Second week in April plans

I packed Maddie off to my trainer's yard today and tomorrow I start my journey north to the Shetland Islands. I am meeting up with a couple of ex HHOers. Last time we met was Feb 2020, so it will be lovely to see them again - one lives in Northamptonshire, but the other in the Borders, so logistics aren't easy. This trip has been booked for over 6 months - fingers crossed we don't have any last minute hitches. I am currently at the point where I still have a thousand things to do before I go away, but I know it will be worth it when I get there.

Hope everyone has a great weekend whatever you are up to.

I think there is a pony in there somewhere!!!

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Is it normal to watch SJ the day before your event on youtube (at the venue) and your stomach starts flipping and churning already, and your heart rate increase?

Feels like I've just been for a run and I'm still in bed with a cup of tea!

Damn nerves...
 
Bernster said:
Thought twice about sharing this…I don’t think my confidence has been too badly dented from last weekend’s fall, but it currently feels like my enjoyment has been. I’m off back to munstead this afternoon for a solo xc lesson. Previously I’ve been more excited and not that nervous about our outings, which is unusual for me, in a good way, but now I’m feeling decidedly ‘meh’ and a bit flat about it. Not enough to cry off but enough to feel a bit unsure about it.

I suppose that’s inevitable but I might adjust my plan (which was to treat it almost like a comp, do the warm up and go straight round) and instead take it slow and see how we go. Hopefully, I can reinstall some of that excitement and enjoyment and regain some trust…

In theory I know that progress with horses is always up and own, and you have to get over various issues, but putting that into practice is always the challenge!
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I would say go just to enjoy the outing. Wind in your hair. No need to even jump, no pressure. I know that sometimes, when I see the fences, I feel nervous. They look huge. But then, when I get 'that' canter, suddenly they all look teeny tiny. It all suddenly is about the feel of the canter and the feel for the correct speed and angles. It all becomes a giant, moving, powerful jigsaw puzzle and is such a buzz that the nerves don't even feature.
 
Bernster said:
Thought twice about sharing this…I don’t think my confidence has been too badly dented from last weekend’s fall, but it currently feels like my enjoyment has been. I’m off back to munstead this afternoon for a solo xc lesson. Previously I’ve been more excited and not that nervous about our outings, which is unusual for me, in a good way, but now I’m feeling decidedly ‘meh’ and a bit flat about it. Not enough to cry off but enough to feel a bit unsure about it.

I suppose that’s inevitable but I might adjust my plan (which was to treat it almost like a comp, do the warm up and go straight round) and instead take it slow and see how we go. Hopefully, I can reinstall some of that excitement and enjoyment and regain some trust…

In theory I know that progress with horses is always up and own, and you have to get over various issues, but putting that into practice is always the challenge!
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Bernster you are not alone, if it helps I HAVE actually cried this morning out of sheer nerves. Hope it went well xx
 
Well, my Friday afternoon hack with Baby Horse went beautifully. We met a skip wagon, a JCB towing a slurry tank, did the clunky bridges, met a friend on her horse, rode with them a bit then separated with just one serenade... lovely!

Then... I risked him in the grassy field. He was in for a couple of weeks earlier, then the rain came back and he ran up and down so was banned. I *thought* an hour in the evening sun would be OK, as he would be eating. Nope. Field was ploughed again :rolleyes: Mr Red is not amused, it takes 2 hours to roll :p

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Happy photo before the running!
 
Michen said:
Is it normal to watch SJ the day before your event on youtube (at the venue) and your stomach starts flipping and churning already, and your heart rate increase?

Feels like I've just been for a run and I'm still in bed with a cup of tea!

Damn nerves...
Click to expand...

