Is it time for another update from us?

benson21

benson21

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Thought as I am a bit bored at work I shall give you all an update on donovan and our driving.!
We have been having fortnightly lesson with Sonny Hillier, who was the lovely chappie who broke him to harness. Lessons have been going quite well, and we have been improving bit by bit. Yesterday was our next lesson, we had been away for a week so don had had the week off, so thouht he may well be a bit fresh, so he had a quick flit round the school before lesson! Now I am getting there abit more with my hands, and his bending and going where I want him to, we worked yesterday on getting him rounder and into the contact. And it felt just great!! Bless him, it was hot, he was being a little bothered by the flies, although he had been coated in fly spray, (as well as me getting a mouthful of the stuff erguh!!) but again, he just seemed to get it. It took a while, and it needs lots of practice and work, but it felt just so good. He looked a different pony in the mirrors!!
So, we are entered into our first ODE at Hooe next weekend, we have done a bit of a cones courrse, and sonme small obstacles, but have never been marked on a dressage test!!
And then next weekend we are away for 2 nights (Camping!!! In a tent!!!) at Normanshurst for a 2 day event!! Ic ant wait!!
As he is getting so hot whilst working he is gonna be clipped this week by me for the first time!! hope I dont leave too many tram lines!!
 
What a lovely thread to read :-) I met Sonny at Hopetoun this year and he's such a nice guy and an amazing driver.

I'm so pleased that you are enjoying driving, i think its a fantastic sport and everyone is so nice and helpful
 
He is good isnt he, and fascinating to watch what he can do with a horse (or pony!) Sometimes when I am struggling with something, he will just get on, show me what he means, and don just seems to know!!
 
I like to read your posts benson21. I am a fellow driving enthusiast though not as adventurous as you. I can't ride my little Sec A so driving seems the obvious choice. I too am lucky to have two mentors with masses of experience and loads of patience with an old bat like me. Happy driving.
 
I might sound adventurous but I have to take a very deep breath before I get the nerve to do any of it!! Like I say, first dressage comp on Sunday, only just realised I have got to memorise the test cos you cant have a caller!!! So i am esparately booking up practice sessions!!! Otherwise I may well make a complete pratt of myself!!
 
Well I have to take a deep breath before I drive around the fields. Horrendous accident with dull pony rocked my confidence. Still It's great when I do get out there and do it.
One thing that stops me doing anything competitive is the cost of transporting pony, vehicle, harness, etc around the country.
 
Daughters Groom, where are you based? Have you thought about getting involved in competitions by volunteering to help at events?
I don't compete for the same reason as you but have groomed at a few events now, i take photos, my mum volunteers and my sister is judging at her first event at the end of August.
I'm heading to one of our localish competitions on Sunday and i'm looking forward to catching up with people.
Sorry OP for derailing your thread.
 
gillianfleming said:
Daughters Groom, where are you based? Have you thought about getting involved in competitions by volunteering to help at events?
I don't compete for the same reason as you but have groomed at a few events now, i take photos, my mum volunteers and my sister is judging at her first event at the end of August.
I'm heading to one of our localish competitions on Sunday and i'm looking forward to catching up with people.
Sorry OP for derailing your thread.
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Thanks for replying.I am in Wales so a long way from you. Our branch of the BDA isn't as active as it could be and if I can i get involved with their events. Would do more if the opportunity arose. Occaionally I am asked to groom and really enjoy that. In fact i am reasonably happy to drive withh an experienced groom next to me who can take over if things go wrong, but there isn't always one available!
 
Daughters groom, do you have any driving clubs around you? I am in kent and am lucky enought to have I think 3 or 4 different riding clubs in our area, which is where I am getting all the comp info from. I am a bit like the new girl in the group at the moment, but everyone is just so so friendly. Do you have a trailer? We put an extension on the front of our trailer, so its no more expensive than without. Its a shame if you cant find anywhere, is there anyone else in your area that drives do you know? Then maybe you could join up with them and start your own driving club!!!
 
Thanks for a branch of the BDA locally but it is not as active as it could be or I would go there. Other clubs are a bit far and besides the problem I have with BDA is the pony must be shod and Carys, my pony, isn't. Not trying to find excuses. I know some people around here who drive . You're right we should start our own club as we all moan about lack of events
 
I must admit thats a rue I have not heard of about pony being shod. The only reason don has shoes on is because we do a fair amount of road work and he wasnt comfortable on the road without, but I have never had it mentioned to me through the BDA. Might be worth a check??
 
I would say its a new rule for me, my friends Welsh isn't shod and he's away doing a club event this weekend.
I love going to driving events, we are off to Raehills national comp on Sunday, just for the cones but i'm so looking forward to it.
We are so lucky we've got 3 nationals and 4 club events within a couple of hours drive from us.
 
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