ester
Not slacking multitasking
ermm that bit there, that sounds vvv familiar, it's bad enough in 14.2 welsh form
the troubles of giving him a particularly beautiful blonde girlfriend :eek3:
I know my place now... Weekend plans :)
- Thread starter milliepops
- Start date
ermm that bit there, that sounds vvv familiar, it's bad enough in 14.2 welsh form
the troubles of giving him a particularly beautiful blonde girlfriend :eek3:
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
ermm that bit there, that sounds vvv familiar, it's bad enough in 14.2 welsh form
hehe and the reason why I never ever want to take Kira out with anyone
ester
Not slacking multitasking
he did get better, but he would always perform better on his own, fine with a gelding, any gelding no matter how pally.
iknowmyvalue
Well-Known Member
Fantastic polework rally this morning, working on getting them all to really stretch down, lengthen their strides and move forwards. So interesting and beneficial!! We did some very unusual and challenging exercises, really made horse and rider think! Henry was a complete superstar, and did everything I asked of him, and I could really feel the difference in his movement at the end of the session. 
The video is very interesting to watch, because at certain points I felt like he was getting a bit too onward bound, but on the video he looks to be going forwards and opening his stride, but not rushing or going too fast. I think it just feels fast because he has a such big stride when he opens up. He does have a tendency to get a bit stuffy and on the spot with his canter in the school (due to previous non-ideal training methods...) and we've been finding that this is causing issues with his jumping at the moment, so forwards is the way to go I think! Still need work on forwards but not on the forehand, but I'm sure we'll get it eventually
The video is very interesting to watch, because at certain points I felt like he was getting a bit too onward bound, but on the video he looks to be going forwards and opening his stride, but not rushing or going too fast. I think it just feels fast because he has a such big stride when he opens up. He does have a tendency to get a bit stuffy and on the spot with his canter in the school (due to previous non-ideal training methods...) and we've been finding that this is causing issues with his jumping at the moment, so forwards is the way to go I think! Still need work on forwards but not on the forehand, but I'm sure we'll get it eventually
iknowmyvalue
Well-Known Member
Obligatory photos of my lovely boy
SEL
Well-Known Member
Polework clinic yesterday went well. I'd apologised upfront in case the pony looked stiff and lame but 5 mins into warming up the instructor asked me to pull up and had a look at my saddle. Only refitted a month ago but she'd spotted it moving - so 'hoping' that might be why I have a very grouchy horse right now.
Nice to see the sun - I even gave the sweaty horse an hour without her rug yesterday. Paid me back by coming in looking like a hippo!!
Nice to see the sun - I even gave the sweaty horse an hour without her rug yesterday. Paid me back by coming in looking like a hippo!!
{97702}
...
Well I cancelled my lesson yesterday after a very stressful meeting at work & probably should have cancelled today too. 😄
There were men rabbiting in Jensens paddock when I went to get him in this morning, so he had turned into a snorting, plunging lunatic because they were scary. Only time for a brief brush over before trying to load.... back to the bad old days, it took 25 mins to get him on the trailer. He actually managed to break the chain on his Eskadron control headcollar during the process which I was quite surprised about - its only a couple of months old!
Rushed down the M50, tacked up in record time, squeezed past the field of cattle which Jensen finds the most scary things in the world to get to the arena....
The fences were tiny so he cleared everything with ease, suffice to say Id clearly left my brain behind and rode like a muppet. Not a total waste of money but not what Id hoped for after he was so amazing last weekend - at least he only took 10 minutes to go on the trailer on the way home 😄
Ah well, there is always another day 😊
There were men rabbiting in Jensens paddock when I went to get him in this morning, so he had turned into a snorting, plunging lunatic because they were scary. Only time for a brief brush over before trying to load.... back to the bad old days, it took 25 mins to get him on the trailer. He actually managed to break the chain on his Eskadron control headcollar during the process which I was quite surprised about - its only a couple of months old!
Rushed down the M50, tacked up in record time, squeezed past the field of cattle which Jensen finds the most scary things in the world to get to the arena....