Maybe one of these books would help for the future. There are techniques for managing nerves and stopping them making you cry and feel sick.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transform-Pressure-Power-Strategies-Eventing/dp/1518610501

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Trai...3&sprefix=rider+brain+training,aps,365&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fit-Focuse...&sprefix=rider+brain+training,aps,365&sr=8-12

If books and "manual" learning aren't your thing possibly worth a read of this website and dropping and email to discuss a consultation. She has a great reputation and she works with an Intermediate eventer up here who highly recommends her.

https://www.horseridingwithconfidencescotland.co.uk/
 
TPO said:
Maybe one of these books would help for the future. There are techniques for managing nerves and stopping them making you cry and feel sick.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transform-Pressure-Power-Strategies-Eventing/dp/1518610501

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Trai...3&sprefix=rider+brain+training,aps,365&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fit-Focuse...&sprefix=rider+brain+training,aps,365&sr=8-12

If books and "manual" learning aren't your thing possibly worth a read of this website and dropping and email to discuss a consultation. She has a great reputation and she works with an Intermediate eventer up here who highly recommends her.

https://www.horseridingwithconfidencescotland.co.uk/
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Thanks TPO I actually have turning pressure into power but only got a few pages in. It’s on my list to read this eve!
 
Red-1 said:
I would say go just to enjoy the outing. Wind in your hair. No need to even jump, no pressure. I know that sometimes, when I see the fences, I feel nervous. They look huge. But then, when I get 'that' canter, suddenly they all look teeny tiny. It all suddenly is about the feel of the canter and the feel for the correct speed and angles. It all becomes a giant, moving, powerful jigsaw puzzle and is such a buzz that the nerves don't even feature.
Click to expand...
Michen said:
Bernster you are not alone, if it helps I HAVE actually cried this morning out of sheer nerves. Hope it went well xx
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Bless you both! It was ahem, interesting….but we survived, just about ?. Had to dramatically change plan to ride the horse I had on the day, who was like a giant Tigger! Not focused, not listening, with a bit of piaffe, passage and cantering on the spot. We didn’t do much jumping and didn’t get far from the warm up area. He was best when pointed towards a fence but in between he wasn’t very rideable. It’s tempting to just let him run on over fences as I get the sense he’s happiest when he’s just off galloping but, if he’s not properly listening and on my aids, that doesn’t feel safe.

Need to have a re think, ditch the xc comp plans and do some more training on our own. To be fair, it’s the first solo xc I’ve done with him and we haven’t done much faster work for months over the winter.

There’s a tiny niggle at the back of my mind that he might be too much horse for me but I really like him, I enjoy riding him (but not yesterday!) and I’m prepared to work it through. I feel ok to take him out dressage and sj in a comp environment but I’ll lay off any xc or Eventing for a while until we have Control and Focus installed!
 
Ah, well, after last night's thunder snow, which resulted in over half a foot of snow on the ground and many downed trees (heavy stuff!), there's a lot to clean up and mend at the yard. Fortunately not so much destruction, and power just came back on not too long ago. So now my plans might be diving into the cleanup effort. Still giving a light jumping lesson, but that much snow was unexpected!
 
Michen said:
He's such a nice looking horse, Red.
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Thank you. He is so kind and mannerly. Obviously, as a not quite 5 year old, he has wobbly moments, but generally he is just a happy chappie.

I got a heavier build to offset that I was buying a 4yo, unseen, from Ireland. I wanted a less athletic one as I am now less athletic myself! As it happens, he will be every bit as athletic as I need, has a wonderful trot and, when 'up' he is rather superb. He is quite lazy at the moment day to day, so I have entered 3 camps over this year, hoping it will jolly him along. The racing college did.

I feel he is a late developer, so no eventing this year. He isn't naturally the boldest, so we are just doing bits. I think he will be ready next year, or maybe a small unaffiliated at the end of this season to have a trot round.
 
Bernster said:
Bless you both! It was ahem, interesting….but we survived, just about ?. Had to dramatically change plan to ride the horse I had on the day, who was like a giant Tigger! Not focused, not listening, with a bit of piaffe, passage and cantering on the spot. We didn’t do much jumping and didn’t get far from the warm up area. He was best when pointed towards a fence but in between he wasn’t very rideable. It’s tempting to just let him run on over fences as I get the sense he’s happiest when he’s just off galloping but, if he’s not properly listening and on my aids, that doesn’t feel safe.

