Second BE Season Review.

Ambers Echo

Ambers Echo

Still wittering on
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13 October 2017
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It's raining. I'm bored. And as my season is over I have decided to do a season's round up to help me decide what to focus on for winter. So here we go!

I started at BE90 and Amber had absolutely no issue with going up a level. But the main problem I have had this season has been control. Aston le Walls was our first run and she was WIIIIILD leading to an embarrassing 16 faults in the SJ and a shocking 116.8 personal worst overall score. But thankfully that represented the lowest point of our season. In SJ she has had a couple of clears, a couple of 4 faulters and 8 faults other than the disaster at A le W. We also fell at the last at Bradwall when she skidded on very boggy ground made to jump and wisely changed her mind, and I toppled down her shoulder. Lesson learned- time for her to be shod and studded.

Unfortunately our lack of control emerged again at Somerford on the XC. She jumped clear but it was not pretty. And led me to recommit to a focus on rideability. Again. A commitment further strengthened when I took her to the awesome Tik Maynard clinic and discovered – 2 years after Buck- that it is still the simplest things we find hardest: walking at the pace I want, focusing on me and not on other horses, transitioning down without being hard against the hand. Just basic foundation stuff and I have not done enough of it because it just isn’t that much fun. I’d rather be out hooning about the country side. But it is now getting in the way of said hooning because her tendency to take over in walk means she also has a tendency to take over at gallop. Which is less than ideal! Buck Brannaman bellowed ‘she is running off with you and you don’t mind because she is doing it in WALK, but it is UNACCEPTABLE’ when we were at the Aintree clinic 2 years ago. Well she is now also doing it at gallop. So there is my winter project sorted!

But apart from the occasional loss of control issues, we are making steady progress. I keep waiting for that awesome breakthrough, that ‘we are smashing it’ moment. But it seems to be a slow, steady improvement not a dramatic one. And that is fine. I have stepped up to 90 AND got better at the same time.

Dressage has gone from a dire 41.2 average score (range 44.3-38.5) to a mediocre 36.8 average score (range 42-35). But hey it’s progress! My average this year is better than my PB from last year and that has to be a good sign! One day we will get the results I know she is capable of. When I learn to ride.

SJ has gone from an average of 5.6 faults (range 0-12) to an average of 5.3 faults (range 0-16). But my median score was 8 in 2018 and 4 in 2019 so I think this is encouraging,

Amber is still usually clear XC and both errors we made this season were mine – as they were last year.

As for time faults – well I have not got lost all season. HURRAH. It takes me forever to learn the courses but I have accepted that and my system now works. But I am still getting some time pens XC because I just don't have gears and brakes well enough established to let her run. She can easily make the time so this will come too. Another reason to focus on rideabilty

In terms of overall scores we have gone from an average of 80.8 (Range 93 to 69 and yes I know that;s terrible!) to a still-quite-poor average of 68.5 (range 116.8-42.5) But actually that 116.8 score is an outlier on a truly dreadful run. The next worst score was 71.8 meaning that my average last year was almost 10 pens worse than this year's 2nd worst result. I'll take that!

So apologies for the dry, dull post But sometimes it helps just to take stock and see where we are. And I am pretty happy with our season. Roll on 2020 when I plan to get a bit more consistent at 90 and then hopefully step up to BE100. Can't wait!!!

Pics as ever. No post is complete without a picture or 10! #horseofalifetime #hearthorse

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Great post. I think it's really useful to take stock now and then and honestly reflect on what's been happening. That is surely the best route to "cracking it".

I know exactly what you mean about the rideability stuff not seeming very fun, I remember being exactly in that position but I can honestly say it's the thing I find most rewarding about the riding i have now. I had to give up eventing when Millie plateaued at Novice and there was no way I could afford a horse suited to going higher, but we definitely had been winging it quite a lot early on cos the rideability work seemed too boring and she was honest and clever. Swapping to dressage was a bit of a forced move but I learnt to love teaching that adjustability that you really need for jumping. I really don't know how I did it now, I have more finessed control on Darcy NOW (of steering/balance) than I did on Millie in the early days :oops:

once you start to make inroads it starts to get addictive, in a different way to the adrenaline rush stuff. When things start to feel easy that's a different kind of pay off. Keep on going! She's such a cracker.
 
OK, there's lies, damned lies and then there's statistics! Sooo.........don't get hung up too much on the scores on the doors.

There's many more variables to consider. Your gut feel and your trainer will tell you if you are going in the right direction. Yes, it is useful too look at the figures and analysis is always good, but there is soooo much more to consider.
 
It’s an interesting thing to track in some respects but not in others.

But for you AE then getting the basics right and the control (I say that word carefully), I probably more mean the training and response to aids, you will see huge improvements in your scores in all phases - she is such a game mare.

It’s made me think a little about my fella, and actually I don’t think I could expect more from him dr & Xc at this stage, so if we can consolidate & maintain in a step up to intermediate he will be doing well.

