MrsMozart
Just passing through...
Was feeling a bit blah, given that the Dizz is now lame and Little Cob needs more steroid injections, so decided to post something that made me smile,
D1 and I took our neds to Eland Lodge Dressage Camp in August. It was an absolute hoot
. Okay, so the Dizz did feel a bit like an unexploded bomb at times, but that apart, it was a hoot and brill to spend three days with D1 and the neds,
A very, very kind friend lent us her lorry, which made life soooooooooooo much easier!
Both neds loaded first time And travelled very well indeed
We arrived at Eland, claimed our stables, and set about sorting out Stuff! D and D2 stayed for a while and kept us company, which was nice.
D and D2 left, leaving D1 and I to our own devices . We tacked up to go for a hack with another happy camper. The Dizz was an absolute twonk. Cue not a happy me. It was almost as bad as she used to be. I nearly got off to sulk, but stayed on and we went hacking. Dizz was very good! Striding out and going past everything, including a whole host of bunting in a little village! Sometimes I love the horse... Back to the site, horses groomed and away, we should have gone to a demo on massage, but we got the times wrong, so spent an hour slobbing in the lorry in the sun, reading books (I read 'One Man and His Bog', which is very (very) funny, and D1 read something about String Theory). It was an absolute hoot, laughing and reading bits out of our respective books and just one of those memories to treasure
The next day we were due to have two lessons. I got on the Dizz and she was on her toes to say the least. I wasn't happy, but I did canter her in the big dressage field! It was only a bit, about twenty strides, but it was on both reins and we started and stopped pretty much when asked
The first lesson: I explained to the nice instructor that I wasn't happy and why (read that as explaining why I was in tears). He was kind and got us working in, for us, a reasonable fashion. We even managed a canter - or was that in the second lesson..., I've forgoten now! Old age
Lunch, which was lovely, as were all the meals there. Ron is an excellent cook!
The second lesson started with D1's instructor asking me about Little Cob's action. He was okay in a straight line, but pegging it a bit on corners. As we'd explained his history she wanted to be sure that it wasn't connected. Short story we decided that two lessons in one day was too much at this stage, so they went out for a walk around.
Sadly the Dizz took his leaving to be the worst thing ever in the world and proceeded to lose whatever settled going we had and to call pretty much non-stop. Instructor suggested a good working trot to settle her. I managed to pull up before the end of the arena and we went back to lots of changes of direction and changes within the pace - it's the best way of getting Dizzy's attention. Ah, I think this is when we had 'the canter'. Instructor interpreted it as the Dizz not wanting to canter, but I explained that I didn't think that was the case as once we had cantered, just about every aid after that meant, as far as the Dizz is concerned, Canter! She gets a little over enthusiastic. I don't mind the enthusiasm, it's the head waving and slight tanking that I could do without. Little Cob, once he was around the corner, bucked, reared, farted and tried to bog off sideways lol. Nothing wrong with him really!
In the afternoon we all had a go on the mechanical horse. That was funny . My leg position didn't need tweaking and I could move each leg independently of the other, which is apparently good. Also I have the strongest core muscles she's seen! She couldn't pull me forwards when I used my core muscles to hold me upright. Pity I can't translate that onto a horse
That evening there was a demo of miniature American horses, complete with a six week old foal (22"!) who was as cheeky a chappy as you could wish to meet . I watched a bit, but had a shower and a flob and a tidy up. D1 went for five minutes and stayed the full demo. Dinner was again very good. We were the last ones up and nattering the night before, so this time we were in bed by ten.
On the last day there was a short session with an instructor, for some reason I had someone different this time - Mark Cramb (very good!) - then do a test, go over it the score sheet and work on a few points, then do the same test again, with the aim being that we improved on our first score .
At the start of the last day I was tired, hot and feeling very out of sorts. Getting on the Dizz did not improve matters. She was again like a coiled silly thing, though marginally easier to hold. Everyone said she looked forward but fine. I felt like getting off. However, I stayed on board and Mark did do very well with us. I wasn't riding brilliantly for sure, but I tried to do what he told me to and it worked and the Dizz was much better
Given my fragile state (mentally and physically - the IBS has been playing up the last few weeks), I didn't ride the test as well as I wish I had, but we did okay. I haven't added up the score, being more interested in the individual marks, but overall the second test was better, although I had to laugh at the judge's comment - 'A very attractive horse, that is both willing and obedient' - she is one, but didn't feel either of the other two from where I was sat lol. We did Intro B (D1 did P7) as I wasn't sure we'd stay in the arena in canter and I didn't want to screw up anyone else's test!
Back to the stables to clear out and pack up as much as possible, bearing in mind that the Dizz and LC would be stabled until we left late afternoon after the debrief . D1 went to the Pilates session, but I played hookey and went for a coffee with D.
The debrief was fun. Jonh, who owns Eland, is a very good speaker. I think he should do motivational speaking. Then they gave us beautfiul rossettes as a momento.
Both horses loaded first time again and the drive home was uneventful.
Had a lovely time with D1 and the horses. When not ridden, Dizz was lovely. We groomed and grazed in hand and mooched with the neds. D1 and I laughed and giggled and supported each other. Will hopefully be going again next year . Might do both the three discipline one and the dressage one if funds and time allow...
