Last weekend of March plans

[Ambers Echo]

Sorry to hear about the family funeral. I hope the positives went a little towards helping you through the difficult parts.

A mix of feelings for me too this weekend. Third anniversary of my dad's death today, I didn't realise this one would hit harder than the previous two. The lesson I'd be looking forward to I struggled with anxiety, and I'm not convinced it was just the usual confidence stuff (though AE please do send me a link to your book, I would be interested to find out more as need all the help I can get!) On the flip side, I came through it with OH and my instructor's support, alongside share horse of course.

Thank-you. The service itself was lovely so that's good. But glad it's over! And I got my horsey fix. Sorry about your dad. xx

 

[Cloball]

OH gave me his man flu which has set off my asthma so I've been exhausted, wheezy, and sore. How do people deal with the not riding guilt when the weather is nice? It's been so spring like and sunny.

 

[Britestar]

1st dressage comp of the year. Forecast was not great. Warmed up well, hail stones and snow during the test. 'Jolly' trans into 1st canter, 'Naughty' trans into 2nd - ie. Bronc, stop, spin. Almost came off. Then got it back together until turn onto the centre line where a lorry came into car park splashing through puddles. Spin and a snort, to eventual halt.
2nd test warm up in a blizzard. Literally eating snowflakes. Into the indoor for 2nd test. Slight difference of opinion regarding canter work again.
Used all the marks today from 1 to 8 - do like to entertain everyone .

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

1st dressage comp of the year. Forecast was not great. Warmed up well, hail stones and snow during the test. 'Jolly' trans into 1st canter, 'Naughty' trans into 2nd - ie. Bronc, stop, spin. Almost came off. Then got it back together until turn onto the centre line where a lorry came into car park splashing through puddles. Spin and a snort, to eventual halt.
2nd test warm up in a blizzard. Literally eating snowflakes. Into the indoor for 2nd test. Slight difference of opinion regarding canter work again.
Used all the marks today from 1 to 8 - do like to entertain everyone .

Excellent write up!
Hope things improve next time

 

[Britestar]

Excellent write up!
Hope things improve next time

She is what she is.
Sometimes on it, sometimes not .
Working elem/ med.
Out at novice today.
We always have fun.

 

[rara007]

First international of the year 7th (first top 10 placing abroad as a senior!) in the CAI Exloo

 

[Bob notacob]

OMG that looks so much fun (providing one is not looking at the wrong end of Bob notacob. )

 

[Caol Ila]

The competitive driving looks like so much fun. I like the bits in the water.

We hiked up the Buchaille Etive Beag in Glencoe (been up it like a hundred times, but it's my go-to when I want a short, nice munro and can't be bothered thinking). Took the ice axes on a walk and felt disappointed by lack of snow but at least we got views. Stayed at 5* accommodation - Hotel Skoda. Then got home the next day in time to ride both horses. Fin went in a lake.

 

[Ambers Echo]

The perfect weekend Caol Ila!

 

[Chippers1]

Walked the course for the hunter trial on sat and was slightly terrified of some of the jumps, they were definitely using all their 70cm leeway however, as nervous as I was, I actually rode instead of sitting there and hoping he would jump the big scary jumps alone and we not only went clear but we came 3rd (out of 19!) and qualified for the 70cm Eland Lodge championships super pleased with Buzz, he felt really good! and was really listening to me when he backed off from a few fences. Go team!

 

[Ambers Echo]

Well done Chippers! That's fabulous. Which way round are they running the course this year? Did you happen to notice if the broken bridge is in it?

 

[Chippers1]

Ah it wasn't at Eland, it was just a qualifier, sorry! I am planning on hiring Eland soon-ish so I can let you know then

 

[j1ffy]

@Caol Ila - that looks wonderful!

For those of you who wanted to hear more (quoted below so you see this), here's a report of our Thurman-Baker clinic!

The upfront info was pretty scant - if you follow 'Clinics with the Thurman-Bakers' on Facebook you can see what they offer and the dates, there wasn't a lot more info than that! So I rocked up ready to see what it was like on the day, having experienced a very chaotic BD camp in October I thought it best to go with the flow.

There were only three of us due to a last minute drop-out and it sounds like they usually only have up to four, so it's very relaxed. We had a bbq together on the Friday but were left to our own devices other than that. The other two were staying a mile or so away in a pub, I was the only one on-site so I was pleased I'd lined up my OH to come over on the Saturday for dinner in the pub next door! The whole family are absolutely lovely, the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming and they're all very happy to share their experiences, learnings, views on dressage (we had a lot of discussion about social licence to operate, a topic they're all very concerned and passionate about).

We had four 45 minute sessions each - one on Friday afternoon, two on Saturday and one on Sunday morning - and you could choose whether to do in-hand or ridden. As well as watching each others' sessions we could also watch them working their own horses on the Saturday (although only two in the end as a lot were hacking). I had all my lessons with Samantha and she was absolutely brilliant, walking with me to explain what to do and only stepping in to demonstrate occasionally, so I felt like I picked up the skills better than if she'd demo'ed.

Most of the work was based on lateral movements, and focused on making sure the horse was balanced, lifting the back and shoulders and engaging the hind quarters. Chilli is a very forward horse who wants to work, so we focused on slowing things down so he used the right muscles. Like any new skill, there's a lot to figure out and it was initially difficult to know whether I'd done something wrong or if Chilli was getting it wrong! My Saturday morning session with one of their horses was really helpful as I then had more confidence that I was doing the right thing vs. backing off.

