Roasted Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
Interested to know how he is bred 
Getting Welsh Section D fit enough for eventing
- Thread starter SJW23
- Start date
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
I think a few on here have been a bit unfair on the OP. The event is a tiny unaffiliated course. I've watched the vids OP posted and I've seen many horses doing BE80 who look less fit. I've also seen an awful lot struggle to get around the tiny SJ courses and be knackered after.
IMHO you need to up his workload though do understand it's tricky to fit in everything with work commitments. I'd get him hacking for a lot longer, schooling for longer and hack for 30 min after schooling too. from the video he looks really genuine, just maybe needs to be more consistent off your leg which will come with correct schooling. do you have flatwork lessons?
I would personally prefer him a bit leaner and fitter but he looks genuine and keen. I also suspect that when you say he's bouncy and fizzy he's actually not naughty, just a bit keener than normal. fwiw I have a connemara X who can be viewed fizzy and bouncy. that's just his personality. he's improving as he gets older and he's never ever naughty but he can be sharp and keen. He loves work, he anticipates continually and you can't do the same thing at one marker twice in the school as he thinks he knows what he's doing and tries to take over. he's not naughty, he just gets so excited about work and pleasing you that he can't always contain himself. The harder he works and the fitter he is, the more bouncy he gets. The trick is just to channel that energy in the right way into constructive work. mine does well every job I've asked of him - done some BE, plenty of UA ODEs, dressage, SJ, team chasing or just hacking. bouncy does not have to mean naughty or that OP is doing something wrong.
OP I would do the event and use it as a benchmark so you know what you need to work on. Ideally you'd have got him fitter first but you haven't so you have to deal with what you've got. take it easy, put up your stirrups a couple of holes on xc which will make it easier for you both and learn from it. In future I'd want his workload something like this:
hacking up to 2hr x2 per week include hillwork if poss (longer if you have time and just fancy a long hack).
schooling x2-3 per week. I do 45 min to 1 hour depending on what we're working on. Then a 20-30 min hack to cool off.
jumping x1 per week with short hack to cool down after.
You can exchange a schooling session for a lesson each week. It's tricky to fit in everything but I sometimes do just one long hack and a session of intervals followed by a hack to cool off.
hope the event goes well.
IMHO you need to up his workload though do understand it's tricky to fit in everything with work commitments. I'd get him hacking for a lot longer, schooling for longer and hack for 30 min after schooling too. from the video he looks really genuine, just maybe needs to be more consistent off your leg which will come with correct schooling. do you have flatwork lessons?
I would personally prefer him a bit leaner and fitter but he looks genuine and keen. I also suspect that when you say he's bouncy and fizzy he's actually not naughty, just a bit keener than normal. fwiw I have a connemara X who can be viewed fizzy and bouncy. that's just his personality. he's improving as he gets older and he's never ever naughty but he can be sharp and keen. He loves work, he anticipates continually and you can't do the same thing at one marker twice in the school as he thinks he knows what he's doing and tries to take over. he's not naughty, he just gets so excited about work and pleasing you that he can't always contain himself. The harder he works and the fitter he is, the more bouncy he gets. The trick is just to channel that energy in the right way into constructive work. mine does well every job I've asked of him - done some BE, plenty of UA ODEs, dressage, SJ, team chasing or just hacking. bouncy does not have to mean naughty or that OP is doing something wrong.
OP I would do the event and use it as a benchmark so you know what you need to work on. Ideally you'd have got him fitter first but you haven't so you have to deal with what you've got. take it easy, put up your stirrups a couple of holes on xc which will make it easier for you both and learn from it. In future I'd want his workload something like this:
hacking up to 2hr x2 per week include hillwork if poss (longer if you have time and just fancy a long hack).
schooling x2-3 per week. I do 45 min to 1 hour depending on what we're working on. Then a 20-30 min hack to cool off.
jumping x1 per week with short hack to cool down after.
You can exchange a schooling session for a lesson each week. It's tricky to fit in everything but I sometimes do just one long hack and a session of intervals followed by a hack to cool off.
hope the event goes well.
spookypony
Well-Known Member
Not eventing, but have a pony of indeterminate breeding who does endurance at a decent level. Fittening for the two disciplines, from what I understand, is not too dissimilar (it's not that I've never done XC training, but I don't compete in that discipline). You're looking to do a small course of less than 2km length;, not go round Badminton, so I would think you'd be fine, especially if you're canny and read your horse well.
