Pony Week - Day 1!

T

Thelwell_Girl

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STupid tube train was late, so I ran into the yard just as they were 'briefing'. Well, bloomin heck, my dressage test is Prelim 10 (BD 2002)!!

A rushed groom and tack up (tried out a running plait - it was not great!), and on I hopped. Warm up went fine, lesson was HARD! Bonnie Coblet is famed for having a very strong dislike for circles/bending of any form! I worked on getting a nice forward canter, but she felt like she was rushing, and I know I need to steady her, otherwise she wont have a nice rhythm (losing us points!) and she wont be able to get a decent canter transition.

Toddled back to the yard and made Madame comfy, had a cuddle then it was sweeping time! Yaaaaaaaaay :rolleyes: Then we al helped eachother learn the test in the small sand school, cue lots of THAT IS NOT A CIRCLE, What kind of a canter is that?! and Youre on the wrong lead again! etc :D

Next, attempted to do some form of lattice plait, failed miserably, then back to the outdoor school for test practice!

I really struggled to remember the test :( We then tried to do it as a ride, which to Bonnie Coblet means "TG! I want to ruuuuuuunnnn!" :rolleyes: She got really strong, and steering just went *foom* out of the window... :o I found it so hard to keep her cantering on a decent 20m circle, she kept on falling in and doing teeny tiny egg shapes instead.

Overall, a very tiring but somewhat successful day. I am worried about getting her going nicely while on her own, and about doing so in a teeny 20x40 arena! :eek: (I have such an awful fear of being eliminated...)

Any tips on how to get her cantering like a nice pony, not a mad thing with its bum on fire, but still forward enough to do the circle? Also, any tips on how to KEEP her on that blimmin circle?!
~
On another note, Im not allowed to do ANY jumping at all now. Apparently they will all be too high. :(

Spoke to YM about the XC, and apparently someone else is taking Bonnie, so I cant canter her in the field. 'We'll see' if theres anything I can ride at the end...
~

I feel so mixed up about today. On the one hand, I know that Bonnie can behave in company and not kill anyone! On the other hand, im basically not going to ride again apart from tomorrow... Best of all, theres going to be a proper photographer on Friday, the jumping day, and Im not jumping, so no pictures for me :(

*sigh*

Ive just got to keep learning my test and try my best, thats all I can do!

TG xx

ETA: Sorry if this sounds really petulant and horrid, I just feel so upset about thursday and friday, and terrified about being eliminated in my only event tomorrow :o
 
Oh dear, that sounds very disappointing :( the only pointer I can give about circles is "big kicks" when practising as I'm sure she's capable of doing them, just being lazy. Can they not put the jumps down a little for you afterwards? If you help them to put them away or something? Seems a bit mean.
 
I would be annoyed about that. Why did they let you do this pony week if you're not allowed to do two thirds of the riding? Bit cheeky to take your money and then not even offer an alternative. If they didn't think you could do it, they should have suggested you did another week.

For the circle, make sure you keep her round your inside leg and maintain the outside rein contact. Good luck.
 
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I am really disappointed :( I wish theyd never told me about it/asked me! At least on another pony week Id be able to do everything. And they seriously cant just put the jumps down a bit?! Im going to have a good talk with them tomorrow.

Tbh, Im most upset about not even riding when the photog's there :(
 
That does seem abit mean but if your not happy, have you considered having a lesson else where? Just try and stretch her before, mine stuggles with circles because he's abit stiff. He loves his canter too like her and has massive strides - almost a slow gallop! Argh!
 
Thats very annoying - can you not ask them to lower the jumps so you can still compete?
I would be complaining tbh; why let you do it if you cant do the showjumping? I know that they had already decided that you werent xcing, and fwiw I agree as position not stable enough (no offence intended - just observation from photos!) but dont see why you cant do the showjumping?!

