Mid August Weekend Plans

[Ample Prosecco]

Hoping for better weather. Finally!

I am running a camp at Somerford. Was planning to make full use of the facilities and instructors in advance of Chillington Hall Regional Champs. (Which is one of the reasons I started camps in the first place - free training!) Will stick Lottie on the box anyway and hack round the 80 acres and see how she goes. The vet that jabbed her said that was fine and I can even pop a few small fences on Sunday to see how she reacts to them. Then I am on holiday for 2 weeks while she willl be hacked and schooled by sharer. Then I come back 6 days before the champs.... I'd pretty much written them off but vet asked me what my plans for rest of season were and said she can't see any reason I should pull out. Unless Lottie still seems NQR but she is expecting her to feel back to normal very quickly. Fingers crossed!

What is everyone else up to.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

We have regional champs at Frickley tomorrow and I am bricking it. Not helped by the fact I rode like a lemon and couldn’t see a stride to save my life in my lesson last night (having not had that issue for months)

He’s more than capable and is going so well at the moment, but the nerves are real. I think it’s almost worse knowing we could do well?! But really I’m just chuffed to have qualified at all, considering we’ve only successfully run 3 times this season.

Flying solo as per usual, which at least takes the pressure off in some ways as won’t be letting anyone else down if it goes wrong!

 

[j1ffy]

AE - I hope Lottie feels good on Sunday.
IKMV - good luck!!!

Chilli's still feeling good and we've upped the ride and lead to a full circuit of the village now, hopefully his hooves will toughen up quickly but I've got some hoof boots coming just in case. But more excitingly we have a Working Equitation clinic on Sunday - it will be our third go at it but our first since late May. Really looking forward to it! I am eyeing up a training comp that's taking place locally on Sunday 27th but will see how the clinic goes...

 

[Ample Prosecco]

We have regional champs at Frickley tomorrow and I am bricking it. Not helped by the fact I rode like a lemon and couldn’t see a stride to save my life in my lesson last night (having not had that issue for months)

He’s more than capable and is going so well at the moment, but the nerves are real. I think it’s almost worse knowing we could do well?! But really I’m just chuffed to have qualified at all, considering we’ve only successfully run 3 times this season.

Flying solo as per usual, which at least takes the pressure off in some ways as won’t be letting anyone else down if it goes wrong!

GOOD LUCK!!! You'll be fine. Just try to smile and enjoy it. x

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

We have regional champs at Frickley tomorrow and I am bricking it. Not helped by the fact I rode like a lemon and couldn’t see a stride to save my life in my lesson last night (having not had that issue for months)

He’s more than capable and is going so well at the moment, but the nerves are real. I think it’s almost worse knowing we could do well?! But really I’m just chuffed to have qualified at all, considering we’ve only successfully run 3 times this season.

Flying solo as per usual, which at least takes the pressure off in some ways as won’t be letting anyone else down if it goes wrong!

Oooh good luck!

I have been off work sick all week, somehow I feel worse today than I did at the beginning of the week despite having spent most of my time sitting/lying down. This is very frustrating as tomorrow is dressage day again! Another in-house competition and I so enjoyed (and won!) the last one I really hope I am up to it. Plan is basically do the same as last time but with more energy (from the horse, I was knackered!) to see if we can improve the marks at all (72% was already quite high though!)

Then after the dressage is supposed to be another schoolmaster lesson. I'm not sure why my confidence seems much lower with these ones. I think it's bigger horses and a type I am less used to (more forward going, responsive), plus I get more in my head about not being good enough for those horses which is silly because there is so much potential to learn from them and that's why I'm there! That said, I've only had four lessons there so far and the first two I was so nervous I started on the lunge - so progress has been made and I'm sure if I keep chipping away the little steps will lead to bigger and better things.

 

[j1ffy]

Oooh good luck!

I have been off work sick all week, somehow I feel worse today than I did at the beginning of the week despite having spent most of my time sitting/lying down. This is very frustrating as tomorrow is dressage day again! Another in-house competition and I so enjoyed (and won!) the last one I really hope I am up to it. Plan is basically do the same as last time but with more energy (from the horse, I was knackered!) to see if we can improve the marks at all (72% was already quite high though!)

Then after the dressage is supposed to be another schoolmaster lesson. I'm not sure why my confidence seems much lower with these ones. I think it's bigger horses and a type I am less used to (more forward going, responsive), plus I get more in my head about not being good enough for those horses which is silly because there is so much potential to learn from them and that's why I'm there! That said, I've only had four lessons there so far and the first two I was so nervous I started on the lunge - so progress has been made and I'm sure if I keep chipping away the little steps will lead to bigger and better things.