My pony also appears dreadfully lazy when hacked somewhere familiar, and much more forward when somewhere new. He can, like Morgan123's horse, feel like he's completely run out of fuel, and then come storming in and vet with a 42 heart rate in just a few minutes. From the regime you describe, I would think your horse would have no problem doing a 20k pleasure ride, which I think might not be too far off what would be required for your event. To work on increasing his fitness for the future, I'd recommend lots of hill walking, and try taking his heart rate before exercise and at 5 minute intervals afterwards, to get an idea of how quickly he recovers. That will let you keep much more accurate tabs on his cardio fitness than just assessing how eager he seems.
FWIW, I think you're asking the right questions, and appear to be listening very patiently.
My pony also appears dreadfully lazy when hacked somewhere familiar, and much more forward when somewhere new. He can, like Morgan123's horse, feel like he's completely run out of fuel, and then come storming in and vet with a 42 heart rate in just a few minutes. From the regime you describe, I would think your horse would have no problem doing a 20k pleasure ride, which I think might not be too far off what would be required for your event. To work on increasing his fitness for the future, I'd recommend lots of hill walking, and try taking his heart rate before exercise and at 5 minute intervals afterwards, to get an idea of how quickly he recovers. That will let you keep much more accurate tabs on his cardio fitness than just assessing how eager he seems.
FWIW, I think you're asking the right questions, and appear to be listening very patiently.
SJW23
Member
We had a brilliant day yesterday and I am still beaming! Full breakdown of the day below!:
We got there in plenty of time to re-walk the SJ & XC courses before getting ready for dressage. I tried to not overdo his dressage warm up to conserve his energy, and he did a nice dressage test (lots of 7's and got a score of 34.5 which was in the top 4 - the best was 30.75 in my section!). Then on the show jumping - to warm up I did a cross, an upright and then a spread. They were running about 10 min behind so I popped him over the upright again (with 1 horse to go) just to wake him up again. We did a lovely round and we went clear! With the SJ running a little late we didn't have long to get ready for XC (or to worry about it!).
I popped him over a log, and then both the 70 & 80cm logs to make sure he was going forward and he was very keen and going forward off my leg. Into the start box and off we went. Fences 1-5 were very straight forward and he was listening well although he did try to nap at fence 2 as we were going past/away from the show jumping warm up! Fence 6 was a pheasant feeder which was designed to prepare us for jump 7, another identical pheasant feeder which required a lot more accuracy as it was placed between/behind two large conifer trees, one of which spilled over/obscured the fence, effectively making it a skinny! He had a good look at 6 but went (after a growl!) and then had a good look at 7 too. We got over them but he was having a good gawp at them all and had to give him a few taps with the whip to keep his concentration. Number 10 had 2 parts, the first was a ditch and the second was 5/6 strides away - a fairly straightforward green/red roll top but it was on a difficult dog leg. It was 4 strides straight and then the last 1 or 2 a sharp left. I wanted to make sure he had seen the ditch (as he can be silly with them) and he popped that one nicely but then he was totally distracted and looking right (probably at the trailers/lorries, the fence judge car etc) and by the time I got him looking left the fence it took him by surprise and he refused about 2 strides out gawping at it! It was probably a lack of experience on my behalf, not getting his attention back quick enough after the ditch. I circled and he popped it well the second time. After that we had no problems, he took the next 2 fences, the water, a roll top combination (with part B a skinny on 90 degree angle) and then the last 3 home fine.
He pleasantly surprised me with his fitness, I think he had been fooling me with his laziness but then he will have had an adrenaline rush on the day. I did keep an eye on him round the course and kept him at a steady pace but didn't feel the need to retire him as he was still pulling me forward, wasn't blowing excessively and was picking his feet up over the fences. If anything, it was my fitness that let us down - Although I have been practicing getting off his back in canter at home, I couldn't stay off his back for the whole course as at lot of my energy was used up setting him up for each of the fences which took a lot of effort - he is very easily distracted and very nosey! My stirrups are on the shortest hole but feel I could have done with them shorter so will get my leather hole punch out and fix that! I felt bad making his job harder yesterday so in addition to his increased fitness plan, I am on one too! Lots of running, swimming, cardio etc! Another reason why I probably ran out of energy is because I suffer from terrible nerves/over thinking things and it makes me feel so sick that I really struggle to eat much before competing. However, it was the first competition I have done where I actually really enjoyed myself and had fun and didn't worry too much about what other people thought etc.
