Easter weekend plans

[humblepie]

Who is up to what? Anyone off to Lambourn or Middleham open days. I’m currently changing rug I think for the third time this morning as I can’t quite decide what the weather is doing. Happy Easter all.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Oh bum I also just created an Easter thread . Let me delete mine!

 

[SpotsandBays]

I’m taking the spotty out to his first taste of XC on Saturday. There’s a course locally that looks quite inviting and is set in a wooded area so hoping the ground is ok and the bluebells are out for a nice photo.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Excellent timing guys

I'm doing stuff with loan horse but haven't quite worked out what. Today I think maybe groundwork/lunge. My last ride was fine, progress isn't linear etc. but didn't end on quite as positive a note as the previous two so pressure off and will do what feels fun and easy. Will get back on at least once over the weekend though Also today having a chat with instructor about maybe viewing a horse for sale next week. Things may have escalated quickly from "I'm not ready to make any calls"

Happy Easter everyone!

 

[showjumpingharry]

We are off to Hazelton CC tomorrow to do the 90!! First event with Jack but he very much knows his job so fingers crossed It's only down the road for us so an ideal first event, just hoping the rain last night/today has taken the edge off the ground as it was on the solid side.

 

[Cloball]

@humblepie same about the rugs and what coat to wear. Considering putting my long winter one back on for hacking today. Lesson tomorrow and then family plans for the rest of the bank holiday.

 

[SEL]

I’m taking the spotty out to his first taste of XC on Saturday. There’s a course locally that looks quite inviting and is set in a wooded area so hoping the ground is ok and the bluebells are out for a nice photo.

Ooh let me know what it's like - ground & jump height pls! Although your Spotty will make them all look tiny

I may have strangled my OH by the end of the weekend. Weeks ago I asked if he would be golfing Sat or Mon - definitely not Mon he said. So having arranged my horsey plans around that he is now golfing on Mon.

I'm taking the hooligan to Bury Farm to trot around an Intro test. It's unaffiliated but they are running Sunshine tour qualifiers so it's very, very busy and both arenas are set up side by side. It will be by far & away his biggest show and I'm testing out his concentration. Body protector & neck strap will be on and I just need to remember to keep him travelling. When he drops behind my leg we get to explosion mode so I need to just Keep Trotting.

 

[ihatework]

FJ @ Hazelton today, then got 1 at Hazelton and 1 at Calmsden tomorrow. Times have worked out reasonable, I’ll get to watch all bar the Calmsden dressage.

 

[Red-1]

Earlier this week, I took H to a country park where there are jumps. I have an annual membership. H and I were solo and he was ace. Jumped loads, including a huge hedge.

Then, yesterday Rigs went out to play to a friend's farm so we could ride out together. He looked and felt amazing.

Today was a non horse day. BF took me to a theme park...



I screamed like a baby until it was too scary to even make a noise. I have said never again!

 

[AthenesOwl]

If you’d asked me at lunchtime, I’d have said getting my chap back into ridden work after a couple of weeks off with his dental problems, including having a tooth out. The vet visited this morning for a check up; his mouth has healed up really well, and he’s gaining weight already.

Unfortunately, when I rode this evening, firstly, he spooked at a pony eating hay in a field next to the outdoor school and I fell off. And then when my YO was helping me walk him round calmly, after getting back on, she spotted that he’s actually lame in one of his back legs. I had thought his footfalls sounded different this morning, but hadn’t spotted anything untoward. So we’re both feeling a bit broken, I’m pretty deflated, and I definitely won’t be riding this weekend, yet again.

 

[humblepie]

If you’d asked me at lunchtime, I’d have said getting my chap back into ridden work after a couple of weeks off with his dental problems, including having a tooth out. The vet visited this morning for a check up; his mouth has healed up really well, and he’s gaining weight already.

Unfortunately, when I rode this evening, firstly, he spooked at a pony eating hay in a field next to the outdoor school and I fell off. And then when my YO was helping me walk him round calmly, after getting back on, she spotted that he’s actually lame in one of his back legs. I had thought his footfalls sounded different this morning, but hadn’t spotted anything untoward. So we’re both feeling a bit broken, I’m pretty deflated, and I definitely won’t be riding this weekend, yet again.