The annoying virus strikes again! I was under the weather all last week and I'm pretty sure it's been covid (despite a negative test), nothing else quite feels like it. I hope you feel better soon.

Good luck in the dressage! Just a thought, but do you think that doing the schoolmaster lesson after the comp last week meant you were mentally and emotionally tired? If so it might be better tomorrow as you're less nervous (more excited) about the dressage. Fingers crossed!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

The annoying virus strikes again! I was under the weather all last week and I'm pretty sure it's been covid (despite a negative test), nothing else quite feels like it. I hope you feel better soon.

Good luck in the dressage! Just a thought, but do you think that doing the schoolmaster lesson after the comp last week meant you were mentally and emotionally tired? If so it might be better tomorrow as you're less nervous (more excited) about the dressage. Fingers crossed!

It kind of went away on Tuesday and then bam! It's back. Sooo annoying. I've tested for Covid three times this last week, all negative but it definitely has that about it.

I think you are right about last week. It was a full-on day and it's a long drive to the schoolmaster RS, I felt the nervous/excited adrenaline wearing off in the car on the way there after dressage and when I arrived for the lesson I was quite tired. Add in a new horse to ride and sharing arena with a spritely young horse, and my brain went 'eugh this is too much!' and then I beat myself up about it which obviously did not help the situation.

Definitely more excited less nervous for dressage this time. I know the test well, I know there's no busy warm-up to worry about which bothers me much more than riding the test, and I know I'll have fun however it goes.

 

[Bernster]

Quick update from last week is that Finn had a great day out at Cholsey. He ran out of puff up the two big hills so does need to be fitter for the sp ride in Oct. But I was really pleased with how he coped barefoot inc some of the stony tracks they have there (although the ground wasn’t rock hard thanks to the recent rain). Not a single ouchy moment and he was striding along happily and seems fine this week. Two little chipped bits on one foot so I’m thinking of getting a rasp to tidy those up between trimmings if he needs it.

That was his first trip out that wasn’t to the vet and the first trip out since last year. Seeing as I wasn’t sure if he’d even come back into work, I was a bit emosh about it.

In typical finnegan style, his haynet came off whilst travelling and was attached to the lead rope clip but he just carried on eating it from the floor. Never happened in the 20 years I’ve travelled a horse, but he’s a special one !!

This weekend I’m taking Bertie to RC dressage to try to qualify for their summer champs. Not ridden a test for months, not schooled for months, barely ridden the last 2 months. Also have only ridden them through last night. I’m ridiculous. But I’m better if I have a goal and I have low expectations. it’s just to get us out again after my last -ahem- blip at camp…!

 

[blood_magik]

The baby is out again this weekend - same test both days so we’ll hopefully manage a bit of consistency.
He’s starting to fill out again after his last growth spurt. He’s now just over 17.2 with a lot more growing still to do



Not really managed to ride much this week due to getting sent head-first into a fence by one the big boys on Sunday - currently sporting two black eyes but at least I can get my hat on now

 

[Chippers1]

I forgot to update the last thread but we had a great time on the fun ride last weekend, lots of lovely long canter stretches with plenty of hills! It was great to see how fit Buzz has become (despite the extra weight...) as he hardly broke a sweat. We also ended up jumping an enormous log that the organisers had very nicely placed in a line of jumps - they were spread out so I didn't see the full height until I was up to it the others were tiny so it was a bit of a surprise! But he flew it and I wish the photographer was there as it would've been a great photo but never mind, i'm just pleased he did it.

This weekend we're off to a local charity show with the other liveries. I don't really do showing but it's a good day out hanging out with friends more than the competition aspect. I might even have a go at some ridden showing rather than just WH and SJ. He can technically do their veteran class now that he's 15

Enjoy your weekends!

 

[rara007]

Still got a broken hand but just back from spending time with a friend at a Dutch training yard. And might have been a bit spendy. I now own 2 horses 1 pony…
Little kwpn by Sir Sinclair to join the gang

 

[humblepie]

Still got a broken hand but just back from spending time with a friend at a Dutch training yard. And might have been a bit spendy. I now own 2 horses 1 pony…
Little kwpn by Sir Sinclair to join the gang
View attachment 120751View attachment 120750

Bit spendy! Very nice.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Very smart Rara!
Furst day of a week off which has felt needed! Quiet weekend as everyone else is away so horses and cats to keep an eye on. May take the new monster out for a run tomorrow. Should be starting to sort out things for heading to Blair on Wednesday but I prefer* to leave everything til the last minute!