The fences were tiny so he cleared everything with ease, suffice to say Id clearly left my brain behind and rode like a muppet. Not a total waste of money but not what Id hoped for after he was so amazing last weekend - at least he only took 10 minutes to go on the trailer on the way home 😄
Ah well, there is always another day 😊
Wheels
Well-Known Member
Can't win 'em all Lev
We had a lovely hack, M is learning some valuable life lessons such as ponies who rush on the way home are put to work perfecting their lateral movements lol
Lesson tomorrow
We had a lovely hack, M is learning some valuable life lessons such as ponies who rush on the way home are put to work perfecting their lateral movements lol
Lesson tomorrow
rosiesowner
Well-Known Member
Taught my first set of polework clinics on Thursday... that was a long, manic afternoon! Friday I spent mostly waiting for the vet to look at Chill's leg. Today I taught all morning. Did some 5m shallow loops off the centre line (using it like the track) and using the invisible markers on it with the advanced group. Checking that they can use their bodies to place their horses and keep 'straight' on the loops. Basically not letting their horses chuck their bums or shoulders out! Work tomorrow too, yard work in the morning and teaching all afternoon. Feeling a little gloomy with it all at the mo, missing the stress reliever of riding my own horse. Worried about the weight I'm no doubt piling on too!!
Please everyone cheer me up with more reports-with pictures!!!!
Please everyone cheer me up with more reports-with pictures!!!!
tinselbobs
Well-Known Member
Had a lovely hack round the woods today. Managed to accidentally wander into a restricted section where they are felling at the moment so lots of logs about!
Would have been tempted to pop a few if he was fitter!
First lesson tomorrow so hopefully it goes well!
Would have been tempted to pop a few if he was fitter!
First lesson tomorrow so hopefully it goes well!
blood_magik
Well-Known Member
Managed to miss my first class this morning - good start 
Beau was a super star. Haven’t been out since September so he was a little bouncier than usual but we thankfully didn’t have any explosions. He was quite strong in the warmup but settled once we were in the ring and managed a nice, controlled double clear. No placing this time but we did get a nice photo to add to my collection
Had another three to ride this afternoon and gave them all a jump so i won’t feel quite so guilty about lunging them all tomorrow.
Beau was a super star. Haven’t been out since September so he was a little bouncier than usual but we thankfully didn’t have any explosions. He was quite strong in the warmup but settled once we were in the ring and managed a nice, controlled double clear. No placing this time but we did get a nice photo to add to my collection
Had another three to ride this afternoon and gave them all a jump so i won’t feel quite so guilty about lunging them all tomorrow.
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
My little mare had her first jumping session yesterday, with the help of the awesome dafthoss, who was chief pole restorer when those clumsy quarter horse feet went rogue
Finished up with a few rollbacks, which are her favourite game, and some riding off / contact practice with Fergus. Because obviously she's too cool to stick to one discipline each day
Finished up with a few rollbacks, which are her favourite game, and some riding off / contact practice with Fergus. Because obviously she's too cool to stick to one discipline each day
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
2 out of 3 summerhouse visits done... I'm knackered
yesterday was a good day but l-o-n-g... I'm used to BD shows which run like clockwork so yesterday was a bit of a shock all the orange horses there were naughty, or so it seemed, so I was hoping I wasn't going to have a naughty orange myself today 
Friend had some nice scores and good comments so worth the hanging around.
Salty arrived for arena hire today with her eyes on stalks but looking with interest rather than flighty silliness so I think all the low key trips out have done their job I walked her in hand round the edge of the arena, I'd hired the one that butts up against a spooky little stream and bit of woody scrub which some horse really find quite a challenge. We had a little snorty walk round and then got on, and she was good as gold. They've got all the flowers etc out dressing the arenas for regionals so she had plenty to look at but kept it together We ran through prelim 15 at the end as it was in my head from yesterday and she tried hard though was desperate to look at the horse that had by then appeared in the arena next door
Little bit of work on tidying the transitions up and working with other horses to simulate a warm up and then she's good to go I think really pleased with her attitude today, I thought she might have blown up so I was pleased to have to kick her along
little clip with the trademark Summerhouse sirens... :rolleyes3: she likes looking at stuff but she's not a noise sensitive horse!
