

[redmone]

A picture showing complete trust and confidence in the pony - lovely

Thanks. Means a lot, I promise.

I like this photo, even though it's bad quality. She looks like she's barely holding on!!! And it was quite high for her. It's more recent than the posh photos and she was more confident because we were indoors and it was just the one jump. She's got a long way to go, but I think she's not doing bad for a beginner jumper.

 

[redmone]

I soooo need to dig out a pic or two of my old pony - he was so like Dolly, attitude and all! But he was an incredible pony (aged 48 when he died) and taught everyone so much!

well done to daughter and dolly, and I'm so glad you're all enjoying it - what a great little partnership!

Age 48!! WOW!! That's amazing. You must post pictures.

What was he called? He sounds like a dude.

Sometimes I wish Dolly was a little more predicatable, less forward and a lot less grumpy, but daughter wouldn't change her for the world. We have to take some things a bit slower, but I'm constantly amazed by daughter's patience and determination. With some of the sneaky tricks Dolly's pulled, I'm not sure I'd have been so positive. But daughter doesn't ever complain, she just says it will make her a better rider.

She did her first pony racing at a show in summer. Dolly was super quick in trot, but really slow in walk, so didn't make it into the finals, but loved the experience. Then they did a working hunter course of jumps (clear round), very slowly (in walk and trot as Dolly was very fired up after the racing!) but got a clear round rossette and was very pleased with themselves!!

It's all good

 

[B_2_B]

Oooh yay Dolly update

She looks a lot better, and she and your daughter both just look so happy with each other

Bet getting Dolly is one of the best things you ever did now eh?

 

[JenTaz]

so nice to see an update of your daughter and dolly they have came on so much its very obvious that they trust each other, you should be super proud

 

[noodle_]

you must be so proud!!!

love hearing updates on little Dolly!!!

tell your daughter - well done, shes come on so far!!!!

 

[Dubsie]

Daughter is doing grand, as is Dolly. Lovely pictures.

With the 'hanging on to the reins' - Little Grey Welshie used to zip off with my daughter when enjoying jumping and often stick head down to get the bit, so we had a similar short rein issue and not folding enough over jumps for a while. We kind of got over it with a combination of Daisy Rein and also plenty of grid work, and sorted it so she'd come up a grid then sharp left or sharp right to the next jumps, so pony had to await instructions, rather than belt off, also lots of changes of pace, figures of 8 and criss cross jumps across the school in between jumping, so poor pony probably got quite dizzy but had to pay attention as she didn't know what was next. In time she calmed right down with jumping. Was lovely as someone was looking to loan her in half term, so daughter rode her for the first time in 2 years and (much to daughter's disappointment) she was perfectly behaved, no bucking with joy at cantering and in fact rode like a proper schoolmistress! (Mind you, daughter has come on a lot in the last year and is really far too tall so I think LGW knew she couldn't push her luck!)