Oh dear. Hope you’re both okay this morning.

 

[SEL]

I'm taking the hooligan to Bury Farm to trot around an Intro test. It's unaffiliated but they are running Sunshine tour qualifiers so it's very, very busy and both arenas are set up side by side. It will be by far & away his biggest show and I'm testing out his concentration. Body protector & neck strap will be on and I just need to remember to keep him travelling. When he drops behind my leg we get to explosion mode so I need to just Keep Trotting

Pony did a grand job to win a blue frilly. Felt very grown up (finally!) apart from having a strop waiting on the lorry for the class to finish.

The less said about the route my SatNav took the better......

 

[Cloball]

We speed walked up the massive hills through the woods, left her companion and dragged me home at a speed walk by herself, which we both find rather stressful but she isn't too silly with it as long as nothing gets in her way ... Like a tractor

Darcy added some flying changes today, I was not prepared. Managed to get it on video though She looks quite pleased with her efforts.
All the horses have been rather giddy with the change in the weather so it took some effort to maintain focus and stop shouting not sure my ear drums have recovered. Transitions where fab though on the whole.

 

[Britestar]

Last run through tomorrow for BRC DTM champs next week.

Had to sub onto my friends horse, as mine is NQR. Gutted, but also very lucky there's a spare!

Had to redo music for both classes to fit him rather than my little pony.

Should be fun!

 

[AthenesOwl]

Oh dear. Hope you’re both okay this morning.

Thank you; I've been working all day, and not made it to the yard, so my boy is in the very capable hands of my yard owner. I'm very stiff, have a cracking bruise on my bum, and am grumpy about still being on call until tomorrow morning. Still, I'll go up and see him once that's over, and give him kisses and Extra Strong Mints.

 

[ihatework]

Good day for my two, both had dressage in 20’s and jumped well. Young mare 4th, older one 3rd!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Progress with lunging yesterday. Last time we had standing but not walking on. This time it was walking on, very steadily, and not halting. Loan horse is just the best teacher!

Then riding today. Just 30 mins in school including a little in hand warm up. Helps my confidence and nice for the horse too I think. Did quite a bit more trot. Still working on the confidence but it's working, if that makes sense.

Also might have just booked a horse viewing for next week

 

[SpotsandBays]

Well done everyone!

I’m taking the spotty out to his first taste of XC on Saturday. There’s a course locally that looks quite inviting and is set in a wooded area so hoping the ground is ok and the bluebells are out for a nice photo.

Confirmed - spotty wants to be an eventer! We got a bit stuck at one fence (I did get him over it once so that’s a win in my eyes), but everything else I pointed him at he just went! So pleased with him.

 

[millitiger]

A quiet one here, the last few weekends have been taken up with our new family member- puppies are exhausting!



I managed a 10km walk with my older dog yesterday, so she still feels like top priority and she got some time away from pup.

Today finally had time to pop saddle on the big man. No drama really, a little scoot for his first trot with it on but just kept repeating doing a few strides at a time and very relaxed, very quickly.
Finally starting to look mature enough for sitting on soon!

 

[Red-1]

Friday, we went to a roller coaster. I really didn't enjoy it one bit LOL.



Today, H and I went to his first fun ride. He was a total gentleman, even when overtaken. At the end, there were some XC fences to play with, so we did!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7495413519521746198

 

[Britestar]

Well, run through was OK. Don't know if that's good or bad. Usually just one is a disaster!

Now it's all packing and prepping to leave on Tuesday.

Looking forward to meeting @Flowerofthefen.

 

[Matafleur]

Gorgeous puppy picture @millitiger ! Great to hear about everyone's weekends and @Britestar I am impressed that you are managing DTM last minute on a strange horse!

We went to do our first AM test on Friday, I was terrified and rode badly but the horse tried his best, I was pleased with the score and the judge didn't get out the car to tell me to go home and never dressage again .

