Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Today was the year anniversary of me driving a pony for the first time. Seems much longer ago than that! After all sorts of hassle with transport and people letting me down, Cobsarefab came to my rescue and brought her trailer down and off we went to my second driving trial.
Leo nearly give me heart failure before we even started. As we pulled up to shut the gate behind us at the event Leo climbed out the jockey door. He had undone his leadrope, undone the door and slithered under the jockey door. When I saw him front legs out I thought we'd need the vet and fire brigade. But not for my pony. We lifted the breast bar which his enormous backside was stuck on and he walked out cool as a cucumber.
We harnessed him up and did a quick warmup and went into the dressage arena with me still feeling very shaky! Lots and lots and lots of room for improvement, but we got all 6s and 7s apart from a 4 for the rein back. He was tense and I didnt push that. So overall I'm pretty pleased. You can see how worried he is in this photo.
Into the cones and Leo lit up. He hasnt been keen on cones previously, feeding off me I think, but we have done lots of work on making cones super fun for him and its paid off. one mistake where he decided he knew best, and its not as smooth as I'd like it to be, but its a huge improvement on the previous attempt
https://www.facebook.com/vickie.aldus/videos/10155791517063667/
Then onto the obstacles. The first one was brilliant. He was pretty onward bound again but it all flowed. Second obstacle wasnt as good. He wanted to go fast and really didnt want to come back and listen to me and it was tight for a big pony, so it was rough and stop/start. After we were done he then had an epic meltdown at a shetland pulling a rattly carriage gong behind him and for a second I thought he was going to go and he launched into gallop, but I got him back and got him calmed down again. He genuinely got a fright but not enough to warrant that reaction. His adrenalin was so up from the obstacles he just over reacted.
https://www.facebook.com/vickie.aldus/videos/10155791527578667/
He definitely was getting a bit carried away today at points. It will be interesting to see what hes like next time. I'm hoping hes calmer and more relaxed. He was very buzzy today and while I need him taking me forward I also need him listening and waiting as well. But I cant complain as we only went and got second place! I think there were about 8 people in the class, so not a consolation prize second place either :biggrin3:
I am absolutely thrilled and so proud of my little pie-key pony! Not bad for a meat money pony from one of the horse auction groups on Facebook. Now we have one more of these before we head to our first proper outdoor event in August.
Leo nearly give me heart failure before we even started. As we pulled up to shut the gate behind us at the event Leo climbed out the jockey door. He had undone his leadrope, undone the door and slithered under the jockey door. When I saw him front legs out I thought we'd need the vet and fire brigade. But not for my pony. We lifted the breast bar which his enormous backside was stuck on and he walked out cool as a cucumber.
We harnessed him up and did a quick warmup and went into the dressage arena with me still feeling very shaky! Lots and lots and lots of room for improvement, but we got all 6s and 7s apart from a 4 for the rein back. He was tense and I didnt push that. So overall I'm pretty pleased. You can see how worried he is in this photo.
Into the cones and Leo lit up. He hasnt been keen on cones previously, feeding off me I think, but we have done lots of work on making cones super fun for him and its paid off. one mistake where he decided he knew best, and its not as smooth as I'd like it to be, but its a huge improvement on the previous attempt
https://www.facebook.com/vickie.aldus/videos/10155791517063667/
Then onto the obstacles. The first one was brilliant. He was pretty onward bound again but it all flowed. Second obstacle wasnt as good. He wanted to go fast and really didnt want to come back and listen to me and it was tight for a big pony, so it was rough and stop/start. After we were done he then had an epic meltdown at a shetland pulling a rattly carriage gong behind him and for a second I thought he was going to go and he launched into gallop, but I got him back and got him calmed down again. He genuinely got a fright but not enough to warrant that reaction. His adrenalin was so up from the obstacles he just over reacted.
https://www.facebook.com/vickie.aldus/videos/10155791527578667/
He definitely was getting a bit carried away today at points. It will be interesting to see what hes like next time. I'm hoping hes calmer and more relaxed. He was very buzzy today and while I need him taking me forward I also need him listening and waiting as well. But I cant complain as we only went and got second place! I think there were about 8 people in the class, so not a consolation prize second place either :biggrin3:
I am absolutely thrilled and so proud of my little pie-key pony! Not bad for a meat money pony from one of the horse auction groups on Facebook. Now we have one more of these before we head to our first proper outdoor event in August.
