Little Boggle event report

[Michen]

After my godsons christening and subsequent party, two hours of sleep and feeling fairly broken I wasn't holding out much hope for yesterday but had probably the most fun days eventing ever! I don't know why in particular, as Boggle is always completely reliable and fun, but he just made me laugh the entire time and the cross country round was probably the best 4 min 50 I've ever had on a horse.. we were both just having the time of our lives!

Anyway, the dressage is a bit annoying. He will never have a big flashy trot especially given how long in the back he is, I can get him tracking up and working through at home but add a bit of tension in for an event and it's just never easy. So I have to go for these "safe" tests. I also had a rushed warm up which didn't help. I actually felt this was the best test he's ever done, but we lost marks on the walk (which is still an improvement as he'd usually jog, this test was our worst nightmare with two walk trot transitions and a walk down the centre line etc). The comments were "he needs to march" but it's hard to balance keeping him from jogging vs getting a "bigger" walk. Anyway, he got a 32 and was half way through the section but it's annoying as I KNOW we can be doing better. I also lost some marks for accuracy. Test is here, please feel free to pull it apart and give any advice. I thought his canter would have maybe been a bit better than the 7's? He got straight 7's for every move bar the walks.

[video]

SJ, errr yeh, didn't start great with that flyer did it. I don't love my riding here, I think I get tense and then sort of bounce around in the saddle. I need to sit in deep and relax. As he was quite unruly to start I took some nice wide lines to get him back and listening but the consequence was 5 time faults- even more annoying! I didn't think the lines were "that" wide, but maybe they were?

[video]

And none of the above matters really because the XC was just epic as always but even more epic which I didn't realise was possible. He just LOVED every second and so did I. So we finished with a 7th place despite the SJ time faults. But with huge smiles.

Next up Aston and I guess I may need to put my big girl pants on and do a 90cm, I just need to crack the SJ at that level as I tend to fall apart and ride like a turd.

 

[Cloball]

Nothing constructive but look at his happy wee face ?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Just love that first picture! They are all good but that one's for a frame and a place on permanent display.

Your SJ round looked pretty good to me, he was jumping nicely and you set him up well for each fence. There is not much spare time and he was travelling well so the time faults were all about the lines. Where you had no choice but to get him back quicker and present to the next fence you managed it fine. Which was most of the fences! So the wide lines 2-3, 5-6 and 7-8 may have been over-cautious. But you were on the horse not me and you know what you were feeling. Very well done. Fab day out. He looks like such a fun horse to ride.

 

[mini_b]

How big is bog? I think I’ve read before you’re similar height/weight to me. I’m tentatively looking for something more pocket rocket at moment

 

[Michen]

How big is bog? I think I’ve read before you’re similar height/weight to me. I’m tentatively looking for something more pocket rocket at moment

He's actually 15.2 now. And rides bigger than my other connie who measures in at 15.3. I'm 5"7 and 10 stone ish

 

[mini_b]

He's actually 15.2 now. And rides bigger than my other connie who measures in at 15.3. I'm 5"7 and 10 stone ish

he looks great fun ? I worry about my lower leg dangling around down there on something smaller but you always look great together!

 

[Michen]

he looks great fun ? I worry about my lower leg dangling around down there on something smaller but you always look great together!

Nope and for some reason I had my stirrups long on the jumping phases, they'd usually be shorter. Better pic here, he takes the leg up well. That said, my other connie doesn't even though he's bigger framed, so is a bit dependent..

And yes, he is the best fun ever!! Always gives everything 200%!

 

[SO1]

Well done and wonderful smile on your face which just glows with happiness.

After having some difficult times with vet stuff it is great to see him out and having fun.

 

[j1ffy]

That flyer at the first in the SJ did make me laugh, he's loving it! I know nothing but the line 2-3 was very wide, as AE said, so I think there are some seconds to make up once he's settled into the job again. I don't think you need to worry about it though!