It was a good 5 minute walk back from the XC course to our box and Ty recovered really quickly. I had undone his nose band, loosened his girth and as soon as we reached the trailer gave him a good bath to help cool him down whilst walking him. It only took him between 5-10 minutes from finishing to return to recover fully so that was another good sign and he didn't appear to be that tired the rest of the day.
Overall we had a score of 70.1 as we had 15.4 time penalties to add (we took it at a steady rhythm) so I think that means we completed the XC in a time of 4.50 and the optimum was 4.11 (0.4 faults per second). We didn't place but I wasn't aiming to and don't really care - We did really well for our first go together so I am totally made up!
Thanks everyone for your comments, I have found them really helpful and I will up his workload (& mine!) starting tomorrow in line with the suggestions above, ready for a our next one (day off today after he worked hard yesterday!).
Sorry for another massive essay - Definitely caught the Eventing bug!!
Photos of our XC below
http://s483.photobucket.com/user/stephwoodland/media/IMG_3580_zpsjkm4jy3i.jpg.html
http://s483.photobucket.com/user/stephwoodland/media/IMG_3581_zpsdiqywxed.jpg.html
We got there in plenty of time to re-walk the SJ & XC courses before getting ready for dressage. I tried to not overdo his dressage warm up to conserve his energy, and he did a nice dressage test (lots of 7's and got a score of 34.5 which was in the top 4 - the best was 30.75 in my section!). Then on the show jumping - to warm up I did a cross, an upright and then a spread. They were running about 10 min behind so I popped him over the upright again (with 1 horse to go) just to wake him up again. We did a lovely round and we went clear! With the SJ running a little late we didn't have long to get ready for XC (or to worry about it!).
I popped him over a log, and then both the 70 & 80cm logs to make sure he was going forward and he was very keen and going forward off my leg. Into the start box and off we went. Fences 1-5 were very straight forward and he was listening well although he did try to nap at fence 2 as we were going past/away from the show jumping warm up! Fence 6 was a pheasant feeder which was designed to prepare us for jump 7, another identical pheasant feeder which required a lot more accuracy as it was placed between/behind two large conifer trees, one of which spilled over/obscured the fence, effectively making it a skinny! He had a good look at 6 but went (after a growl!) and then had a good look at 7 too. We got over them but he was having a good gawp at them all and had to give him a few taps with the whip to keep his concentration. Number 10 had 2 parts, the first was a ditch and the second was 5/6 strides away - a fairly straightforward green/red roll top but it was on a difficult dog leg. It was 4 strides straight and then the last 1 or 2 a sharp left. I wanted to make sure he had seen the ditch (as he can be silly with them) and he popped that one nicely but then he was totally distracted and looking right (probably at the trailers/lorries, the fence judge car etc) and by the time I got him looking left the fence it took him by surprise and he refused about 2 strides out gawping at it! It was probably a lack of experience on my behalf, not getting his attention back quick enough after the ditch. I circled and he popped it well the second time. After that we had no problems, he took the next 2 fences, the water, a roll top combination (with part B a skinny on 90 degree angle) and then the last 3 home fine.
He pleasantly surprised me with his fitness, I think he had been fooling me with his laziness but then he will have had an adrenaline rush on the day. I did keep an eye on him round the course and kept him at a steady pace but didn't feel the need to retire him as he was still pulling me forward, wasn't blowing excessively and was picking his feet up over the fences. If anything, it was my fitness that let us down - Although I have been practicing getting off his back in canter at home, I couldn't stay off his back for the whole course as at lot of my energy was used up setting him up for each of the fences which took a lot of effort - he is very easily distracted and very nosey! My stirrups are on the shortest hole but feel I could have done with them shorter so will get my leather hole punch out and fix that! I felt bad making his job harder yesterday so in addition to his increased fitness plan, I am on one too! Lots of running, swimming, cardio etc! Another reason why I probably ran out of energy is because I suffer from terrible nerves/over thinking things and it makes me feel so sick that I really struggle to eat much before competing. However, it was the first competition I have done where I actually really enjoyed myself and had fun and didn't worry too much about what other people thought etc.