*usually end up leaving

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Test and lesson done! Some drama in my test warm-up, courtesy of my OH and my dog. Genuinely ashamed of it and posted in the 'safe place to make mistakes' thread because it was a big one. No harm done other than to interrupt my warm-up and away from what had been some pretty forward thinking riding for me. Scored 68% which I'm very happy with, annoyed that it might otherwise have been a better test if we didn't have the shenanigans beforehand but I guess things like this can happen at a show or event so the learning point was about cracking on and staying positive.

Lesson was pretty good too, had my first canter at that RS, on a new horse. I particularly liked this one. It was a bit more practice in shenanigan-management, this time ignoring a 5yo having a few 'moments'. I'm realising the things you learn aren't often the things you set out to learn in a lesson but it's all good stuff. Now planning ahead to next dressage comp in October with the schoolmaster RS. Intro B here I come!

 

[Britestar]

Running RC Hunter Trials.

Was meant to be ODE, but not enough entries to warrant the expenses associated with it.

Down grade to HT and picked up extra entries.

Shame as everyone shouts for unaff ODE, but then don't enter. Nothing else on in this area this weekend either

 

[Cloball]

No lessons or plans for me but I did manage to get on and school *in walk* by myself tonight. Which is quite a bit confidence step for me as the YO is away as well. Did some spirals, circles, leg yields and rein back and practised mounting. Next stop trot!

 

[SEL]

Babycob went to Cholsey on Wed for an escorted "just needs to be quiet and sane" ride. Had a couple of moments where his legs were waving about but those hills do a great job of putting a cocky cob in his place. Next time out we'll pick up the pace.

Now to practice Intro C for next weekend. He'd much prefer to be zooming round the countryside

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

2 boys out showing tomorrow. It looks like it's going to be another soggy one!

Good luck to everyone doing more exciting things!

 

[RachelFerd]

We have regional champs at Frickley tomorrow and I am bricking it. Not helped by the fact I rode like a lemon and couldn’t see a stride to save my life in my lesson last night (having not had that issue for months)

He’s more than capable and is going so well at the moment, but the nerves are real. I think it’s almost worse knowing we could do well?! But really I’m just chuffed to have qualified at all, considering we’ve only successfully run 3 times this season.

Flying solo as per usual, which at least takes the pressure off in some ways as won’t be letting anyone else down if it goes wrong!

I hope things went well yesterday!

We're at frickley on Sunday afternoon for another BE100 with the 6yo. Just hoping our SJ practice actually makes a difference

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I hope things went well yesterday!

We're at frickley on Sunday afternoon for another BE100 with the 6yo. Just hoping our SJ practice actually makes a difference

Good luck! It’s a lovely course!

It was beyond anything I could have hoped for! One of only two sub-30 dressage scores, and only added 0.8 speeding penalties to finish 2nd out of a section of 37, so we are off to Bramham next year!

At least I know the time is easy to make when I actually take the handbrake off! Didn’t even feel like we were going that fast, and he was barely sweating.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Well done @iknowmyvalue ! Excellent result!

 

[RachelFerd]

Good luck! It’s a lovely course!

It was beyond anything I could have hoped for! One of only two sub-30 dressage scores, and only added 0.8 speeding penalties to finish 2nd out of a section of 37, so we are off to Bramham next year!

At least I know the time is easy to make when I actually take the handbrake off! Didn’t even feel like we were going that fast, and he was barely sweating.

Wow, cracking result - how cool to have that to plan for next season!

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Thank you! Just have to keep him sound and happy, and try and stop him doing anything too stupid for another 10mo

Gratuitous photo of him over the penultimate fence looking like he’d quite happily go round again!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

A scoot along to the Central Scotland Shetland show today with the 2 baby boys. Dempsey needed the milage before the breed show next weekend and if your taking one you may as well take two so it made sense to take the 2 colts.

Dryfesdale Dempsey started the day by winning his Coloured Novice 2&3yo class before going on to be Coloured Novice Junior Champion then he picked up the Coloured Overall Novice Championship.

A quick scoot over to the black ring with Mirkwood Retrojet who proceeded to win his Black Open 2&3yo class before standing Black Open Junior Champion, Black Overall Junior Champion and Reserve Overall Black Champion to the massive multi-champipn Kerloch Rupert.

Not to be outdone and to add more ring miles onto the clock Dempsey went on win the Coloured Overall Junior Championship and then the Coloured Overall Championship - utterly shocked and amazed for a 2yo colt to win all that standing above far more experienced and big winning ponies.

That gave us the lovely dilemma of having 2 in the Overall Supreme Junior Championship. Recce very kindly took Retrojet in for me and showed him superbly. No Cigar for him this time though. But wee Dempsey stepped up to the mark and went Overall Junior Champion. He then went into the Overall Inhand Championship and won that too!

