Huge Fig and Goofy update... Exciting news :)

[nikkimariet]

I don't think we've done a post this year yet!!! We've been mega busy with about a million things, so here's what we've been up to...

Fig has been improving week on week...

And a trip to see JLC at Ingestre (she had such praise for him - that she doesn't give easily - I felt like a proud robin all day!)...

And some videos...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

We had a trip to Addington for the High Profile too (M75 and AM98); started off really well...

Until (for various daft reasons) we were moved to the smaller already crammed warm up, which really upset Fig. He got 62% for the M and 61% for the AM; the AM was a much much better test but that's dressage for you!

Still a good day, and I hoped provided us with some experience for the Winter Regionals. And it was good to put a few faces to names!

We then had the dreaded snow...

A sneaky arena hire with some friends...

And then... Regionals!

He warmed up SUPER. And it was lovely to have a natter with some friends too! A few scores had gone up and the class seemed to be really really low marking (highest after the first 10 people was about 63%!!!!)... I tried my best to stay soft and relaxed and aimed for a 'clear round'.

Vid here...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

The ext walk wasn't great, but the med and collected walk (and piri's!) were good. I could have pushed for more in the ext canter but I could feel a change brewing so I kept him down half a gear. We scored 8's to 6.5's and our final mark was 67.03%. So I was mega happy with that as we were in the lead, and held on right until the last minute.

A couple of people found me to say what a nice test it was too

So.... Ended up 2nd place with a qualifying ticket to Hartpury!!!!! We will be giving up our place in the Pet Plan Champs of course, so terrifyingly, we will be playing with the big boys.

And quite literally. I would bet money Fig will be the only ex racer in that class and smaller than everything else by about 3 hands!!!

Tired clever po

And then the other boyo, Goofy He has mainly been eating and growing and eating and growing!!!

They've both had some sparkly bandages...

And matching rugs...

Starting to look like a proper horse...

Shedding baby teeth...

One for the foot geeks - check out this event line!!!

His actual 'work' is coming along nicely. He has two very wobbly wolf teeth, so due to have those removed next week along with his second set of jabs. Everyone who meets him comments on what a quiet, lovely boy he is <3

PS is now at the stage of leaning over him with Goofy walking a few steps forward on a straight line. He is such an easy character although still has the dumb-blood streak of snort and hump now, think later!!!

He loads easily...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

And is starting to travel quietly too.

All things continuing to go well, he will be bitted in the next month, and continue his in hand work in a bridle. Aiming to be on board around May time

We're having a true lazy Sunday and returning to bed to watch Sons of Anarchy xxx

 

[_GG_]

I don't think we've done a post this year yet!!! We've been mega busy with about a million things, so here's what we've been up to...

Fig has been improving week on week...

And a trip to see JLC at Ingestre (she had such praise for him - that she doesn't give easily - I felt like a proud robin all day!)...

And some videos...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

We had a trip to Addington for the High Profile too (M75 and AM98); started off really well...

Until (for various daft reasons) we were moved to the smaller already crammed warm up, which really upset Fig. He got 62% for the M and 61% for the AM; the AM was a much much better test but that's dressage for you!

Still a good day, and I hoped provided us with some experience for the Winter Regionals. And it was good to put a few faces to names!

We then had the dreaded snow...

A sneaky arena hire with some friends...

And then... Regionals!

He warmed up SUPER. And it was lovely to have a natter with some friends too! A few scores had gone up and the class seemed to be really really low marking (highest after the first 10 people was about 63%!!!!)... I tried my best to stay soft and relaxed and aimed for a 'clear round'.

Vid here...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

The ext walk wasn't great, but the med and collected walk (and piri's!) were good. I could have pushed for more in the ext canter but I could feel a change brewing so I kept him down half a gear. We scored 8's to 6.5's and our final mark was 67.03%. So I was mega happy with that as we were in the lead, and held on right until the last minute.

