First February weekend plans

[Asha]

Just back from a fab day at dressage , so chuffed , we rode what I thought was out best ever test . She was just so cool . We even got a couple of 8’s . This was just what I needed after my mini melt down last week . Met the judge by the butty van , and she told me Pip was a lovely type . Came away with a 2nd and 3rd spot . Token smiley face selfie ?

Well done Fuzzy Furry , that sounds like a fab day out

 

[sheep]

I was up running this morn, then met OH at yard to ride. His boots are annoying him so I got the honours this morning.

Newbie is super cool, and the new saddle has mad a massive difference. He is so much more free and forward. The weather was a bit mad this morning (extremely windy) but he didnt care. 2 horses were loose in the adjoining school but again he wasnt remotely bothered.
I'm not the best jumper in the world but I thought I'd best put my brave pants on and have a go. He needs a little bit of direction going into a fence, so I was just focusing on keeping my leg on, contact consistent so that he was set up nicely to jump. Bear in mind I'm talking about cross poles and then I felt extra brave and popped over an oxer set up yesterday sitting around 1m. He is so big it felt like he hardly left the ground!! Just need to get used to a horse more likely to take off earlier rather than the little mare who had a tendency to get in quite deep. All in all a very successful morning. Thrilled to bits!

 

[Sasana Skye]

Well I am pleased with todays conditioning check. Since August 2018 Osi has lost 17kg to 573kg. She condition scored a few 6's on the Henneke 1-9 scale so I think we can work on getting her weight down a little more still. I wasn't able to ride her today as she seems to have reacted to her flu jab and was a bit quiet and iffy last night and this morning, although brighter this evening so we'll just try a gentle hack tomorrow and then fat club starts Monday!

Brieze is down 52kg to 483kg in the same time period!! She weighs much less than I was expecting and is scoring 4's and 5's so she's at her lightest and can't afford to lose any more. She's the fittest and sleekest she's been in a long time.

Very encouraging news with Spring just around the corner.

 

[Northern]

Saddle fitter just widened L's saddle a bit, other than that all good! Almost died walking back up though, it was 35C That was at 10am...

Looks like we survived relatively unscathed from the fire so far. It's not over by a long shot and we are expecting thunderstorms now with little rain. Unfortunately it looks like they did lose properties further South Luckily all had at least a weeks warning to get livestock out, so hopefully there won't be many stock losses. Amazing how the equine community has helped out this summer, between everyone all threatened horses that were able to be moved were evacuated safely.

 

[Wheels]

Sounds like some good outings were had!

M and I got our qualifying scores, he was so good, a little timid in the walk and a little speedy in the canter and also still gets a bit spooked by the white boards so lots to work on but a good day at the office for us.

Got my qual scores in the bag for the regionals and only need one more qual score for the nationals with 3 shows to go so fingers crossed!

 

[Red-1]

Good luck with the fires Northern. Well done to everyone else who has been out and about.

Mine had a flu vaccination/teeth on Friday night, and has been a bit quiet since so she had today off. If she is a bit more lively tomorrow we will either have a steady ride in the school or go for a walk round the village. Hopefully she will be firing on all cylinders for our next dressage lesson on Wednesday.

 

[nikkimariet]

Had a truly brilliant lesson with Soph on Rooni yesterday.




He was immaculately behaved and I feel like we’re on the brink of him really relaxing.



And today a soggy but lovely happy hack.

 

[ihatework]

I went to see my 4yo, 3 weeks back at boarding school (he did 8 weeks this time last year and has been loafing since).

Very windy, jumps blowing down, shooting, ferel kids running about and the school fence being mended!! And he was a little pro I just love the attitude of how it’s done, they are expected to get on and deal with whatever is around them.