Glad you had fun today, and the only suggestion I can make is that make sure that you dont look down and start to tip forward when trying to get her forward and on the circle - instead sit up and INSIST that she goes forwards and steer - I presume that because all energy is being used on the going forwards it is being lost out the front end as there is no contact to maintain the energy -so sit up, hold the reins and kick! :)
 
Im going to do loads of circles and things with her, to get her more supple.

Its not the RS as such, its they way theyve handled this... As someone else said, why ask me if I can only do 1 thing?

I love love love it there, normally couldnt wish for a better yard, just todays put a real downer on things :(
 
That's a bit harsh about the jumping, I understand with the XC, seeing as -obviosly- the hights can't be changes, but with the SJ, it's easy, as long as they stick you first/last then they're only changing the hights once.

Will you not get to ride Thurs/Fri at all?


Right for cantering Circles, I find i end up doing, inside leg back and on, Outside leg on the girth, Inside hand down/out/back ...Really open it up, then outside hand up slightly and on the neck to stop her falling out....Dont know if this will effect your marks at all, but it works with the Herc'l.

20x40 school size will be fine, it's about the size of ours, and i've found cobs do tend to find it hard to canter circles, unless they're used to it (guessing bonnie is not really) and the rider has to be used to it too....When we were learning it ended up with a certain fat-fat getting as far as X and catering diagonally to the opposite corner - usually running over the RI - as 'He couldnt bent like that...Honestly' :rolleyes:

Good luck for tomorrow Hun, Just keep reading the test and drawing it out - in purdy colours...I think your results show you have no problems learning things.
 
only_me said:
Thats very annoying - can you not ask them to lower the jumps so you can still compete?
I would be complaining tbh; why let you do it if you cant do the showjumping? I know that they had already decided that you werent xcing, and fwiw I agree as position not stable enough (no offence intended - just observation from photos!) but dont see why you cant do the showjumping?!

Glad you had fun today, and the only suggestion I can make is that make sure that you dont look down and start to tip forward when trying to get her forward and on the circle - instead sit up and INSIST that she goes forwards and steer - I presume that because all energy is being used on the going forwards it is being lost out the front end as there is no contact to maintain the energy -so sit up, hold the reins and kick! :)
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I am going to talk to them aout maybe lowering the jumps when everyone else is done - I dont mind paying extra (they did let me pay less) I just want to stretch myself! Heck, Ill put all the jumps down myself if I have to :o

I will be firm with her! We are also only allowed a short whip for some reason Its not looking good...!
 
starsnrunes said:
That's a bit harsh about the jumping, I understand with the XC, seeing as -obviosly- the hights can't be changes, but with the SJ, it's easy, as long as they stick you first/last then they're only changing the hights once.

Will you not get to ride Thurs/Fri at all?


Right for cantering Circles, I find i end up doing, inside leg back and on, Outside leg on the girth, Inside hand down/out/back ...Really open it up, then outside hand up slightly and on the neck to stop her falling out....Dont know if this will effect your marks at all, but it works with the Herc'l.

20x40 school size will be fine, it's about the size of ours, and i've found cobs do tend to find it hard to canter circles, unless they're used to it (guessing bonnie is not really) and the rider has to be used to it too....When we were learning it ended up with a certain fat-fat getting as far as X and cantering diagonally to the opposite corner - usually running over the RI - as 'He couldnt bent like that...Honestly' :rolleyes:

Good luck for tomorrow Hun, Just keep reading the test and drawing it out - in purdy colours...I think your results show you have no problems learning things.
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If im lucky on thursday, and maybe not on friday :(

I will try that :)

Its just... Bonnie doesnt BEND! Ive been working on her corners, and she is getting better, but the thing is, she is highly likely to break out of canter on the circle, I just have to get her going again... xx
 
Oh bum:(

Cantering on the circle - think leg to hand, leg to hand - so push her forward into your hand, but don't let her run on - you may need a firmer rein contact than you are used to taking. Work on slowing her canter at the ends of the school, so ask her to slow, slow, slow - sit up, plenty of leg - at the ends then send her forward again down the long sides. If she drops put of canter push her straight back into it again, she will get the hang of what you are asking. Then you can ask her for a whole slow circle at the ends of the school, then a more forward canter down the long sides.

