Sunny Weekend Plans !!

My poor Beau has ended up having to spend a long weekend at the vets thanks to a rotten tooth - it’s out now, thankfully, but he has to stay in to have the gum debrided so I can’t pick him up until Monday. the yard is far too quiet without him. :(

So that’s our competition plans shelved for a few weeks - I had hoped to take him to mid-week BS on Tuesday and I really don’t fancy attempting to jump him bitless ;)

On a more positive note, tomorrow Raz and I will be attempting our first medium - I’m both excited and slightly scared :D
Will report back once it’s done and dusted. :)

Good luck to everyone out competing.
 
Oh super good luck BM!!! Medium seems a big step but just ride forward and focus on each movement, sure you’ll do great :).
 
Good luck everyone, here’s hoping the rain stays away.
Happy Birthday Kira - she’s so cute.

Had a great lesson on my wee mare today, starting to really work towards novice, and she’s meeting the challenge so well. She tries so hard and seems to have lots of potential. Given that neither of us are a classic dressage shape, we’re showing promise!
We are dressaging on Sunday, then I’m having my first attempt at scoring.

Then next week we get our new saddle, so excited.

Good luck in your first medium BM - what an achievement.
 
Well the elementary was a disaster but the medium went pretty well.

I was the only one in my section in both classes so got two firsts automatically but would have been second overall in the ele with 64.22. Not sure about the medium overalls just yet but was pretty pleased with 65.3 for our first attempt.
 
I hope all the outings today went well, and ouch about your horses tooth BM 😣😣😣

I'm glad your cold is getting better milliepops....

We've had PC camp all week with 6yo son and new pony, and I'm pleased to say it went brilliantly...

I've taken a bit of a brainstorm and booked all weather xc for me and my pony tomorrow, so if hubby takes pics I may be able to do a report tomorrow night 😁😁

Fiona
 
I wouldn't call 64% a disaster BM! Well done on the medium score too :)

Fiona I hope you enjoy XC schooling, looking forward to pics if you get them.

I took M to some gallops yesterday with a friend, I didn't have any over reach boots so friend lent me some - bright pink with faux sheepskin at the tops - didn't affect my boys masculinity at all lol

Gallops are 1/2 mile up quite a steep hill, nice surface but quite deep so hard work for Ms wee stumpy legs. 1st run just walked half way, trotted half way, 2nd run trotted first half and cantered 2nd half. (We walked back each time) Third run fast canter all the way although we ran out of steam over the last 100yds. Then friend wanted to go again so she went off on her own and I walked M but he'd got his breath back quite well so we had a steady canter up to meet friend who was coming back.

Pretty pleased with his fitness given all the missed opportunities due to the weather and not being able to get out. 3 weeks now to our first event so will try to get out twice a week for some faster canters. Reassessing after yesterday I think we will get some time faults XC but this first time is about getting out for experience.
 
Our dressage outing went well yesterday. It was informative after having the horse MOT’d and saddle refitted. First test was Prelim 12 and was super happy with how he went. Canter miles better in what, I feel, is quite a demanding test. Only disappointment was me not riding the walk enough so got some fair comments that it needed more purpose. 66% and 5th.

Then Prelim 14, overall good. However I accidentally rode a change in the warm up, horse than took this into the test and changed in the first canter (he is very sensitive to rider balance and thus changes), I then panicked, trotted and rushed him back into it. I let it get to me for the next few movements. I then pulled myself together and we finished on a good note. A fair 64% and 10th in a tight class, 4% behind first place.

We missed out on qualifying for the trailblazers championship but I am happy that he felt much better in himself and we are starting to get to know each other. :)
 
Well although I didn't have any official plans for the weekend I was lucky enough to have a fantastic flatwork lesson today with Milliepops - the 'title' of the lesson was unofficially 'well now we can achieve the canter, what do we do with it' :D :D

Jensen has struggled historically with his canter due to lack of training, straightness and muscle development - thanks to Milliepops endless patience (far greater than mine!) and her training we are now seeing some amazing results and I am so very happy :) We can pretty much get a more correct canter now, so today we worked on movements to develop this further - fantastic, Jensen was amazing, and I discovered how very unfit I am! I think I'd better start running again, but in the meantime I have a big grin on my face every time I think of my brilliant little sports cob :)
 
Some great results, well done everyone.

