ClassicG&T
Well-Known Member
So, today after many many months of waiting, was the Oliver Townend SJ clinic. Spent all day preparing and cleaning tack and pony. Lesson was at 3.45 and an hour or so away so we left at 2.15.
Got there, wind and rain, and watched the beginning of the lesson before mine as they were running late. I went to get geared up and tacked up when i realised...I FORGOT MY BRIDLE?!?!??! instant panic and leg shaking. oh no oh no oh no. so quick thinking i remembered seeing a sign for a tack shop round the side of the indoor, so i grab the credit card and run. i didint care how much a new bridle cost me as i WAS NOT MISSING THIS! grab first bridle and pay. next problem, no bit. NO BIT!!! so i run to the nearest group of people and ask of they were liverys there and if they had a bit, they say no but at that moment in time YO passes. I beg her if she has a spare bit and she ends up giving me her bridle. Whack on the bridle and saddle and away i go...
Got in and he came to us individually and asked us our name, horses age etc... then he got us all warming up, lots of transitions and giving and taking the reins to get the horses listening but keeping pace and relaxed. Then he had us jumping little white gates but he angled them so we had to land on the correct leg on landing to make it to the next jump. pony was knackere already hahahha..... so then he had two cross poles set in line and had us jumping the crosses but made us do 4 strides then 5 and 6. pony was really going for it and enjoying himself at this point. Oliver made us go one by one so we had his full attention. he then made us do the course and after each jump you had to be on the correct leg for the next so it kept you and your horse thinking. pony was pretty good, we struggle getting on the right leg and we had to pull up a few times but it just shows you need to be very clear in your instructions. pony was super and really tried his best. then to finish off he had us jump a spread of about 85-90cm and after 2 half hearted attempts and oliver telling me to "kick kick and give him a smack on the bum" he flew over. so pleased with pony and absolutley loved the lesson.
Oliver was very clear on what he wanted you to do and kept you thinking all the time. he explained everything really well and it couldnt have been better!
I also got him to sign the H&H for the HOYS where he is on the front with tim stockdale, which i will keep forever
Fantastic lesson and will deff get another one if he is up here again
here are some photos but they are very poor quality as lighting in indoor was dull.
lemon tea to anyone who reads through all that waffle!
Got there, wind and rain, and watched the beginning of the lesson before mine as they were running late. I went to get geared up and tacked up when i realised...I FORGOT MY BRIDLE?!?!??! instant panic and leg shaking. oh no oh no oh no. so quick thinking i remembered seeing a sign for a tack shop round the side of the indoor, so i grab the credit card and run. i didint care how much a new bridle cost me as i WAS NOT MISSING THIS! grab first bridle and pay. next problem, no bit. NO BIT!!! so i run to the nearest group of people and ask of they were liverys there and if they had a bit, they say no but at that moment in time YO passes. I beg her if she has a spare bit and she ends up giving me her bridle. Whack on the bridle and saddle and away i go...
Got in and he came to us individually and asked us our name, horses age etc... then he got us all warming up, lots of transitions and giving and taking the reins to get the horses listening but keeping pace and relaxed. Then he had us jumping little white gates but he angled them so we had to land on the correct leg on landing to make it to the next jump. pony was knackere already hahahha..... so then he had two cross poles set in line and had us jumping the crosses but made us do 4 strides then 5 and 6. pony was really going for it and enjoying himself at this point. Oliver made us go one by one so we had his full attention. he then made us do the course and after each jump you had to be on the correct leg for the next so it kept you and your horse thinking. pony was pretty good, we struggle getting on the right leg and we had to pull up a few times but it just shows you need to be very clear in your instructions. pony was super and really tried his best. then to finish off he had us jump a spread of about 85-90cm and after 2 half hearted attempts and oliver telling me to "kick kick and give him a smack on the bum" he flew over. so pleased with pony and absolutley loved the lesson.
Oliver was very clear on what he wanted you to do and kept you thinking all the time. he explained everything really well and it couldnt have been better!
I also got him to sign the H&H for the HOYS where he is on the front with tim stockdale, which i will keep forever
Fantastic lesson and will deff get another one if he is up here again
here are some photos but they are very poor quality as lighting in indoor was dull.
lemon tea to anyone who reads through all that waffle!
