Longest Day Weekend Thread

[j1ffy]

Well done to everyone who’s been out competing - looks like there have been some good HHO outings! Lovely video RF, you do ride beautifully.

Chilli is still off games so I borrowed my old boy, Pocholo, back from his loaner for a Working Equitation clinic yesterday. He’s never done it before but I thought it might suit him - and I was right, he had a whale of a time and really seemed to understand what was asked.

We finished up with a speed round. Our technical ability went out of the window but it was great fun

 

[Bernster]

J1ffy that looks tricky but fun! That seems pretty good for his first time. I quite like the idea of WE.

 

[Cloball]

Not at all exciting compared to everyone else, had a lovely early shady hack yesterday and then went and watched the kids whizzing around on the ponies so she could get used to the atmosphere, got a bit giddy to start but chilled out quickly.

My hacking buddies are all away today so I took her out in hand before the thunder storms were forecast, probably should have hopped on but as OH is away and YO is away no one would know for hours if I fell off so thought this was a better idea although last time I took her out in hand she spooked and knocked me over. Anyway needn't have worried she was ace. We even went for a jog and practised backing up and moving over.

I've come to the conclusion that most of the training is definitely me and my mind set if I worry and micromanage she gets more and more difficult. Easier, for me, said then done

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Lovely video RF. x

 

[Cherryblossom]

County show done!
My daughter did her second ever show class (first one they brought them into ring and then kept them waiting for 40mins which scarred her badly enough as a 3yo that she barely rode for a year afterwards!)
She came second in a lead rein family pony class and had an absolutely fantastic time. I have no idea how they judge those classes, but it was lovely to see it wasn’t just people in matching tweeds and expensive ponies being placed- felt very amateur friendly. Good job too as I looked ridiculous, we couldn’t find her boots, and her jodhpurs were far too short and had no clips!

My working hunter was very very delayed- the class finished at 7pm Poppy was a bit switched off, refused the first then went very green. After a second refusal I tried to retire and the judge wouldn’t let me! She was absolutely right and we had started to improve by the end and got lots of very good feedback and useful tips from the judge, so overall a worthwhile experience, but I’m not taking ponies and children and horse to the same show again!
Photo of the saintly pony being totally unfazed by the Welsh Cobs in next ring!

 

[j1ffy]

J1ffy that looks tricky but fun! That seems pretty good for his first time. I quite like the idea of WE.

It’s fun and teaches a lot of good life skills. I don’t know if I’ll ever do any competitions but I’m enjoying the lessons.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

We decided yesterday to go showing today. We just took Dum Dum as I couldn't be faffed going up the road to fetch the mare down.

Dum Dum was quite happy chilling eating grass outside the ring. Picked him up off the floor to head into his class when he woke up. The 5th leg appeared and never left boys! But never the less he behaved despite everything being on show and won his 2&3yo class. After this he went on to win the Standard Championship, Overall Junior Championship and went on to be Reserve Supreme Shetland Pony Champion to the lovely mini Filly.

My hands are in pieces from him biting them in the ring. To be fair to him though even though he ding dong is out the whole time he doesn't misbehave about it. The most he ever does is nip me, nicker at ponies and side eye them. He would never think of doing a thing about it. But boys will be boys and at 3yo he is at the young teenage boy stage who thinks that every one - male or female - must admire his crown jewels It can't be comfy trotting about with it wopping about?!? It would be akin to us ladies running without a bra on!

Thats him back in the field now til August some time.

He's not done badly for a 3yo Colt. 4 outings, 3 wins, a 2nd, 2x junior championships, a reserve standard champion, a standard champion and a reserve overall shetland champion.

 

[RachelFerd]

Lovely video RF. x

We were back again today for the 100, and took a leaf out of your book by not plaiting. I felt like such a rebel we even managed to score a PB 25.5

Judge was definitely a generous one, but his test was nice, so thats a successful start to the anti plaiting rebellion!

Then rolled 2 poles in SJ, but was a far better attempt than his last cricket score at Stafford. And a nice clear XC in the time - so altogether a bit more respectable a result.

 

[onemoretime]

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

Sounds like an exciting weekend, hope you have lots of fun. Why was the Jonty Evens clinic cancelled?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

View attachment 116069
We were back again today for the 100, and took a leaf out of your book by not plaiting. I felt like such a rebel we even managed to score a PB 25.5

Judge was definitely a generous one, but his test was nice, so thats a successful start to the anti plaiting rebellion!

Then rolled 2 poles in SJ, but was a far better attempt than his last cricket score at Stafford. And a nice clear XC in the time - so altogether a bit more respectable a result.

Sounds like an exciting weekend, hope you have lots of fun. Why was the Jonty Evens clinic cancelled?

Fabulous well done! And hurrah for the non plaiting rebellion!!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Sounds like an exciting weekend, hope you have lots of fun. Why was the Jonty Evens clinic cancelled?

Not enough numbers, sadly. Even after dropping the price to £40

 

[ycbm]

Poles done just before the heavens opened. Very lucky timing . Today you could see the trapezius(?) just behind his wither really pumping. He's packing on so much muscle so quickly, looking better and better every day.

 

[Accidental Eventer]

I’ve been so busy this weekend I haven’t had a chance to write on this thread.

We had a lesson on Friday morning in the rain. We jumped super and Henry made easy work of everything. Need to kept strengthening him especially his right hind but we are both feeling good where we are right now.

Saturday we competed at a hickstead. We were jumping 80 and got to pick which test we did so I did an elementary test. The only one to do so!

Jumping first after an early start to get there to walk the course. He show jumped really well, I just needed to take a deep breath and relax and let him flow a bit more but it was out first 80 round since my fall and we were clear so we can improve those things next time.