I had the inevitable ‘blip’ today. I just couldn’t get her to relax and soften today, so she was very strong in both test. Such a pity as she’s been going so well recently and been getting great results. But today, not so.
First test, P13, was my fault. I forgot to do the give and take...oops. Still won, despite me and her tension.
Second test, P19, was worse. Went in nice, actually started to soften. Down centre line then took a complete dislike to a sign beside the judges box and we zig zagged the rest of the way to C (well as near to the sign as I could get her!). Recovered a bit, then had a discussion about staying in the arena at V at the end of the test. The stretchy trot circle was beyond us today, and she tried to escape. We then ended up clambering over the boards, and stumbling down the centre line to the final halt. Got a rather generous 3 and 4 for those moves and the comment ‘protest at V!’ Our first sub 60 test, but still smiling. Gave everyone a laugh at least. Cheeky monkey.

Not sure this bodes well for pet plan next month where there will be two judges boxes to dislike...
 
Might have forgotten to post pics but let’s see - had our first xc jump of the year at Attington, went better than I thought. It rained, of course, but that’s why I went for an all weather track. Very busy with lots of massive smart horses cavorting around and jumping the big fences. We pootled around the little ones! Really pleased that F felt happy and confident. And I have a big smiley face!

kgwH2Z0.jpg[\img]
 
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Sigh, yep, have forgotten 🙁. Can anyone remind me please, using imgur? Imgur used to give options for the url but that’s gone now. Why is it so flipping hard?!
 
Bernster said:
Might have forgotten to post pics but let’s see - had our first xc jump of the year at Attington, went better than I thought. It rained, of course, but that’s why I went for an all weather track. Very busy with lots of massive smart horses cavorting around and jumping the big fences. We pootled around the little ones! Really pleased that F felt happy and confident. And I have a big smiley face!

kgwH2Z0.jpg
Click to expand...

AMAZING pic

You had the slash /the wrong way round on your IMG tags :)
 
Well it certainly wasn't Sunny but we had a fab time at cowboy dressage, wow that's a lot of letters to learn but it makes spacing things out much easier. Also got some good help on the our current canter issue, I know its because I'm hollowing my back too much but managed to get it right a few times which gave both of us a little confidence boost. Thankfully all those years of English dressage weren't wasted as I can ride an accurate test no bother, just need to learn the paces and how to maintain everything over poles too.
 
Lovely pic Bernster! What a huge grin :D B-M I'd have been happy with 64% at Ele yesterday, and well done on a great medium score! Alibear - any chance of some pics / vids of cowboy dressage? Would make an interesting change from all the conventional disciplines!

Had a good hack on Pocholo on Saturday, who was furious that he didn't get to go flat-out up his favourite track as our hacking companion wanted to keep it steady. All good practice for P, he's very opinionated at the moment!

Then BD yesterday on Indio, only his second outing in 6 months due to the weather (and only his fifth of the last year!). I had a complete brain fart heading into the Novice and was terrified I'd forget the test, I'm so ring rusty. I focused on accuracy and forward for N30 and was delighted with 67.8% including an 8.5 for his free walk:

[video=youtube;nO7qpeXexzk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO7qpeXexzk[/video]

I decided to focus on some of my test riding homework and slow the trot tempo for the Elementary, focusing on more quality instead. Indio's concentration ran out near the end (ring rusty I think, his brain power had expired!) and we had some errors in canter, including a 3 for the right canter movement where we really messed up! However I was very disappointed with all 6s for his trot, evidently the judge didn't like the slower tempo. I think I managed to kill the trot instead of improve the quality :( So a disappointing 59.5%. We've been getting 66/67% in our test riding clinics so I know we CAN do it, I just need to remember how to ride a test on Indio!

[video=youtube;F_-mEAfCCWU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_-mEAfCCWU[/video]
 
Bernster said:
Might have forgotten to post pics but let’s see - had our first xc jump of the year at Attington, went better than I thought. It rained, of course, but that’s why I went for an all weather track. Very busy with lots of massive smart horses cavorting around and jumping the big fences. We pootled around the little ones! Really pleased that F felt happy and confident. And I have a big smiley face!

kgwH2Z0.jpg
Click to expand...

I might have seen you in the car park - it was chaos over the weekend there! I keep my horses in the village, so Attington is hacking distance for me, but I'm staying well clear of the x-country until it calms down a bit.