Today we went for a working equitation run through as we are also going to try and move up a level this year to Inter B. The bull horse was very pleased to be out on the grass and we had a cute little squeak into every canter transition . He hasn't seen the obstacles since last year but took everything on really happily - if only I could master the varra!! Looking forward to our first WE comp in 2 weeks now .

 

[Britestar]

@Matafleur , only strange in that I don't really ride him that often.
15.1hh vs my 12.3hh

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

A quiet one here, the last few weekends have been taken up with our new family member- puppies are exhausting!
View attachment 158483


I managed a 10km walk with my older dog yesterday, so she still feels like top priority and she got some time away from pup.

Today finally had time to pop saddle on the big man. No drama really, a little scoot for his first trot with it on but just kept repeating doing a few strides at a time and very relaxed, very quickly.
Finally starting to look mature enough for sitting on soon!
View attachment 158484

Baby noooodllllee!!

That is all.

 

[millitiger]

Baby noooodllllee!!

That is all.

Baby Frank is made from 3 ingredients- rubber, very sharp teeth and a ferocious appetite for naughtiness

 

[Red-1]

I bought a photo. Courtesy of Buck Photography.

 

[colourville 17]

Planning on getting back on my big guy for the first time since a fall for me over a week ago and a vet visit for him for self harming in the field lol

 

[j1ffy]

A late update from me on our trip to the BD Winter Champs!

What a great experience, I may have squealed with excitement as I drove into the venue . We arrived the night before and did the arena walk, all very chilled out. Woke up early thanks to my lorry being rocked by 50mph gusts!

Sammy was on a mission as we left the stables, then settled so nicely in the warm up that I was concerned he was too behind the leg. That changed when we headed into the main arena, which had no shelter from the wind - Sammy lit up and I thought “yay, here we go”! Felt great in the first movements then Sammy took exception to a sandbag at A…sadly we had to go past it three times in the same direction in the trot work and we got a 3 from all three judges each time.

The rest of the test was fab and all 6.5-7.5, and even an 8 for a canter half pass. We’d have been pushing for a place without the spooking but ended up 22nd of 29 on 63%.

I was still delighted overall though and so happy to have made it to the Champs. Sammy was so fun to have there - I now can’t wait to get out and see if we can qualify again. In the meantime we’re doing our first AM next week!

 

[Matafleur]

A late update from me on our trip to the BD Winter Champs!

What a great experience, I may have squealed with excitement as I drove into the venue . We arrived the night before and did the arena walk, all very chilled out. Woke up early thanks to my lorry being rocked by 50mph gusts!

Sammy was on a mission as we left the stables, then settled so nicely in the warm up that I was concerned he was too behind the leg. That changed when we headed into the main arena, which had no shelter from the wind - Sammy lit up and I thought “yay, here we go”! Felt great in the first movements then Sammy took exception to a sandbag at A…sadly we had to go past it three times in the same direction in the trot work and we got a 3 from all three judges each time.

The rest of the test was fab and all 6.5-7.5, and even an 8 for a canter half pass. We’d have been pushing for a place without the spooking but ended up 22nd of 29 on 63%.

I was still delighted overall though and so happy to have made it to the Champs. Sammy was so fun to have there - I now can’t wait to get out and see if we can qualify again. In the meantime we’re doing our first AM next week!

View attachment 158531

Well done! I am so pleased for you and it's a tremendous achievement to even be there! The photos look amazing, you look so smart and professional together.

Any chance of trying Sammy at WE?! I'm sure he'd love it!

Good luck in your AM, I'm sure your changes will come off beautifully, mine did not

 

[j1ffy]

Well done! I am so pleased for you and it's a tremendous achievement to even be there! The photos look amazing, you look so smart and professional together.

Any chance of trying Sammy at WE?! I'm sure he'd love it!

Good luck in your AM, I'm sure your changes will come off beautifully, mine did not

I’m not so confident on the changes - Sammy needs everything to be perfect and I’m far from that!

I’ve introduced him to the vara and played with some of the WE movements at home. I was due to have a lesson with Lynne in December but my Dad passed away that weekend. Hopefully I can get round to it eventually!! I think he’d enjoy it (and it would probably help the changes!).