The lateral movements were coming along well by the end of our Saturday PM lesson, so on Sunday we reinforced that then had a play with the beginnings of piaffe and Spanish walk. I definitely need to practice timing..! But Chilli picked up both concepts very easily, we only did tiny bits as he's not fit or strong enough for more yet. The T-Bs tend to do a tiny bit of piaffe work quite young and reminders every 6-12 months, then leave it until the horse is stronger before really teaching the movement. It's all about getting the idea rather than drilling the work.

Here's a video - apologies for the poor videography and editing skills!!

I would definitely recommend the camp. My only issue was that the work wasn't physically tiring enough for Chilli to be fully settled (he's usually out in a herd overnight), our other camps have been more intensive but he was noticeably more wired which resulted in our lunging warm-ups being rather wild. I hate them spinning around on the lunge and would prefer to go back once he's in ridden work so he gets more cardio / canter work as he is a high-energy young lad! The hacking around Turville also looks amazing so that would have been a good option too.

Ohhhh.... please do a report, I'm really keen to get to one of these and learn some in hand skills to help us progress.

Be really interested in a report on this. It is something I have thought about doing.

We are not out and about yet, unfortunately delayed start to the competing season but do need to catch up on sleep! Good luck to all those out and about.

Very envious, feels like years since I last saw a proper hill. Post of a photo from the route for us poor sods down South, won't you?


Sounds interesting - I'm another who'd be interested in hearing a report of how it goes.

 

[humblepie]

RaRa007 - well done and fab photos. Love the dressage trot, super movement.
J1ffy - thank you for the report and nice to hear that all very sociable. I would like to do as in knowing more myself but think the horse may not be impressed.

 

[ihatework]

Begger all!!
Binge watched the night manager (v. Good btw) whilst hoping desperately a foal would arrive and then binge watch some more given Cirencester was cancelled. Threw hay at field horses. Got the truck stuck in mud. Cursed what is most likely to now be a colt foal.

 

[AandK]

Actually rode for the first time in 4 months! Horse usually rather spicy after a long break but was foot perfect on Saturday, and same again this morning. So very happy!!

 

[stangs]

In retrospect, shouldn't have gone to Munstead. Enjoyed myself too much, caught the eventing bug, got home buzzing and then promptly remembered that I don't know when I'll next be able to ride, that I haven't jumped in ages, and that I don't know if I'll ever have a horse I can compete on. Signing myself up to volunteer at some BE events to try scratch the itch.

@Caol Ila - that looks wonderful!

For those of you who wanted to hear more (quoted below so you see this), here's a report of our Thurman-Baker clinic!

The upfront info was pretty scant - if you follow 'Clinics with the Thurman-Bakers' on Facebook you can see what they offer and the dates, there wasn't a lot more info than that! So I rocked up ready to see what it was like on the day, having experienced a very chaotic BD camp in October I thought it best to go with the flow.

There were only three of us due to a last minute drop-out and it sounds like they usually only have up to four, so it's very relaxed. We had a bbq together on the Friday but were left to our own devices other than that. The other two were staying a mile or so away in a pub, I was the only one on-site so I was pleased I'd lined up my OH to come over on the Saturday for dinner in the pub next door! The whole family are absolutely lovely, the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming and they're all very happy to share their experiences, learnings, views on dressage (we had a lot of discussion about social licence to operate, a topic they're all very concerned and passionate about).

We had four 45 minute sessions each - one on Friday afternoon, two on Saturday and one on Sunday morning - and you could choose whether to do in-hand or ridden. As well as watching each others' sessions we could also watch them working their own horses on the Saturday (although only two in the end as a lot were hacking). I had all my lessons with Samantha and she was absolutely brilliant, walking with me to explain what to do and only stepping in to demonstrate occasionally, so I felt like I picked up the skills better than if she'd demo'ed.

Most of the work was based on lateral movements, and focused on making sure the horse was balanced, lifting the back and shoulders and engaging the hind quarters. Chilli is a very forward horse who wants to work, so we focused on slowing things down so he used the right muscles. Like any new skill, there's a lot to figure out and it was initially difficult to know whether I'd done something wrong or if Chilli was getting it wrong! My Saturday morning session with one of their horses was really helpful as I then had more confidence that I was doing the right thing vs. backing off.

The lateral movements were coming along well by the end of our Saturday PM lesson, so on Sunday we reinforced that then had a play with the beginnings of piaffe and Spanish walk. I definitely need to practice timing..! But Chilli picked up both concepts very easily, we only did tiny bits as he's not fit or strong enough for more yet. The T-Bs tend to do a tiny bit of piaffe work quite young and reminders every 6-12 months, then leave it until the horse is stronger before really teaching the movement. It's all about getting the idea rather than drilling the work.

Here's a video - apologies for the poor videography and editing skills!!

I would definitely recommend the camp. My only issue was that the work wasn't physically tiring enough for Chilli to be fully settled (he's usually out in a herd overnight), our other camps have been more intensive but he was noticeably more wired which resulted in our lunging warm-ups being rather wild. I hate them spinning around on the lunge and would prefer to go back once he's in ridden work so he gets more cardio / canter work as he is a high-energy young lad! The hacking around Turville also looks amazing so that would have been a good option too.

Very interesting, thanks for the write-up. I know there's a lot of mental energy going into the work, but you and he make it look so easy. Adding the camp to my bucket list.