Geoff Update: Bouncing, Poncing, Splatting and... Winning?

[khalswitz]

It's been a busy week for Geoff and I! We are now starting to aim properly for his first event and first BE this season so we are practicing hard.

In an attempt to expose Geoff to as many scary fillers and things as possible (SJ still being our weakest phase) we are going along to our RC's weekly training on grass over their show jumps. This week was our first time heading along, and boy, it was exciting...

I always hack Geoff over to the RC field, as it is just a 20 min hack. However, it is 20mins over a very busy bridge to a very busy junction to the main road, and training is at 5.30pm. People have accused me of being mad, but Geoff, for all his flaws, is bombproof in any kind of traffic, so it has never worried me. However, he decided to show me up something wicked. The traffic wasn't the problem, but instead the invisible monsters in the ditch/behind trees, and then the COWS (whom he lives right next door to) in a field further along. I ended up dismounting and WALKING him along the road, at which point he decided that actually it was ok, and followed along perfectly. But I wasn't about to try and remount a 17hh horse in rush hour traffic, so it turned into exercise for me instead :S.

At the field itself, he was being a bit silly and looky over the fillers, and put in a few stops, which he hasn't really done since we sorted the bitting out. But I sussed out how to ride him when he starts backing off without going defensive, and seemed to go well.

The ride home proved just as eventful as the way there, with a Boxer jumping a wall and chasing us down the road... and horse-eating white lines at the junction. Sigh. At least I stayed on though!

The following evening we headed along with a friend to an evening SJ at a local venue. We entered the 70cm and the 80cm - and it was our first time at 80 since Geoff splatted me in the first fence of one last summer. Walking the courses felt very weird - they didn't look big. At all. Some of the fillers looked a bit iffy, but the fences themselves looked small (at both heights). All this jumping at home seems to have removed my jump-growing fear.

Took him into the 70cm, and he looked at a couple of the very scary fillers, but I managed to ride positively and get him over them all first time aside from the first part of the double in the second phase, right beside but angled away from the gate with a filler, and he jumped it fine second time. Placed fourth.

Then into the 80cm. Wow - he was flying. It really felt like nothing to him, and he seemed to be loving it. Brought him round over two horrific fillers where he backed right off, but I sat up and booted the last three strides and he popped them fine. then, we came round the corner to number 6 (last fence in the first phase), an innocuous rustic oxer that looked suspiciously parallel to me. He was on the wrong leg, which I tried to correct twice but he was just not listening. He was a bit on the forehand coming into the fence, and I made the grievous error of looking down at the last stride, so Geoff promptly slammed on the brakes and sent me over the jump instead. Came out muttering threats against his person.

Was frustrated, as he clearly finds the height easy, he just needs everything to be perfect or he'll put in a sly one. Jumped every blooming fence clear though, when he actually went off the ground!

I then was away with work for two days before Saturday's combined training. We were entered in the P18 and 70cm for the CT, and we entered the N24 class as well for extra practice before our Novice BD debut scheduled for early August.

He was a bit silly and looky to warm up, and just wasn't feeling very supple or particularly off the leg, and was either leaning on the contact or trying to giraffe. Went in to the indoor for the test, and just before the horn went the heavens opened, with rumbles of thunder!!! I expected him to go mental with the noises, but he seemed fairly chilled, if more forward (although that was no bad thing). He wasn't bending quite as much as I'd have liked, and some of the transitions weren't too hot, but overall it seemed nice enough. I was expecting a 65/66.

Photos:
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/168/?w=800&h=423
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/172/?w=800&h=423
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/175/?w=800&h=423
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/181/?w=800&h=423 (mid lengthening into the free )
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/186/?w=800&h=423

Then we were pretty much straight back in for the Novice. He just wasn't off my leg enough before going in - I felt like I was nagging. But all my judge writing recently has paid off, as I knew my test backwards and all the shapes I was meant to be producing, and Geoff seems to have sussed an active square halt swell as his ever-good centre lines and free walk. However the first 'medium' trot was more of a half halt, forward trot, half halt rather than a medium, and on the second one where I asked for more he broke . The medium canter was better than previously though.

Photos:
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/191/?w=800&h=423
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/194/?w=800&h=426
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/197/?w=800&h=426
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/195/?w=800&h=426
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/200/?w=800&h=426 (Stretchy!)
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/201/?w=800&h=426
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/203/?w=800&h=426 (Both of us smiling!)

 

[khalswitz]

So untacked and rugged up His Majesty for his break before the SJ, and meandered back over to see the sheets. Judge was BD listed, so I was intrigued to be able to compare the scores.

