iknowmyvalue
Well-Known Member
Well my weekend has been fairly dramatic and full on so thought it warranted it's own post! Went clear round SJ on Sunday morning, doing 70cm and our first 80cm course! It's a venue Henry has been to a couple of times now, and has a really nice friendly atmosphere. I was really happy with how he coped with the warmup as he usually hates it and is really spooky (it's quite a dark indoor with slatted sides) but he was much better than last time and barely spooked at all! 70cm he was fab, and went clear! had a little look at some of the banners but still much better than he has been in the past. First 80cm round we had one pole where I asked for 2 strides in the double where he wanted to put 3, and he got in a tangle with his legs and tripped over the jump, oops! Also had a stop at the very scary horse eating flame fillers 
Second 80cm was going much better, just had a pole when I messed up the stride (sack the jockey!), until he decided to go for a drama award. Came into a fence and he got distracted by the banners again, had an unlucky knock of the top pole, land from the jump and he was literally on 3 legs, my stomach hit the floor I was so worried. Went about 5 strides on 3 legs, then started putting it down but was definitely nodding every time he put the RF down, I'm thinking he's done a tendon, fractured something etc. from the way he's acting... less than 30 secs later he looks totally sound. Tentatively put him back into trot, nothing, confirmed by friend on the ground. Into canter, perfect, jump the last 2 fences, lovely. Check him all over afterwards and not a mark on him, no swelling/heat/cuts. Very relieved but still a bit worried. Get him home, trots up totally sound. YO trotted him up later and still totally fine. I posted on here too, and apparently that happens sometimes. One very relieved owner and a horse who was pronounced decidedly on-games for our next adventure...
One totally sound horse later, we decided that our planned beach trip for today was still on. Got up at stupid oclock to get there on time, as you have to be off the beach by 8:30. Was meant to be going with a friend but her horse decided that today he did not want to get in the trailer under any circumstances (she's at a different yard so I couldn't really help) but she very kindly offered to come down anyway so I could ride and she could be there in case anything happened. So Henry had to put on his big-boy brave pants and go solo. He was a bit on edge to start with but he soon settled down and we had an absolute ball! He was an absolute pleasure and did everything I asked of him. The advantage of having a friend on the floor is that we got some lovely photos and video! (below)
This weekend I actually felt that we'd made real and noticeable progress, compared to just a few months ago. Even 6 months ago we wouldn't have been able to go and do either of the things we did this weekend! I know my riding isn't always the prettiest at the moment, but it seems to be working ok for now!
[video=youtube_share;M8z6AaIwKag]https://youtu.be/M8z6AaIwKag[/video]
And some SJ video! (drama is in 3rd video not embedded)
[video=youtube_share;xPZzvsab4b4]https://youtu.be/xPZzvsab4b4[/video]
[video=youtube_share;rqOGT1HctKk]https://youtu.be/rqOGT1HctKk[/video]
https://youtu.be/qM6fC9JUxhE
Second 80cm was going much better, just had a pole when I messed up the stride (sack the jockey!), until he decided to go for a drama award. Came into a fence and he got distracted by the banners again, had an unlucky knock of the top pole, land from the jump and he was literally on 3 legs, my stomach hit the floor I was so worried. Went about 5 strides on 3 legs, then started putting it down but was definitely nodding every time he put the RF down, I'm thinking he's done a tendon, fractured something etc. from the way he's acting... less than 30 secs later he looks totally sound. Tentatively put him back into trot, nothing, confirmed by friend on the ground. Into canter, perfect, jump the last 2 fences, lovely. Check him all over afterwards and not a mark on him, no swelling/heat/cuts. Very relieved but still a bit worried. Get him home, trots up totally sound. YO trotted him up later and still totally fine. I posted on here too, and apparently that happens sometimes. One very relieved owner and a horse who was pronounced decidedly on-games for our next adventure...
One totally sound horse later, we decided that our planned beach trip for today was still on. Got up at stupid oclock to get there on time, as you have to be off the beach by 8:30. Was meant to be going with a friend but her horse decided that today he did not want to get in the trailer under any circumstances (she's at a different yard so I couldn't really help) but she very kindly offered to come down anyway so I could ride and she could be there in case anything happened. So Henry had to put on his big-boy brave pants and go solo. He was a bit on edge to start with but he soon settled down and we had an absolute ball! He was an absolute pleasure and did everything I asked of him. The advantage of having a friend on the floor is that we got some lovely photos and video! (below)
This weekend I actually felt that we'd made real and noticeable progress, compared to just a few months ago. Even 6 months ago we wouldn't have been able to go and do either of the things we did this weekend! I know my riding isn't always the prettiest at the moment, but it seems to be working ok for now!
[video=youtube_share;M8z6AaIwKag]https://youtu.be/M8z6AaIwKag[/video]
And some SJ video! (drama is in 3rd video not embedded)
[video=youtube_share;xPZzvsab4b4]https://youtu.be/xPZzvsab4b4[/video]
[video=youtube_share;rqOGT1HctKk]https://youtu.be/rqOGT1HctKk[/video]
https://youtu.be/qM6fC9JUxhE
