clairebearnz
Well-Known Member
And what an ODE it was!
We decided that we were brave and would do the 80cm instead of yet another 65cm. Dear Poppy did the best test I've ever felt from her for a disappointing 37.1. She was soft and round and, surprising for her, actually listening without pulling rude faces about it (think teenage girl).
We had quite an impressive show jumping score with a rail, two stops, and a pile of time penalties. She still worries about doubles and will jump in confidently then stop as she's not confident she can jump out, especially on a long stride, unless they're very low. However, third time was the charm, and she confidently bounced everything else.
(And a gorgeous photo of her schooling the week before)
And XC, well she was wonderful! I went in with the mindset of "if she doesn't feel confident then I'll retire" although it was a big, bold, but horse-friendly course. She bounced over everything with springs in her little hooves including taking the stride out and jumping the full height of a rather large (in my eyes) hedge. She did balk at the barrels before the water but did go over on her second attempt.
Flying the first
So that's her for the winter! We're planning some summer show jumping and RTR competitions for her as well as consolidating her SJ skills, aiming for the three day in April as well as lots of hacking. She was going to have some turn-out and rest but pulled her shoulder racing around like an idiot on day 4 so is not going to have much time off!
My boys are continuing to be their own unique selves. Fready and I are continuing the great bit search. He basically needs something that's not too thick, not too thin, not too fixed, and doesn't move too much. He's currently in a single rotary jointed loose ring which he doesn't seem to hate so that's progress. He's a funny horse as he's either mad as a box of bees or half asleep. We had a lovely lesson this morning where he pulled his socks up and behaved beautifully though. Aiming for some spring dressage which I haven't told him about as he'll probably injure himself to get out of it.
Tally continues to be his devious pony self. A friend came out for a "nice calm" hack on him. He tried to roll with her on in the first minute and when she kicked him on, he tried to buck her off. He then looked very smug for the rest of the ride as she flatly refused to tell him off for anything. He loves going hacking on the weekends and jumping logs and exploring. I'm eyeing up an RTR competition for him and possibly some show jumping.
(He tried to take me out to sea and leave me there)
On the edge of the Waimakariri River
I'm also taking this guy to some A&P shows this spring. He's a pure-bred Arab and absolutely not a stereotypical chestnut Arab.
I'm also introducing my dressage instructor's lovely Warmblood to the wonders of jumping as she doesn't jump these days. He's very much taken with this idea and keeps jumping me out of the saddle. I did manage to come off him at the weekend when he took great offense to a puddle which wasn't very dignified. He's been beautifully well schooled and it's a privilege to play around with him.
We decided that we were brave and would do the 80cm instead of yet another 65cm. Dear Poppy did the best test I've ever felt from her for a disappointing 37.1. She was soft and round and, surprising for her, actually listening without pulling rude faces about it (think teenage girl).
We had quite an impressive show jumping score with a rail, two stops, and a pile of time penalties. She still worries about doubles and will jump in confidently then stop as she's not confident she can jump out, especially on a long stride, unless they're very low. However, third time was the charm, and she confidently bounced everything else.
(And a gorgeous photo of her schooling the week before)
And XC, well she was wonderful! I went in with the mindset of "if she doesn't feel confident then I'll retire" although it was a big, bold, but horse-friendly course. She bounced over everything with springs in her little hooves including taking the stride out and jumping the full height of a rather large (in my eyes) hedge. She did balk at the barrels before the water but did go over on her second attempt.
Flying the first
So that's her for the winter! We're planning some summer show jumping and RTR competitions for her as well as consolidating her SJ skills, aiming for the three day in April as well as lots of hacking. She was going to have some turn-out and rest but pulled her shoulder racing around like an idiot on day 4 so is not going to have much time off!
My boys are continuing to be their own unique selves. Fready and I are continuing the great bit search. He basically needs something that's not too thick, not too thin, not too fixed, and doesn't move too much. He's currently in a single rotary jointed loose ring which he doesn't seem to hate so that's progress. He's a funny horse as he's either mad as a box of bees or half asleep. We had a lovely lesson this morning where he pulled his socks up and behaved beautifully though. Aiming for some spring dressage which I haven't told him about as he'll probably injure himself to get out of it.
Tally continues to be his devious pony self. A friend came out for a "nice calm" hack on him. He tried to roll with her on in the first minute and when she kicked him on, he tried to buck her off. He then looked very smug for the rest of the ride as she flatly refused to tell him off for anything. He loves going hacking on the weekends and jumping logs and exploring. I'm eyeing up an RTR competition for him and possibly some show jumping.
(He tried to take me out to sea and leave me there)
On the edge of the Waimakariri River
I'm also taking this guy to some A&P shows this spring. He's a pure-bred Arab and absolutely not a stereotypical chestnut Arab.
I'm also introducing my dressage instructor's lovely Warmblood to the wonders of jumping as she doesn't jump these days. He's very much taken with this idea and keeps jumping me out of the saddle. I did manage to come off him at the weekend when he took great offense to a puddle which wasn't very dignified. He's been beautifully well schooled and it's a privilege to play around with him.