Wandered up the the line of prelim sheets, and worked our way up from the bottom. Was a little bemused to not be able to find our sheet... then finally realised ours was underneath a red rosette. Geoff had pulled out a PB under a listed judge to produce 69.38%, nothing less than a 6.5 with three 7.5's and an 8 for our final halt! "Super flowing test showing regular and correct paces with suppleness and obedience. Would like to see transitions a little smoother now, with more prep." (Had to quote as the first time Geoff has ever been called supple and obedient!!). Collectives were only 1 mark lower than they were at Areas the other weekend, which was our highest ever, so nice to see they are staying that way!

Now, unlike the prelim, I was the only entry in our Novice class, so I wasn't quite so surprised to have a red frilly for that as well. However I was surprised by the score - 67.5%, even with a break in the medium trot! The three mediums (two trots and a canter) were our lowest scores, with a 5.5, 6 and 5 for the break, nothing else below a 6.5 and seemed mainly 7's/7.5's. She commented on how well presented my test was, and neat my shapes etc.

Even more excitingly, I happened to be at the burger van as she came over. Managed to get an in depth chat!! She said she thought I was a good rider (!!!), and I rode him to get the most of of what we could do, as well as a very well ridden and well prepared and presented test. She said not to worry about the mediums, that they would come, but in the meantime riding a half halt and then under asking would interrupt the rhythm less. She also said she could tell by watching us that we had been training correctly compared to much flashier horses, and said it would stand us in good stead for moving up the levels. So that made my day!!!

The onto the SJ. We only entered the 70, as two tests and a hack each way to the venue I felt was more than enough. As it was, he was trickier than I thought to switch from dressage mode to jumping mode to start with - I was really having to boot him to get him off my leg. However he warmed up lovely (if very angrily - he had a hatred for the small pony in the ring with us who kept whizzing past, and tried to chase it with his ears back!!!), and felt really bold and forward.

In the ring, I felt like I had no control. He was off! He was just whizzing round, a case of try to steer and then leg on for each fence rather than any real riding! However we cam round to the double, which was the same as the other evening where he refused. So I brought him back on the corner before the fence, only to kill the canter and get another stop at the same fence. He jumped it second time (with swearing from me) and picked up again to whizz round the rest of the course to the last fence.

There it was. The innocuous rustic oxer where Geoff ditched me in the 80 on Wednesday. I was told I actually roared at him coming to it - I just know I sat back and blooming booted him. He shot over it like a bat out of hell.

Pics:
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/204/?w=800&h=426
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/205/?w=800&h=426 (MUST GO FAST)
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/206/?w=800&h=426
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/207/?w=800&h=426
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/k...ompetitionsab6/434098/browse/208/?w=800&h=426 (THE OXER)


With four faults he ended up placing third, and I was waiting with bated breath for the CT results. I hadn't noted how far in the lead we were after dressage, so that four faults could have cost us (second place after DR won the SJ class). However, whilst we were waiting for a few more of the class to jump (there were a few in the 90cm), the organiser crept up to me.

"I know you're waiting to go, so rather than hang around, here you go. You won by a mile, no one else is going to catch you now."

Another red frilly!

So a very eventful week! We are off to another (slightly busier and more competitive probably) CT next weekend, as well as more jump training and an evening SJ. Then our BD Novice debut next month, as well as Geoff's first event... so busy busy!!

As I just got given a bottle of prosecco from a client as a thank you, please feel free to have a glass for reading

And here are some videos of Geoff from the last week, doing his random shouting and dancing... not sure if they work from Facebook but will try.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203889457492326&set=vb.1097808474&type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203823054592295&set=vb.1097808474&type=2&theater

 

[blood_magik]

Brilliant - well done. :biggrin3:
All of your hard work is obviously paying off. Good luck for your next CT outing.

 

[khalswitz]

Brilliant - well done. :biggrin3:
All of your hard work is obviously paying off. Good luck for your next CT outing.

Thank you SJ is still a bit hit or miss, but we now just have to put as much into that as we've put into the dressage phase. I'm aiming for an 80(t) in early September so need to work on those SJ courses before then!!!

 

[Tash88]

Wow, you must be thrilled! And how wonderful to get compliments from the judge afterwards; she sounds like a very professional and lovely lady. And well done for getting Geoff over his 'innocuous rustic oxer' demons too!

 

[khalswitz]

Wow, you must be thrilled! And how wonderful to get compliments from the judge afterwards; she sounds like a very professional and lovely lady. And well done for getting Geoff over his 'innocuous rustic oxer' demons too!

He's a funny soul - he'll back off and look at a filler but still jump it, whereas a plain oxer is more likely to get the brakes-on treatment. I just need to 'ride it like I stole it' a bit more .