Remember - inside leg to outside hand. Push her out - leg, leg, and then more leg! Also, you can press your crop against her shoulder to push her out. You could try working on spiraling her out - so start on a weeny circle (I'd start in walk!) then push her gradually out to a large circle with your inside leg. Keep the inside bend, she is not allowed to wander out, she has to step across. This will help her to bend more on your bigger circles.

Basically, practice makes perfect!

I am only guessing, but I would suspect that you are a bit like me and you give Bonnie a bit of licence because you love her - not always asking her for as much as she can give, riding with your reins a bit too long, not being firm enough when she won't go forward? Tough love needed - don't let her say no to you, because she is more than capable. It won't make her love you any less:)
 
That sounds really harsh about Thursday/Friday. Even if they didn't let you do the jumping, they should let you ride Bonnie - isn't the point that she's supposed to be 'yours' for the week?

Anyway, do what you can, speak to them tomorrow, but don't let it upset you and spoil the rest of your week.

Chin up x
 
SpockkyBoy said:
This Bonnie at TP?
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Spudlet said:
Oh bum:(

Cantering on the circle - think leg to hand, leg to hand - so push her forward into your hand, but don't let her run on - you may need a firmer rein contact than you are used to taking. Work on slowing her canter at the ends of the school, so ask her to slow, slow, slow - sit up, plenty of leg - at the ends then send her forward again down the long sides. If she drops put of canter push her straight back into it again, she will get the hang of what you are asking. Then you can ask her for a whole slow circle at the ends of the school, then a more forward canter down the long sides.

Remember - inside leg to outside hand. Push her out - leg, leg, and then more leg! Also, you can press your crop against her shoulder to push her out. You could try working on spiraling her out - so start on a weeny circle (I'd start in walk!) then push her gradually out to a large circle with your inside leg. Keep the inside bend, she is not allowed to wander out, she has to step across. This will help her to bend more on your bigger circles.

Basically, practice makes perfect!

I am only guessing, but I would suspect that you are a bit like me and you give Bonnie a bit of licence because you love her - not always asking her for as much as she can give, riding with your reins a bit too long, not being firm enough when she won't go forward? Tough love needed - don't let her say no to you, because she is more than capable. It won't make her love you any less:)
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Fab advice! Thank you :)

And I do try to be quite firm with her, as she can be a horrid little poo (and occasionally dangerous! :eek:) if she thinks she can win :rolleyes:

starsnrunes said:
Might be to do with Bonnie. Some horses dont like schooling whips, theres more chance of catching them accidentally on the bum.

But saying that, haven't you used one with her before?
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I only ever ride her with a schooling whip, and I think she goes a lot better! No-one is allowed a schooling whip, not just me, and I think its silly. Surely a schooling whip lets us use more refind aids, rather than taking hands of the reins and giving a smack?

Spudlet said:
Oh, and get someone to call the test for you if you are worried about forgetting;)
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They arent allowing anyone a caller either!
 
Agree that if they are now going to stop you doing 2/3 of the riding I hope you're not paying full price. Seems a shame they can't put the showjumps down a bit.

Anyhow - must be nice to be in charge of doing everything for Bonnie! I'm trying ot teach my young pony circles at the moment and it's so hard to get the bend right. A couple of things I find help are to ensure that your hands remain level and the right way up, then envisage your reins and arms from bit to elbow making 2 straigh lines like the sides of a tunnel - the idea is that the pony stays between them. They can sometimes swing out thorugh their outside shoulder but you can help to stop that by ensuring that your outside hand always stays outside the shoulder -so your pony stays in the "tunnel". Then it's a case of masses of inside leg to get the bend - my instructor tells me to imagine stretching my inside leg down and round the pony, lifting him up with my inside leg and pushing him over into my outside hand (hope that makes sense). To stop her running on and getting too speedy try counting to keep your rising in a regular rhythm. Then use half halts with your outside hand to check her and stop her running onwards.

