First Weekend of January Weekend Plans

[Ample Prosecco]

After a very quiet November and December we are back up and running! Starting with a session on the technical arena at Somerford tomorrow and a Grid work session on Sunday. Both re-scheduled from last year when ice stopped play. Lottie last jumped in September. So in the past couple of weeks I have popped her over the odd small fence while schooling so she gets used to the idea again. And then last weekend I hired an arena and popped round a 60/70course finishing over an 85 oxer. She was surprisingly chilled so hopefully I won't have the wild rides we started last year off with!

 

[Cloball]

Pony passed her vet so I'm madly getting transport and insurance quotes ?????

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Woohoo how exciting. Happy New Pony Day!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Very exciting Cloball!

RS lesson this morning then off to new share horse in the afternoon to go in the school. I have only ridden him a few times so still getting used to each other. I'm trying to remember this, as it feels a bit like I've never ridden before! He is more forward going than I am used to and I know that in time this will be a good thing. We had a lesson together last week so I plan to practice from that and enjoy the time with him.

 

[Bernster]

Exciting cloball more updates please ?.

I tend to write off December horse wise and this one was even worse as I had covid in Nov, then the ice and snow, then I got tonsillitis just before Xmas, and just as I was feeling a bit better, Bertie lost a shoe twice after never having lost a shoe the whole 18 months or so that I’ve had him! So I missed out on 3 entries and course hire fees ?

If the stars align and there’s a Y in the month, we have sj course hire this weekend to kick start our jumping. As always, I feel like I didn’t quite nail the jump practice over the winter. We did do some work but I clearly underestimate the impact of dark nights (school lights have been out for a while), bad weather and a lack of motivation so I need to be more realistic in future I think. Let’s see if I can get my mojo back now.

Finn seems to have made it through his recent trauma at the vets. I’ll take a proper look at him this weekend and do an update on the vet page as he had a new melanoma treatment. The plan is to bring him back to work now and see what he’s happy/comfortable to do.

 

[humblepie]

Horse was clipped yesterday so can start doing some exercise though seeing tomorrow’s weather might just hide for the day. Good luck with outings and exciting for you re new pony.

 

[RachelFerd]

Joining in the new Howden Way training tomorrow up North in Yorkshire. It's an all day thing with two ridden sessions and a lunch-time social, so that should be super interesting. And then dressage lessons for both horses Sunday - so busy, busy with 2023 season prep!

 

[Squeak]

Joining in the new Howden Way training tomorrow up North in Yorkshire. It's an all day thing with two ridden sessions and a lunch-time social, so that should be super interesting. And then dressage lessons for both horses Sunday - so busy, busy with 2023 season prep!

Will be really interested to hear how you get on with the Howden Way training.

 

[TheMule]

Taking Nova to the beach tomorrow as he has been a little monster out hacking, far too full of himself, so I think he needs to let off some steam!

I need to keep repeating to myself…. 'I love horses in January'

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Plans had to change due to requirement for urgent saddle fitter appointment after jump saddle started lifting at the back and causing some issues.

But hopefully still going to get to ValeView on Sunday for arena eventing ??

I know for a fact there will most likely be a ditch in both classes so I hope Pepsi remembers how to jump one… (he used to be a bit ditchy, but we’d got to a good place by the end of the season)

 

[millitiger]

We went to the first Howden Way training on Wednesday. Really, really good and reasonably priced training and, although it felt a little like pony club with the modules to sign off, I appreciate the initiative and desire to make positive changes and be inclusive.
Dima was a superstar all day and felt amazing after his little holiday.


This weekend I am taking my little Welsh D yearling for his first ever outing, very low key to a friends yard for some in hand horsemanship. I think he will love it as he is very bold, bright and confident but I am sure he'll be mentally exhausted after 15 mins, especially after going in the horsebox.

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

Not been in here in a while… my big lad had a very important appt today with our rehab vet, 6 months post surgery on a DDFT injury.
We trotted him up (the first time we’ve done it ourselves - he has been done at the vets but we’ve not been there) and she was very happy so…… we are officially allowed to start putting a rider on board!
That *might* happen this weekend, might not. We are to continue in hand walking / long reining in any case, but can pop someone on board for a few mins at the end of each session initially. So, we will see if our jockey is available to do a bit of leaning / cautious sitting this weekend, providing he has his sensible head on. If not, we wait
*does a shot of sedalin*

 

[Roxylola]

Also at Somerford tech for a clinic, hoping to stay on this time

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Also at Somerford tech for a clinic, hoping to stay on this time

ooh what time?

 

[Roxylola]

ooh what time?

10am

 

[Ample Prosecco]

10am

Oh we are at 12. Have fun!

 

[McFluff]

Loading practice for us. Lots of it. Wanting to get rid of the planting at the bottom of the ramp.
Also maybe manage a wee hack.

