Second weekend in December plans.....

MP sorry to hear you are having a bad run. Hopefully everyone heals quickly and thoroughly. I had 18 months of constant injuries and nursing a few years ago, it gets so exhausting but somehow I got through the other side!

Not much happening here, supposed to be summer now but torrential rain and top temperatures of 15 degrees this week doesn't make it conducive to riding! I am hoping to ride the young one for a few weeks before I come over your side of the globe on the 24th (let's hope dear Aus doesn't bring back mandatory quarantine when I get back...). When I come back I will hopefully have three back in work. My TB has had the better part of 3 years off now and it's time to do some rehab in the hope of bringing her back as a riding horse. But I will enjoy my wintery Northern Hemisphere holiday first ;)

I did have a lesson and a clinic last weekend, so not doing absolutely nothing. I need to improve my leg position, and work on unlocking that thick pony neck. Whilst it looks pretty, she is pretty fixed in position and inflexible. Lots to work on over summer, with the aim of competing Elementary next year.

Adding a photo from our last outing to liven up the thread :D The mud has stayed around...

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Today I'm running around being generally over-committed time-wise, and then tomorrow we are taking Arts to do a couple of dressage tests before coming home for a quick changeover, throwing some tinsel on Pebbles and taking her to do a festive drill ride ??. Had better buy some tinsel today at some point!

Have a good weekend all!


Because the thread is lacking photos, here is pony knickers in all her fluffy glory last weekend (I really must clip again):
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gorgeous ! ? the dapples

hope the 57% heal fast MP . How’s Kira doing ?
 
I was meant to be at a SJ camp but my friend has covid and I’m meant to be travelling in ten day so decided not to go, don’t really want to be mingling with lots of people or going to the pub. So more hibernation for me!
 
I went a quick hack this morning. Tali was a bit sticky but considering how little I’ve ridden I’m still pretty chuffed with her. Her field mate was desperate to come and Tali would’ve been much better if she did but her owner was too hungover to ride today. ?
So I’ve gotten my horsey fix before I have to endure a 1 year olds birthday party so I might just cope.
 
Had a blooming brilliant sj clinic this morning, all jumps xmas themed.
Cold gloomy day but at least the forecasted rain has held off so far. Glad I chucked on my jacket over my BP to start with as was v chilly, but soon warmed up to strip it off.
A gloomy snap of B popping the triple 'icicle' bar fence and Santa's sleigh, before they went up and photographing chap wandered off lol

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hope the 57% heal fast MP . How’s Kira doing ?
thanks. She's being a very good patient, considering what a thug she can be she has accepted her lot really graciously and potters out to hand graze twice a day and generally just demands scratches and carrots in between. Arthramid going in at New Year and then I am hoping they will say she can start some pen rest. if the weather holds i might bring her home then as the oldies field is ideal for making a pen and leaving her to it. Will know more in the spring about prognosis for work but you can already see she will be comfortable in the field.
Darcy is being a complete angel keeping her company, bloody tough on him but he has spent plenty of his racing life in a stable so he seems to be coping well too. it could be a lot, lot worse!

Young Frankie is still comfortably weight bearing this morning so that's a good start. if he needs a lot of box rest then he will have to go to the yard and join Hospital Corner there :p
 
thanks. She's being a very good patient, considering what a thug she can be she has accepted her lot really graciously and potters out to hand graze twice a day and generally just demands scratches and carrots in between. Arthramid going in at New Year and then I am hoping they will say she can start some pen rest. if the weather holds i might bring her home then as the oldies field is ideal for making a pen and leaving her to it. Will know more in the spring about prognosis for work but you can already see she will be comfortable in the field.
Darcy is being a complete angel keeping her company, bloody tough on him but he has spent plenty of his racing life in a stable so he seems to be coping well too. it could be a lot, lot worse!

Young Frankie is still comfortably weight bearing this morning so that's a good start. if he needs a lot of box rest then he will have to go to the yard and join Hospital Corner there :p
I have only 'liked' your post for both patients being good to date. So sorry you have such a long haul with K, hoping young F heals in a straightforward way x
 
Well that was a disaster. I fell off at fence 3. Thankfully they let me back on and he flew the rest of it but I’m getting so tired of falling off now. He seems to put in the stops when it’s a fence off a corner or an unexpected fence like on a dog leg. Not sure what to do? Rider error or pain?
 
After best part of a week away on holiday and then a few days self isolation waiting for my PCR test results, I was back out for a SJ lesson on both boys today - my first ride in over a week (they'd been ticked over lightly for me when I was away).

