Sunny weekend plans!

My rain went to Scotland and the North of England after it left us I believe....

The local farmers are all madly making silage MP but I saw a few hay fields down yesterday, hope they all got it in safely.

Our weather improved until we got a super evening, so F and I ended up hacking the other two, him on Fionn my 13.2 lol..... Fionn was v good with him.

Fiona
 
I went to my first ever BE80 yesterday...surprised myself by still going! Dressage was very tense, he was distracted by absolutely everything and I got lost (oops) then we ended up getting eliminated in the SJ which was a shame as after a terrible ride to the first jump (refusal, completely my fault) he flew 2, 3 and 4 until he badly napped to the warm up and had such a dodgy line he refused 5, jumped it then refused 6. Oh well, I'm proud that we gave it a go, even though I thought I was going to die in the heat!
I think I'm going to drop him back down to 70 for a while, it seems his confidence has been knocked somewhere (flew round 80/85 a few weeks ago then refused to jump the next day) so we will work on getting that back up.
 
That's a shame you didn't get into the xc chippers, but glad you managed to get out and about - the atmosphere at the average BE event can be pretty busy so maybe he was just slightly befuddled by it all on the first go.

Much nicer morning today, still sunny but with a lovely breeze. I had one of those incapable daydreaming rider rides this morning as a result, ho hum, good job little horse is very generous about me being utterly pants at times. :oops:

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Sorry to hear your outings didn’t quite go to plane Oldie and Chippers. As others have said, there are so many factors that need to be considered and need to go right for a successful competition. I am in awe of amateur riders I know who go out and score consistently well, they’ve clearly got it nailed!

I had a lovely horsey day yesterday. I stuck Indio on the lunge to see if he looks any better now he’s had a week on bute and...very little change. He felt good under saddle (as he generally does) so I’m thinking it’s something mechanical. I’ll chat to the vet next week and I’ve also gone a bit ‘alternative’ and contacted the horseback vet. I may give acupuncture a go too, everything is worth a shot...

The I hopped on Pocholo. He’s usually very lazy once the temp goes over 25 but he was very keen yesterday! I took him around the farm tracks and he insisted on cantering over some of the little xc jumps, then took me for a gallop around the top field 😂. We did some interval training and he was still eager on the walk back, funny boy!

Looking up at the Uffington White Horse:
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Finally I got Chilli in for a play. I introduced him to the wash bay and hose pipe, which he wasn’t in the slightest bit worried about, he just wanted to drink the water from the hose. Then plaited his mane to start training it to one side. I don’t think he’s actually as bum high as he looks here...

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Chippers1 said:
I went to my first ever BE80 yesterday...surprised myself by still going! Dressage was very tense, he was distracted by absolutely everything and I got lost (oops) then we ended up getting eliminated in the SJ which was a shame as after a terrible ride to the first jump (refusal, completely my fault) he flew 2, 3 and 4 until he badly napped to the warm up and had such a dodgy line he refused 5, jumped it then refused 6. Oh well, I'm proud that we gave it a go, even though I thought I was going to die in the heat!
I think I'm going to drop him back down to 70 for a while, it seems his confidence has been knocked somewhere (flew round 80/85 a few weeks ago then refused to jump the next day) so we will work on getting that back up.
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Sorry you didn't have a good day either but don't be disheartened. I am trying to focus on positives rather than negatives but I have come to the conclusion that competing does put a lot more pressure on both us as riders and the horses too as there are so many distractions.
 
I dont think Buzz had ever seen so many horses all in one place! I've done unaffiliated before which was fine, but we all have to take that step up at some point. Yesterday just wasnt his day and that's fine, it comes with horses and we have to start some where. I'm pleased we got round half the show jumping at least!
 
I had THE BEST time this afternoon xc schooling, so much so that I'm still beaming from ear to ear. My horse is phenomenal! I honestly wouldn't choose a ride on Valegro or Big Star or Vanir Kamira over another ride on my girl. I'm a very nervous xc rider and even with me quaking in my boots I can feel her saying "don't worry mum, I got you".

15 and most definitely not out :D

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Fiona said:
Wow, those are quite sizeable 😲

Fiona
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Haha, these were some of the fences in the 100 ODE I had entered a while back. We got the second best dressage score and went clear SJ which put me in the lead, but I withdrew after the SJ because I got too nervous and couldn't face going xc and have been doing 80's and 90's ever since - pathetic really isn't it. I decided I had to put my big girl pants on and get on with it.
 
Sorry to those who havent quite had things go to plan this weekend, but everything on the horse journey is about learning (or so I tell myself!). I also had a shocker of a 1st proper event, we did complete on a cricket score, but he nearly had me off xc spooking at every single person watching and a trough in a field etc.

After yesterdays proper local show boiling, today was time for the Quest Team to go out. We left our superstar horse at home today, but still managed a 2nd with 2 horses and 3 riders, which is a great result.

Pics of the prancing pony. 65% prelim when I maybe sit on him once month at home was a great score. :)

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Sasanaskyex said:
Haha, these were some of the fences in the 100 ODE I had entered a while back. We got the second best dressage score and went clear SJ which put me in the lead, but I withdrew after the SJ because I got too nervous and couldn't face going xc and have been doing 80's and 90's ever since - pathetic really isn't it. I decided I had to put my big girl pants on and get on with it.
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You definitely did put your brave pants on, we'll done x

Fiona
 
Well the weather's not been entirely sunny after all. In fact yesterday we had some rather interesting pea size hail and some thunder and lightning but we have managed to fit in some good rides, since Thursday had a couple of hacks and a couple of very productive schooling sessions. We've been working on improving the lateral work in walk to strengthen the hind end and create more engagement. This will *should* make the canter half pass easier when I introduce it.