[video=youtube_share;2Bl2KBo2gWI]https://youtu.be/2Bl2KBo2gWI[/video]
Back tomorrow with K for test riding clinic.
yesterday was a good day but l-o-n-g... I'm used to BD shows which run like clockwork so yesterday was a bit of a shock
all the orange horses there were naughty, or so it seemed, so I was hoping I wasn't going to have a naughty orange myself today Friend had some nice scores and good comments so worth the hanging around.Salty arrived for arena hire today with her eyes on stalks but looking with interest rather than flighty silliness so I think all the low key trips out have done their job
I walked her in hand round the edge of the arena, I'd hired the one that butts up against a spooky little stream and bit of woody scrub which some horse really find quite a challenge. We had a little snorty walk round and then got on, and she was good as gold. They've got all the flowers etc out dressing the arenas for regionals so she had plenty to look at but kept it together We ran through prelim 15 at the end as it was in my head from yesterday and she tried hard though was desperate to look at the horse that had by then appeared in the arena next door Little bit of work on tidying the transitions up and working with other horses to simulate a warm up and then she's good to go I think
really pleased with her attitude today, I thought she might have blown up so I was pleased to have to kick her along little clip with the trademark Summerhouse sirens... :rolleyes3: she likes looking at stuff but she's not a noise sensitive horse!
[video=youtube_share;2Bl2KBo2gWI]https://youtu.be/2Bl2KBo2gWI[/video]
Back tomorrow with K for test riding clinic.
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
Just been catching up on all the news - sounds like lots of good polework clinics and trips to scary Summerhouse! I’ve only been once and found it a tricky place with the tiny warm up for three arenas and pros who won’t give up the track!!
I moved house on Friday so no riding for a couple of days. Sunday I took Indio to a polework clinic and, as ever, he tried really hard! Did some good exercises including a trot-halt-trot exercise that was idea for him.
Pocholo got to go drag hunting with a friend of mine! She is an experienced hunter but her current horse isn’t a fan it so I offered P. She said he was very excited but very well-mannered and popped all the fences nicely. I managed to spot a bit of one run when they had to go over a decent post and rail with no gate option!
Only downside was that he’s slow at the best of times, and today he was trying to keep up with a small field of hunting fit TB-types on muddy hilly terrain. They lost the field at one point..!
I moved house on Friday so no riding for a couple of days. Sunday I took Indio to a polework clinic and, as ever, he tried really hard! Did some good exercises including a trot-halt-trot exercise that was idea for him.
Pocholo got to go drag hunting with a friend of mine! She is an experienced hunter but her current horse isn’t a fan it so I offered P. She said he was very excited but very well-mannered and popped all the fences nicely. I managed to spot a bit of one run when they had to go over a decent post and rail with no gate option!
Only downside was that he’s slow at the best of times, and today he was trying to keep up with a small field of hunting fit TB-types on muddy hilly terrain. They lost the field at one point..!
HufflyPuffly
Well-Known Member
Sounds like good weekends in the main, though blood_magik how did you manage to miss your class? Jiffy I am super jealous you have something sensible to hunt, ours are way too mental never be frustrated with too slow !
Topaz went to the Di Breeze clinic and we did flying changes, lots of flying changes :eek3: :lol:, another AMAZING lesson! Discussed recent comp outings, everything is moving in the right direction. Talked through our year goals, medium summer regionals and adv medium AF’s. Mentioned the end goal of an advanced this year, didn’t get laughed at!
Her canter is so improved, but need to now think of bringing her shoulders up, thinking about her withers coming up between my hands. Hind legs still reaching underneath, get a small bouncy canter, working pirouette make the turn and change. I am not quick, so need to get myself organised! Progressed to serpentines, and then leg yield off the wall to change, counter canter and change back. Left to right is better than right to left, so again I need to be quicker and more definite going to the left.
Definitely getting more obedient and not always so croup high and hoppy. Now just need to do more of them. Finished with a sneak peek at some sequence changes :lol: I am SO excited for this year!
!Topaz went to the Di Breeze clinic and we did flying changes, lots of flying changes :eek3: :lol:, another AMAZING lesson! Discussed recent comp outings, everything is moving in the right direction. Talked through our year goals, medium summer regionals and adv medium AF’s. Mentioned the end goal of an advanced this year
, didn’t get laughed at! Her canter is so improved, but need to now think of bringing her shoulders up, thinking about her withers coming up between my hands. Hind legs still reaching underneath, get a small bouncy canter, working pirouette make the turn and change. I am not quick
, so need to get myself organised! Progressed to serpentines, and then leg yield off the wall to change, counter canter and change back. Left to right is better than right to left, so again I need to be quicker and more definite going to the left.Definitely getting more obedient and not always so croup high and hoppy. Now just need to do more of them
. Finished with a sneak peek at some sequence changes :lol: I am SO excited for this year!