A couple of people found me to say what a nice test it was too

So.... Ended up 2nd place with a qualifying ticket to Hartpury!!!!! We will be giving up our place in the Pet Plan Champs of course, so terrifyingly, we will be playing with the big boys.

And quite literally. I would bet money Fig will be the only ex racer in that class and smaller than everything else by about 3 hands!!!

Tired clever po

And then the other boyo, Goofy He has mainly been eating and growing and eating and growing!!!

They've both had some sparkly bandages...

And matching rugs...

Starting to look like a proper horse...

Shedding baby teeth...

One for the foot geeks - check out this event line!!!

His actual 'work' is coming along nicely. He has two very wobbly wolf teeth, so due to have those removed next week along with his second set of jabs. Everyone who meets him comments on what a quiet, lovely boy he is <3

PS is now at the stage of leaning over him with Goofy walking a few steps forward on a straight line. He is such an easy character although still has the dumb-blood streak of snort and hump now, think later!!!

He loads easily...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?...661516390&type=3&video_source=pages_video_set

And is starting to travel quietly too.

All things continuing to go well, he will be bitted in the next month, and continue his in hand work in a bridle. Aiming to be on board around May time

We're having a true lazy Sunday and returning to bed to watch Sons of Anarchy xxx

Ah, just lovely to read through that! What a fab start to what will hopefully be a great year for you. Let me know when you're at Hartpury and I'll pop up there as only down the road and would be lovely to come and say hi.

They both look fab!

 

[only_me]

What a fantastic start to the year! Fig looks amazing as well, and brilliant result at regionals
Good luck for finals I'm sure you will do brilliantly

 

[Apercrumbie]

Fig is looking like a wall of muscle now! Great results.

 

[atlantis]

I saw this on FB!!! Awesome well done!!!

 

[nikkimariet]

Thanks everyone, still in shock!!!

Ah, just lovely to read through that! What a fab start to what will hopefully be a great year for you. Let me know when you're at Hartpury and I'll pop up there as only down the road and would be lovely to come and say hi.

They both look fab!

We will now be there on the Weds to compete on the Thurs, not sure when times avail but will prob post on our fb page when we know for sure Try and remember to PM you at any rate!

Fig is looking like a wall of muscle now! Great results.

Soooo pleased with his weight at the moment, really holding on well and actually put on some bulk over winter! Just wish those darned rein rubs would grow back already!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I saw this on FB!!! Awesome well done!!!

As did I, a terrific well done to you all :cool3:

 

[TPO]

As did I, a terrific well done to you all :cool3:

And a third but well done again!!

Have you come down from the ceing yet?!

 

[Rapidash]

Looks amazing!

And you have some great kit!

 

[nikkimariet]

Thank you and still a little :meep:

Now just worrying myself about that huge indoor with grandstand and tradestands...!!!

 

[amandaco2]

Fab, great to see the 2 boys, fig looks bloomin awesome

 

[PorkChop]

Wow - well done you

As always a super update and gorgeous pics

 

[JFTDWS]

Fabulous pics - and obviously a super impressive achievement at the regionals. Fingers very much crossed for the big championship!

GG, were you just trying to make my internets cry by quoting the entire post?

 

[Nannon]

I saw on Facebook too eeeep! Love your updates and the clever figgy! I so want to squish my ginger ex racer into an envelope and send him to you to make him look as amazing as fig!!

 

[splashgirl45]

Thanks everyone, still in shock!!!



We will now be there on the Weds to compete on the Thurs, not sure when times avail but will prob post on our fb page when we know for sure Try and remember to PM you at any rate!



Soooo pleased with his weight at the moment, really holding on well and actually put on some bulk over winter! Just wish those darned rein rubs would grow back already!

love reading your updates, fig is looking great...my old horse used to get rein rubs at certain times of the year and I used to rub on a little bit of cornucresene(spelling prob not right)on and it seemed to speed up the hair growth...might be worth a try, it wont hurt him and as he is bay it wont show too much....