 

[oldie48]

Good to read that most of us have had a positive weekend! I am feeling very pleased with Rose she worked really well in our lesson yesterday despite the wind and the pheasants, some were in the arena but soon scarpered. Today we went to the TSR showing clinic, as I was "billy no mates" again I was slightly nervous and don't have any pics but Rose was foot perfect. A very looky indoor arena with two resident pigeons which did bother the other horses but Rose was completely blase! Trainer is a HOYs judge and she was very complimentary about Rose, "elegance of a quality TB with paces of a WB" so confirmed she is a large hack but said as there aren't many local classes she'd do well as a Riding horse as well. Also said to try the SEIB Search for a star hack class. She went very nicely for her and she said what a pleasure she was to ride. I was a very proud mummy. I feel my confidence is starting to come back although I had a dry mouth when I first got on, as soon as we got going I felt fine.

 

[McFluff]

Well done everyone who got out and about. I wimped out of towing as the wind was gusting up to 45mph and as he’s only been about a handful of times with me I decided not to risk it. So we just played around at home instead.

Gives me two more weeks practice before our prelim debut - to think positively!

 

[Red-1]

My hack out today went as planned, started in drizzle and finished in sunshine so that was good for the soul. Really looking forward to dressage lesson on Wednesday!

 

[Michen]

I went to see my 4yo, 3 weeks back at boarding school (he did 8 weeks this time last year and has been loafing since).

Very windy, jumps blowing down, shooting, ferel kids running about and the school fence being mended!! And he was a little pro I just love the attitude of how it’s done, they are expected to get on and deal with whatever is around them.

Very smart!! To keep?

 

[Roxylola]

I did not surface test any arenas!
Had a bit of a wild hack in high winds yesterday but he settled eventually and today we had a jump clinic locally, so box ride and new place again but he settled well and is getting back to allowing me to ride and get my leg on again now that his vit e and ulcer treatment is kicking in. However I need to stop being passive and actually do some riding now - it's been hard as he pulls on the bit forward and down, then when you get your leg on bucks and just chucks me out of the plate. However as hes not bucking at my leg anymore i need to get much more positive about riding him

 

[ihatework]

Very smart!! To keep?

Homebred so yes! Even if he is a midget

 

[Michen]

Homebred so yes! Even if he is a midget

Midgets are the best ones!

 

[scats]

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I’ve been working mostly, the salon is very nearly ready so been doing my last bits and bobs and designing business cards and flyers etc.
Managed a canter pole session on a very enthusiastic Millie this evening and had an absolute blast. She makes me laugh so much, she thinks canter poles are absolutely fantastic!

 

[Wheels]

Sounds like great fun scars

Quiet walk hack for us today as M was tired after the show yesterday and I'm down with a blinking awful cold. We will have a relatively quiet week this week anyway so good timing as next weekend and early next week is v busy

 

[showjumpingharry]

So dressage was a success. A win in prelim 7 and third in prelim 14 as I went the wrong way but so pleased with Elf's attitude to it all. Clinic was brilliant too, learnt lots just from watching so I recommend Richard Waygood if anyone is given the opportunity to train with him? and some photos of Elf too

 

[milliepops]

Pretty dull weekend so been enjoying reading the reports and looking forward to lesson this week.
My weekend was mainly spent clinging onto Darcy and trying to keep Kira on the straight and narrow ? oh, and putting millie back where she was meant to be. After nearly 2 weeks of daily trespassing I finally had time to beef up the electric fencing.

Bloody unrepentant thing having a post-brunch snooze ?

 

[mle22]

Daughter and Molly had a go at the 1m10 at the flexi-eventing - first fence down due to a bit of miscommunication but flew round after that. Dressage a bit of a disaster in the wind, but the work is improving all the time. Molly finds counter canter counter intuitive!

 

[sheep]

Daughter and Molly had a go at the 1m10 at the flexi-eventing - first fence down due to a bit of miscommunication but flew round after that. Dressage a bit of a disaster in the wind, but the work is improving all the time. Molly finds counter canter counter intuitive!

Great photos! Didnt realise you are local too. The wind was mad yesterday!

 

[Chippers1]

Glad everyone's had a good weekend. We went clear at SJ (first time ever in that particular indoor - for some reason he always has a stop but we didn't this time!!) and I think we won our section but I didn't go and check ha ha. He was very good though, backed off a little at one of the fences but went over it when I asked . Then my stupid lorry wouldn't start!! I had to get a friend to come and jump it for me...now the battery is on a week long charge and hopefully it will be fine after that, I don't think it was charged enough before.

