Pre Christmas Weekend Plans

[blitznbobs]

Food shopping, house tidying , ikea furniture building and I might be able to squeeze in a hack if the weather doesn’t suck too much - arena already flooded so I’m hoping to ship
Out to an indoor
Next week but no time this weekend due to hosting Christmas this year

 

[Ambers Echo]

Weekend started with an AWESOME lesson with Nicola Wilson. She was lovely too.

 

[scats]

Shopping at Costco today to stock up for Christmas, but managed to squeeze in a late afternoon ride on Millie in the back field. She just makes my heart burst. She’s not the most talented little horse in the world, but she has come on so much in our 6 months together. I feel like over the last 2 months in particular, I have really figured out how to ride her and as a result, she’s just getting better and better.

I’ve had such a horrendous year, but she really has saved me.

 

[milliepops]

ahh scats, that's lovely x

 

[DressageCob]

I'm keeping the main part of my plans under my hat, in case something happens. It's not exciting to anyone but me, but I'm more excited about it than Christmas 🎄

I've got a flat lesson with the big cob tomorrow, and then jumping on Sunday. We might be going out SJ next Thursday if I can be bothered. He's still learning how to get his enormous feet out the of way, so we aren't competitive yet, so sometimes it feels like a wasted outing (given lorry cost, entry fees etc) so I need to remind myself that what we need is training and experience and competitions can be part of that!! I'm so used to dressage where we stand a chance that it's a whole mindset adjustment for me 😄 And I know that makes me sound like a complete brat, but I can't help it!

Little cob has a lesson on Sunday too. We have moved into a group lesson and he is coping really well. He was a bit worried about the passing left to left thing, but he settled down after about the fourth horse. And to be fair, his reaction was minor. He just tensed but didn't run off (I think I'm getting the balance of reassurance plus positive riding finally). I'm so impressed with him. I'm a bit embarrassed at how negative I was before he lost his eye. He has completely surprised me. They are such amazing animals.

 

[milliepops]

That's so great about little cob 💗
Will you tell us about the main plans later??

 

[DressageCob]

That's so great about little cob 💗
Will you tell us about the main plans later??

if it happens, I will. And I suppose if not, I will too 😄

I'm feeling superstitious about this, after such a crappy year! It's a little thing but means so much to me 😊

 

[DressageCob]

Stupid thing got jinxed anyway!!

I was supposed to take my little one eyed cob to do a Novice test at reaseheath as a great finish to an awful year. He’s going better than ever and I wanted to go and show him off and they’ve bloody cancelled. I’m so cross.

They say they have an emergency and have cancelled sunday’s showing competition too, so I assume it’s somethint bad. So hopefully they are all ok, but I’m still cross.

I need to find another outing to end my year of shite instead!!

 

[Fiona]

We have the panto on Saturday and hubbys birthday on Sunday so not very horsy...

F and I will ride tomorrow morning though, and we may well go xc schooling on Monday...

Good luck everyone competing x

Fiona

 

[Michen]

Being naughty. I know I know I know it’s stupid but... he just makes my heart swell. Doing the most stuffy cautious trot because he could feel how useless I was with my aircast. A pony made of gold- I can’t believe 6 months ago I was scared every fine I put my foot in the stirrup.

 

[Mule]

Being naughty. I know I know I know it’s stupid but... he just makes my heart swell. Doing the most stuffy cautious trot because he could feel how useless I was with my aircast. A pony made of gold- I can’t believe 6 months ago I was scared every fine I put my foot in the stirrup.

Are you back up on a horse already

 

[Michen]

Are you back up on a horse already

Hehe pic failed to upload but attached now. The stuffiest of trot, he basically said are you suuuuuure you should be trotting. What an angel. I actually went to tack room to get lunging gear but I hate lunging and just ended up tacking up and.... 🙈

 

[Mule]

Hehe pic failed to upload but attached now. The stuffiest of trot, he basically said are you suuuuuure you should be trotting. What an angel. I actually went to tack room to get lunging gear but I hate lunging and just ended up tacking up and.... 🙈

View attachment 28303

View attachment 28304

I'm impressed

 

[Bernster]

Ooh ambers echo, we need a report for a lesson like that! 😀

 

[Accidental Eventer]

We had the BEST time XC training this morning. My little horse was so brave and jumped a heap of different fences, handled terrain so well and jumped into the water for the first time. For a horse who hates getting his feet wet that's a pretty big deal.

So pleased we went out early today it ended up hitting 40C here. So pleased to have air con on days like today.