Sorry about the size of the pictures! I am not getting on with Photobucket
D1 and I took our neds to Eland Lodge Dressage Camp in August. It was an absolute hoot
. Okay, so the Dizz did feel a bit like an unexploded bomb at times, but that apart, it was a hoot and brill to spend three days with D1 and the neds,A very, very kind friend lent us her lorry, which made life soooooooooooo much easier!
Both neds loaded first time And travelled very well indeed
We arrived at Eland, claimed our stables, and set about sorting out Stuff! D and D2 stayed for a while and kept us company, which was nice.
D and D2 left, leaving D1 and I to our own devices . We tacked up to go for a hack with another happy camper. The Dizz was an absolute twonk. Cue not a happy me. It was almost as bad as she used to be. I nearly got off to sulk, but stayed on and we went hacking. Dizz was very good! Striding out and going past everything, including a whole host of bunting in a little village! Sometimes I love the horse... Back to the site, horses groomed and away, we should have gone to a demo on massage, but we got the times wrong, so spent an hour slobbing in the lorry in the sun, reading books (I read 'One Man and His Bog', which is very (very) funny, and D1 read something about String Theory). It was an absolute hoot, laughing and reading bits out of our respective books and just one of those memories to treasure
The next day we were due to have two lessons. I got on the Dizz and she was on her toes to say the least. I wasn't happy, but I did canter her in the big dressage field! It was only a bit, about twenty strides, but it was on both reins and we started and stopped pretty much when asked
The first lesson: I explained to the nice instructor that I wasn't happy and why (read that as explaining why I was in tears). He was kind and got us working in, for us, a reasonable fashion. We even managed a canter - or was that in the second lesson..., I've forgoten now! Old age
Lunch, which was lovely, as were all the meals there. Ron is an excellent cook!
The second lesson started with D1's instructor asking me about Little Cob's action. He was okay in a straight line, but pegging it a bit on corners. As we'd explained his history she wanted to be sure that it wasn't connected. Short story we decided that two lessons in one day was too much at this stage, so they went out for a walk around.
Sadly the Dizz took his leaving to be the worst thing ever in the world and proceeded to lose whatever settled going we had and to call pretty much non-stop. Instructor suggested a good working trot to settle her. I managed to pull up before the end of the arena and we went back to lots of changes of direction and changes within the pace - it's the best way of getting Dizzy's attention. Ah, I think this is when we had 'the canter'. Instructor interpreted it as the Dizz not wanting to canter, but I explained that I didn't think that was the case as once we had cantered, just about every aid after that meant, as far as the Dizz is concerned, Canter! She gets a little over enthusiastic. I don't mind the enthusiasm, it's the head waving and slight tanking that I could do without. Little Cob, once he was around the corner, bucked, reared, farted and tried to bog off sideways lol. Nothing wrong with him really!
In the afternoon we all had a go on the mechanical horse. That was funny . My leg position didn't need tweaking and I could move each leg independently of the other, which is apparently good. Also I have the strongest core muscles she's seen! She couldn't pull me forwards when I used my core muscles to hold me upright. Pity I can't translate that onto a horse
That evening there was a demo of miniature American horses, complete with a six week old foal (22"!) who was as cheeky a chappy as you could wish to meet . I watched a bit, but had a shower and a flob and a tidy up. D1 went for five minutes and stayed the full demo. Dinner was again very good. We were the last ones up and nattering the night before, so this time we were in bed by ten.
On the last day there was a short session with an instructor, for some reason I had someone different this time - Mark Cramb (very good!) - then do a test, go over it the score sheet and work on a few points, then do the same test again, with the aim being that we improved on our first score .
At the start of the last day I was tired, hot and feeling very out of sorts. Getting on the Dizz did not improve matters. She was again like a coiled silly thing, though marginally easier to hold. Everyone said she looked forward but fine. I felt like getting off. However, I stayed on board and Mark did do very well with us
. I wasn't riding brilliantly for sure, but I tried to do what he told me to and it worked and the Dizz was much better Given my fragile state (mentally and physically - the IBS has been playing up the last few weeks), I didn't ride the test as well as I wish I had, but we did okay. I haven't added up the score, being more interested in the individual marks, but overall the second test was better, although I had to laugh at the judge's comment - 'A very attractive horse, that is both willing and obedient' - she is one, but didn't feel either of the other two from where I was sat lol. We did Intro B (D1 did P7) as I wasn't sure we'd stay in the arena in canter and I didn't want to screw up anyone else's test!
Back to the stables to clear out and pack up as much as possible, bearing in mind that the Dizz and LC would be stabled until we left late afternoon after the debrief . D1 went to the Pilates session, but I played hookey and went for a coffee with D.
The debrief was fun. Jonh, who owns Eland, is a very good speaker. I think he should do motivational speaking. Then they gave us beautfiul rossettes as a momento.
Both horses loaded first time again and the drive home was uneventful.
Had a lovely time with D1 and the horses. When not ridden, Dizz was lovely. We groomed and grazed in hand and mooched with the neds. D1 and I laughed and giggled and supported each other. Will hopefully be going again next year . Might do both the three discipline one and the dressage one if funds and time allow...
Sorry about the size of the pictures! I am not getting on with Photobucket
[I find it really painful to ride at times] instead just think how far you have progressed with her 
xx