Longest Day Weekend Thread

[Ample Prosecco]

Well nearly! And if the weekend tread runs from Thurs to the following Wednesday then the 21st falls into this thread!

Horselfies are out in force so riding early is the plan. But I am also show-jumping on Saturday. Jonty Evans clinic was cancelled, which is a shame, so I am heading to a Cat 1 show instead to try and get another DC for the National Amateur Champs.

Sunday will be family stuff for Father's Day. And we are going to a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon event in the Planetarium at Jodrell Bank which should be AWESOME. I went to a similar event in the Griffiths Observatory in LA a long time ago and have never forgotten it.

Tuesday is my birthday. (So old) but I am heading to Somerford for a play. Hope they got some rain in the recent thunderstorms!!

Have fun all and good luck anyone out and about

 

[humblepie]

That sounds an impressive weekend plan AE. Good luck. I am considering venturing out to a show on Sunday, entries not closed yet so still considering - doesn't look like it is going to be quite so hot. Horseflies are indeed out. I was out riding early today and got bitten.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Have fun both. Wood ride tomorrow then a franklin ball lesson on Sunday.

 

[RachelFerd]

I've got two days of eventing at Catton Park this weekend - the Novice Masters class for the older horse on Saturday, an overnight stay locally and the BE100 for the 6yo first thing on Sunday morning before we head back. Forecast is for a nice 21 degrees on Saturday, but quite a bit of rain on Sunday. Shame that's really the wrong way around for these two horses, but never mind!

 

[J_sarahd]

We have a lesson on Saturday morning, potentially… Nova slipped in the field on Monday and the physio said she was really tight over her back and not quite right behind. She said to monitor her and if she is sound on Saturday, crack on. So, she will be trotted up on Friday to evaluate.

Then, I’m off to support my friends out cross country schooling. They’re riding two very difficult Welshies and one of my friends knows them both inside out and the other one hasn’t been cross country before. So, I will probably find myself supporting her over some of the smaller fences. The horse can’t jump bigger than 80cm anyway (he is sound but had an issue with a tendon a few years ago and he’s 19 so they don’t want to risk it!). I’ll get major FOMO, but my time will come with Nova!

Sunday, I will likely be hungover so depending on how Nova is will depend on whether it’s a day off or a light hack. Then, I have another set of friends to go and support at a cross country clinic (if times work out okay!)

 

[millitiger]

A lovely weekend planned with friends,

Bottomless brunch tomorrow to start the weekend.
My favourite fun ride of the year on Sunday.

Have fun everyone and good luck to those competing.

 

[Red-1]

I usually do my activities during the week rather than the weekend.

Yesterday we did a trip to a supposed xc course, only it was baked hard. I expected hard, what I hadn't expected were areas on the course where there were holes big enough to get even my chunk's foot in and about a foot deep!

The only XC we did was a canter through the water, everything else was at walk. It was also slightly complicated by a windfarm in the actual XC fields, which was noisy and made really scary shadows, which had the effect of blocking come of the course as both horses perceived it as them being under attack. The owners said they are closing, and I can see why, TBH.

Sorry for the poor photo, it was lifted from a video that was filmed on a potato!!!



This afternoon I have a dressage lesson. It is hot! Fortunately, I am off swimming in a cool lake this evening. BH can have a shower and loaf on his shaded patio/stable.

Swimming and family stuff at the weekend.

 

[Red-1]

Well my lesson was perhaps more exciting that I anticipated...

I live a couple of hundred yards from the competition yard where the lesson was taking place, in what is usually a sleepy village. I was tacking up at home half an hour before the lesson, plenty of time to hack over, but was surprised to find BH in a rather reactive state, as that is not his normal character. Nevertheless, I got him out, lashed him to the wall and saddled up.

I saw a Police car as we arrived at the arena, it was guarding a stolen/dumped car. It was almost lesson time, so I didn't really pay much attention.

Just at my time to go into the arena for the lesson, a Police Helicopter arrived and was circling very low directly overhead. Turns out, the car was dumped after a Police chase during the lesson before mine, and 4 dangerous man (judging my the machete they had dumped on the way) were in the area, hiding.