Alibear
Well-Known Member
Rach clinic was awesome Daisy was very well behaved and we worked on slowing the canter by me slowing my seat. Light bulb moment but I need to practise more. Also worked on simple changes and we had some very nice transitions. A couple of minor nappy moments but she seemed much happier there than at home, I don't know if its the surface or the other horses or the bigger school. But its good to know she's fine and we can still do everything, although our spins need crisping up again. I did need a little assistance to load her getting home but as soon as someone walked up behind her and growled she hopped on, so more loading work to do but not a disaster. Everyone at the clinic was really nice and so were the horses, such a nice relaxed atmosphere. After feeling utterly despondent last week its a complete turn around; so much so that I took her out for her first solo hack yesterday, OK so we had a wingman in the form of hubby on foot but she strode out fine all the way round, if a little snorty.
Hoping to go back on Sunday for a 1-2-1 lesson.
Hoping to go back on Sunday for a 1-2-1 lesson.
Double_choc_lab
Well-Known Member
I walked her in hand round the edge of the arena, I'd hired the one that butts up against a spooky little stream and bit of woody scrub which some horse really find quite a challenge.
Read more at https://forums-secure.horseandhound...now-Weekend-plans-)/page2#dHLUwg3a5D7iiVkY.99
Milliepops I know exactly which area you mean. Our saintly, nothing phazes me Connie just doesn't like that bit. He'll jump through a double there with an ear looking out to the side but does some interesting moves when in a dressage arena.
Read more at https://forums-secure.horseandhound...now-Weekend-plans-)/page2#dHLUwg3a5D7iiVkY.99
Milliepops I know exactly which area you mean. Our saintly, nothing phazes me Connie just doesn't like that bit. He'll jump through a double there with an ear looking out to the side but does some interesting moves when in a dressage arena.
Embo
Well-Known Member
I've not caught up on whole thread yet, just hope everyone had fun whatever you were up to!
We went to Tweseldown on Saturday for a pre-season XC clinic with Rebecca Howard. She was really lovely, no nonsense but very kind. B travelled all chilled and happy, which is major improvement on last weekend!! Was full of beans and very excited to be out on course! Not ideal as they were moving jumps around so lots of noise from tractors and banging of hammers etc. He mainly kept it together but did get a bit upset by some of the noise (although he totally ignored the low flying aircraft!).
Anyway, we had no real goal in mind for the day, just to have a confident run (for me, as it's been a while!) and get my eye in again. Started out well enough, had some squeals and bucks from B as he was so excited. Also a few stops, but these were mainly when we went away from the group and he was nappy towards the other horses. Nothing nasty, just cheeky/lazy. Got him over everything he stopped at on second attempt. At the end when we were doing a little course, he was SO strong and was towing me around and tanking off when heading home back to his new friends. I have a nice blister on my finger, thanks B!
A couple of video stills - sorry about quality.
This log took 3 attempts to get over as there was a chap hammering in some flags just further down. Had to wait for him to stop before we could get over, and even then he was mighty suspicious so it was a bit ungainly!!
Little drop, this was at the end when he was towing me into everything!
A couple of gifs, because I don't know how to upload vid without Youtube
Feeling tired once the adrenaline wore off. Halo polished and replaced after misplacing it last week...
We went to Tweseldown on Saturday for a pre-season XC clinic with Rebecca Howard. She was really lovely, no nonsense but very kind. B travelled all chilled and happy, which is major improvement on last weekend!! Was full of beans and very excited to be out on course! Not ideal as they were moving jumps around so lots of noise from tractors and banging of hammers etc. He mainly kept it together but did get a bit upset by some of the noise (although he totally ignored the low flying aircraft!).
