Fig and Goofy update :) Dressaging and poncing around...

[nikkimariet]

Thought a huge (matchy) update was due...

Fig has been going great guns at home...

Vid: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

Lots of good schooling sessions in lots of pretty colours...

Feeling much more established and confident! He went out to a party the other weekend...

With the Summer Regionals at Medium restricted in mind... 67.76% 1st/section M61 and 2nd overall and 68.09% and 1st overall M73! Well done Fig! An irritating ONE point away from qualifying in a single outing, grr!!!

But we did have a nice surprise mention in H&H!

He's got one last outing at Medium before ***Christmas*** and then a couple of weeks off (he is so much better when half a toe is kept dipped in the competition ring, sadly for me and my hatred of the cold). He will come out at Adv Med (training) next year, before a High Profile show and then the Winter Regionals. He will be aimed at the Area Festivals and Winter Regionals at Advanced Medium restricted, and if ready, an Advanced before the year is out.

And from today...

He will always be a massive idiot though!!!

And Goofy...

Well, he's also been going great guns too!

He’s had his chin/ear/heels trimmed up with hand trimmers, had the big noisy mains powered clippers run all over him, had legs and tail washed, been hand walked whilst horses are working, loaded on and off the lorry like a pro, and started some spook busting with fillers/poles/flags etc. Currently *playing* with him about 3 times a week, just for 15/20mins - we'd rather take the next 7/8 months to get him slowly used to life than cram it in to 6 weeks (will never understand people doing that), so he’s out 6.30am-3pm, and in overnight as nothing else lives out.

And he's expected to behave, at all times...

Vid: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

And is learning to be super helpful round the yard...

Vid: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

Today he had some fun...

And although we don't like nor use loose schooling as a regular alternative to exercise (with legs and arena surface in mind), for a quick 5 minute fancy trot and canter it worked quite nicely and Goof the Doof was very well behaved.

 

[nikkimariet]

And a special mention for Bruce the Unicorn... Who helped decorate the yard in a very BHS approved way...

Seemingly plagued by bad news currently After losing my little Loki cat to the road earlier this year...

Then CS...

Now my other cat Thor has been given 3-6 months after a Lymphoma diagnosis.

Please can that be our 3 totally ***** 'things' for this year out the way. Roll on to a less bittersweet 2015!

That's all for now folks, off for breakfast/lunch of poached eggs on toast :yum:

 

[Tr0uble]

Doing very similar with Elf....just lots of seeing life I the end of am was rope.

We are not as lucky as you with turnout at this time of year, being on Cambridgeshire clay, but luckily she seems to be fine with being in a lot more!

I try and do one day a week of 'work' where I get her trotting round, but other than that it's just ten mins of leading, stopping and starting and turning and backing up, standing by the mounting block whilst I jump up and down etc.

Today we had a breakthrough with the wash box, so far she's been really wary of going in and has needed someone to prod her with the bristles of a broom to get her to follow me in, but today she came straight in with no hesitation!

We've not learned about boots and bandages yet but when she does I need to get some floaty trot pics of her whilst she's still a bubby!

Do love Bruce and the Christmas decs!

 

[FBDD]

Love hearing about your journey! My TB is a tad lethal if I don't give him enough work! I can probably give him four days off before he goes looney around the field and unfortunately that is when he tears muscles......I feel bad but tend to give him short mini breaks rather than one or two bigger hols

 

[JFTDWS]

Fig is looking super - stronger and more powerful in every photoset! He does suit all his Equissentials matchy too

Goofy looks seriously flashy when he moves - he's going to be a star

But the highlight is totally Bruce the Unicorn decorating the yard :cool3:

 

[montanna]

Lovely pics - I really enjoy reading your reports xx

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

Brucey boo is the best isn't he! Not many that don't mind when you drop a reel of fairy lights on their head!!!!!

Officially bought Goof a saddle today so all set for spring!

 

[Tr0uble]

Ooh what saddle did you get him? Is it a long term saddle or just for the early days?

I'm hoping we can adjust my existing to do the early days!

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

A tekna just an early days saddle but I know I love them....I find them very similar to an equipe seat and block wise so secure for me and light for him.