I did go round to their indoor for 2 lessons though. With my own horse off work still I was very lucky to be allowed to borrow 2 fabulous ponies (sometimes its really good to be short!). I took the naughty pony who is in for re-schooling to the flatwork lesson, where she was a little superstar. I don't think she's ever really been asked to move sideways before but she tried her little heart out and I think she is ready to find herself a home now (sadly - I've enjoyed pinching her!)

Second lesson was the intro jumping that was supposed to be for my Appy who promptly tied-up as soon as it was organised and paid for. So my yard owner let me borrow her fell pony who was backed last year and had never been off the yard. So for anyone at Attington on Saturday who heard non-stop yelling from the indoor I apologise - he wanted the world to know how brave he was!! It took him a while to get his confidence and then he was flying over the little jumps. I had a great time, probably better than I would have had on my own horse!
 
Thanks for sorting out my pics MP. Duh to me!

Small world SEL. Sounds like some useful lessons. Yes, the car park was full with very fancy massive lorries. 8 horses in the arena (think every all weather track must be busy right now) inc someone apparently who was heading off to Badminton. Eeek. I felt a teeny bit outclassed haha.

Intrigued to find out what 'cowboy dressage' involves.

Well done to j1ffy sounds like lots to learn from and good experience.
 
Well done to everyone competing. Bet K enjoyed her cake MP. Hope you enjoy your holiday PF. Sorry on phone and can’t remember everyone’s activities...

Our Saturday dressage lesson was good, lots more sitting trot without stirrups for me. Trying to lengthen and shorten the stride in walk ( not sure I achieved either ;) ).Trot canter transitions though he was getting tired by this point and struggling on the corners in small school.

Sunday went arena eventing 65-75 cm. Despite a couple of steering issues on some tightish turns (and lack of brakes) we went clear and by some fluke got closest to the optimum time! So got a red frilly and a very nice hoodie (it was too big for me so I’ve donated to mr reacher for being chief gofer / chauffeur (as he calls it).
We have even got a video and a hat cam video but as we’ve had no home internet for OVER 2 WEEKS I can’t upload it!
 
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Please remember its our first attempt, and only walk jog :) I know my hands are too fixed and too low which means I'm putting her over bent, I'm working on it. It was also raining throughout!
The centre poles should be a complete octagon normally too.

https://www.facebook.com/AliBear30/videos/1799123743441812/

No sure how to embed but that link should work, I've made it public.

I shall now run away and hide. We also had our first go with a garrocha pole, not photos of that though. Daisy was very not sure at first but she started to get the hang of it quicker than I did :D
 
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Interesting video, alibear. That arena is a total mess of poles - how the heck do you remember where you're going?!
 
Alibear said:
Please remember its our first attempt, and only walk jog :) I know my hands are too fixed and too low which means I'm putting her over bent, I'm working on it. It was also raining throughout!
The centre poles should be a complete octagon normally too.

https://www.facebook.com/AliBear30/videos/1799123743441812/

No sure how to embed but that link should work, I've made it public.

I shall now run away and hide. We also had our first go with a garrocha pole, not photos of that though. Daisy was very not sure at first but she started to get the hang of it quicker than I did :D
Click to expand...

No need to run and hide! It's interesting to watch, I have no idea what 'good' looks like for this but it looked very calm and obedient. What have you found to be the main differences between English and 'cowboy' dressage?

I've seen a bit of doma vaquera in Spain (which literally translates as 'cowboy dressage') but it's very different to the US version!
 
Thankfully everything is on a 5 metre grid pattern, but yes poles are a little tricky, I did mess up the as the poleson the diagonal should be on the short RSVP diagonal not the long diagonals , then you have the centre octagon and the 4 on the quarter lines at the C end :) I had no idea what the test was just rode what the caller/instructor called :)
The layout should be https://cowboydressageworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Challenge-Court-2-18.jpg
But we'd played football with a few of the poles prior to having a go at the test :D

There's a few different version so there's cowboy dressage with the poles and the different "court", there's western dressage which uses the English arena and there's others out there too. All vary slightly, cowboy dressage has free and working paces, both of which are a bit more forward than more traditional western jog or lopes. You can only rise to free jog and if you do then you have to rise for all free jog in that test, you can't pick and choose. Can have turns on the forehand and turns on the haunches right from the beginner tests. Its still new and still developing as people get better at it.