One trick that may or maynot work (I struggle with this one) is something my instructor told me to try with my boy and that is to not ride a circle with constant bend but to ride a square with curved corners. Basically think of your 20m circle as 4 straight sides linked by 4 curves. The straight sides are only a couple of strides but they give you time to straighten and hopefully not fall in as lot and helps you to ride a bigger less egg shaped circle as it's divided down into curves and straight lines not one long curve.

Finally for steadying up and keeping a rhythm remember to keep your shoulders back, your hands up at the correct height not buried in the neck, try and hold your head up and look where you want to go and keep your leg long and heels down.

Sorry for the essay - I have been focussing on bend and circles with my boy for about the last 2-3 months - we're getting there now (after I admitted defeat and put my instructor on for a session to teach pony some big life lessons for me!).

Congrats on yor fab GCSE results too.

:)

Woops - just realised you said canter circles - same pretty much applies except for the rising part!! Sorry, me and the pony haven't reached canter yet - we only canter in a straight line on stubble fields!! :D
 
JenJ said:
That sounds really harsh about Thursday/Friday. Even if they didn't let you do the jumping, they should let you ride Bonnie - isn't the point that she's supposed to be 'yours' for the week?

Anyway, do what you can, speak to them tomorrow, but don't let it upset you and spoil the rest of your week.

Chin up x
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I spose the reason theyve done it is that not all of the horses can do all the jumping/dressage/XC phases, so there is some chopping and changing.

I will talk to them tomorow, and see what they can do.
 
mmmph annoying - Id be pissed off - out of interest how much have you paid for it?

at least you had today with Bonnie and hopefully had some nice people to chat too
 
I think you should do your best, but when it comes to the test think about doing the moves you know you can do well, really well: thus making the most of your marks even if your canter circle is an egg shaped gallop :D
 
Walrus said:
Agree that if they are now going to stop you doing 2/3 of the riding I hope you're not paying full price. Seems a shame they can't put the showjumps down a bit.

Im not paying full price at all! More like half.

Anyhow - must be nice to be in charge of doing everything for Bonnie! I'm trying ot teach my young pony circles at the moment and it's so hard to get the bend right. A couple of things I find help are to ensure that your hands remain level and the right way up, then envisage your reins and arms from bit to elbow making 2 straigh lines like the sides of a tunnel - the idea is that the pony stays between them. They can sometimes swing out thorugh their outside shoulder but you can help to stop that by ensuring that your outside hand always stays outside the shoulder -so your pony stays in the "tunnel". Then it's a case of masses of inside leg to get the bend - my instructor tells me to imagine stretching my inside leg down and round the pony, lifting him up with my inside leg and pushing him over into my outside hand (hope that makes sense). To stop her running on and getting too speedy try counting to keep your rising in a regular rhythm. Then use half halts with your outside hand to check her and stop her running onwards.

I will try that, as I think I tend to let her just run away when i want an active canter, rather than work on getting her going nicely and forward!

One trick that may or maynot work (I struggle with this one) is something my instructor told me to try with my boy and that is to not ride a circle with constant bend but to ride a square with curved corners. Basically think of your 20m circle as 4 straight sides linked by 4 curves. The straight sides are only a couple of strides but they give you time to straighten and hopefully not fall in as lot and helps you to ride a bigger less egg shaped circle as it's divided down into curves and straight lines not one long curve.

I might have to do that, Bonnie just HATES circles, and that might help me contain her speedy cobby legs!

Finally for steadying up and keeping a rhythm remember to keep your shoulders back, your hands up at the correct height not buried in the neck, try and hold your head up and look where you want to go and keep your leg long and heels down.

Sorry for the essay - I have been focussing on bend and circles with my boy for about the last 2-3 months - we're getting there now (after I admitted defeat and put my instructor on for a session to teach pony some big life lessons for me!).

