Hattikins
Well-Known Member
well we got two out of the three phases right but think i perhaps have a poorly mare
On the upsides, the weather was good (minus the hugely large horsefly populations that decided to make its presence felt today!), fab new course which did ask questions, and lovely flat SJing and Dressage arenas
To cut a long story short, dressage was ok but not special so probably about right with a 34. Put me in top 1/4 i would have thought (though that is irrelevant really!)
Onto SJing and Hatts was pretty sleepy - went in and decided that EVERYTHING needed to be spooked at - she felt like a green 5yr old not a 8yr old seasoned eventer
but as PN is so in her comfort zone she went clear despite that pratting around!
XC - well lets just say it was an experience. She was reluctant to really motor in the warm up and i had a feeling she may have a look at the water complex - nothing she hasnt seen many times before though. So out of the start box and immediately she spooks at the portaloo next to the start box
rattle her a bit and she jumps fence 1 - then veers violently right and i try desperately to get her on line to fence 2, which somehow i managed. A quad bike then came past (like she hasnt seen one of those before!) and she started veering towards it while i was trying to turn the other way. Reluctantly she turned left and popped 3 into the woods. Jumped ok to the corner at 7ish but id had to smack her twice by this point to get her listening. jumped the corner, coffin complex and curving brushing things fine. then we turned back away from home and she slowed right down into the hanging log - sooo unlike her, she's really not a nappy mare and she does like her XC despite her protests! Onto the water complex and i really rode her into the narrow roll top and she just dithered 4 strides and and slithered into the bottom of it. Represented her and poor girlie decided instead of stopping or jumping it, she was going to sit right on top of it
so we retired at this point.
i walked her through the water which she obligingly did and we made our sorry walk home.
Turns out she managed to stud herself in the elbow while sitting on the roll top which isnt overly pleasant
But apart from that she just didnt feel herself. We've had a bit of a funny week really, I rode her monday in the field and she refused to canter on the left rein - odd as she is very obedient off the aids. Tuesday we had physio out who couldnt find anything serious just a few twingey bits which she weaved her magic on
Then wednesday i lunged her and she was fine - usual lazy self. Thursday and i rode and she refused to canter on the left rein again. Got off, put her on the lunge and she popped straight into left canter
got back on and after several attempts we got the transition and we spent a while relearning trot to canter transitions on the left rein
Better on friday and not bad today in warm up on in test. Now we recon she was in season at some point this week so we put this funny behaviour down to her season - being a chestnut mare and all
But that coupled with her foul behaviour - ie. trying to bite when putting bridle on, saddle on and rugs on and off (and yes ok she's not the most "friendly" horse but she doesnt go for people this often) combined with her nappy, disinterest with going XC today and then landing on a fence which she has mountains of scope to jump from trot if the effort/want was there....we think perhaps she may have a virus again? Unless anyone has any other suggestions
Will get vet out this week to take bloods...madam is just costing so much money
but we need to know she's ok or whether poor girlie actually is feeling under the weather. So sorry not great report really, just a bit down although trying to remain philosophical!!
Large roast dinner for those who are still up
To cut a long story short, dressage was ok but not special so probably about right with a 34. Put me in top 1/4 i would have thought (though that is irrelevant really!)
Onto SJing and Hatts was pretty sleepy - went in and decided that EVERYTHING needed to be spooked at - she felt like a green 5yr old not a 8yr old seasoned eventer
XC - well lets just say it was an experience. She was reluctant to really motor in the warm up and i had a feeling she may have a look at the water complex - nothing she hasnt seen many times before though. So out of the start box and immediately she spooks at the portaloo next to the start box
Turns out she managed to stud herself in the elbow while sitting on the roll top which isnt overly pleasant
Will get vet out this week to take bloods...madam is just costing so much money
Large roast dinner for those who are still up