It was a good 5 minute walk back from the XC course to our box and Ty recovered really quickly. I had undone his nose band, loosened his girth and as soon as we reached the trailer gave him a good bath to help cool him down whilst walking him. It only took him between 5-10 minutes from finishing to return to recover fully so that was another good sign and he didn't appear to be that tired the rest of the day.
Overall we had a score of 70.1 as we had 15.4 time penalties to add (we took it at a steady rhythm) so I think that means we completed the XC in a time of 4.50 and the optimum was 4.11 (0.4 faults per second). We didn't place but I wasn't aiming to and don't really care - We did really well for our first go together so I am totally made up!
Thanks everyone for your comments, I have found them really helpful and I will up his workload (& mine!) starting tomorrow in line with the suggestions above, ready for a our next one
(day off today after he worked hard yesterday!).Sorry for another massive essay - Definitely caught the Eventing bug!!
Photos of our XC below
http://s483.photobucket.com/user/stephwoodland/media/IMG_3580_zpsjkm4jy3i.jpg.html
http://s483.photobucket.com/user/stephwoodland/media/IMG_3581_zpsdiqywxed.jpg.html
Lauren_abigail
Well-Known Member
What a great write up OP - Congratulations! The pictures look fab, it sounds as if you had a brilliant time!
A shame there were some negative comments on this thread, but clearly you and your horse have done a cracking job.
So when is the next one?!
A shame there were some negative comments on this thread, but clearly you and your horse have done a cracking job.
So when is the next one?!
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
Well done to you both!!
the photos are lovely, he looks like he jumped well. Never mind about the time faults, you will get faster with time as you both get more experience and get fitter.
The first time I went XC in a ODE it surprised me just how much hard work it was! Made me realise I needed to get fitter too! Sounds as if you had a really great day. I'm sure once you've both been out and done more you won't need to waste energy setting up for fences etc as he'll be less nosy and will knuckle down better to do his job.
Well done
the photos are lovely, he looks like he jumped well. Never mind about the time faults, you will get faster with time as you both get more experience and get fitter.
The first time I went XC in a ODE it surprised me just how much hard work it was! Made me realise I needed to get fitter too! Sounds as if you had a really great day. I'm sure once you've both been out and done more you won't need to waste energy setting up for fences etc as he'll be less nosy and will knuckle down better to do his job.
Well done
PorkChop
Well-Known Member
Really well done
He is gorgeous
Also I find that a run at a full event really brings their fitness on.
He is gorgeous
Also I find that a run at a full event really brings their fitness on.
nato
Well-Known Member
Fabulous pics OP, and a great write up! This has really helped to calm my nerves a bit as my first ODE is on Sunday!
Well done
Well done
Exploding Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
Well done you.
PS try to get oval leather punch not a round leather puncher as oval is stronger = safer. you can get them on ebay.
PS try to get oval leather punch not a round leather puncher as oval is stronger = safer. you can get them on ebay.
rara007
Well-Known Member
Well done! Glad you both enjoyed it
DD265
Well-Known Member
Glad you both had a good time!
I remember a friend who evented (unaff) and she decided to do a triathalon - although she was quite fit to start with, she couldn't believe the difference the improvement in her fitness made to her riding. I think we sometimes forget just how intensive a workout horse riding can be
I remember a friend who evented (unaff) and she decided to do a triathalon - although she was quite fit to start with, she couldn't believe the difference the improvement in her fitness made to her riding. I think we sometimes forget just how intensive a workout horse riding can be
be positive
Well-Known Member
Really well done, for your first event to achieve a double clear and a great dressage score shows promise for some good reports in the near future, I will be looking out for them.
Interesting that you felt you were less fit than the horse, you often see the horses struggling at the end of xc if they have to cope with a rider getting tired it doesn't help either of you, increasing his fitness will improve yours as well, it is easier to ride a horse that is taking you forward so next time should be easier generally, he will be fitter and more switched on you will not have to work so hard to keep his concentration.