Congrats on your fab GCSE results too.

Thank you :)
:)

Woops - just realised you said canter circles - same pretty much applies except for the rising part!! Sorry, me and the pony haven't reached canter yet - we only canter in a straight line on stubble fields!! :D

The advice is still really good!
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.......
 
CalllyH said:
mmmph annoying - Id be pissed off - out of interest how much have you paid for it?

at least you had today with Bonnie and hopefully had some nice people to chat too
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I'll PM you,

Everyone was lovely today, even putting up with my wobbles :o

Naturally said:
I think you should do your best, but when it comes to the test think about doing the moves you know you can do well, really well: thus making the most of your marks even if your canter circle is an egg shaped gallop :D
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Thats what my instructor said, kinda! Just get her back into canter if she breaks out, and do the moves you can do really well.

(And YAY for gallop!)
 
Geoff Billington says a good canter is like a rubber ball. You want all the bounce to be going up, not forwards -
so boing boing boing, as opposed to
BOING -----------------BOING --------------------BOING

:D

Sounds like all your bounce is going forward, but now you need to take that energy and direct it upwards - same power, but moving in a different direction. So sit up, keep the contact, but keep those legs on too.

She will probably tell you it is FAR TOO DIFFICULT and keep dropping into trot, but if you persist she will get it;)
 
bit of a tip for your canter circles, keep you're leg on strong and hold your inside hand up to hold the horsey up which should help with her not breaking out of canter xx
 
Billington is brilliant too! Id love a lesson from him

keep your legs on hun - I know its hard work but it helps alot

just think if you complete the test thats a massive achievement in its self
 
steph91 said:
bit of a tip for your canter circles, keep you're leg on strong and hold your inside hand up to hold the horsey up which should help with her not breaking out of canter xx
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This is good advice, esp for a bit of a quick fix on a slightly wooden out of practice riding school pony. What I forgot to mention in my essay about how to (in theory) ride the perfect circle is that sometimes the best thing to do it sit up, wack on lots of inside leg and keep your hands up and look up where you're going. May not look pretty but can be very effective.

Also, for riding a dressage test, they should give you marks for being accurate so turning bang on the markers and doing your transitions in the right place, along with keeping a good rhythm, esp in trot that should get you a reasonable way there to getting decent marks. :D
 
also don't forget to SMILE, even if bits go wrong and you get annoyed remember to smile, especially at the judge going down the centre lines, gets you a long way:) x
 
CalllyH said:
Billington is brilliant too! Id love a lesson from him

keep your legs on hun - I know its hard work but it helps alot

just think if you complete the test thats a massive achievement in its self
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Walrus said:
This is good advice, esp for a bit of a quick fix on a slightly wooden out of practice riding school pony. What I forgot to mention in my essay about how to (in theory) ride the perfect circle is that sometimes the best thing to do it sit up, wack on lots of inside leg and keep your hands up and look up where you're going. May not look pretty but can be very effective.

Also, for riding a dressage test, they should give you marks for being accurate so turning bang on the markers and doing your transitions in the right place, along with keeping a good rhythm, esp in trot that should get you a reasonable way there to getting decent marks. :D
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steph91 said:
also don't forget to SMILE, even if bits go wrong and you get annoyed remember to smile, especially at the judge going down the centre lines, gets you a long way:) x
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Thanks everyone - fingers crossed I dont get disqualified!
 
Ive been teaching all the 'week long' events this summer at my RS, and although there is often a mad mix of people on them, I never drop my teaching down to the lowest standard nor expect the people who may struggle a little to catch up in a week.

I really dont think its fair on you to tell you that you can do this week and then say no to jumping/XC? surely its not hard to put jumps down? and to coach you over them?

All I want at the end of every lesson and week is for my clients to be confident and smiling, and to have progressed from the beginning to the end, be it in ability, self belief or just have gained in some more horsey knowledge!

I hope the rest of the week picks up for you TG, I read your posts and just want you to have fun!
 
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