Gleeful Imp
Well-Known Member
Trundled off to Church Farm for the Arena Eventing - stuck to 75cms as we're lying 3rd in championship so we'll step up next season 
George came off Little Truck, saw the fences and seemed to be a very happy boy. His dressage was distinctly average - 34.5 penalties - canter was heavy and onwardbound resulting in, shall we say, a little discussion about which marker the transition to trot was at. George had strong views that there WASN'T a transition, just more canter, and let's just say the judge underlined "acceptance of the bridle" on our sheet!
Off to the jump warm up, I had a lovely, forward, responsive, uphill cob (amazing what happens when you add a fence isn't it). Bit tanky after a fence so we did some jump, halt, canter, halt, canter, jump, halt work (only us in there!) to get him listening. Was very pleased with his uphill pinginess.
In we went - he set off like a loon so I had to do some rather strong half halts before the 1st fence, especially as the 1st 3 were towards home. Here's the 1st one - do you think he was keen???
He was absolutely full of rocket fuel, and the fences felt like he was barely having to make an effort. One big buck after number 3, but I sent him forward but kept him up. Every time he was off, I said listen (quite loudly apparently) and he came back to me, so I am very pleased with the monkey. There were a few times the bum came up, but no bucks. Progress!
He flew through the skinnies, listened when he locked onto the wrong fence, and it was fab. I do think a different bit might help though.
Here's George demonstrating the class he thinks he should be in .....
My position should improve when we get the blocks sorted on my saddle to "lock" my leg in, having damaged my hip I need more help! Old Git or what.
Anyway, a shiny 4th and a brill time, and next season roll on the 85cms class!
We saw Cruzing, was really nice to catch up with a fellow HHOer. She better post some pictures though as her dressage test was lovely, very fluent and a lovely picture all round.
Gammon, egg and chips ala Slimming World for getting this far
GI
George came off Little Truck, saw the fences and seemed to be a very happy boy. His dressage was distinctly average - 34.5 penalties - canter was heavy and onwardbound resulting in, shall we say, a little discussion about which marker the transition to trot was at. George had strong views that there WASN'T a transition, just more canter, and let's just say the judge underlined "acceptance of the bridle" on our sheet!
Off to the jump warm up, I had a lovely, forward, responsive, uphill cob (amazing what happens when you add a fence isn't it). Bit tanky after a fence so we did some jump, halt, canter, halt, canter, jump, halt work (only us in there!) to get him listening. Was very pleased with his uphill pinginess.
In we went - he set off like a loon so I had to do some rather strong half halts before the 1st fence, especially as the 1st 3 were towards home. Here's the 1st one - do you think he was keen???
He was absolutely full of rocket fuel, and the fences felt like he was barely having to make an effort. One big buck after number 3, but I sent him forward but kept him up. Every time he was off, I said listen (quite loudly apparently) and he came back to me, so I am very pleased with the monkey. There were a few times the bum came up, but no bucks. Progress!
He flew through the skinnies, listened when he locked onto the wrong fence, and it was fab. I do think a different bit might help though.
Here's George demonstrating the class he thinks he should be in .....
My position should improve when we get the blocks sorted on my saddle to "lock" my leg in, having damaged my hip I need more help! Old Git or what.
Anyway, a shiny 4th and a brill time, and next season roll on the 85cms class!
We saw Cruzing, was really nice to catch up with a fellow HHOer. She better post some pictures though as her dressage test was lovely, very fluent and a lovely picture all round.
Gammon, egg and chips ala Slimming World for getting this far
GI
But she did jump fab and will post some pics when i figure out how to do it