They were both superstars. 4yo Isaac feeling really established now and Simon was his usual dependable self. Video below... He makes me chuckle as he only ever jumps the exact dimensions of a fence - but my god does he have accurate judgement when he's concentrating on the job!

 
E'd at fence 2 for us today, indoors and a big bright course and his head just fell off. Never mind though it's just been a learning day. He worked in well at least.
And not going anywhere tomorrow, that's replanned for after Xmas now
 
Well that was a disaster. I fell off at fence 3. Thankfully they let me back on and he flew the rest of it but I’m getting so tired of falling off now. He seems to put in the stops when it’s a fence off a corner or an unexpected fence like on a dog leg. Not sure what to do? Rider error or pain?
Did you have anyone filming you, or watching closely?
Just wondering if (please dont take this as criticism but possible help x) if you are not using enough control after landing to rebalance then use as much of a line as you can to set him up with the best approach you can?
Might be worth specific session with a good sj coach to practice fences off a corner and dog legs, also anything that isn't straightforward? X
 
Did you have anyone filming you, or watching closely?
Just wondering if (please dont take this as criticism but possible help x) if you are not using enough control after landing to rebalance then use as much of a line as you can to set him up with the best approach you can?
Might be worth specific session with a good sj coach to practice fences off a corner and dog legs, also anything that isn't straightforward? X

Definitely not taken in the wrong way and I honestly appreciate any help as I can’t be being flung off every time we go out. To be fair I think you’re probably right and I’m not balancing him and riding him forward enough with these fences. I think that’s why we didn’t have a problem at the gallops, because all the fences are in straight lines!

I’ve emailed Caroline Moore about lessons/clinics but if anyone knows of a really good show jumping coach in the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire area I can have a few sessions with let me know! My current coach is great but might be worth a fresh pair of very experienced eyes.
 
Booster side effects not too bad, helped by paracetamol and having to focus on my riding instead of how I feel!

Indoor sj lesson - started out quite anxious as Bertie was a bit distracted but ins talked me down and 5 mins later we were off! Much improved today, less rushing and got him back quicker when he did. I am learning to sit down and not brace in the downward transitions, and that I need to keep more leg on than I realise to keep the canter going. Bertie was super again. It’s starting to come together yay. No photos as was solo today.
 
Definitely not taken in the wrong way and I honestly appreciate any help as I can’t be being flung off every time we go out. To be fair I think you’re probably right and I’m not balancing him and riding him forward enough with these fences. I think that’s why we didn’t have a problem at the gallops, because all the fences are in straight lines!

I’ve emailed Caroline Moore about lessons/clinics but if anyone knows of a really good show jumping coach in the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire area I can have a few sessions with let me know! My current coach is great but might be worth a fresh pair of very experienced eyes.

Caroline is fantastic and worth training with - but understandably very much in demand.

She will train you to have your horse looking for fences - no matter how skinny nor how tricky the approach.

My personal view on this is that I don't compete until I'm sure my horse and I are in the same headspace of saying 'yes' 99.9% of the time - at that respective height/technicality - because most of this is about establishing confidence and establishing correct patterns - which is generally best done in training not competition.

Obvs the trickier thing is when the problems only show up in competition and not in training!
 
I lost Fig yesterday. I am beyond heartbroken. I would give anything to have his bright orange noise making noises for me over the door.

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Nothing will ever be the same again.
 
Nikkimariet, my heart absolutely sank when I read your post, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember you posting photos of his transformation from the beginning up to the highest level he competed. It was inspiring and you both looked amazing. Rest in peace, Fig.
 
So sorry Nikkimariet, your love for Fig shone. I enjoyed following your inspirational journey and transformation, what a wonderful boy, RIP.
 
An unexpected result at CT champs yesterday. Came 3rd. The horse was just on it from the start, we made some big mistakes so lots to improve for the future and pretty easily. The sash quest goes on….

I will also stop moaning about eventing prizes. I won a hoof oil brush, a sponsors mug, £10, 2 rosettes and a tiny box of lindor.
 

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An unexpected result at CT champs yesterday. Came 3rd. The horse was just on it from the start, we made some big mistakes so lots to improve for the future and pretty easily. The sash quest goes on….

I will also stop moaning about eventing prizes. I won a hoof oil brush, a sponsors mug, £10, 2 rosettes and a tiny box of lindor.
Well done! I know the judge giving you the prizes, he is really nice.
 
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