Not sure what I'll look at long term....want another mono flap /latex panel so will obv try the equipe on him but other than that am not sure as Albion Prestige and Fairfax do not suit me at all and I don't trust Butet/Devocoux or Antares at all....hmmmm.....

 

[NinjaPony]

Lovely pictures- they are really smart boys and Fig looks super
Out of interest (and I don't mean this as a dig), I've noticed you wearing a hat in all your pictures which is great- is this a regular thing?
Sorry to hear about your cat- really rubbish news (as the owner of a cat who has severe diabetes and is probably on his 11th life I can sympathise)

 

[Tr0uble]

Mine is a Lynx Pro... Which is a mono flap. Would def always go for a mono now, much prefer!

When it's time to get her a new one I'll just try out loads....but praying my Lynx can be made to fit because I love it!

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

aaaah i rode in a clients Lynx when they very first came out and hated that too, i must have a fussy butt lol!

Re hats-in order for the pics to be used by sponsors, or by Horsedeals(who we blog for), we have to be seen to be wearing a hat so easier to wear one every time in case of pic taking opportunities although I have to admit that NMT is MUCH better at this than i was....................id forever be half way to the school and my livery would be yelling "hat" at me................old habits live on a long time i guess, ive not worn at hat at home regularly for nearly 14 years!!!!!!


however, clearly when im on board the Goof that will change! I have always worn a hat when backing/riding away though no matter what horse.

 

[KidnapMoss]

Great pics. I really like goofy. I've enjoyed following your progress on fb. Fig looks fantastic.

I've even shown my husband a pic of the pink set as a Christmas present hint!!

 

[Booboos]

Fig is just gorgeous! Massive well done for all the hard work and it's paying off great dividents!

Sorry to hear about Thor. It's bad enough when one pet passes away but multiple bad news are even more difficult to bear.

 

[dominobrown]

I've missed your matchy photos! Fig is looking stronger and stronger.

Sorry to hear about your cat, I've had a similar year too

 

[nikkimariet]

Thanks for all pony and cat comments

Really chuffed with Fig!

 

[Under-the-radar]

NMT do you have any videos of Fig's tests? The photos are gorgeous (of course - and I am always suitably well jel of your matchy matchy!) but would love to see a video of a test of him (just because I'm nosy!)

 

[nikkimariet]

There are some vids of him working on our fb blog page I intend to get some from training over winter, so if our stonehenge internet ever has a good day, I'll upload then!

 

[Lucyloo25]

Lovely photos of Fig! He is so beautiful! I love Goofy, can't wait to see the superstar you turn him into, I really like your approach to his education! How is he bred?
Bruce is a good boy, who needs ladders

Sorry to hear about your cats, and CS such a shame, here is to a fantastic 2015 for you both!

 

[nikkimariet]

Goofy's sire is Charmeur and damsire is Kennedy

 

[Jenni_]

Special mention going out to Fig's NECK! Not quite sure if you've got the stallion and gelding mixed up? Grown up boy.

I love Goofy. May he always be so sweet.

and Bruce... erm.... least there's a headcollar? Daft boy.

 

[nikkimariet]

Don't be silly Jenni_ He's not tall enough to be a STALLIONNN!!!!

He sometimes acts like he is one. Without any pestering of the ladies of course.

 

[cobwithattitude]

Brilliant pictures and here's to a wonderful 2015 for you all. Don't come on here very often these days but do keep up via FB to catch up

 

[TPO]

Your honesty and openess is refreshing and I really admire how you've not let external factors change how/what you post.

The run of bad luck, for want of a better phrase, is very unfair and unfortunately not that uncommon when you have animals. I really hope that 2015 is a lot kinder to you both.

All of your boys are looking fantastic as ever; they are a real credit to you.

My 2yr old arrived mid June (in a very bad condition) so it's nice to have another "public" 2yr old's journey to follow alongside Chip's progress. I love working with babies; it's been so long I hadn't realised how much I missed it.

All the best for 2015 to all the team x

 

[nikkimariet]

Thanks cob

Thanks TPO, I'm still devastated about Loki and miss him every day. Thor is doing well on his steroids so I'm crossing everything he stays strong for a good while yet.