BH managed well with the helicopter, there was also an industrial drone, Police dogs in vans and vehicles flying round with sirens. Surprisingly, he managed to set to work, concentrate and do well!!!

I think it helped me that the trainer uses a 2 way radio/mic so we could still talk and hear each other. Either the fuss had died down half way through the lesson or I was simply engrossed. I'm not sure as there was still a lot if activity when I got home.

 

[scats]

I’m house sitting for my parents but they are back on Sunday night. The dogs have driven me mad all week, a combination of missing mum and dad (the two little dogs are far too attached to my mum) and the heat. I don’t have any plans other than get to Sunday without giving 2 dogs away to a good home (JD is, as ever, perfect!)
I will fit in a hack on Millie at some point.

 

[Cloball]

Hacking Saturday and Sunday hoping as it's going to be a bit wetter and cooler and my OH is away all weekend to go a bit further. Lesson on Tuesday

 

[Kunoichi73]

Had an hour lesson tonight. Was very sweaty at the end, despite it being slow paced flat work. Have a 30 minute lesson on Sunday.

 

[Cherryblossom]

Doing our first county show on saturday.My daughter is doing the tiny tots lead rein, I’m doing the 70cm workers and my friend is riding my mare in the 80s. It has all the potential to be a hot and bothered logistical nightmare!

 

[meleeka]

Well my lesson was perhaps more exciting that I anticipated...

I live a couple of hundred yards from the competition yard where the lesson was taking place, in what is usually a sleepy village. I was tacking up at home half an hour before the lesson, plenty of time to hack over, but was surprised to find BH in a rather reactive state, as that is not his normal character. Nevertheless, I got him out, lashed him to the wall and saddled up.

I saw a Police car as we arrived at the arena, it was guarding a stolen/dumped car. It was almost lesson time, so I didn't really pay much attention.

Just at my time to go into the arena for the lesson, a Police Helicopter arrived and was circling very low directly overhead. Turns out, the car was dumped after a Police chase during the lesson before mine, and 4 dangerous man (judging my the machete they had dumped on the way) were in the area, hiding.

BH managed well with the helicopter, there was also an industrial drone, Police dogs in vans and vehicles flying round with sirens. Surprisingly, he managed to set to work, concentrate and do well!!!

I think it helped me that the trainer uses a 2 way radio/mic so we could still talk and hear each other. Either the fuss had died down half way through the lesson or I was simply engrossed. I'm not sure as there was still a lot if activity when I got home.

I’m amazed that you even managed to concentrate. I’m so nosey Id have abandoned the lesson and just watched the drama.

I’m off to my first proper music festival this weekend with my sister and our OH’s. I’m not camping on-site, but a few miles away. I’m questioning my sanity already.

 

[Red-1]

I’m amazed that you even managed to concentrate. I’m so nosey Id have abandoned the lesson and just watched the drama.

I’m off to my first proper music festival this weekend with my sister and our OH’s. I’m not camping on-site, but a few miles away. I’m questioning my sanity already.

Noooo, not when spending £££s and also she is only here 1 week in 3, and I don't even have a lesson next time as she is fully booked!!!

Besides, it was an opportunity to work on focus!

The trainer sent a few photos, lifted from video.



I really appreciate the many photos and videos she sends, I do pretty much everything alone and just love to celebrate our fun times as well as using them for training.

 

[Bernster]

Blimey Red that’s a good lesson in focussing !

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Wow that sounds like an eventful lesson Red!

I have a lesson today, second one at new RS. Went well last time although feeling nervous again. It's the unknown I think but the instructor seems really supportive and the whole ethos there is about confidence building so I'm probably in the right place

The RDA group in the afternoon - I suspect we'll be out hacking instead of the arena in this heat. Much nicer for everyone

 

[Pippity]

Hacked at 7am yesterday and the horseflies were terrible, so went at 6am this morning and it was far better. Hacking at 6am again tomorrow, then running away to sea for a week. Sailing a tall ship out of Cardiff and into Liverpool, and heading wherever the wind and tides take us in between. (I'm really looking forward to sailing into Liverpool because I come from a long line of Scouse seamen.)

