Lolo
Well-Known Member
There are many more exciting things to be said in this report so I shall get my bit over with quickly. But today I rode again, hacking out the lovely Tango. We went all round the belts and cantered voluntarily and happily. And I jumped him! Only a teeny tiny branch on the floor, seriously less than 1', but it definitely counts. I completely lost my nerve hacking on my old boy after a series of ponies who were terrible to hack, and so it's been nearly 8 years since I willingly cantered in company in an open space. But Tango was amazing. He canters when you ask, stops when you say stop, and generally was utterly charming. I so happy, I'm still grinning like 
Anyway, onto the proper stuff with Al!
Smokes was going out partying this Friday but has blown an abscess and has seriously smelly feet. He was unimpressed, all dressed up with nowhere to go, and 2 days later is almost sound. Still smelly though so pus is still coming. Grotty pony! He did however go to his first John Adams lesson before this where he was adored by all and both behaved in company and jumped brilliantly.
[youtube]JhyFl6oI3vI[/youtube]
Reg also had a SJ lesson, but it is not worth mentioning He has been better behaved is the most polite way of describing his antics! A highlight was John shouting "HE MUST CONFORM" as Reggie showed exactly how many ways it was possible not to...
On Friday he was his usual gorgeous self. He's an old pro now, and Al's just having fun at 90cm with him- 1m SJ stresses them both out so why push it when Smokes is so willingly taking over? He did a very chilled out dressage for 38, an even more casual SJ for three poles and a really easy clear XC inside the time. He came 9th and was very pleased with himself
Poncing pictures...
(I love this photo and I have no idea why!)
And the good bit!
We've realised exactly how much he gallops like he's the prow of a ship... Very majestic!
And finally, Tango. There was a slight misunderstanding in his John lesson, where he ground to a halt at a filler, Al gave him a smack and growl and he promptly powered over it... Unfortunately Al was not expecting this reaction and fell off backwards.
[youtube]RdyouwVkWCM[/youtube]
The whip is a pro cush btw, hence the noise- she's not beating him up or anything!
Then on Friday he made his 80cm debut... He grew 3 inches this winter and went from being compact but chunky to being generally huge. Al looks very small on him despite him now being bang on 16.2hh and he's still adapting to manoeuvring himself in a dressage arena. He did a really sweet test for 38, and there's so much to come from him with this.
And in the SJ he was so brave. It was spooky fillers all round and lots of related distances and turns so a lot to think about for a very big baby. But he was so keen, he stormed round for a lovely clear! He is such a sweetie, he was so pleased with himself. His owner came to watch the jumping phases and was very pleased with him too, and his good manners on the ground afterwards.
First fence, so baby knees...
Number 2
The very spooky number 6...
Pumped up on his success he strutted over to the XC and Al volunteered to go first as everyone else was dithering a bit. He set off and after a baby wobble into the first remembered he liked XC a lot and flew round. He jumped the half coffin like an old pro, didn't even look at the ditch, had a lovely splash through the water and his only baby moment happened at the trakehner. As they approached his eyes boggled but Al said go so he went! And he came 5th out of 20!! He's for sale, and will make someone such a lovely grassroots/ RC allrounder- he's got real quality but is safe and sensible and generally perfect. I wish I had money because I adore him!
So that's Team Reggie's latest news I think Tango and Smokes are heading off to Isleham at the end April and Reggie is going to decide nearer the time if he fancies it or not. He's top dog on the yard and they go on endless hacks round their favourite routes together, snacking and putting the world to rights. He's a very special horse who owes us nothing.
Anyway, onto the proper stuff with Al!
Smokes was going out partying this Friday but has blown an abscess and has seriously smelly feet. He was unimpressed, all dressed up with nowhere to go, and 2 days later is almost sound. Still smelly though so pus is still coming. Grotty pony! He did however go to his first John Adams lesson before this where he was adored by all and both behaved in company and jumped brilliantly.
[youtube]JhyFl6oI3vI[/youtube]
Reg also had a SJ lesson, but it is not worth mentioning
He has been better behaved is the most polite way of describing his antics! A highlight was John shouting "HE MUST CONFORM" as Reggie showed exactly how many ways it was possible not to... On Friday he was his usual gorgeous self. He's an old pro now, and Al's just having fun at 90cm with him- 1m SJ stresses them both out so why push it when Smokes is so willingly taking over? He did a very chilled out dressage for 38, an even more casual SJ for three poles and a really easy clear XC inside the time. He came 9th and was very pleased with himself
Poncing pictures...
(I love this photo and I have no idea why!)
And the good bit!
We've realised exactly how much he gallops like he's the prow of a ship... Very majestic!
And finally, Tango. There was a slight misunderstanding in his John lesson, where he ground to a halt at a filler, Al gave him a smack and growl and he promptly powered over it... Unfortunately Al was not expecting this reaction and fell off backwards.
[youtube]RdyouwVkWCM[/youtube]
The whip is a pro cush btw, hence the noise- she's not beating him up or anything!
Then on Friday he made his 80cm debut... He grew 3 inches this winter and went from being compact but chunky to being generally huge. Al looks very small on him despite him now being bang on 16.2hh and he's still adapting to manoeuvring himself in a dressage arena. He did a really sweet test for 38, and there's so much to come from him with this.
And in the SJ he was so brave. It was spooky fillers all round and lots of related distances and turns so a lot to think about for a very big baby. But he was so keen, he stormed round for a lovely clear! He is such a sweetie, he was so pleased with himself. His owner came to watch the jumping phases and was very pleased with him too, and his good manners on the ground afterwards.
First fence, so baby knees...
Number 2
The very spooky number 6...
Pumped up on his success he strutted over to the XC and Al volunteered to go first as everyone else was dithering a bit. He set off and after a baby wobble into the first remembered he liked XC a lot and flew round. He jumped the half coffin like an old pro, didn't even look at the ditch, had a lovely splash through the water and his only baby moment happened at the trakehner. As they approached his eyes boggled but Al said go so he went! And he came 5th out of 20!! He's for sale, and will make someone such a lovely grassroots/ RC allrounder- he's got real quality but is safe and sensible and generally perfect. I wish I had money because I adore him!
So that's Team Reggie's latest news
I think Tango and Smokes are heading off to Isleham at the end April and Reggie is going to decide nearer the time if he fancies it or not. He's top dog on the yard and they go on endless hacks round their favourite routes together, snacking and putting the world to rights. He's a very special horse who owes us nothing.
