Twiggy14
Well-Known Member
Hi guys!
Realised its been a long time since I've posted and updated everything...though don't worry, I have been lurking. This main update is about Jack...though I'll do a quick overview of how the others are getting on!
Barney - Has had a couple of months off now! We put him barefoot as we were having trouble with him being shod and he was going lovely with it - took him to a show and he was a very good boy! 2nd in the pairs jumping as a warm up (60cm), didn't push him for speed but he was SO excited that it didn't matter. Sat there quietly and let him get on with it as I know if I fight it makes him worst and we managed the clear. Then went into the 70cm - SO pleased with how he went in this! He calmed down and listened and flew round for a clear minus a stop; however I blame this on the weather! He was going lovely, jumping fillers until we came to another filler and the wind blew it down a few strides out! Scared me to! So put it back up - represented - fine. As I said, very pleased. Over to the main ring for the Riding Club horse, his first showing class. Behaved SO well dear of him, and came 6th with some lovely comments from the judge which I agree with. The potential is there he was just a bit wobbly. Onto the ex race horse class which we won! Must say though we were the only ones in it as everyone backed out due to the weather. Good experience though. Ok so I'm already rambling about Barney! I went off to pony club camp...and then he went lame. Long story short he needs front shoes to support the outside of his front left fetlock. They are now on, he is fully sound and being brought back into work soon; hopefully the time off did him good.
This is him at the show (Taken by my dads friend who's kindly given me permission to use as I please!);
Also thought I'd add a pic of a pony I'm jumping. Meet Dave! 13.1hh 11 year old Rescue Pony. Pingy is an understatement! His owner has done incredibly well with him, he was only backed in Nov '12. I am simply getting him more competition experience before he is for sale. I tell you what he is so much fun! Just a quick pic;
Anyway! Onto what the post is meant to be about...Jack and his progress. Last time you saw Jack I'd only just started riding him and he was in a gag, jumping 2ft3 courses. I continued to ride him, our second outing we did the 2ft3 and the 2ft6 and got 4 faults in each. The outing after that we did the 70cm and the 80cm and got 8 faults in each. All from getting to deep and not being strong enough to pick up enough. However, he was in a snaffle - a simple loose ring copper French link which he loves and goes well in. He is now ours and we are entered to jump out first British Novice (Seniors) on a ticket on the 24th. Insane!? You may think. Don't worry! We've had other outings since then! We did lots of training at home to go and jump the 2ft6 and the 2ft9 DC for 3rd and 1st, and then to the more recent result which I'll tell you about in a minute. Although we havent been out competing much, we have been out to hire schools etc, and he is jumping 1m+ courses. One thing that really benefitted us is Pony Club camp. It gave him SO much confidence...we went there with him getting faults round 80cm to coming third on the final day at 1m, and also getting most improved. A few pics -
Anyway, onto the competition!
On the 3rd of November we travelled up to Resparveth for Schools Show Jumping. We were entered in the Open - The first round was 85cm, the second round was 90cm, and then if you'd jumped DC you'd go into the jump off which was put up some more also. The course was nice and full up, the only 'problem' being a related distance which I walked at 5 and a half strides and also the fences off of the awkward corners were all flimsy uprights...but nothing too challenging.
Jack warmed up well and flew round the first round clear. Also flew round the second round clear. I was the only one of my teams to jump DC, went into the jump off for another clear...and 3rd! Out of all the whizzy jumping ponies. Very pleased with this especially as I didnt exactly push him and also riding through the related distance realised 'oh wait that one isn't in it! Turn!' So was a few strides late on the last turn! He felt lovely and confident and went well.
Video -
http://youtu.be/Z0tex0nJn-c
The team came 7th overall and 3rd in the tack and turnout.
Next outing will most probably be to the indoor school to jump some even bigger courses in prep for the 24th which will be the 90cm open and the BN. May not seem very well prepared re competition experience BUT I feel confident that he is ready because he is working so well in training.
So look out for the report!