What will make the biggest difference is more consistency in the sj. He has averaged 5.6 with a range 0-12, but has certainly improved through the season in his jump, even if not always on the score sheet. I’d like to see him come out at Novice next year more reliable on a 0 or 4
 
milliepops said:
I know exactly what you mean about the rideability stuff not seeming very fun, I remember being exactly in that position but I can honestly say it's the thing I find most rewarding about the riding i have now. I had to give up eventing when Millie plateaued at Novice and there was no way I could afford a horse suited to going higher, but we definitely had been winging it quite a lot early on cos the rideability work seemed too boring and she was honest and clever. Swapping to dressage was a bit of a forced move but I learnt to love teaching that adjustability that you really need for jumping. I really don't know how I did it now, I have more finessed control on Darcy NOW (of steering/balance) than I did on Millie in the early days :oops:

once you start to make inroads it starts to get addictive, in a different way to the adrenaline rush stuff. When things start to feel easy that's a different kind of pay off. Keep on going! She's such a cracker.
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Thanks MP. I do enjoy the work when I do it. I just tend not to do it. But I will! This is the winter of foundations!!
 
gunnergundog said:
OK, there's lies, damned lies and then there's statistics! Sooo.........don't get hung up too much on the scores on the doors.
.
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Haha! Very true. Well in terms of my own feeling I have gone from believing I would die when I walked at my first ever BE 80T XC course as the fences looked MOUNTAINOUS, to feeling very comfortable at 90. And my RI says my riding has improved. But I am never satisfied so I need to see things in black and white. I had the general sense all season that I am basically just a bit rubbish. So seeing evidence of improvements to back up all the work I've put in is encouraging.
 
ihatework said:
But for you AE then getting the basics right and the control (I say that word carefully), I probably more mean the training and response to aids, you will see huge improvements in your scores in all phases - she is such a game mare.
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I hope so!!

ihatework said:
It’s made me think a little about my fella, and actually I don’t think I could expect more from him dr & Xc at this stage, so if we can consolidate & maintain in a step up to intermediate he will be doing well.

What will make the biggest difference is more consistency in the sj. He has averaged 5.6 with a range 0-12, but has certainly improved through the season in his jump, even if not always on the score sheet. I’d like to see him come out at Novice next year more reliable on a 0 or 4
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You've both been awesome this season. Bet you're glad he didn't sell?
 
I love your attitude, it is so open and questioning but you do give yourself a hard time! BBs comment made me smile because I've had the same comment doing dressage from my trainer ie, you are the only rider I know who gets bolted with in walk!, that was with my lovely Mr B and she was just so right, we were doing everything on his terms as I really didn't have control. (he would have killed me on a XC course!) I look forward to reading your reports for next season.
 
Great roundup. Here's to a winter of foundation building :D:cool:.

As you know, Amber is one of my favourite HHO horses, and it's been really nice reading your posts this year
 
I love the stats. Really nice to see progress in black and white :)

I'm such a fan of the rideability thing. I really do think you're hitting on something that a lot of people miss there - I see so many horses (average, amateur horses!) which just lack basic rideability, and it's such an easy thing to work on, if you have the patience and the skillset. I reckon once you crack that, it'll make a huge difference to those stats. It's also what I'll be working on over winter with my ginger - obviously with different aims, as I want to shoot stuff more than jump over it! - but it's all the same stuff in principle :)
 
Rideability is absolutely vital for every discipline. I see so many people when I teach that are bimbling around the arena and its patently obvious that the horse is in charge, not the rider. Now please forgive me if this is not you, I have not seen you ride, so I wouldnt dream of being personal to you, because I may well be saying things that you already do, but this is where I begin when I see people with rideability issues.

When a rider is in the arena I want to know that pretty much every step is taken in both the speed and direction that the rider wishes, so if you want to be straight on the wall, make sure you are exactly that, not just allowing the horse to follow the wall in a slightly wobbly fashion. Every corner must be correctly ridden, as must every circle and any other figures you choose to ride, transitions must happen under your control, if you cant do this, how to do expect to keep your line on a dog leg of a specific number of strides between skinnies? I ask riders to be deliberate when riding in the arena and to make that feel automatic, so that rideability becomes a habit for both the horse and rider where ever you are. In a way its unfortunate that a really keen, honest jumping horse sees a fence and locks on because it allows so many issues to slide by undetected until the questions become more demanding, whereas the rider with a naughtier horse learns these skills much sooner if they want to jump clear. Basically you need to be able to get from A to B on the line and in the speed you want!
 
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Interesting thread AE

The basics / fundamentals are so important, a horse and rider can get to a certain point without them but progression after that stalls without the basics confirmed.

It's good that you recognise what you need to work on.

I think you are quite hard on yourself only focusing on the scores like that. Whilst it's useful to acknowledge the scores I find it better to look at what worked well and what specific areas need improvement. Sometimes the score is not reflective of the progress being made.