But something fun to have a go at, and its nice to have a longer pattern than the horsemanship ones to have a crack at. I think ranch riding is still my favourite thing so far but we need to be able to lope confidently for that and we're not there yet so its nice to mix things up and keep her interested.

We'd stood on the arena edge in the rain for a good 15 mins, then picked up and did that! So I'm really over the moon with her, she just was instantly calm obedient and did her best. The nice thing about cowboy dressage as the rules include "reward the try" so even if you don't perfect a movement you get rewarded for having a go.

Now how on earth I go about drying out my western saddle, that's going to be the challenge for this week!
 
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Schooling sessions for the girls this weekend. First competition for Diva is just a couple of weeks away and then depending on Polly’s Osteo visit today, she will be out in the next couple of weeks too.

I’ve been working on enabling Diva to stay a bit more consistent in a slightly more upright frame. She still wants to drop to her deeper default at times, but we are getting there.

Polly has been doing lots of stretching work to encourage her to let go a bit through her back as this is where she holds her tension when things get a bit exciting for her. I’m really starting to feel a difference underneath me now, we are getting much more reach from behind and I can feel her back coming up and engaging. She is croup high, so it’s a fine line between allowing her to stretch and bowling her into the ground, but we’re getting there.

A few pictures-


 
scats said:
Schooling sessions for the girls this weekend. First competition for Diva is just a couple of weeks away and then depending on Polly’s Osteo visit today, she will be out in the next couple of weeks too.

I’ve been working on enabling Diva to stay a bit more consistent in a slightly more upright frame. She still wants to drop to her deeper default at times, but we are getting there.

Polly has been doing lots of stretching work to encourage her to let go a bit through her back as this is where she holds her tension when things get a bit exciting for her. I’m really starting to feel a difference underneath me now, we are getting much more reach from behind and I can feel her back coming up and engaging. She is croup high, so it’s a fine line between allowing her to stretch and bowling her into the ground, but we’re getting there.

A few pictures-


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Its brilliant to see you on the Diva - after all the concern over her health problems and breathing last year I was wondering whether she would really be rideable, let alone heading off to competitions. Really, really lovely to see her going well. Polly looks rather nice too!
 
I don't normally update after a weekend, but I am so PROUD of my little 5yo cob that I had to share. It might not sound like much, but we went to a course jumping clinic on Sunday and she jumped so amazingly! Forward and straight and a lovely rhythm. And we jumped a 65cm straight. Like I said it might not sound like much, but for us this was an amazing day :)
 
Awww yeah so nice to hear that Diva is doing so well :)

and delighted to hear you had a good outing thingstodo :)

We had a fab lesson today, consolidation time on the PSG work ready for another go in a few weeks. Spent plenty of time looking at how we can develop her stamina in the canter piris, as well as improving the overall quality of the tempis. So chuffed with my unlikely dressage cob :p
 
SEL said:
Its brilliant to see you on the Diva - after all the concern over her health problems and breathing last year I was wondering whether she would really be rideable, let alone heading off to competitions. Really, really lovely to see her going well. Polly looks rather nice too!
Click to expand...

Thank you SEL, that really means a lot x
 
So we had a fun weekend and dodged most of the rain!

Saturday at the polework clinic we picked up some great exercises, she found it all rather exciting...

30441398_10160192224550335_5926171655700217856_n.jpg



We will keep using them and encourage her to relax and stretch over her back. She was pretty neat with her footwork though :D


Then onto dressage on Sunday with my ridiculous nerves! P7 first and accompanied with a pigeon flapping around and creating a racket in the trees behind the arena... which affected me more than her but meant we dropped out of canter early and then picked up the wrong lead... then other way she anticipated and also picked up the wrong lead (at least we were consistent...). Score of 62% which was very fair and some nice encouraging comments.

Second test was P12 and it's the first time I actually enjoyed a test and managed to think about being a rider not just freezing! She felt much more in front of the leg and particularly in her trot. Canter and walk still tend to hollow and work in progress. We scored just over 65% which was out best result to date. Watching back the video I can see how much she moves her head about which really messes with our contact - so now I need to figure out if it's me causing it or her doing it - lesson on Sunday should help. Here's a freeze frame of her looking pretty heading down the centre line just before the last halt of the day :)


30412696_10160192251345335_2010750800036364288_o.jpg

The main thing I'm taking is that I managed to enjoy myself and didn't feel disappointed. Hopefully as we can sort out engagement and contact issues we can enjoy it even more!
 
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