Jack says THANK YOU FOR READING!
Realised its been a long time since I've posted and updated everything...though don't worry, I have been lurking. This main update is about Jack...though I'll do a quick overview of how the others are getting on!
Barney - Has had a couple of months off now! We put him barefoot as we were having trouble with him being shod and he was going lovely with it - took him to a show and he was a very good boy! 2nd in the pairs jumping as a warm up (60cm), didn't push him for speed but he was SO excited that it didn't matter. Sat there quietly and let him get on with it as I know if I fight it makes him worst and we managed the clear. Then went into the 70cm - SO pleased with how he went in this! He calmed down and listened and flew round for a clear minus a stop; however I blame this on the weather! He was going lovely, jumping fillers until we came to another filler and the wind blew it down a few strides out! Scared me to! So put it back up - represented - fine. As I said, very pleased. Over to the main ring for the Riding Club horse, his first showing class. Behaved SO well dear of him, and came 6th with some lovely comments from the judge which I agree with. The potential is there he was just a bit wobbly. Onto the ex race horse class which we won! Must say though we were the only ones in it as everyone backed out due to the weather. Good experience though. Ok so I'm already rambling about Barney! I went off to pony club camp...and then he went lame. Long story short he needs front shoes to support the outside of his front left fetlock. They are now on, he is fully sound and being brought back into work soon; hopefully the time off did him good.
This is him at the show (Taken by my dads friend who's kindly given me permission to use as I please!);
Also thought I'd add a pic of a pony I'm jumping. Meet Dave! 13.1hh 11 year old Rescue Pony. Pingy is an understatement! His owner has done incredibly well with him, he was only backed in Nov '12. I am simply getting him more competition experience before he is for sale. I tell you what he is so much fun! Just a quick pic;
Anyway! Onto what the post is meant to be about...Jack and his progress. Last time you saw Jack I'd only just started riding him and he was in a gag, jumping 2ft3 courses. I continued to ride him, our second outing we did the 2ft3 and the 2ft6 and got 4 faults in each. The outing after that we did the 70cm and the 80cm and got 8 faults in each. All from getting to deep and not being strong enough to pick up enough. However, he was in a snaffle - a simple loose ring copper French link which he loves and goes well in. He is now ours and we are entered to jump out first British Novice (Seniors) on a ticket on the 24th. Insane!? You may think. Don't worry! We've had other outings since then! We did lots of training at home to go and jump the 2ft6 and the 2ft9 DC for 3rd and 1st, and then to the more recent result which I'll tell you about in a minute. Although we havent been out competing much, we have been out to hire schools etc, and he is jumping 1m+ courses. One thing that really benefitted us is Pony Club camp. It gave him SO much confidence...we went there with him getting faults round 80cm to coming third on the final day at 1m, and also getting most improved. A few pics -
Anyway, onto the competition!
On the 3rd of November we travelled up to Resparveth for Schools Show Jumping. We were entered in the Open - The first round was 85cm, the second round was 90cm, and then if you'd jumped DC you'd go into the jump off which was put up some more also. The course was nice and full up, the only 'problem' being a related distance which I walked at 5 and a half strides and also the fences off of the awkward corners were all flimsy uprights...but nothing too challenging.
Jack warmed up well and flew round the first round clear. Also flew round the second round clear. I was the only one of my teams to jump DC, went into the jump off for another clear...and 3rd! Out of all the whizzy jumping ponies. Very pleased with this especially as I didnt exactly push him and also riding through the related distance realised 'oh wait that one isn't in it! Turn!' So was a few strides late on the last turn! He felt lovely and confident and went well.
Video -
http://youtu.be/Z0tex0nJn-c
The team came 7th overall and 3rd in the tack and turnout.
Next outing will most probably be to the indoor school to jump some even bigger courses in prep for the 24th which will be the 90cm open and the BN. May not seem very well prepared re competition experience BUT I feel confident that he is ready because he is working so well in training.
So look out for the report!
Jack says THANK YOU FOR READING!