 

[mle22]

Great photos! Didnt realise you are local too. The wind was mad yesterday!

Yes, we are Co Down. Wind was awful!

 

[Roxylola]

You might want to check (or change) your alternator Chippers, it may be that your battery is not getting sufficient to charge it fully, or depending on how new your battery is it may not be fully taking a charge. Fingers crossed the week works though.
Glad to hear everyone had mostly good weekends. Love everyone's photos - I can just about get them on facebook, I've tried and failed on here so you will all just have to imagine the faces I pull when I'm jumping lol

 

[Chippers1]

You might want to check (or change) your alternator Chippers, it may be that your battery is not getting sufficient to charge it fully, or depending on how new your battery is it may not be fully taking a charge. Fingers crossed the week works though.

I did think this (especially as my car alternator went recently!) but the battery has always been a bit dodgy - the box hadn't been used for around 6 months before I bought it and I only really drive to local places. Then it had a few months sitting around again late 2019 and I've started using it again so I think it's just not being charged enough. When it was put on charge last week it was only for a few hours and whilst it did start when we put the battery in it was no way near a full charge.
I've checked with garages too who said the battery is fine so i'm hoping it's just that it's not charged enough, there's no other alternator signs (at the moment anyway!) so i'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[humblepie]

Had our first outing of the year planned then had horrendous sore throat and cold start Saturday night so day off for horse and day under the duvet for me. Same again today. This time last year we were ahead of the game with our area festival and associate qualifying all done. Not even ventured out this year. Well done to all who ventured out. I’m back off under the duvet for the day.

 

[Fiona]

We had a mega busy pony weekend...

Its all been about me recently, so it was a change for F and the two little ponies to get out and about and strut their stuff.

On Friday evening we took new boy Muffin up to the local indoor SJ, and he was a wee star. He took the warmup etc in his stride, and jumped 3 (nearly 4 clear rounds), really pleased for his first ever outing. He is an ex show pony, who has done very little jumping.

Then on Sat we just hacked, and F gave Daisy a jump to get her going.

Sunday was nuts.

I got up early and went to a dressage clinic when Fionn was mega. Really going well with a consistent outline and soft mouth with lots of foaming.

Charged home afterwards, bathed grey Daisy, and whizzed off up the motorway to a WH show.

They won their first class, were 2nd in a the cradle stakes (NIF qualifier so lots of spooky flowers and fillers), and went brilliantly in the championship, trotting and cantering with all the big ponies

Only got home at 8.45, and in work today, but it was very satisfactory the whole weekend.

Fiona

 

[Fiona]

Good to read that most of us have had a positive weekend! I am feeling very pleased with Rose she worked really well in our lesson yesterday despite the wind and the pheasants, some were in the arena but soon scarpered. Today we went to the TSR showing clinic, as I was "billy no mates" again I was slightly nervous and don't have any pics but Rose was foot perfect. A very looky indoor arena with two resident pigeons which did bother the other horses but Rose was completely blase! Trainer is a HOYs judge and she was very complimentary about Rose, "elegance of a quality TB with paces of a WB" so confirmed she is a large hack but said as there aren't many local classes she'd do well as a Riding horse as well. Also said to try the SEIB Search for a star hack class. She went very nicely for her and she said what a pleasure she was to ride. I was a very proud mummy. I feel my confidence is starting to come back although I had a dry mouth when I first got on, as soon as we got going I felt fine.

Fantastic....

Another string to your bow. Coloured velvet browbands are gorgeous

Fiona

 

[Dyllymoo]

Well I didn't ride all weekend (family things!) but I did manage to do my first ever clip on J and he was a little star.

The clip is ok.... its not a professional job but you know what, I still smile when I look at it as I did it!

Hopefully he will be a bit cooler. If he needs more off I will take more off.

 

[Michen]

In case anyone’s interested I’m going to a Paul gaff camp (really rate him, had one with him last year) at Banfield equestrian 15th/16th feb. There’s still space if anyone’s up for if! Accommodation available as well.