 

[milliepops]

so jealous of your sunshine, AE! though 40 degrees would be a bit excessive I think

 

[Accidental Eventer]

so jealous of your sunshine, AE! though 40 degrees would be a bit excessive I think

Yes, hottest day in 2 years. Can't say I missed it but I guess thats life. I think I prefer it to cold and wet!

 

[Chippers1]

My lesson was really good! Actually came away with stuff to work on. He did his first ever bounces and we discovered he is very wonky on the right rein and struggled going down the line but did it perfectly on the left rein so got to work on straighteness

 

[JackInABox]

My side saddle lesson was amazing! I've never ridden such a polite and well schooled horse before, the instructor was lovely, and I had so much fun. Going back next weekend (photo attached, although looking at it I'm already picking out the things that need fixing)

 

[Ambers Echo]

Ooh ambers echo, we need a report for a lesson like that! 😀

Ok then! She was giving lessons in a small indoor so there were just 4 jumps up in a twisty course and all the jumps came up really quickly. It was all about rhythm, balance, steering, getting on the correct line, thinking ahead, looking ahead and using the space well. There were just 2 of us and after every go over the fences she gave so much really detailed and incredibly constructive feedback. In my case: less inside rein and more outside leg to turn, getting the canter re-energised after jumping without letting her get strung out/long and most importantly being more mentally organised so I give myself and her more time and space. We ended up jumping around a 90/95cm in a really small space with tight turns and I was amazed that Amber stayed balanced enough to do that. She has no problems with the height but I have always found adjustability hard with her. It was fab and me and the other rider have invited her back to teach again in about 6 weeks and she has agreed which is fab! She loved Amber too. I always like teachers more when they like my horse! Perhaps I shouldn't be influenced by that??!

 

[Ambers Echo]

Another awesome day today with the ponies. I won't clog up the weekend thread with too many pics but little Dolly was FAB at her first arena eventing clinic. She was a bit 'on the gin' with her legs all over the place but she was so honest and bold jumping all manner of weird looking fences including a brightly coloured fish! And Jenny was her usual pocket rocket self! What a lovely way to start the Christmas holidays x

Dolly

Jenny

 

[Chippers1]

The first picture of Jenny is amazing, she's flying!

 

[blood_magik]

Love looking at everyone’s pics - all looks fab 👌🏻

I’m thinking of taking Blue to my local’s UA Xmas show tomorrow to have a go at the Chase me Charlie now that his lorry is back. Could be interesting... 🙈😅

Will report back 😳

 

[Chippers1]

Buzz thinking a brush might actually eat him 😅

Also very nicely jumping this narrow slatted thing that I thought he wouldn't, he did it three times!..


We also jumped that roll top in the corner which he did so well. The instructor really liked him and also said she wasn't expecting me to jump them so well as from what I told her over text she was expecting someone very nervous so that was nice! She also said he'd be more than capable to doing a BE80 so I'm so happy with that 😄

 

[DressageCob]

So my dressage outing was cancelled. Instead I still had an exciting day! Little cob and I jumped the world’s smallest cross pole. A mini video is above. It was tiny and I loved it. It was our first jump since his eye was removed and he was so happy 😊 not a great photo but never mind!

 

[Chippers1]

Sorry for spam but a little video of the bounces too..

"> what a good boy!

 

[blitznbobs]

Sorry for spam but a little video of the bounces too..

"> what a good boy!

He looks like he’s having the time of his life!

 

[rosiesowner]

Yay, lots of great stuff in the thread this weekend! But something sad, too. Sorry for your loss BM, animals always manage to be such a big part of our lives and it's never easy to lose them. Last night brought our yard's meal out for Christmas! Always nice to see us all looking like actual human beings and not covered in muck! Today I worked the morning at the yard, then had a GREAT schooling session on Chilli where I felt like things actually started to come together once I breathed and rode the canter properly. We did our first simple change in months and it was the best one yet! Sounds silly but after months off and the fact that before she'd refuse to walk and jog/run backwards just being able to do that is great. Then she had a wash of her tail, legs, face and mane as she was getting a bit yellow. Tomorrow I'm going with dad to pick my Christmas present and to spend some quality time with him which will be lovely and will sneak in some schooling in the evening. Oh, and I must hang Chilli's tinsel and stocking outside her stable!

ETA: the first pic is of my brill mum who is my rock at the moment!

 

[Ambers Echo]

The first picture of Jenny is amazing, she's flying!

Amber must have been giving her tips on the correct way to jump a fence

 

[JFTDWS]

Super jumping photos and videos, folks.

I hacked everything today. Dae was his usual cheerful self, Skye was her usual, charming, mannerly, fun self (except for nearly slipping over in the mud), ad Fergs was a total pillock. And that's about as exciting as my updates get at this time of year