The photos are great, he looks very smart and well turned out.
Interesting that you felt you were less fit than the horse, you often see the horses struggling at the end of xc if they have to cope with a rider getting tired it doesn't help either of you, increasing his fitness will improve yours as well, it is easier to ride a horse that is taking you forward so next time should be easier generally, he will be fitter and more switched on you will not have to work so hard to keep his concentration.
The photos are great, he looks very smart and well turned out.
Madali
Well-Known Member
Fab. Well done. Pictures are super
Get yourself booked in for your next one��
Get yourself booked in for your next one��
SJW23
Member
Thanks everyone
I am currently looking for another unaff ODE in the area to have a go at.
A friend has suggested Stafford BE80(t) (17th July so only 2.5 weeks away) with it being their last ever event this July (if I don't go this year I will never get another chance), but with their XC course being near max and over undulating ground with 2 big hills, I don't know if this will be a good idea.
The height of SJ & XC should be no problem for us and the XC fences of previous events look quite inviting, it would literally be our fitness that concerns me. Again, I would not be competing competitively or aiming to make the XC time, only as another chance to get out and get some eventing experience. After how well yesterday went, I am just trying to decide if 2.5 weeks is long enough to boost his fitness and mine - fitting in some more XC & SJ lessons should be no problem either.
If I uped his workload over the next two weeks to at least 1.5-2 hour hacks, lots of hill work in walk & trot, and got myself running/swimming 5/6 times a week is it likely to be achievable?
Thoughts? (Honest but constructive/helpful please!)
I am currently looking for another unaff ODE in the area to have a go at.
A friend has suggested Stafford BE80(t) (17th July so only 2.5 weeks away) with it being their last ever event this July (if I don't go this year I will never get another chance), but with their XC course being near max and over undulating ground with 2 big hills, I don't know if this will be a good idea.
The height of SJ & XC should be no problem for us and the XC fences of previous events look quite inviting, it would literally be our fitness that concerns me. Again, I would not be competing competitively or aiming to make the XC time, only as another chance to get out and get some eventing experience. After how well yesterday went, I am just trying to decide if 2.5 weeks is long enough to boost his fitness and mine - fitting in some more XC & SJ lessons should be no problem either.
If I uped his workload over the next two weeks to at least 1.5-2 hour hacks, lots of hill work in walk & trot, and got myself running/swimming 5/6 times a week is it likely to be achievable?
Thoughts? (Honest but constructive/helpful please!)
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
What a beautiful horse! Well done.
I found that running (me) made an awful lot of difference to my fitness - I realised I could think and ride the last bits of the course rather than hoping for the end!
I found that running (me) made an awful lot of difference to my fitness - I realised I could think and ride the last bits of the course rather than hoping for the end!
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
Stafford is a lovely event but I would think you've missed the deadline for entries by now...??
be positive
Well-Known Member
They are still accepting entries but you had better be quick if you want to go.
spookypony
Well-Known Member
Super report. Your horse looks great!
I struggle to eat before competitions, too, which is a problem for being in the saddle for many hours. I felt really sick at a vet gate last year, even though I was trying to eat. Make sure you have enough to drink---it may be easier to drink something sweet than to eat---and take lots of bananas; they go down better than most things!
I struggle to eat before competitions, too, which is a problem for being in the saddle for many hours. I felt really sick at a vet gate last year, even though I was trying to eat. Make sure you have enough to drink---it may be easier to drink something sweet than to eat---and take lots of bananas; they go down better than most things!
Morgan123
Well-Known Member
Brilliant well done!!
