Bluewaves
Well-Known Member
It’s amazing reading all the technical detail that goes into training the police horses. I’ve only seen them at shows as we don’t have them where I live. Absolutely love seeing them if they’re ever on TV as well.
It’s amazing reading all the technical detail that goes into training the police horses. I’ve only seen them at shows as we don’t have them where I live. Absolutely love seeing them if they’re ever on TV as well.
Woo hoo sounds like a big success, clever Rigsby. Hope there were lots of celerybrations!
You're racking up those achievements
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Rigsby says, "When is she back at school, is it soon?".
I thought of you and Rigsby again today @Red-1, when I was having my lesson. Little cob and I were working on leg yielding and canter. I think he finds these a bit tricky. Every time we got a little better I thought we ought to have had a 'celerybration'! He had to settle for lots of 'good boy' and scratches instead
I wonder what your instructor would think, if you suggested celerybrations???
I'm sure not. They are meant to be fun, after all.I love reading your updates! You definitely make me feel like I should have higher standards for my pony, though! I'm sure you would be appalled by the things I let him get away with!
I'm sure not. They are meant to be fun, after all.
He is fun. And a saint when it matters.
But I get a lot from reading about your journey with Rigsby, and it does make me aspire to be a better horsewoman!
So, my update - horse is still lovely. Picking her up again was later than I expected as mum did not recover as well as we all hoped, I whipped the horse's shoes off and she spent most of winter being led round the village a few times a week as that is all I could manage with everything else going on.
I got back on in the New Year, did a bit of schooling followed by a few RC clinics and then mum needed to move to an assisted living place and I was actually so busy/stressed sorting it all out that I sent the horse away completely for 8 weeks. While she was there she did some BS at British Novice and I went and rode a couple of times a week.
The horse is home now and I have been out and about to clinics, as well as starting more focused lessons with a FAB trainer who I trusted to pick me up from the floor that I found myself on through all that I was dealing with. In the past few weeks we have been jumping at home, hacking out, and I think she has won 3 of the past 5 dressage competitions we have entered, with a 2nd in another. Just prelim unaffiliated, but hey, we are out having fun. More importantly, we are improving, I am being sucked back into the wonder of the world of balance, communication, subtlety - as well as getting fitter!
I continue to have a lot of other responsibilities, so hesitate to set any firm goals, but hope to continue with hacking in new places, do more lessons to start Novice dressage, maybe affiliate BD nearer the end of the year. Get jumping a bit more too. In the next couple of months I have booked into two camps, one at Osberton and one at Sommerford. At the camps I plan on just being. No goals at camp at all, just to have a break with my lovely horse.
Photo is from earlier this month, a pick you own/don't even bother with show clothes dressage competition. Horse is ace!View attachment 34721
Bittersweet day today. Many memories have come to the surface.
Firstly, took Rigsby for a drive in his car, an hour round 4 villages. Normally I watch him on the camera whilst having a disco bus, singing to the radio. Sadly, the radio was taken over by the news of Prince Philip, so many sad songs and memories. Sadly too, it made me think of the difference as to what was available for him during Covid and what was available for mum, and the other old folks who have found themselves at the end of life at this time.
It really hit me, for some reason. Not that I begrudge Prince Philip the best of care, but... I don't know... mum had good care, but not the access to hospital she could have done with TBH. TBH, the ambulance/hospital care was sometimes woeful. Bordering on negligence. Not the fault of the individuals who worked there, but of systemic failings. It was awful, trying to get someone to listen. Believe me, I bust a gut trying. Meanwhile, she declined.
Then, the carers at the homes she had to move to were stretched through being short staffed and I was not allowed to visit. It has been so... sad doesn't cover it. Stressful doesn't cover it either. This morning, I shed a tear for all the old folks who didn't have loved ones with them as they became more confused, who missed out on 'normal' care standards, who didn't have a fitting funeral...
Somehow, today, with the sad music and memories, it has got to me.
So, Rigsby came. What a blessing he is. He is a real character, a fuzzy, furry, friendly face.
You're up to an hour hacking? Brilliant ?
Yes but why the Swedish flag, and back to front at that??? Tut tut.....
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I have English, French, German and American too
You're boasting now ?