Anyway, we had no real goal in mind for the day, just to have a confident run (for me, as it's been a while!) and get my eye in again. Started out well enough, had some squeals and bucks from B as he was so excited. Also a few stops, but these were mainly when we went away from the group and he was nappy towards the other horses. Nothing nasty, just cheeky/lazy. Got him over everything he stopped at on second attempt. At the end when we were doing a little course, he was SO strong and was towing me around and tanking off when heading home back to his new friends. I have a nice blister on my finger, thanks B!
A couple of video stills - sorry about quality.
This log took 3 attempts to get over as there was a chap hammering in some flags just further down. Had to wait for him to stop before we could get over, and even then he was mighty suspicious so it was a bit ungainly!!
Little drop, this was at the end when he was towing me into everything!
A couple of gifs, because I don't know how to upload vid without Youtube
Feeling tired once the adrenaline wore off. Halo polished and replaced after misplacing it last week...
rosiesowner
Well-Known Member
Wheeeee embo that looks like fun! He looks amazing in that colour too-love it. What a cutie.
AlexHyde topaz looks amazing in plum... Making my matchy fingers itch even though I'm skint and can't ride the pony atm!
MP, salty is looking so much more grown up these days. What a cool girl.
JFTD love the orange one! Looks so happy and keen to be jumping.
And for the rest who don't currently fit in the page I am scrolling up to refresh my memory for replies-hope you all had a good weekend!
AlexHyde topaz looks amazing in plum... Making my matchy fingers itch even though I'm skint and can't ride the pony atm!
MP, salty is looking so much more grown up these days. What a cool girl.
JFTD love the orange one! Looks so happy and keen to be jumping.
And for the rest who don't currently fit in the page I am scrolling up to refresh my memory for replies-hope you all had a good weekend!
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Final trip to Spooky Summerhouse completed
Useful feedback from a judge we haven't had before. Kira put in a thoroughly average 65% test but she did some cracking stuff in the warm up that was really pleasing.
It's funny riding a horse that is just the same score at every level. On the one hand, there's a bit of me that feels like there's no point going to regionals and AFs etc with her, because come what may, she's a 65% horse and therefore always some way off the pace. on the other hand.... someone has to be propping up the top scorers so it might as well be us, lol. I think we both enjoy training the higher moves more, each new thing she learns how to do is like a huge achievement so I guess we hang on to that to avoid feeling deflated
Even as a horse with 3 advanced tests under her belt she'd still get 65% at prelim :lol: she is just THAT horse!
Damn cute though
Useful feedback from a judge we haven't had before. Kira put in a thoroughly average 65% test
but she did some cracking stuff in the warm up that was really pleasing. It's funny riding a horse that is just the same score at every level. On the one hand, there's a bit of me that feels like there's no point going to regionals and AFs etc with her, because come what may, she's a 65% horse and therefore always some way off the pace. on the other hand.... someone has to be propping up the top scorers so it might as well be us, lol. I think we both enjoy training the higher moves more, each new thing she learns how to do is like a huge achievement so I guess we hang on to that to avoid feeling deflated
Even as a horse with 3 advanced tests under her belt she'd still get 65% at prelim :lol: she is just THAT horse!
Damn cute though
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
j1ffy, I totally understand about the keeping up issue - the one and only time I've been out, we lost the field entirely too. But I was on a proper midget! Hope the house move went well.
Loving embo's gif - that's very cool. Looks like fun too, but I'm just impressed by the gif making
Mare was very keen, RO, once she worked out what the game was. She was even more keen this morning, even though there weren't any jumps out :eek3:
MP, Kira is certainly very cute, even if she is a lowly 65% horse (ha - there are worse things than that!).
Loving embo's gif - that's very cool. Looks like fun too, but I'm just impressed by the gif making
Mare was very keen, RO, once she worked out what the game was. She was even more keen this morning, even though there weren't any jumps out :eek3:
MP, Kira is certainly very cute, even if she is a lowly 65% horse (ha - there are worse things than that!).
blood_magik
Well-Known Member
AlexHyde - I think I just misjudged how busy it was likely to be. The first class was due to start at 0930 so that’s when I’d planned to leave as venue is only 20 minutes from home.