Onto XC, our first competitive round since 2020 and he was so good. He found it all very easy but I should have paddled him in the water before jumping because he needed a second look there. Was totally fine after he got his feet wet and everything else was so easy. Need to find some more xc events I think!

Dressage was the real highlight, Henry was so on side and with me, even when he got a bit tense. The test felt good, just a bit stuck in a few places and needing a bit more flow. We scored a very reasonable 60.9% from a good judge so I was thrilled. Even better, we placed 6th!

 

[ycbm]

You really confused me mentioning Hickstead there

 

[Bernster]

Elf, he was obv showing how much he was enjoying himself

 

[humblepie]

Well done to everyone who’s been out competing - looks like there have been some good HHO outings! Lovely video RF, you do ride beautifully.

Chilli is still off games so I borrowed my old boy, Pocholo, back from his loaner for a Working Equitation clinic yesterday. He’s never done it before but I thought it might suit him - and I was right, he had a whale of a time and really seemed to understand what was asked.

We finished up with a speed round. Our technical ability went out of the window but it was great fun

That looks great fun and something I keep meaning to try though we don't jump at all. Well done.

 

[j1ffy]

That looks great fun and something I keep meaning to try though we don't jump at all. Well done.

You can always go around the jump! You’d be eliminated in a competition but plenty of people don’t want to jump in the clinics. There’s another one there next month (unfortunately I’m away for it).

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I loved working equitation when I dabbled in it with my last horse. It just gave a purpose to or applied our dressage skills. It made sense to him, and I think he also saw more of a purpose to WE vs just straight dressage. So we both enjoyed it quite a bit. I'd absolutely try it again!

 

[blodwyn1]

I managed fun club but stupidly got on for too long so my knees and body had seized so not such a good result this time! My young friend did the barrels and mounted games on G and came 6th and 2nd so that's great as it's giving G the chance to be a normal pony!

 

[RachelFerd]

Well done to everyone who’s been out competing - looks like there have been some good HHO outings! Lovely video RF, you do ride beautifully.

Chilli is still off games so I borrowed my old boy, Pocholo, back from his loaner for a Working Equitation clinic yesterday. He’s never done it before but I thought it might suit him - and I was right, he had a whale of a time and really seemed to understand what was asked.

We finished up with a speed round. Our technical ability went out of the window but it was great fun

He looks like he's loving that!

 

[Red-1]

I am supposed to be doing dressage in an hour. It is tipping it down and he is drenched.

Hmmm.

 

[onemoretime]

Not enough numbers, sadly. Even after dropping the price to £40

Oh that's a shame. He always seems such a lovely fellow though I have never met him. This seems to be the trouble now. No one can get clinics going where I am as too few numbers.

 

[Red-1]

I saddled his wet back up, warmed him up at home first then went to the dressage. It was a 'stressless' so no posh clothing. He got just under 70% again, but I totally forgot a G&R the rein in our second circle (P13).

Good boy in the pouring rain! he was thinking frisky thoughts but didn't act on them, so they just gave a touch more energy to his work. At times, he was actually rolling forward in his gait, a miracle that has taken some time to achieve!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

We did this…. Only our 3rd go with the garrocha as Ive been busy with SJ and eventing. First try at canter. She was super chilled!

 

[Red-1]

Aw, there was a pro photographer there, only she was under cover and I didn't see her. Seems I had resting pee'ed off face for much of the soggy test!

I did buy this one though.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

What an amazing picture! One for framing for sure

 

[SEL]

@Red-1 I LOVE that photo!!

After Baby cob's impressive antics at the weekend (we've got a piaffe and levade if ever needed - which they aren't for Intro A) I hacked him up the road to an arena in one of our local livery yards which the owner kindly said I could borrow for 30 minutes this morning. Even with nosey Shetlands watching on he didn't put a hoof wrong. So it is definitely the excitement of competitions that causes the leaps in the air rather than strange places in general. We can work on that - I'm a bit more prepared for the antics now!

I have to confess to having a quiet giggle about the in hand showing. After his diabolical behaviour in the first class (since when has best turned out involved who can get their front legs off the ground the highest?), marginally less diabolical in the second (best condition - the vets liked seeing a fit cob so forgave the antics) he then had a snooze at the van. So I thought maybe we'd settled down enough to do the in hand cob class. Talk about waking up the minute he realised he was going back in the ring. Auslander always talks about Alf doing pissage - well I had all of that. Its just like watching one of the spanish riding school horses working themselves up - a bit of on the spot antics and then up he would go. I soon realised he knew where I was, knew where everyone else was and knew the length of the reins so wasn't actually going to bog off or squish me, just needed to let off steam.

He probably had the best trot in the cob class and I really need to get some decent shoes that I can run in - I'd made a last minute decision to wear the steel toe caps just in case. My feet aren't thanking me. But best trot counted for nothing when accompanied by explosions!! Shame he isn't welsh really, they seem to take that as normal behaviour.

 

[Cloball]

Dead chuffed after my lesson yesterday she was back to be her forward slightly anxious self (compared to hot and half asleep last week) but let me put my leg on instead of just squirting forward. No big spooks she really tried hard to listen to me and be reassured. Got a bit more progress in the leg yield and some really nice bending in walk. She finds it all a bit more difficult in trot but she listens and tries so hard I am really starting to enjoy myself. We even tried a little intentional canter which we managed without bucking. Big smiles all round.

Was planning on hacking out solo with OH tonight but he wasn't feeling well so we just went a bit further on foot. She was so good, going past the man crouching in the hedge with his dog, up until she just planted for reasons not clear to me, and headbutted me in the face when I asked her to go forwards all with an audience of a lovely couple having a glass of wine in the sun But we got going again after a row which I suppose is a win. Horses! It's incredibly cute when they whinny at you and run to the gate but I will definitely have a black eye in the morning