As a (very amateur) dressage diva I feel like I should be able to help with the dressage, but overall it was a nice test and I'd be delighted with all the 7s! For the t/w/t, could you try doing it in shoulder-fore? It shouldn't be visible to the judge but should help to encourage him to be softer through his back and ribcage, and encourage the inside hind to step under more - as you know all too well, he goes very tight. The canter was nice but looks a little laboured to my eye, does he feel in front of the leg? It looks like you're working fairly hard to maintain it at times.

The XC looks amazing!! You're both smiling

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Well done! Am so pleased for you that you completed - and got placed. After all your previous hiccups with him, its lovely to read that you 2 are now out doing it all again
Great photos too.

Just watched the video, def went hacking between 2 and 3, then again twice after as AE mentions, those all def got the time faults, but it looked like a nice steady round for confidence and a view of completing your 1st this year.

 

[Michen]

Well done and wonderful smile on your face which just glows with happiness.

After having some difficult times with vet stuff it is great to see him out and having fun.

Thank you I never take him for granted, I hope he has many years ahead of him of popping around 80/90's and being ridden but more than anything just want him to grow to a ripe old age with me even if he's just a big fluffy obnoxious pet

 

[Michen]

That flyer at the first in the SJ did make me laugh, he's loving it! I know nothing but the line 2-3 was very wide, as AE said, so I think there are some seconds to make up once he's settled into the job again. I don't think you need to worry about it though!

As a (very amateur) dressage diva I feel like I should be able to help with the dressage, but overall it was a nice test and I'd be delighted with all the 7s! For the t/w/t, could you try doing it in shoulder-fore? It shouldn't be visible to the judge but should help to encourage him to be softer through his back and ribcage, and encourage the inside hind to step under more - as you know all too well, he goes very tight. The canter was nice but looks a little laboured to my eye, does he feel in front of the leg? It looks like you're working fairly hard to maintain it at times.

The XC looks amazing!! You're both smiling

Ah that is a really good idea thanks, I will practice that at home. Walk is so hard for him!

So I sort of "shut down" the canter too much I think, he's really learned to sit and collect at home (as opposed to going over bent and bearing down and getting heavy in the hand), and I think I maybe over rode it. Definitely not hard to maintain, he'd canter the whole test if allowed but I see what you mean about how it looks- I think it's because I was working hard to "lighten" him and he does find that hard, he'd much rather use speed and lean on me if allowed.

 

[Squeak]

After all the work you've put in to getting him right you so deserve to be enjoying him. He looks great and I wouldn't worry too much about the sj time faults for the first run of the season. It was a very solid performance.

You've made me so excited for getting out eventing next month.

 

[RachelFerd]

You make a lovely pair!


What helps me with grass SJ is to remember that you are not obliged to use all of the space. We get used to jumping in tight arenas where it makes sense to use all of the cornering space available. In a big grass arena you want to think about riding turns that will help you set up for the fences, rather than using all the space. Lots of horses will jump better off the slightly tighter turn which helps keep the hind leg engaged, rather than going on the long loopy arena tour. Plan this carefully when course walking. As part of your course walk plan make sure that you have a couple of places where you know that you have more time to reorganise and balance, but the rest of the turns, think about working out what the optimum line is - not necessarily the one that gives you the most time.

 

[Michen]

You make a lovely pair!


What helps me with grass SJ is to remember that you are not obliged to use all of the space. We get used to jumping in tight arenas where it makes sense to use all of the cornering space available. In a big grass arena you want to think about riding turns that will help you set up for the fences, rather than using all the space. Lots of horses will jump better off the slightly tighter turn which helps keep the hind leg engaged, rather than going on the long loopy arena tour. Plan this carefully when course walking. As part of your course walk plan make sure that you have a couple of places where you know that you have more time to reorganise and balance, but the rest of the turns, think about working out what the optimum line is - not necessarily the one that gives you the most time.

Eeek I have never walked an SJ eventing course! The course walks times never seem to work, so I just watch a few. Maybe I need to put some more effort into trying to walk it.

That’s really good advice though thank you.

 

[RachelFerd]

Eeek I have never walked an SJ eventing course! The course walks times never seem to work, so I just watch a few. Maybe I need to put some more effort into trying to walk it.

That’s really good advice though thank you.