Arrived to find they were half way through the 2nd class (only 6 in class one - it’s normally busier) so SuperGroom went to chuck tack on the big guy while I quickly learned the course but by the time I’d gone to grab my hat out of the lorry and gotten on they’d moved onto the prize giving
It worked to our advantage though as we were able to make the most of having the warmup pretty much to ourselves while they swapped the course over for class 3
We’re heading over to Edinburgh on Saturday so I’ll be making sure to leave extra early this time
Clicky link to pro pic from the weekend:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...10100224170589371.1073741849.223002495&type=3
Took Raz over to Morris for a lesson with the lovely Andrew Gould this morning. Typically, he didn’t feel as good as I know he can so spent most of the session working on keeping him from bearing downwards in the transition, then finished with a little look at some Halfpass (have a tendency to make the angle too steep) before Andrew hopped on for five minutes at the end.
He’s told me to bring my double with me tomorrow to see if it discourages him from running on a bit. Haven’t ridden Raz in it yet so excited to see how we get on.
Was by myself so no vids, unfortunately... only managed one pic of Raz tied up to the Aeos just before I loaded him for the journey home.
Will try to get some videos tomorrow so I can do a proper update/report as it’s been a while.
Arrived to find they were half way through the 2nd class (only 6 in class one - it’s normally busier) so SuperGroom went to chuck tack on the big guy while I quickly learned the course but by the time I’d gone to grab my hat out of the lorry and gotten on they’d moved onto the prize giving
It worked to our advantage though as we were able to make the most of having the warmup pretty much to ourselves while they swapped the course over for class 3
We’re heading over to Edinburgh on Saturday so I’ll be making sure to leave extra early this time
Clicky link to pro pic from the weekend:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...10100224170589371.1073741849.223002495&type=3
Took Raz over to Morris for a lesson with the lovely Andrew Gould this morning. Typically, he didn’t feel as good as I know he can so spent most of the session working on keeping him from bearing downwards in the transition, then finished with a little look at some Halfpass (have a tendency to make the angle too steep) before Andrew hopped on for five minutes at the end.
He’s told me to bring my double with me tomorrow to see if it discourages him from running on a bit. Haven’t ridden Raz in it yet so excited to see how we get on.
Was by myself so no vids, unfortunately... only managed one pic of Raz tied up to the Aeos just before I loaded him for the journey home.
Will try to get some videos tomorrow so I can do a proper update/report as it’s been a while.
Last edited:
NiceChristmasBaubles
Well-Known Member
Some great reports - well done everyone!
On Saturday we made our 2018 competition debut. Miss Sassy has been at bootcamp for the past month or so and we have been taking advantage of our trainer's lovely indoor school during all this horrible weather. I have been riding her, and our focus has been on getting back into the swing of things and making sure she concentrates for more than one nanosecond at a time. Our first test was Prelim 13 and we scored a very happy 66.92% - the comment that we were a "clear partnership" is probably the best judge's opinion we have had to date. Singing from the same hymn sheet is quite likely the biggest issue we have. The second test was our first proper BD novice (27) and we scored 64.6% - loads to work on, but I couldn't have been happier. So, two Area Festival sheets and our first novice points - what's not to like? xx
On Saturday we made our 2018 competition debut. Miss Sassy has been at bootcamp for the past month or so and we have been taking advantage of our trainer's lovely indoor school during all this horrible weather. I have been riding her, and our focus has been on getting back into the swing of things and making sure she concentrates for more than one nanosecond at a time. Our first test was Prelim 13 and we scored a very happy 66.92% - the comment that we were a "clear partnership" is probably the best judge's opinion we have had to date. Singing from the same hymn sheet is quite likely the biggest issue we have. The second test was our first proper BD novice (27) and we scored 64.6% - loads to work on, but I couldn't have been happier. So, two Area Festival sheets and our first novice points - what's not to like?
xxSOS
Well-Known Member
My first time joining in after a long time reading other peoples reports. After a frustrating few weeks with weather cancelling our many training sessions we finally got out this weekend.
Saturday was our first cross country school of the year round. Didnt quite go to plan as horse was just so excited and throwing his weight around a bit. Left feeling quite deflated and like nothing ever clicks. The plan had been for this to be a quick confidence boost/recap for our event on Sunday. By this point I was considering withdrawing.