Need to have a re think, ditch the xc comp plans and do some more training on our own. To be fair, it’s the first solo xc I’ve done with him and we haven’t done much faster work for months over the winter.

There’s a tiny niggle at the back of my mind that he might be too much horse for me but I really like him, I enjoy riding him (but not yesterday!) and I’m prepared to work it through. I feel ok to take him out dressage and sj in a comp environment but I’ll lay off any xc or Eventing for a while until we have Control and Focus installed!
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I think you are doing the right thing. If the canter isn't there, the jumping isn't fun. So loads of work in working independently in different circumstances.

It isn't a retrograde step, just the next step for correct training.
 
Bernster, if you want a sensible partner, shout, but I'm sure you'll find the way to go soon. I do sympathise greatly as took me a long time to sort my relationship out with B and to iron out some of the bigger issues x

My worried hacker was a no show yesterday so I did my usual solo pootle.
Had a fab arena eventing session this morning, B Fuzzy very cheerful and popped everything. Was in a 70+ booked session and finished up popping a few at 80/85, v happy, the sun even shone too! ?
Photos taken from short video clips half way through so blurry....
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Edit. Other Photos deleted due to rude identification.... ?
 
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Thank you TFF that’s really kind. I’ll def take you up on that as I sort out what I need to do. Atm he’s good in company (as long as I don’t try and separate them) but we need to improve doing the solo stuff, so it’s that transition I need to have a think about. Great pics !
 
Bernster said:
Thank you TFF that’s really kind. I’ll def take you up on that as I sort out what I need to do. Atm he’s good in company (as long as I don’t try and separate them) but we need to improve doing the solo stuff, so it’s that transition I need to have a think about. Great pics !
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3 years ago I was struggling: 2 reined Pelham, running martingale on bottom rein and drop noseband, looked a bit polo pony style. Loads and loads of flatwork and also jump clinics and have been in snaffle for the last 2 years with grackle, finally to plain cavesson and no martingale by late last summer. It's been a slog but you'll find the right buttons soon I hope x
 
Baby Horse was FAB on his clinic. It was a busy venue, 3 rings of lessons going on (2 dressage and our group grid/pole work).

He was ace. We did our longest and most complicated grid yet, after 2 single fences. It was loooong with stacks of canter poles and 3 fences. Photo is the final fence in the grid.

I was so proud of him, and me, and so happy, that I quit here. I find it hard to explain, but when something amazingly wonderful happens, I like to hold onto it. Bank it, as Anne Robinson (I think) used to say. I frustrate the hell out of the (wonderful) trainer, who is somewhat perplexed that when it goes right, I quit!

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nikicb said:
I packed Maddie off to my trainer's yard today and tomorrow I start my journey north to the Shetland Islands. I am meeting up with a couple of ex HHOers. Last time we met was Feb 2020, so it will be lovely to see them again - one lives in Northamptonshire, but the other in the Borders, so logistics aren't easy. This trip has been booked for over 6 months - fingers crossed we don't have any last minute hitches. I am currently at the point where I still have a thousand things to do before I go away, but I know it will be worth it when I get there.

Hope everyone has a great weekend whatever you are up to.

I think there is a pony in there somewhere!!!

277906967_751399952511322_5548117846356508484_n.jpg
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I’m envious of your trip to shetland. My friends are currently up there for the north isles inter county netball against the Auld Enemy but I’ve no made it back to play since my knee injury over 3 years ago. The night out is always the best fun. Hope you have the great trip.

it’s been wind and hail showers here so no riding ? so made myself a sheep outfit for an upcoming henny. Fingers crossed the morn is slightly warmer so can ride. 2 weeks off work now so hopefully lots of horsey fun to be had.
 