I didn't used to either. I do a lot better now that I have a plan to have quite a focused course walk! Although I did nearly have a breakdown at Somerford when the SJ coursewalk didn't run at the advertised time and I couldn't walk it...!

 

[ycbm]

Nothing constructive but look at his happy wee face ?

His face? Look at hers!

Glad you had fun M.
.

 

[View]

Ah, after all the trials and tribulations, that fantastic photograph of you both grinning made me smile as well. THIS is why we do it

 

[iknowmyvalue]

He looks amazing, and you’re both clearly loving every second of it ?

 

[palo1]

That pic should be a poster for eventing!! Lovely to read and watch - I am fiercely envious but so delighted to enjoy it via Boggle world. Well done too - it takes such a lot of committment, training and logistics to event these days.

 

[silv]

Great stuff, looks like you have a fabulous partnership, I thought you rode really tactfully in both the dressage and show jumping.
I can see why you lost a few marks for accuracy, that is something to really focus on. My trainer has been really nailing this with her GP horse and although her horse is not going any better her % have gone up by on average 4%, she is so strict with me now, and driving me nuts. Also he was a bit tense but obedient, as you say the rushed warm up wouldn't have helped, over all a nice picture and a work in progress.
You look like you are both having a whale of a time and to finish 7th is pretty darn good. Most important you are out there having a blast! Well done!

 

[Bernster]

Fab report, love it!

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

Love this!! Great to see you having so much fun with your No. 1 boy, he is fabulous!

 

[CatInTheSaddle]

This dressage diva is mighty envious of your xc face! Glad you had such a good day.
As for the 7s, all 7s is 70% and not to be sniffed at (as my wise trainer used to say). For the canter, I think I would be looking for more relaxation and suppleness through his body to be awarding 7.5s for the quality of the pace. Number one accuracy tip would be to ride corners where the movement demands a corner and don't put corners where they're not meant to be i.e. your 20m circles! (assuming they are 20m canter circles and not turns from E-B, in which case I retract my comment!). Lovely pony, he look such fun to ride!

 

[Michen]

This dressage diva is mighty envious of your xc face! Glad you had such a good day.
As for the 7s, all 7s is 70% and not to be sniffed at (as my wise trainer used to say). For the canter, I think I would be looking for more relaxation and suppleness through his body to be awarding 7.5s for the quality of the pace. Number one accuracy tip would be to ride corners where the movement demands a corner and don't put corners where they're not meant to be i.e. your 20m circles! (assuming they are 20m canter circles and not turns from E-B, in which case I retract my comment!). Lovely pony, he look such fun to ride!

Thank you that’s very helpful! So my canter circles were more... squares? Whoops haha.

He is so much fun to ride, you can’t help but grin, and we always have great fun together (I think he appreciates that I don’t micro manage him ?)

 

[j1ffy]

That's a good point from CatInTheSaddle - I went on a useful BD camp once where a list 1 judge walked us through common movements and he said a lot of people do 'squircles' and lose a mark on each one! Having rewatched the video, the first canter is particularly squircle-ish Think of just 'kissing' the track as you meet it rather than running along the track for multiple slides. Your trot circles are much better and he did get closer to tracking up after the canter work - you'll get there!

 

[CatInTheSaddle]

That's a good point from CatInTheSaddle - I went on a useful BD camp once where a list 1 judge walked us through common movements and he said a lot of people do 'squircles' and lose a mark on each one! Having rewatched the video, the first canter is particularly squircle-ish Think of just 'kissing' the track as you meet it rather than running along the track for multiple slides. Your trot circles are much better and he did get closer to tracking up after the canter work - you'll get there!

Quite so Also, shallow corners will exacerbate the problem- it becomes hard for the judge to distinguish corners from circles. Of course, you don't need to be riding advanced corners, but showing difference will assist the accuracy marks.

Another suggestion based on jiffy's comment: you could possibly try having a canter around the edge of the arena before your test starts, to "plug in" the trot?

 

[Julia0803]

Nothing constructive to add but I just love that top XC photo! You look like you’re going to burst with happiness!