Jango
Well-Known Member
Well done!! I evented my Welsh lad last year and managed to get one of the fastest times at the BE80 at stafford. For me what worked was gallop training twice a week, long steady hacks and really upping his feed. Gallop training in a light seat really helps your fitness too, a bit of running also kept me fit. At the start of the season he was keen to go but losing stamina, I found oats and ready mash extra really improved his stamina and if you can get out galloping with a TB or similar that makes the time easily this will get you used to the pace you are aiming for. Fab first go though
SJW23
Member
Decided not to do Stafford as I wont have enough time to up our fitness and also BE is very expensive for us not to be 100% ready! I might get full membership next year - see how this season goes unaff However I am going to volunteer to fence judge for them to get some experience
Just found his passport breeding info for those who were interested:
His Passport Name: G.31160 Dyffrynaled Trysor
Sire: Dyffrynaled Tomos 52119
Dam: 84495 Felinmor Magic Lady
Sires parents:
Derwen Prince Charming 27104
90045 Castlegraig Victoria
Dams parents:
Nebo Brenin 12046
71195 Felinmor Morning Magic
However I am going to volunteer to fence judge for them to get some experience Just found his passport breeding info for those who were interested:
His Passport Name: G.31160 Dyffrynaled Trysor
Sire: Dyffrynaled Tomos 52119
Dam: 84495 Felinmor Magic Lady
Sires parents:
Derwen Prince Charming 27104
90045 Castlegraig Victoria
Dams parents:
Nebo Brenin 12046
71195 Felinmor Morning Magic
Last edited:
Ju4horses
New User
Wow! I've just googled Dyffrynaled Trysor, as I do every couple of months, trying to find out how he is and found this! He looks fab and I'm so pleased to see him doing so well. I owned Dyffrynaled Trysor for 5 years. He is an awesome little horse. He did xc (including Bellevue and Smallwood - he's jumped every jump on their xc as we were liveries on there too), fun rides and show jumping with both my husband and me. He hunted with my husband, did ECCTG sj teams with a friend and did dressage with me. I'm so pleased to hear that he is doing really well. He's always been a little stuffy and lacking stamina and does take a lot of work to get fit - that said, he absolutely thrives on his work. The more the better. We avoided the likes of Eland Lodge with him as we always thought he'd run out of stamina for the last big hill, that said, if you can get him fit enough, he may manage it.
I don't think I have any pics or videos on this laptop but can sort some to send to you if you like. So so pleased to hear he's doing well, we wouldn't have parted with him if we hadn't needed to for financial and time reasons. He seems to have absolutely got the right home with you, we're so so pleased. You've brought a tear to both of our eyes today. Thanks.
I don't think I have any pics or videos on this laptop but can sort some to send to you if you like. So so pleased to hear he's doing well, we wouldn't have parted with him if we hadn't needed to for financial and time reasons. He seems to have absolutely got the right home with you, we're so so pleased. You've brought a tear to both of our eyes today. Thanks.
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
Best ever thead 
SJW23
Member
Oh WOW!! Thats amazing - this really is the best thread ever!! Fab to hear from you - I will private message you as I'm sure we have a lot to talk about
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
Best ever thead
I thought that too! What a wonderful story!!
googol
Well-Known Member
Aww what a thread! I got goosebumps lol
Love the pics he is a really lovely boy
Another who is looking forward to seeing more reports
Love the pics he is a really lovely boy
Another who is looking forward to seeing more reports
Lauren_abigail
Well-Known Member
This is so lovely!!!
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Fan update OP
tootsietoo
Well-Known Member
This is a fantastic thread! I also have a Sec D who I have started eventing. Stafford BE80 was our first event a few weeks ago! He was not fit enough, and we got 30 time penalties, but it was so worthwhile going for the experience. Mine has all the characteristics you described too, and it feels like it is taking an age to get him fit! He hunted all last season, twice a week, and I managed to get him fit enough for that so I know it's possible! However, I did find that he really struggled with the few hills that we have round here, so my plan for this autumn is to get him out in the trailer to a hill at least once a week and trot him steadily up the longest hill I know. I think the answer must be lots and lots of long steady work. I think a short hack is 1 hour, and that most of the hacking should be at least an hour and a half walking road work with a bit of trotting whenever there's an incline, at least 3 times a week with the other three days a good schooling session/canter work/hunting/competition. It's hard to fit it in, but make the most of the light mornings and get out early. Incidentally, did you know that a Sec D has just been selected for the British Pony Eventing Team?
MissMistletoe
Well-Known Member
Best ever thead
Most definitely!!
OP, I've just read this thread from start to finish and all along I was so hoping that it ended nicely, but this extra happy news is just the icing on the cake-how lovely for you and the previous owners!