Judge was so lovely, really encouraging. Perfect judge to get hold of for unaff - I will have to keep her name in mind!!!

 

[Firewell]

I love reading your Geoff updates! From your sig it looks like he is a TB but he doesn't look like one in the pics, more like an irish cross? He's a very handsome boy! It looks like you are having tons of fun with him and if he isn't the easiest he must be teaching you a lot, that's a nice pile of red rosettes as well! Well done, you look a great pair

 

[khalswitz]

I love reading your Geoff updates! From your sig it looks like he is a TB but he doesn't look like one in the pics, more like an irish cross? He's a very handsome boy! It looks like you are having tons of fun with him and if he isn't the easiest he must be teaching you a lot, that's a nice pile of red rosettes as well! Well done, you look a great pair

Thanks, that's lovely to hear!!

Yeah, he is a pure TB from Riverman lines - but everyone always thinks he's an ISH/Dutch warmblood! He's pretty chunky for a TB, proper old style NH horse But he has muscled up a LOT over the last year. Here's some of him from April 2013:

http://www.stephenhammondphotography.co.uk/?Action=VF&id=1224735019&ppp=0&ppwd=98107csp
http://www.stephenhammondphotography.co.uk/?Action=VF&id=1229130619&ppp=0&ppwd=98107csp

OMG, this horse has taught me more than all my other ones combined. He's taught me how much I really don't know! I was SO close to giving up on him last year, but thanks to HHO and LOTS of lessons I am so glad I didn't. He's turned into a very fun horse, and whilst he's not always easy to ride he's very easy to do and a lovely horse to be around which makes a huge difference .

I was very chuffed with our little pile of rosettes Much nicer than going home with grass-stained jodhpurs, as we have been used to doing!!

 

[kinnygirl1]

Wow, that's quite a haul of frillies! Well done to you and Geoff. Fab results.

 

[khalswitz]

Wow, that's quite a haul of frillies! Well done to you and Geoff. Fab results.

Thanks Will have to refrain from calling him 'Tesco' for a little while

 

[Tash88]

He's a funny soul - he'll back off and look at a filler but still jump it, whereas a plain oxer is more likely to get the brakes-on treatment. I just need to 'ride it like I stole it' a bit more .

Haha, that is my mantra too! Well done for turning things around with Geoff - I have to say I don't really know much of your story but it is inspiring, I seem to be at the beginning of that path with my horse at the moment so it's lovely to read a success story.

 

[longdog]

Well done to both you & Geoff. You have worked so hard, you totally deserve your frillies. Fab comments from the judge too. So nice when you get feed back like that. Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[spookypony]

What a super outing! You seem to be on a real roll this summer!

 

[khalswitz]

Haha, that is my mantra too! Well done for turning things around with Geoff - I have to say I don't really know much of your story but it is inspiring, I seem to be at the beginning of that path with my horse at the moment so it's lovely to read a success story.

It's been a long one - Lolo amongst others on here helped me massively last summer when I was a sneeze from selling him, with lots of ex racer advise. I don't think I'd realised what I was taking on! He threw me so hard I actually fractured my hip, and I was scared to ride him at a home let alone compete... He has been really hard going at times but so glad I stuck with him now, I never thought we'd be a success story back then!

It's daunting at the start but so worth it, when you start to see progress it feels really great. Best of luck with yours and I hope to read about your adventures too

Well done to both you & Geoff. You have worked so hard, you totally deserve your frillies. Fab comments from the judge too. So nice when you get feed back like that. Can't wait for the next installment!

I still feel a bit guilty - we've spent so long being eliminated and placing dead last over our time together that winning something with actual other people in the class feels like someone must have made a mistake somewhere... But judge's feedback was fab and really absolutely made my day

What a super outing! You seem to be on a real roll this summer!

Shhh, don't say that yet!!! let's wait and see how he goes when we finally go eventing before we decide it's a roll

But very pleased with him nonetheless. Ditching me in fences midweek and attempting to end up under lorries notwithstanding.

 

[Lolo]

Those are amazing scores, and brilliant 'technical' clears- even if he did make sure you were especially grateful by attempting to murder you midweek hacking... Little angels, eh? Fingers crossed he keeps his a-game on for you when you get out eventing

 

[khalswitz]

Those are amazing scores, and brilliant 'technical' clears- even if he did make sure you were especially grateful by attempting to murder you midweek hacking... Little angels, eh? Fingers crossed he keeps his a-game on for you when you get out eventing

I think he likes to make sure I'm paying attention . Fingers crossed!!!! x