Sunny or Snowy - Second Weekend of Jan Plans

[SaddlePsych'D]

I'm hoping for sunshine but forecast says cloudy here, so maybe clouds with snow in them (is that how snow works?!)

Tomorrow I'm doing a hack in Cirencester Park - very excited/bit nervous for this. It's one of my 2024 goals though and amazing to get one ticked off the list already given the pretty pants start to my year with Covid on top of Long Covid. Last year I went to one of the events there and thought 'wow imagine getting to ride here!'

I may come to regret this later regards fatigue but I want to stay hopeful, I want to try! It's a private hack so I hope can mostly go at my pace.

Sunday I'm dressage writing again for unaff. dressage and will have many, many layers of clothes at the ready!

What's everyone up to? I hope the weather is reasonably kind to everyone.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Cirencester Park isn’t far from me and it’s one of my riding goals so have a wonderful ride tomorrow @SaddlePsych’D. I’m very envious.

 

[humblepie]

Quite near us as well. Used to go there for pony club. Hope you have a lovely time.

 

[Bernster]

Sounds lovely.

I’ve got myself a new goal, yay. Need those to help me train and stay motivated. I’m aiming to qualify for the BRC Intro dressage champs (at prelim). Off for a practice run this weekend for the qualifier at the end of Jan. I haven’t found out what the qual criteria is yet to even know if I stand any chance but I will give it a go anyway! Hopefully it’ll be cold but clear with no ice!

 

[RachelFerd]

First real weekend of the year for me now I'm back from holidays. The 7yo (god, doesn't time fly) is temporarily off games, but we're full steam ahead now with getting the older TB fit and ready for the eventing season. Just hacked out early this morning and then we've got a dressage lesson tomorrow and I'm going to do some gridwork on Sunday.

 

[millitiger]

Hopefully hacking out and a stretch in the arena.

We've been off again for 2 weeks with foot balance issues- so frustrated with the general god complex farriers have and they won't listen, even to the vet farrier!
So we went back to the vets this week to be shod there again and fingers crossed, we're back on track.

I might also practice loading with the pair of (now) 3yros, as we have the new lorry with a much gentler ramp for them to explore.

 

[humblepie]

Continuing ticking over - been able to ride most days mainly walking as muddy/frozen/school frozen but managed a bit of trotting just to build up fitness after holiday.

 

[maya2008]

I would just like to get off the yard in any pace! Walk would be fine! We’ve been walking round the big field for leg stretches and a change of scenery, but it would be really nice to go somewhere else.

Plenty of young pony desensitisation and training also planned (in-hand work wins in this weather!).

 

[Kirstd33]

Saturday I plan to hack out with a couple of liveries off the yard and do a nice chilled out 3-4 miles. Coblet hasn't been ridden in a week so will be a bad combo of underworked and unfit, so may be interesting. Sunday my daughter is going to take him to a local "intro to jumping" clinic up the road, I was offered the place but my confidence isnt great at the moment due to lack of riding so I've talked her into it! I'll go along, support and take photos.

 

[Alibear]

Amber and I have a lesson over at Sovereign tomorrow and then hopefully a hack on Sunday.
Last weekend, she was awesome, but the weather and time have meant just lunging this week, and when I rode this morning, it wasn't very successful.
So hopefully, tomorrow goes better! I will wrap her up warm for the trip to see if that helps too.

 

[Chippers1]

I have weekend plans for the first time in months! Sunday I've got an arena hire with some of my friends from my old yard. Haven't seen them since I left so I'm very much looking forward to it and I hope Buzz is too. Looking forward to having a play around the xc fences as my SJ confidence is on the floor at the moment and i've always used xc to bring it back up a bit!
Saturday i'm going to see a puppy

 

[j1ffy]

Chilli's been lively this week with the colder weather so a firm, not quite frozen, arena hasn't been helpful! Doing our usual steady hack with Pocholo's loaner tomorrow, then a friend is coming to hack on Sunday so we can take P and Chilli for a good canter as they both need it...hopefully the frost clears in time or we'll have a slow bounce up the hill instead!