That just left the Supreme Championship to go. And once again he trotted his wee socks off to stand Reserve Supreme Of Show to the wonderful Rosehoy Of Transy being superbly ridden by Annina!

Breed Show next weekend and then that the boys done and on their holidays for the winter.

 

[Pick and mix]

Well done everyone I was supposed to be out tommorrow but horse hasn’t been quite right , had just lost impulsion in his canter , and was bad with his breathing , thankfully after a weeks rest and he seems fresh he was booked in for work
Up but not sure if will actually need it now but do I just play safe and work up anyway ??

 

[Pippity]

I hacked Blue down to a local yard for a polework clinic this morning. I envisioned having to lead her most of the way, because she's not great hacking alone, but she was so good that we even managed a wee trot in both directions!

She was also great in the clinic, when I bothered to actually ride her.



This afternoon, I went along to Reaseheath for a sidesaddle session on their simulator. It's a LOT more effort than in looks, but even I managed to look elegant when I was actually sitting straight. Although I think my right thigh will be complaining about stretching like that for a couple of days.

 

[SEL]

A scoot along to the Central Scotland Shetland show today with the 2 baby boys. Dempsey needed the milage before the breed show next weekend and if your taking one you may as well take two so it made sense to take the 2 colts.

Dryfesdale Dempsey started the day by winning his Coloured Novice 2&3yo class before going on to be Coloured Novice Junior Champion then he picked up the Coloured Overall Novice Championship.

A quick scoot over to the black ring with Mirkwood Retrojet who proceeded to win his Black Open 2&3yo class before standing Black Open Junior Champion, Black Overall Junior Champion and Reserve Overall Black Champion to the massive multi-champipn Kerloch Rupert.

Not to be outdone and to add more ring miles onto the clock Dempsey went on win the Coloured Overall Junior Championship and then the Coloured Overall Championship - utterly shocked and amazed for a 2yo colt to win all that standing above far more experienced and big winning ponies.

That gave us the lovely dilemma of having 2 in the Overall Supreme Junior Championship. Recce very kindly took Retrojet in for me and showed him superbly. No Cigar for him this time though. But wee Dempsey stepped up to the mark and went Overall Junior Champion. He then went into the Overall Inhand Championship and won that too!

That just left the Supreme Championship to go. And once again he trotted his wee socks off to stand Reserve Supreme Of Show to the wonderful Rosehoy Of Transy being superbly ridden by Annina!

Breed Show next weekend and then that the boys done and on their holidays for the winter.

Wow - did you leave any frillies for anyone else?!!

Fantastic day out.

 

[Cloball]

A scoot along to the Central Scotland Shetland show today with the 2 baby boys. Dempsey needed the milage before the breed show next weekend and if your taking one you may as well take two so it made sense to take the 2 colts.

Dryfesdale Dempsey started the day by winning his Coloured Novice 2&3yo class before going on to be Coloured Novice Junior Champion then he picked up the Coloured Overall Novice Championship.

A quick scoot over to the black ring with Mirkwood Retrojet who proceeded to win his Black Open 2&3yo class before standing Black Open Junior Champion, Black Overall Junior Champion and Reserve Overall Black Champion to the massive multi-champipn Kerloch Rupert.

Not to be outdone and to add more ring miles onto the clock Dempsey went on win the Coloured Overall Junior Championship and then the Coloured Overall Championship - utterly shocked and amazed for a 2yo colt to win all that standing above far more experienced and big winning ponies.

That gave us the lovely dilemma of having 2 in the Overall Supreme Junior Championship. Recce very kindly took Retrojet in for me and showed him superbly. No Cigar for him this time though. But wee Dempsey stepped up to the mark and went Overall Junior Champion. He then went into the Overall Inhand Championship and won that too!

That just left the Supreme Championship to go. And once again he trotted his wee socks off to stand Reserve Supreme Of Show to the wonderful Rosehoy Of Transy being superbly ridden by Annina!

Breed Show next weekend and then that the boys done and on their holidays for the winter.

Dumdum and his fifth leg artfully shaded by the image banner

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Dumdum and his fifth leg artfully shaded by the image banner

To be fair to him a particularly smelly mare or 2 had been in the ring before him and his Vicks Vaporub would have been wearing off by them

One day he will realise that no one needs to see it

 

[Roxylola]

Took Charlie to Solihull, good dressage - for 30 which actually put him 4th. Awful showjumping with 2 stops and time penalties. XC was fab though and just a smidge over time. Bit frustrated with the SJ issues but mainly a good day