Good steeds today. I feel like we are now properly making progress, it felt a bit slow at the start because we were a bit limited on when we could use the arena and then he had an abscess that took ages to resolve, but now I think we have a better ride each time. I can feel my SI getting jammed up so will need to step up the pilates :p he is a big mover and when he is tight it's like riding a jackhammer on a trampoline! Anyway, starting to feel very positive about this, there is trust building from both sides and that feeling is priceless.

I took Frank to the outdoor afterwards and although Q shouted for him a lot, he was also eating his hay... so progress on that front too.

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Red-1 said:
Baby Horse was FAB on his clinic. It was a busy venue, 3 rings of lessons going on (2 dressage and our group grid/pole work).

He was ace. We did our longest and most complicated grid yet, after 2 single fences. It was loooong with stacks of canter poles and 3 fences. Photo is the final fence in the grid.

I was so proud of him, and me, and so happy, that I quit here. I find it hard to explain, but when something amazingly wonderful happens, I like to hold onto it. Bank it, as Anne Robinson (I think) used to say. I frustrate the hell out of the (wonderful) trainer, who is somewhat perplexed that when it goes right, I quit!

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He's very WHITE already! Lovely horse too :)
 
ycbm said:
He's very WHITE already! Lovely horse too :)
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He has quite a few dapples, but the picture is taken from a smudgy video so they are smudged out.

I always wash him for a clinic, or pretty much any public outing, so no poo stains. In winter he is on all weather turnout, so no mud either.

I am so lucky, to say he was bought unseen!
 
Hermosa did not want to get out of bed today, but then we went for a hack with a couple other riders from the yard. One offered to swap horses, so she led Hermosa while I rode her horse. I like riding random horses, and Hermosa went through a phase of thinking she was a one person horse -- every 13-year old's dream but in reality, not ideal -- so it was good for her to walk with someone new. Win win. She didn't put a foot wrong and even did a scary lead over the M80 footbridge. The 20-something year old warmblood I was riding was planting and going into reverse gear, but once we swapped leads, the 3-year old bravely led the way.

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I’m far too old for late nights. Got in from friends party late (lovely night catching up with teachers I worked with 10 years ago) so didn’t turn my light off til 2.30, then my alarm went off at 5.30. Yuk. I drove so no hangover, but my god I can’t do these late social occasions anymore. I looked in the mirror earlier and this gaunt, see-through thing was looking back at me.
Anyway, tacked up for 8am and let Millie take me out for a hack. Managed to perk myself up enough to have a couple of canters.
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I feel an afternoon nap coming on…
 
milliepops said:
Good steeds today. I feel like we are now properly making progress, it felt a bit slow at the start because we were a bit limited on when we could use the arena and then he had an abscess that took ages to resolve, but now I think we have a better ride each time. I can feel my SI getting jammed up so will need to step up the pilates :p he is a big mover and when he is tight it's like riding a jackhammer on a trampoline! Anyway, starting to feel very positive about this, there is trust building from both sides and that feeling is priceless.

I took Frank to the outdoor afterwards and although Q shouted for him a lot, he was also eating his hay... so progress on that front too.

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How tall is Quiz MP?
 
We took 3 to arena hire - ‘new’ (from the loft courtesy of a previous pony) saddle is soooo good. Gave me a ton of confidence as I felt much more balanced and the knee rolls are amazing!! So little 12.2hh jumped a 60cm course and really enjoyed herself. She just needs to get fitter now really, which will happen now I have a suitable saddle and jumping is more fun for us both. Then her brother jumped round too and leapt enormously over the water tray on the first attempt - literally a grab-the-mane-and-hang-on moment!!

My son tried a different saddle from his normal one and the jury is still out as to whether it is an improvement. It fits the pony well but he refuses to sit down in it, declaring it hard and uncomfortable. So the actual jumping was great - secure position, pony happy - but the in between bits were less so! I am looking on Facebook for a seat saver… pony is hard to fit so our saddle choices are limited!
 
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