 

[Irish Sally]

Saturday we're hiring out 5 horses at work for hunting so I have to tack and plait them up that morning. I want to reclip and ride my mare as well.
Sunday I've entered sally into arena eventing. It's only 70cm but her first time jumping a cross country course so we'll see how we get on.

 

[SEL]

Muntjac 1 : sel 0

My usual sticky seat massively failed me and I need a new hat Fortunately the field margins are very soft still.

Unfortunately as I came off I must have caught the high viz quarter sheet because let go when I was being dragged and got up to find the pony broncing with it around his back legs. Very fortunate the field gate was closed but saddle ended up under his belly so I'll give both pony and saddle a good check later and hope no damage.

Both stirrup leathers parted company so after we'd walked home I had to go back and find them.

Not my best start to a new year!!

 

[nagblagger]

Hope your ok @SEL

So far @Chippers1 wins - going to see a puppy!

 

[shortstuff99]

Sounds lovely.

I’ve got myself a new goal, yay. Need those to help me train and stay motivated. I’m aiming to qualify for the BRC Intro dressage champs (at prelim). Off for a practice run this weekend for the qualifier at the end of Jan. I haven’t found out what the qual criteria is yet to even know if I stand any chance but I will give it a go anyway! Hopefully it’ll be cold but clear with no ice!

Is this at Keysoe? If so I'm the official steward for the show so say hello

To qualify is winning team, highest individual not part of the winning team. Depending in entry numbers the sometimes take 2 teams and 2 individuals through. Then some wildcard entries

 

[millitiger]

Hurrah, I rode my pony and he was sound and feeling great!
Such chalk and cheese, literally in one day, between an 'ok' shoeing job and a bloody amazing one!
So chuffed, I've been in a black hole for a few weeks with it playing in my mind.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Great news @millitiger.

Sorry to hear that @SEL, I hope no damage done.

Cirencester Park isn’t far from me and it’s one of my riding goals so have a wonderful ride tomorrow @SaddlePsych’D. I’m very envious.

Quite near us as well. Used to go there for pony club. Hope you have a lovely time.

Thank you both so much. I did my hack and while we didn't go into the park itself today it was really a very good ride on the estate and I'm thrilled with how it went!

I rode a taller and sportier model of horse than I'm used to (a veteran ex-eventer) who was more forward than is within my comfort zone but he was so well mannered my confidence grew and grew as the ride went on. It really helped me practice not panicking when the horse wants to go forward, not to tense up, not to hang on and to use half-halts. Instructor was great and adapted the ride for my confidence level today, with a view to doing more on future rides, and we had a good chat to keep my mind from wandering off to various unhelpful scenarios.

A couple of more nervous points but I'm actually glad they happened because I learned that I can ride when I'm nervous, I challenged myself with various 'scary' things (new horse, new place, cold/fresh day, open spaces, downhill and uneven ground), and still came back at the end with a huge smile on my face! I'd thought I'd do it as a one off but definitely will be booking back in so I can build my confidence and get out of trot for those dreamy canters in the park I'm looking for!

 

[Red-1]

This week has been impacted when I was doing some stretches last weekend and pinged something in my right butt side. BH had 3 days off and then had a school by Joe Midgely yesterday.

Today I returned to the saddle and had a nice ride out with a friend, including calling at the pub. It was only in walk but my backside felt fine.

Tomorrow I am swimming in the cold lake in the morning and then my injury had better be OK as we have a jump lesson in the afternoon.

This is a video from last week's jump lesson, before I pulled my backside. BH is a big, steady type and has had many breaks with the issues I've had in my personal life but I was pleased with him as he is simply fun and nice.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7321365694447176992

 

[webble]

@SaddlePsych'D I remember riding around cirencester years ago when we were competing there it was really lovely lots of grassy avenues, enjoy

We are off to the beach with a stop off for cake on the way back to the box

 

[TheMule]

Well, my week so far has gone from great highs to great lows, so I'm hoping for a nice quiet one with no further dramas…. See video for full detail

 

[SEL]

@TheMule oh no that's awful - how do you think it happened? Prognosis? Your jumping looked great too.