 

[southerncomfort]

Well nearly! And if the weekend tread runs from Thurs to the following Wednesday then the 21st falls into this thread!

Horselfies are out in force so riding early is the plan. But I am also show-jumping on Saturday. Jonty Evans clinic was cancelled, which is a shame, so I am heading to a Cat 1 show instead to try and get another DC for the National Amateur Champs.

Sunday will be family stuff for Father's Day. And we are going to a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon event in the Planetarium at Jodrell Bank which should be AWESOME. I went to a similar event in the Griffiths Observatory in LA a long time ago and have never forgotten it.

Tuesday is my birthday. (So old) but I am heading to Somerford for a play. Hope they got some rain in the recent thunderstorms!!

Have fun all and good luck anyone out and about

Happy birthday for Tuesday AE! Hope you have a lovely day!

Had a lovely early hack with my best boy this morning. We seem to have got in to a routine of an early hack followed by a nice cold shower (him, not me!).

The village below us has been dug up by Northern Powergrid so there was an awful lot to deal with but he was ace! Had a cheeky canter on a verge, which has a good thick covering of grass and is about the only place I'll let him canter at the moment.

Working tomorrow, and probably more hacking on Sunday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[southerncomfort]

Noooo, not when spending £££s and also she is only here 1 week in 3, and I don't even have a lesson next time as she is fully booked!!!

Besides, it was an opportunity to work on focus!

The trainer sent a few photos, lifted from video.

View attachment 115871View attachment 115872View attachment 115873

I really appreciate the many photos and videos she sends, I do pretty much everything alone and just love to celebrate our fun times as well as using them for training.

He's looking amazing Red!

 

[SEL]

Wow Red that was more eventful than you need! Shame about the XC though - can't help the dry ground but they could sort the holes.

Baby cob is going to his first intro dressage test. Our time is bang in the middle of it all so no peaceful introduction to a competition. My body protector shall be on in case he channels his inner lipizzaner again and we shall have a green ribbon the size of an Xmas bow. I have no doubt his eyes will be on stalks.

He's going showing on Sunday although we're supposed to have rain overnight so I'm overjoyed at the thought of trying to make him vaguely clean and presentable at 6am. Don't think I'll be breaking my decades long run of never winning a best turned out rosette somehow. Plus thunderstorms. Great.

 

[blodwyn1]

I have Fun club tomorrow!

 

[Red-1]

It was astonishing. The Police cars were flying around all afternoon, maybe something to do with the black sack with large machete that was dumped from the car as it steamed through the village.

I have a little video. I know that, compared to others, it is rubbish but... BH is a big lazy lump, essentially. He had a lovely fun year last year to try to enthuse him. Joe Midgely 'got' him, and helped me show him that work is expected and now, he even finds it fun.

Before, his canter transitions were rubbish and the canter was very agricultural. That has improved hugely, and here is a short video showing current transition state and also his first go at counter canter on a 17.5m loop in (wider than average school). BH sometimes looks like a lump, but when asked to work, he often surprises, like the time I was trot and popping XC and didn't realised the fence was 1.05. He still popped it, like it was nothing. He surprised me in the counter canter.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7245178025879358747

It is very much early steps, we have mainly been cantering out hacking, but he is so trying to please.

We are hacking out tonight, too hot right now. We have a dressage comp on Tuesday!

 

[SEL]

It was astonishing. The Police cars were flying around all afternoon, maybe something to do with the black sack with large machete that was dumped from the car as it steamed through the village.

I have a little video. I know that, compared to others, it is rubbish but... BH is a bog lazy lump, essentially. He had a lovely fun year last year to try to enthuse him. Joe Midgely got him, and helped me show him that work is expected and now, he even finds it fun.

Before, his canter transitions were rubbish and the canter was very agricultural. That has improved hugely, and here is a short video showing current transition state and also his first go at counter canter on a 17.5m loop in (wider than average school). BB sometimes looks like a lump, but when asked to work, he often surprises, like the time I was trot and popping XC and didn't realised the fence was 1.05. He still popped it, like it was nothing. He surprised me in the counter canter.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7245178025879358747

It is very much early steps, we have mainly been cantering out hacking, but he is so trying to please.