Great pics as always - I love her clipped look - is that a recent pic?
 
daffy44 said:
Basically you need to be able to get from A to B on the line and in the speed you want!
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That basically sums up Tik Maynard's guide to jumping: Line and speed. If they are right all else is a bonus. In order of priority he says:
Line
Speed
Rhythm
Balance
Stride

I'd never really considered that line and speed of course equally applies to walking in the arena! Penny drop moment. Thank you.
 
Ambers Echo said:
That basically sums up Tik Maynard's guide to jumping: Line and speed. If they are right all else is a bonus. In order of priority he says:
Line
Speed
Rhythm
Balance
Stride

I'd never really considered that line and speed of course equally applies to walking in the arena! Penny drop moment. Thank you.
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It applies to everything!! Do you wanting to be hacking along the side of the field in walk or being bolted across the field? It all comes back to the same thing really.
 
daffy44 said:
Rideability is absolutely vital for every discipline. I see so many people when I teach that are bimbling around the arena and its patently obvious that the horse is in charge, not the rider. Now please forgive me if this is not you, I have not seen you ride, so I wouldnt dream of being personal to you, because I may well be saying things that you already do, but this is where I begin when I see people with rideability issues.

When a rider is in the arena I want to know that pretty much every step is taken in both the speed and direction that the rider wishes, so if you want to be straight on the wall, make sure you are exactly that, not just allowing the horse to follow the wall in a slightly wobbly fashion. Every corner must be correctly ridden, as must every circle and any other figures you choose to ride, transitions must happen under your control, if you cant do this, how to do expect to keep your line on a dog leg of a specific number of strides between skinnies? I ask riders to be deliberate when riding in the arena and to make that feel automatic, so that rideability becomes a habit for both the horse and rider where ever you are. In a way its unfortunate that a really keen, honest jumping horse sees a fence and locks on because it allows so many issues to slide by undetected until the questions become more demanding, whereas the rider with a naughtier horse learns these skills much sooner if they want to jump clear. Basically you need to be able to get from A to B on the line and in the speed you want!
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I came back to this post, it's such a good summary. Making it automatic is such a good point because when you can train yourself to notice the moments that the horse takes over and automatically fix it, that's when rideability training work becomes enjoyable instead of drudgery. When your subconscious starts to help you out with it. 2020 will be your year AE ;)
 
I love your stats as well!! OK they maybe don't give the whole picture but they are really useful anyway. I totally get the "run off with in walk" thing too, which 100% knocks onto every other pace, and should be easy to work on every time you ride.

Well done for your season and for being honest enough to report on it like this :)
 
It's a bit of an aside really but I'm also very bored as can't ride ATM. I see so many people asking "How do you get a horse on the bit?" whereas the question should probably be "How do I get my horse on the aids?" If it doesn't react to the leg appropriately, won't flex if asked, is stiff in the body and is crooked etc, getting it "on the bit" is the least of the problems and I put my hand up here, it's taken me a while for that particular penny to drop!
 
Brilliant post. Good luck with you winter of foundation training. Do a month of walk-halt, circles and sideways, schooling and you'll probably be bored senseless but start to feel a big difference!
 
I was getting odd looks the other week for questioning why my mare had randomly sped up in walk on a hack, and for playing around to correct it. My companion's response was along the lines of "it's fine, she's not going anywhere". I was too busy thinking "er, I didn't ask for that. I just want to make sure she is still *with* me...". I may be a control freak but, well, my ponies are quite mannerly because of it!
 
PapaverFollis said:
Brilliant post. Good luck with you winter of foundation training. Do a month of walk-halt, circles and sideways, schooling and you'll probably be bored senseless but start to feel a big difference!
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I posted last summer that because it was so hot I'd spent a lot of time schooling in walk and I had learned so much eg I didn't really have control of the shoulders!!
 
Bernster said:
Great post AE. You like your stats! I think you’re doing fabulous and how exciting that you’re planning the step to 100. That’s amazing.
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Well it's just an idea.... but it does not feel like a crazy idea anymore which is progress.x
 
JFTD-WS said:
My companion's response was along the lines of "it's fine, she's not going anywhere". I was too busy thinking "er, I didn't ask for that. I just want to make sure she is still *with* me...". I may be a control freak but, well, my ponies are quite mannerly because of it!
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Yes! I have really noticed how that level of control and connection is not really expected of many horses. But that is absolutely what I want too.
 
Have loved reading your event reports and seeing the improvement in the partnership.

You have been inspiring as I look to return back to eventing next year after a 9 year break (6 years will little or no riding). Although I have previously competed up to intermediate with the chestnut mare ;) in my signature it was a long time ago and I'm obviously somewhat older.

One counter argument on the control thing. I think daffy44 had it right by talking about rideability. There is a risk that if we over control then the horse will always be looking to us but on the XC there may be times when I would like my horse to think for themselves.
 
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