Nevertheless we headed to Keysoe for their arena horse trials, dressage was quite tense - having never ridden in their large outdoor infront of the viewing area - its quite the atmosphere! Although he showed some good aspects, just need to get out a bit more and relax in the tests as we both get uptight. An understandable 37.25 in BE 95. Also note to self to learn tests better and not ride half of a different test, was confused that the judge commented no corners shown on my sheet for the turn right at E and turn left at B. Its actually meant to be two half 20 metre circles!
A two hour break then back onboard for 90cm SJ, unfortunately we got there and it was running early. So popped over a couple of warm up jumps and straight in. After our excitement yesterday at jumping I was quite worried about what today would bring, however he had his competition hat on and jumped beautifully round, both listening to each other. He made it feel very easy and small! An unlucky pole gave us 4 faults but was beaming with the result.
Next to the cross country, held in the arena, which in the programme was to be ridden immediately after SJ. However it was running very behind and with no warm up left for an apprehensive 30 minutes walking around. Finally got called in, convinced he would explode by this point, but he again was a true professional and jumped round lovely (albeit 2ft higher than he needed too!). The last part of the course was a small step, water and ditch which he took slowly but willingly on. A clear round!
Our dressage score and faults meant we didnt place but couldnt be prouder. Our first time jumping competitively and first ODE together. Got our first one on grass next weekend which will be interesting to compare to this. Need to place more trust that my horse can do it and hopefully then I can stop worrying quite so much!
Saturday was our first cross country school of the year round. Didnt quite go to plan as horse was just so excited and throwing his weight around a bit. Left feeling quite deflated and like nothing ever clicks. The plan had been for this to be a quick confidence boost/recap for our event on Sunday. By this point I was considering withdrawing.
Nevertheless we headed to Keysoe for their arena horse trials, dressage was quite tense - having never ridden in their large outdoor infront of the viewing area - its quite the atmosphere! Although he showed some good aspects, just need to get out a bit more and relax in the tests as we both get uptight. An understandable 37.25 in BE 95. Also note to self to learn tests better and not ride half of a different test, was confused that the judge commented no corners shown on my sheet for the turn right at E and turn left at B. Its actually meant to be two half 20 metre circles!
A two hour break then back onboard for 90cm SJ, unfortunately we got there and it was running early. So popped over a couple of warm up jumps and straight in. After our excitement yesterday at jumping I was quite worried about what today would bring, however he had his competition hat on and jumped beautifully round, both listening to each other. He made it feel very easy and small! An unlucky pole gave us 4 faults but was beaming with the result.
Next to the cross country, held in the arena, which in the programme was to be ridden immediately after SJ. However it was running very behind and with no warm up left for an apprehensive 30 minutes walking around. Finally got called in, convinced he would explode by this point, but he again was a true professional and jumped round lovely (albeit 2ft higher than he needed too!). The last part of the course was a small step, water and ditch which he took slowly but willingly on. A clear round!
Our dressage score and faults meant we didnt place but couldnt be prouder. Our first time jumping competitively and first ODE together. Got our first one on grass next weekend which will be interesting to compare to this. Need to place more trust that my horse can do it and hopefully then I can stop worrying quite so much!
Fiona
Well-Known Member
My first time joining in after a long time reading other peoples reports. After a frustrating few weeks with weather cancelling our many training sessions we finally got out this weekend.
Saturday was our first cross country school of the year round. Didnt quite go to plan as horse was just so excited and throwing his weight around a bit. Left feeling quite deflated and like nothing ever clicks. The plan had been for this to be a quick confidence boost/recap for our event on Sunday. By this point I was considering withdrawing.
Nevertheless we headed to Keysoe for their arena horse trials, dressage was quite tense - having never ridden in their large outdoor infront of the viewing area - its quite the atmosphere! Although he showed some good aspects, just need to get out a bit more and relax in the tests as we both get uptight. An understandable 37.25 in BE 95. Also note to self to learn tests better and not ride half of a different test, was confused that the judge commented no corners shown on my sheet for the turn right at E and turn left at B. Its actually meant to be two half 20 metre circles!
A two hour break then back onboard for 90cm SJ, unfortunately we got there and it was running early. So popped over a couple of warm up jumps and straight in. After our excitement yesterday at jumping I was quite worried about what today would bring, however he had his competition hat on and jumped beautifully round, both listening to each other. He made it feel very easy and small! An unlucky pole gave us 4 faults but was beaming with the result.