We are hacking out tonight, too hot right now. We have a dressage comp on Tuesday!

He looks fabulous - I need Joe down here. Agricultural canter is baby cob's way of going too

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I've got two days of eventing at Catton Park this weekend - the Novice Masters class for the older horse on Saturday, an overnight stay locally and the BE100 for the 6yo first thing on Sunday morning before we head back. Forecast is for a nice 21 degrees on Saturday, but quite a bit of rain on Sunday. Shame that's really the wrong way around for these two horses, but never mind!

Just seen eventing scores! Very very well done. Hope you got or will buy some great pics.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Wow @Red-1 that was dramatic. He looks great!

Lottie was a star show-jumping today. Clear again in the 85 National Amateur Champs. That is 3 from 3 so I could not be happier! 5 DCs from 7 events (which is what I worked out I could do) seemed a long shot to say the least! But 2 from 3 is feeling closer..... but still very easy to not suceed. Next event Eland on 1st July....

Also did the 95 and it was - again - massive. 105 in the jump off phase. Despite all my efforts to ride the same as I do for the 85, I just keep letting the canter get too flat. I need to ride ON. It was an annoying round of burying her then chasing her then burying her again. Bless Lottie - she tolerated my dodgy riding admirably for just 2 down. Look at the effort she put in to clear number 7 when she got so far under it. Sorry Lottie.

The good jumps felt so good! She has plenty of scope for the height. But it looks utterly mountainous to me which is making me tense up and try too hard. I need to relax and let it happen.

I will try and get a lesson in again soon to work on keeping a forward rhythm and letting the fences come to me more. It will be fine though as I get more used to the height and the fences shrink in my mind. It is still only the 2nd 95 I have ever done in my life! And SJ courses seem to be built so much bigger then BE ones.

 

[RachelFerd]

Just seen eventing scores! Very very well done. Hope you got or will buy some great pics.

Oh he was a very good boy again. He's so clever and so very, very easy to jump! Haven't bought any pics yet, but here's the video:

Back again tomorrow for the BE100. Nice event with good ground.

 

[RachelFerd]

Wow @Red-1 that was dramatic. He looks great!

Lottie was a star show-jumping today. Clear again in the 85 National Amateur Champs. That is 3 from 3 so I could not be happier! 5 DCs from 7 events (which is what I worked out I could do) seemed a long shot to say the least! But 2 from 3 is feeling closer..... but still very easy to not suceed. Next event Eland on 1st July....

Also did the 95 and it was - again - massive. 105 in the jump off phase. Despite all my efforts to ride the same as I do for the 85, I just keep letting the canter get too flat. I need to ride ON. It was an annoying round of burying her then chasing her then burying her again. Bless Lottie - she tolerated my dodgy riding admirably for just 2 down. Look at the effort she put in to clear number 7 when she got so far under it. Sorry Lottie.

The good jumps felt so good! She has plenty of scope for the height. But it looks utterly mountainous to me which is making me tense up and try too hard. I need to relax and let it happen.

I will try and get a lesson in again soon to work on keeping a forward rhythm and letting the fences come to me more. It will be fine though as I get more used to the height and the fences shrink in my mind. It is still only the 2nd 95 I have ever done in my life! And SJ courses seem to be built so much bigger then BE ones.


View attachment 115971View attachment 115972View attachment 115973

Well done - 3/3 is great consistency. Agreed that jumping BS certainly gives you a sense of what 'up to height ' looks like!!

 

[ycbm]

Had a great farm ride today, couldn't ask for more from an ex racer. Update is on the Retraining of Racehorses thread. Poles on the lunge tomorrow. I'm really chuffed with Charlie's progress.
.

 

[J_sarahd]

Our lesson went really well. Checked her over on Friday and she was sound, so decided to proceed with the lesson. We focused on transitions and bend before a quick run through of Intro A.

Apart from one very dramatic spook (I have the video/screenshot of it and I’m in two minds to post it as it is funny but also don’t want anyone going after me!!), she was as good as gold. She’s really starting to seek the contact in her new bit, which is so exciting. It’s tough for her but she has improved so much in the last few weeks.

 

[Bernster]

Great vid RF you two make it look easy - lovely rhythm.