Somerford again today after Monday's effort brave or foolish?

[Pidge]

Ok so after good session with YM last night decided to take the boys out to play today

Had decided to have a play at Smallwood but it was shut so went on the farm ride again at Somerford as the XC schooling was open but full

Ran out of the tyres the 1st time and then jumped it ok, ran out of the double of logs as Oz kind of drifted towards Pidge and then took him back and jumped it again, Pidge was happy as he pinged both of them

then jumped the big log after these which was a real boost for me as was following Oz and he looked like he was going to run out to the right so I pulled Pidge over to go round it, Oz changed his mind so I pointed Pidge back at it and over we popped

Then did the tyres uphill and downhill by the stream and had a gallop up the hill and jumped the tyres at the top rather quickly

jumped the telegraph poles first time off as well, and then the tyres both ways again, and finished by jumping the wooden fence with tyres on top near the end.
Sorry for the marathon guys but we only had the 2 run outs one of which was acceptable to me. Have also worked out that horses need to get a few fences under their belt as a warm up so tackling a bogey fence so early on as I did on Monday was really not a good idea

Was tempted to jump some of the others I've jumped before but decided to just keep to a few of them and make sure we did them in fine form, which Pidge did perfectly

once in his stride not even a hint of a run out, I rode more positively too especially the last 3 strides

Sis and Jo enjoyed themselves immensley too so all in all a very good day

and I've realised that despite our disaster on Monday Pidge has forgotten that already, just wish he'd forget where the gallop hills are at Somerford though as he gets so excited before them

Huge thanks to all for the advice given on Monday when I was a tad emotional

 

[merlinsquest]

Well done you..... sometimes I suppose they need some confidence as well as us....

Keep it up and keep on enjoying it!!!

 

[tabithakat64]

Well done

 

[Pidge]

thanks and yes despite Pidge loving his jumping I've worked out he needs some confidence from me as he lacks confidence is so many ways, for example when Sunny is out of sight getting washed off Pidge screams for Sunny and is incapable of standing still

the minute Sunny came round the corner peace reigned

 

[DidiR]

am so glad you had a good day, I read your post on Monday, but was brand new to the forum, so didn't post a comment.

You are dead right that even on a farm-ride they need to get warmed up before you try jumping something, at my local one, I have to miss out the first 4 jumps, so that I have got him going and have a simple one to start with, if I started at fence 1, he would probably have a stop, and then things would go from bad to worse!

Try to only put him to fences you are 100% committed to, rather than "I'll try him and see what he does" ... that is also a route to disaster, in my experience!

Nice to "hear" the smile on your face!

 

[palomino_pony]

Well done Sue! I might have to have a trip up there especailly as I have my new purchase!

 

[Weezy]

Well done you - keep at it and KEEP SMILING

 

[Pidge]

thanks is it that obvious I am smiling?

 

[Pidge]

ooh spill what new purchase? sounds interesting

 

[Pidge]

thank you Lou

 

[WeeBrown]

Well done for going back and I'm so glad you had a great day - a tad jealous though as everytime you mention the fab fences I want to be out there too.....can't wait til I get my mare back from schooling livery. You'll have to get some pics next time, I love photos of you two in action.

 

[brighteyes]

You are dead right about Somerford - the water complex for the summer ride is about five fences in! Have you tried Kelsall Hill? From what you have posted, I'd go but warm up well over a couple of certainties and have a great time

I always thought Smallwood was good but trappy.....

 

[Pidge]

thanks I am still grinning now and can't wait to go out again and jump more fences this time - after warming up properly and riding positively

 

[Pidge]

See water and steps are no problem for us at all as Pidge loves them and the 4 steps down and 3 up he positively adores - he does get rather keen and tries to bounce them though instead of putting a stride in

Where abouts is Kelsall Hill? Do they have a website? and sorry to be blonde

but don't understand trappy?

 

[YorksG]

Isn't it great when a plan comes together? Well done you for giving it another go and yes the smile is coming across loud and clear!
G

 

[Rachntabby]

well done cant wait to go somerford again

 

[Pidge]

Thanks Gina

let's just hope we can do the same again next time and put Monday well and truly behind us

 

[Pidge]

thank you