Next to the cross country, held in the arena, which in the programme was to be ridden immediately after SJ. However it was running very behind and with no warm up left for an apprehensive 30 minutes walking around. Finally got called in, convinced he would explode by this point, but he again was a true professional and jumped round lovely (albeit 2ft higher than he needed too!). The last part of the course was a small step, water and ditch which he took slowly but willingly on. A clear round!
Our dressage score and faults meant we didnt place but couldnt be prouder. Our first time jumping competitively and first ODE together. Got our first one on grass next weekend which will be interesting to compare to this. Need to place more trust that my horse can do it and hopefully then I can stop worrying quite so much!
Well done.... Sounds great for your first outing, and am very jealous you are getting onto grass next week...
Fiona
Fiona
Well-Known Member
My 6yo on his new pony and I (with spooky connie) headed off to dressage on Sat, same venue as a fortnight ago...
Pony was fab, and son was v chilled out and rode very well (he was v nervous the last time). They came 4th in a twisty Intro A with a 10% increase in score from last time...
Once that was over I was able to relax and get on Fionn.... Positives were that he was much less spooky and sharp, and much easier to warm up... Only 45min this time. Took over an hour previously and so he ran out of steam.
However once he got in the ring (which was Right beside the warm up, he got tense again, and neighed constantly which spoiled his outline and his marks). Also spooky at white boards though I can train that at home with white guttering... We got 64% but he could have gone so much better, and did so when we moved back into the warm up 😣
Any tips oh experienced dressage peeps of HHO?
Tomorrow night we have an RC polework lesson, with a show next Sunday (Connie class for me, First ridden an Welsh A for son).
Fiona
Pony was fab, and son was v chilled out and rode very well (he was v nervous the last time). They came 4th in a twisty Intro A with a 10% increase in score from last time...
Once that was over I was able to relax and get on Fionn.... Positives were that he was much less spooky and sharp, and much easier to warm up... Only 45min this time. Took over an hour previously and so he ran out of steam.
However once he got in the ring (which was Right beside the warm up, he got tense again, and neighed constantly which spoiled his outline and his marks). Also spooky at white boards though I can train that at home with white guttering... We got 64% but he could have gone so much better, and did so when we moved back into the warm up 😣
Any tips oh experienced dressage peeps of HHO?
Tomorrow night we have an RC polework lesson, with a show next Sunday (Connie class for me, First ridden an Welsh A for son).
Fiona
ester
Not slacking multitasking
what a smart pony!
No advice, I think milliepops is probably your girl for in the ring tenseness.
However do you think it was related to having both ponies there? (speaking from personal experience)
No advice, I think milliepops is probably your girl for in the ring tenseness.
However do you think it was related to having both ponies there? (speaking from personal experience)
SOS
Well-Known Member
Thanks Fiona! Feel much more positive for this weekend. Dont have anything to add to your post as not terribly experienced at dressage. Love the pony though, very smart!
iknowmyvalue
Well-Known Member
My 6yo on his new pony and I (with spooky connie) headed off to dressage on Sat, same venue as a fortnight ago...
Pony was fab, and son was v chilled out and rode very well (he was v nervous the last time). They came 4th in a twisty Intro A with a 10% increase in score from last time...
Once that was over I was able to relax and get on Fionn.... Positives were that he was much less spooky and sharp, and much easier to warm up... Only 45min this time. Took over an hour previously and so he ran out of steam.
However once he got in the ring (which was Right beside the warm up, he got tense again, and neighed constantly which spoiled his outline and his marks). Also spooky at white boards though I can train that at home with white guttering... We got 64% but he could have gone so much better, and did so when we moved back into the warm up ��
Any tips oh experienced dressage peeps of HHO?
Tomorrow night we have an RC polework lesson, with a show next Sunday (Connie class for me, First ridden an Welsh A for son).
Fiona
Gorgeous pony!
Hopefully your connie will get less spooky and more focused the more you take him out. I know my boy has, and really the only thing that's helped is keeping on going to places and trying my best to keep his attention!!
Wheels
Well-Known Member
Gorgeous pony Fiona!
Agree with the others - going out and about has to become the norm. They do get used to it the more you go
Agree with the others - going out and about has to become the norm. They do get used to it the more you go