gillianfleming
Well-Known Member
Last Wednesday saw us heading down to cirencester for the national carriage driving championships, a very long drive meant leaving at 7am taking the lorry and trailer plus a car and trailer. Luckily we were only taking 3 boys, Mr P's 2 chestnuts jed and tango and Mrs P's cob gypsy.
We got there around 3pm and had the stabling set up in no time, the boys are great travellers and settled easily so we got out for a drive round the exercise route. Thursday is our day that we can be hungover so plenty gin was had.
Thursday dawned dry and warm, horses were driven morning and evening, we spent the rest of the day walking obstacles and trying to be organised as gypsy was doing dressage at 920 so we were going to be in for an early morning.
When the alarm went on Friday it was chucking it down and still very dark. Got the mucking out done and started scrubbing gypsy, it takes awhile and lots of whitner as he's meant to be super white he'd just rather be brown. We were organised with time for a quick change before i jumped on the back of the carriage. He warmed up well and did a lovely test, a bit strong but that's just him.
Got back and washed him off and then went out with Mr P and the boys, they worked really well. Back again and washed them and see scrubbed their legs before going to walk obstacles again. Then there was time to plait and polish and change again, i wish i could get organised for a night out as quickly as i get organised to groom. Another nice test and more obstacle walking.
The end of the day saw both the pair and gypsy in 4th place in their classes.
A bit of a lie in on Saturday before a last quick walk of the obstacles to make sure they were properly in our heads. We started the marathon just before 12 with 7.7kms round the countryside. Then we did 1.1km walk section before we had a halt with vet check then it was time to start to the fun bit. 9kms with 8 big obstacles, and it was a total blast, gypsy loves people cheering him on and there was loads. It was a blast, he was so up for it and still raced into the final obstacle and jogging into the finish.
Back to the lorry and we had time to wash him off then it was time to get the chestnuts ready, boots and harness on before hearing there was a hold on course. More hanging around before the boys headed out and it was time for a quick glass of fizz to celebrate our round then headed to watch the boys going round. The obstacles were slightly tight for the boys But they did a great round.
Washed them off and it was time for the reception and hog roast. Lots of dancing and plenty drink meant a late night.
Up early again and i left the other groom in charge of gypsy while i plaited the boys, there wasn't going to be enough time after his round to get it done.
Gypsy was in great form and did a brilliant double clear to finish in 3rd place in his class.
Back in time to get the boys polished up and hop on again. They warmed up nicely but in the ring they were very strong, they finished well inside the time but with 3 cones down. It was a tough class and they kept their 4th place.
Loaded everything up and managed to hit the road by 2pm meant we were back in the yard by 10pm and the boys got a roll in the indoor school before getting tucked into their stables.
i can't quite believe it's the end of the season already, it has flown by and i have loved it. The horses get about a month off now before starting ridden work and we'll do dressage over the winter.
We got there around 3pm and had the stabling set up in no time, the boys are great travellers and settled easily so we got out for a drive round the exercise route. Thursday is our day that we can be hungover so plenty gin was had.
Thursday dawned dry and warm, horses were driven morning and evening, we spent the rest of the day walking obstacles and trying to be organised as gypsy was doing dressage at 920 so we were going to be in for an early morning.
When the alarm went on Friday it was chucking it down and still very dark. Got the mucking out done and started scrubbing gypsy, it takes awhile and lots of whitner as he's meant to be super white he'd just rather be brown. We were organised with time for a quick change before i jumped on the back of the carriage. He warmed up well and did a lovely test, a bit strong but that's just him.
Got back and washed him off and then went out with Mr P and the boys, they worked really well. Back again and washed them and see scrubbed their legs before going to walk obstacles again. Then there was time to plait and polish and change again, i wish i could get organised for a night out as quickly as i get organised to groom. Another nice test and more obstacle walking.
The end of the day saw both the pair and gypsy in 4th place in their classes.
A bit of a lie in on Saturday before a last quick walk of the obstacles to make sure they were properly in our heads. We started the marathon just before 12 with 7.7kms round the countryside. Then we did 1.1km walk section before we had a halt with vet check then it was time to start to the fun bit. 9kms with 8 big obstacles, and it was a total blast, gypsy loves people cheering him on and there was loads. It was a blast, he was so up for it and still raced into the final obstacle and jogging into the finish.
Back to the lorry and we had time to wash him off then it was time to get the chestnuts ready, boots and harness on before hearing there was a hold on course. More hanging around before the boys headed out and it was time for a quick glass of fizz to celebrate our round then headed to watch the boys going round. The obstacles were slightly tight for the boys But they did a great round.
Washed them off and it was time for the reception and hog roast. Lots of dancing and plenty drink meant a late night.
Up early again and i left the other groom in charge of gypsy while i plaited the boys, there wasn't going to be enough time after his round to get it done.
Gypsy was in great form and did a brilliant double clear to finish in 3rd place in his class.
Back in time to get the boys polished up and hop on again. They warmed up nicely but in the ring they were very strong, they finished well inside the time but with 3 cones down. It was a tough class and they kept their 4th place.
Loaded everything up and managed to hit the road by 2pm meant we were back in the yard by 10pm and the boys got a roll in the indoor school before getting tucked into their stables.
i can't quite believe it's the end of the season already, it has flown by and i have loved it. The horses get about a month off now before starting ridden work and we'll do dressage over the winter.