I thought I was having a bad day yesterday. Whiplash, new hat and the vet phoned with blood results showing elevated AST (query liver) but I'll take all of that over a fractured skull. Sending healing vibes.

 

[TheMule]

@TheMule oh no that's awful - how do you think it happened? Prognosis? Your jumping looked great too.

I thought I was having a bad day yesterday. Whiplash, new hat and the vet phoned with blood results showing elevated AST (query liver) but I'll take all of that over a fractured skull. Sending healing vibes.

I need to walk the paddock properly today, but I really don’t have any clue- must have been hit with tremendous force. He is into everything so it was most likely misadventure
Your day sounds pretty bad too…. Horses…. Who'd have them?!

 

[Bernster]

Is this at Keysoe? If so I'm the official steward for the show so say hello

To qualify is winning team, highest individual not part of the winning team. Depending in entry numbers the sometimes take 2 teams and 2 individuals through. Then some wildcard entries

Yes! Cool, I may not recognise you but shall be on the look out. So basically you need to win (either as team or non team individual) or hope for a wildcard? Tougher than I was hoping. Oh well, it may be a short lived goal! If any fancy pants dressage horse comes along we don’t stand a chance but I’ll be happy to go and just do our best.

 

[shortstuff99]

Yes! Cool, I may not recognise you but shall be on the look out. So basically you need to win (either as team or non team individual) or hope for a wildcard? Tougher than I was hoping. Oh well, it may be a short lived goal! If any fancy pants dressage horse comes along we don’t stand a chance but I’ll be happy to go and just do our best.

Pretty much, but the restrictions on the introductionary championships for Intro and prelim is reasonably tough so there shouldn't really be any 'pot hunters' around. Normally good fun and everyone has a nice time

 

[Wishfilly]

@SEL and @TheMule hope you are both doing okay- that looks very dramatic.

I hacked out this morning and then poles/possibly jumping clinic tomorrow (jumping if I am feeling brave). There are some fun rides coming up I'd really like to go and have a go at, but I really need my pony to be fitter for those, so currently trying to figure out how I can fit some extra riding in around work!

 

[MagicMelon]

Our forecast is snow next 3 days and apparently feeling -10. Fed up, our winter up here has been so wet this year. Horse has been off a month already now, just because I dont have an arena to ride in and my fields a bog (plus weather has just been so rubbish Ive got no enthusiasm). Had originally planned an arena event at a new equestrian venue next week but obviously cant now as horse not fit. Horse will at least be well rested, but hoping weather will turn soon and I can actually get going again.

Good luck for those of you managing to get going!

TheMule, that looks terrible, really hope your weekend improves!

 

[humblepie]

@SEL and @TheMule hopefully all better soon.

Been for a nice long hack this morning came home sat down and promptly fell asleep.

 

[nikkimariet]

Super weekend after nearly departing company big style on Friday out hacking (company + daylight = VERY EXCITING). I’m pretty ballsy so when I say it was bad I mean it really was very bad

Addington winter area festival yesterday - he was chilled as a chilled thing, obviously got it all out his system the day before!

Super PSG - music changed just as I asked for first 3 so combo of tension and lack of concentration = errant 4 and then he dropped into trot at C (premature for inter 1!) so very expensive and possibly cost us the win but no love lost as placed 2nd with 66%+ so qualified for the winter champs in April!

Inter 1 - really chuffed, he was that little bit more relaxed even if he was a bit tired. Didn’t blink about the prize givings and busy warm ups etc. Annoyingly made the same mistake in 3s but I was ahead of myself and got a 2, I rode the left piri dreadfully so two big mistakes. The horse that won was stunninggggg so we placed 2nd with another 66%+ test and amazingly also qualified for the winter champs at this level too!




He has been at psg less than a year and has done 3 inter 1 tests now, so very green. Can’t wait to see how he is in another year!

Day off for us today as long old Saturday only getting home gone 9pm

 

[Kunoichi73]

Nothing exciting. Had an hour RS group lesson on Thursday and half hour private today. Today's lesson was one of those 'I wish I had my own horse' days. Horse I had didn't want to put any effort in. I think I worked harder than horse!