 

[Michen]

Nothing horsey (although bog got jumped in my absence and the report was that he was beyond fabulous).

I cannot believe that these mountains are 1.5 hours from my home. Just unbelievable beauty. My friends and I literally cried at how unreal it was!

This month- a western saddle for Bog!

 

[Accidental Eventer]

Henry had a ride yesterday that he was awful for. The flies are really bad here this year and they are driving him mad.

Today with no flies we had a very productive session (and out my mind at rest that he is sound and not loopy, except for the flies!).

Hack tomorrow, flies aren’t as bad in the bush!

 

[Bernster]

Stunning photos michen! So glad you’re a regular poster here, it’s great to enjoy your life vicariously.

 

[Marigold4]

Off to compete at dressage tomorrow. We just scraped into the championship. This will only be his 4th competition and only intro so not expecting much but pleased we have got this far! It's taken two years to get to the point when he can do a simple test without him fizzing with energy and nerves. Covid closures and saddle fitting issues mean he's progressed v slowly, but maybe a good thing in the long run.

 

[TheMule]

We had a fabulous time at the beach, it was just what Nova needed to burn off a bit of steam. He's like a coiled spring to hack at home when he needs a run but as soon as he can go forwards he's as good as gold.

https://youtube.com/shorts/4D6MsSb-e_A?feature=share

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Super happy with Lottie today. The sun came out!! Roxylola did you get wet? It was torrential driving down.
Lottie was keen and bold. We had a lot of fun!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

We had a fabulous time at the beach, it was just what Nova needed to burn off a bit of steam. He's like a coiled spring to hack at home when he needs a run but as soon as he can go forwards he's as good as gold.

https://youtube.com/shorts/4D6MsSb-e_A?feature=share

Wooo look at you guys go! Sounds like it blew away the cobwebs

I already posted elsewhere about my RS lesson and share horse. Both really good (including riding dinky speedy pony I hadn't enjoyed riding before). School with share horse just getting to know him. Had a little canter on each rein which is progress. Planning to keep banking these small wins over Winter and perhaps there will be more exciting things to come in Spring and Summer as my confidence builds.

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

We did this today ??
I did my hand walking as usual, then at the end of the session my wee pal hopped up.. just a couple of laps of the stable block. He was such a good boy.
Long way to go, but so pleased.

 

[Roxylola]

Super happy with Lottie today. The sun came out!! Roxylola did you get wet? It was torrential driving down.

Lottie was keen and bold. We had a lot of fun!



We started in horrid rain, most of our lesson fortunately was dry.
Bon was mostly super, a little too bright to start with. Seems to be enjoying his job, he just dries up a bit at times and then I fiddle to get a better stride when I just need to kick on more. In the main I'm very pleased with him though

 

[Squeak]

We were out BS yesterday, it was down a height as we haven't been out for a month and also to try and get the double clears. Alas, the double clears evaded us with a silly pole in each class but he jumped brilliantly and was really pinging over the fences so I'm more than happy with it as the first outing of the year.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Frustrating sort of day. Should have been a lot of fun, but Pepsi just didn’t feel like himself at all. Lots of napping/evading/ducking round fences. When he jumped he felt super.

Think saddle fit issues may have caused more problems than I thought. Just going to keep him lightly ticking over until the physio comes on the 20th and hopefully I’ll have my boy back and happy soon ??

 

[nikkimariet]

Haven’t updated in ages!

Recap;

Recorded our PSG freestyle. Slight WIP I’m happy with it for now but may feel diff after doing it for real. We shall see!



XC/SJ lesson was fab - we’ve learnt so much with Nicole and it’s helping the flat work no end!



Over the holidays we did Dallas XC (and also the gallops) and he was ace. Hot as sin - great at jumping but wouldn’t stand still or walk lol.



Today we finally broke our sabbatical from the white boards. He was FAB. Super chill in spite of the weather. 72%+ AM85 and 70%+ AM98. The mistakes were mine, I biffed a change and a walk piri. He was very rideable.



Another few comps lined up and then a few weeks off being donning our tails.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Great grid work session. Really highlighted problems in my riding. I overused my hands to start with and even when I sarted keeping them still, I instinctively felt I needed to do something with my arms so flapped my elbows instead! My 'chicken impression' as the trainer put it. But once I stopped it began to feel more natural and I also realised I was automatically using my legs much more.

Lottie and I have not done bounces and the grid built up to six in a row in the end. X-pole - 50-60-70-70-80! I parted company the first time through the six as she hit a pole, lost impulsion and I think then got a bit overwhelemed at the look of the rest of them. But we persevered and by the end she was popping through very confidently. Finished over a bounce then 1 stride to an upright then 2 strides to a parallel at 1.05. She makes it look small.

Super happy with her. Feedback was she's a 'cracking mare' and very intelligent. Well I knew that already