 

[_GG_]

Fabulous pics - and obviously a super impressive achievement at the regionals. Fingers very much crossed for the big championship!

GG, were you just trying to make my internets cry by quoting the entire post?

Hahaha, Hadn't realised I'd done that....ooops

 

[meardsall_millie]

Thank you and still a little :meep:

Now just worrying myself about that huge indoor with grandstand and tradestands...!!!

I've already said well done - but it deserves another, so well done!!

Would be worth a trip up to Bishop Burton (yes, I know, yuck) before Hartpury if they have anything on, as the indoor is pretty much the same?

 

[Laafet]

Have been following your progress on Facebook and you are both inspirational. Figgy is just lovely and I can't wait to see Goofy's progress over the coming year, he is an exciting prospect.

 

[nikkimariet]

Thanks guys, some really lovely comments <3

I've already said well done - but it deserves another, so well done!!

Would be worth a trip up to Bishop Burton (yes, I know, yuck) before Hartpury if they have anything on, as the indoor is pretty much the same?

We did think this but is such a PITA journey, took us 2 and a half hours when we took a friend to the Regionals last weekend. Gah. I dunno

 

[meardsall_millie]

We did think this but is such a PITA journey, took us 2 and a half hours when we took a friend to the Regionals last weekend. Gah. I dunno

Yes I know it's a good 1.5 hours for me if I don't get stuck behind something slow and I'm a lot closer then you are

Is Fig likely to be spooky in the main arena at Hartpury?

 

[HighFive]

Utterly fabulous! I love your reports, even though I follow the progress on FB! Congrats to you and Fig, and I'm so glad that Goofy is turning put to be a dreamboat too. I'm so glad all the hard work is paying off in spades!

 

[nikkimariet]

Yes I know it's a good 1.5 hours for me if I don't get stuck behind something slow and I'm a lot closer then you are

Is Fig likely to be spooky in the main arena at Hartpury?

He's not spooky, but he's a tense little man! He wouldn't spin and drop a shoulder on me, he might run round like the u bend of a toilet but he wouldn't ever lawn dart me (televised tests or not!).

Being fair to him, if the worst he does is a brittle 60% test I can live with that. It's a huge ask of him.

I will be buying shares in relaxin and magic

Utterly fabulous! I love your reports, even though I follow the progress on FB! Congrats to you and Fig, and I'm so glad that Goofy is turning put to be a dreamboat too. I'm so glad all the hard work is paying off in spades!

Aw thank you, literally never thought I'd do this!!!

 

[j1ffy]

I saw this on FB!!! Awesome well done!!!

Me four . Just amazing, well done!

 

[ljohnsonsj]

They both look amazing, well done and best of luck for the rest of the year

 

[pinkypug1]

2 stunners!!!!

 

[rara007]

That extended trot picture- swoon! Well done

 

[casspow]

What a lovely catch up! Specifically loving all your matching sets and the glitter!! <3

 

[BuzzLightyear]

absolutely awesome! clever Figgy Pud.
Can you post that comparison photo from first regionals to this time? its massively inspiring!

 

[nikkimariet]

Thanks all, still on a high, will be for a while! Fig obviously still pleased with himself as had a cheeky squeal and snort when doing some light seat canter work last night!!!

absolutely awesome! clever Figgy Pud.
Can you post that comparison photo from first regionals to this time? its massively inspiring!

I shan't, as would be replication of professional photos It is on our page of course if anyone does want to see (I'm on my phone so can't like at mo.

I will however, post this in the interim (warm up 2012 summer regionals @ prelim, his 8th ever show VS warm up 2015 winter regionals @ medium):

 

[Fuzzypuff]

Huge congrats, what an excellent result!!

You will love the big arena at Hartpury, it is surprisingly not too bad (especially if you are lucky with early times) and the warmup is so much better as very few horses in there, plus you get your own time in the collecting ring too.