First weekend in August plans?

[RachelFerd]

Did the Barbury ROR class have similar prize money which Piggy French won? I do think there should be prizes at 4/5* as well as quite an achievement. Tom Mck was very unlucky with Dreamliner at Bramham in the sjing as she looks super.
I think it looks a good class.

Not sure what prize money there was for the ON at Barbury, but it will have been less than this class, as this is the longstanding 'top' one. There used to be a prize at Badminton for best ex racehorse, but I don't think there was anything eligible this year. TBH i'd like to see a better thought out structure for all of the RoR eventing stuff.

Funny story with Dream Big - I know her owner very well as we both used to be racing work riders in Epsom at the same time. She met her partner and moved into ownership (but sitll rides out) and she owned and broke in the mare before she went into race training. When she turned out to be a bit slow, she was talked into sending her to an event rider to see if she was any good, despite not knowing anything about eventing as a sport. She managed to get in with Tom when he was first getting set up in his current yard, and she absolutely loves being a very involved eventing owner. She still hacks out the horse every now and then, and is there for the whole weekend (often partying!!) at the events. They still have racehorses in training too, but I suspect she's having more fun with the event horse (now 2 event horses, as also part owns a horse that was 3rd in the novice champs...)

 

[Ample Prosecco]

LEC your tenacity is extraordinary! Such a shame about the XC but bloody well done for being there at all. Hope your new plans work out well x

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Not sure what prize money there was for the ON at Barbury, but it will have been less than this class, as this is the longstanding 'top' one. There used to be a prize at Badminton for best ex racehorse, but I don't think there was anything eligible this year. TBH i'd like to see a better thought out structure for all of the RoR eventing stuff.

Funny story with Dream Big - I know her owner very well as we both used to be racing work riders in Epsom at the same time. She met her partner and moved into ownership (but sitll rides out) and she owned and broke in the mare before she went into race training. When she turned out to be a bit slow, she was talked into sending her to an event rider to see if she was any good, despite not knowing anything about eventing as a sport. She managed to get in with Tom when he was first getting set up in his current yard, and she absolutely loves being a very involved eventing owner. She still hacks out the horse every now and then, and is there for the whole weekend (often partying!!) at the events. They still have racehorses in training too, but I suspect she's having more fun with the event horse (now 2 event horses, as also part owns a horse that was 3rd in the novice champs...)

There is going to be a lot of changes within the RoR over the coming year or so. Hopefully to make everything more user friendly and encourage people to do more with their horses.

 

[Reacher]

Had a flatwork / pole lesson on Saturday as I have bought an excellent book and wanted to see if I could incorporate some of the exercises into the lesson . Spent 3/4 of the lesson trying to ride a wriggly worm straddling a pole (in walk) - mr H thought it was RIDICULOUS and huffed and puffed in annoyance- but our straightness improved hugely and afterwards his connection in trot was also much better - was delighted.

Sunday - Clear in the 80 and 90 cm arena eventing
and came 3rd and 2nd respectively (and would have easily made up the time between us and 1st if I hadn’t faffed about micromanaging his canter lead at one point and just kicked on)
Mr H is a little superstar ?

Got the day off today - ditch training !

Sounds like lots of fun being planned.
Have a dressage lesson tomorrow followed by arena eventing at the local club on Sunday. It’s on grass which is good practice for balance etc on a slightly sloping field rather than a nice flat arena.
We have had a fair bit rain and ground is good to soft.

Am trying to book a xc hire next week for some (more) ditch training (mr H says welsh cob eating ? live in ditches) in prep for an outing later this month.

Have a good time everyone.

 

[humblepie]

Some fab reports, well dones and most excellents to many. Re the RoR eventing, years ago a horse came to yard where mine was and he was up for sale out of racing. I was tempted but felt he would be too much for me - needed a more confident rider. Anyway he went to one of the top eventers and won the RoR champs so my eye for the future was there even if my talent would have been lacking. He definitely wouldn't have been the right horse for me.