We've also been working on trot - halt - trot and canter -halt - canter transitions to improve and refine the half halts and some quick changes of direction via turn on the forehand and turn on the haunches. M has responded very well especially in the canter which can be a little rushed.
 
Well today I did some trec training. So much fun, and my boy really tries his heart out on everything I ask of him. He will never be a world beater, but he tries so hard to trust me and do what I ask.

What more does anyone else need?

Very happy EJ today
 
It's been much cooler here today so I managed to get a nice hack on Tamba. Someone has fiddled with one of the jumps in the woods so it is now rather wide! I discovered this as I was halfway over. I will have to take a walk and fix the problem.
Winnie had a great trip to the gallops. It was her first since her last competition and she was just a shade fresh! She is three weeks off her next race ride so I would like to get her out for a jump although probably just a pop somewhere rather than competing.
Mindy is now at the end of three weeks walking so will do some very short trots next week and Maisy is typically sound again although will probably stay off for a bit longer. She has been beyond frustrating this year as she is so intermittent but we can't work out what's causing it!!
 
New boy looks lovely MP.
It’s frustrating AE, but you’re not alone, I mostly ride like a numpty then say I’m giving up.
Exciting re new venture Scats, I’ve daydreamed about going self employed but not brave enough / can’t think of a business.
That’s a shame Oldie, hope it’s just a minor blip?
Looks like loads of fun JFTD
Glad you had a good lesson Fiona and we’ll done for the double clears and
Areas!
Well done Chippers, shame about SJ but it’s all experience (and I’m another who gets lost in tests at BE!)
Fab pics Sasanskyex!

Well I had Xc lesson on Saturday, I have a bit of a mental block about Xc schooling. We warm up ok and pop couple of small logs then Mr H wakes up and suddenly gets very tense and feels like he is going to explode and as soon as I start to trot or whatever he tried to charge off with me. So I try and just school circles etc without going over a jump and he gets frustrated and argumentative.... now backing off from the leg, wiggling about and drifting out thro right shoulder. This is more or less a standard weekly Saturday lesson and now I’m really not enjoying it I don’t know what to do. Same thing last Saturday yet he was a star at the comp in the Sunday - maybe because we aren’t messing about and he likes to get in with the job and jump a course? Am thinking about sending him for a week or 2 schooling livery so he can be ridden each day in Xc field to try and bore him! though I wonder if he will revert back once he is back home and being schooled weekly? Any ideas welcome.
Anyway after that ramble, yesterday did riding club arena eventing, 75 and 85 cm. 18 jumps, very twisty confusing course, we went clear in both and got a 5th in the 75. Had a bit of a detour in the 85 when he stood off a jump and I slipped the reins, then thought it was a good opportunity for gallop as I had washing line reins 😂 happily with the magic kineton pulled him up ok and we turned back and completed the course. Love the kineton he is so much more mannerly, am just scared to use it too much in case it looses its effect (so I don’t use it schooling)16F9483B-8E1F-4F26-99FE-CA3D0388FD19.png5DEC25B1-91DA-4617-B424-B4EEF5E7D60A.png
 
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I think XC schooling can be really difficult, Reacher
It's a weird limbo land between needing to have your blood up enough to replicate competition, but needing to stop and start like an SJ schooling session. I think getting him to the point where he isn't just expecting to be blasting around would be a useful thing for you, from what you've described if he was mine I would want to be able to just school around the field with no intention of jumping anything a few times, until he was able to settle and follow instructions rather than freestyling ;)
I think you'll find that hard to do during a lesson because there's always the pressure to get started with the jumping.

Congrats on your placing through :) I used a Kineton XC when eventing and rarely in between shows, it definitely stayed effective. No reason why it shouldn't really, it's a useful bit of kit IMO. I think I'd consider trying it for your schooling though, if it helps then there's no point you both having a battle just because you are worried about over using it. Better for him to quickly learn not to take over.
 
Hi MP thank you, yes I’ve got used to the fact we barely jump any jumps in lesson (at least it’s solo lesson) and spend the time doing flatwork and practicing keeping rhythm steady while going up and down gradients - but he gets more and more exasperated and I get worried he is going to tank off with me. Yes it’s a fair point I should at least try the noseband in a schooling session.

Maybe schooling livery for a couple of weeks just doing as you describe would help as I am struggling and give me a bit of confidence.
Thank you yes I enjoyed yesterday especially as he was so much more polite and manoeuvreable x
 
Dressage was ok, Light had a very flat test in the intermediate, just lacking sparkle and oomph for 60%. Ground was awful, it was rather unorganised and he did a massive pee after I untacked him back at the box. He is still the coolest supercob though:cool:

Freya and Harry did a smart test in the grassroots, no idea on percentage, we had waited 1.5 hours for scores to be told it would be in an hours time so all went home:rolleyes: They did a very good job and she even did her own plaits and studs for once:)
 
Reacher - not to the same extent, but my boy is better if I can stay in a rhythm rather than the stop/start of a clinic type lesson. He's got used to it now as we do lots but it's always better if we can get our 'blood up'. It's expensive but have you tried solo lessons so there's less hanging about?
 
Bernster said:
Reacher - not to the same extent, but my boy is better if I can stay in a rhythm rather than the stop/start of a clinic type lesson. He's got used to it now as we do lots but it's always better if we can get our 'blood up'. It's expensive but have you tried solo lessons so there's less hanging about?
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Hi Bernster sorry I’ve not been clear - it is a weekly solo lesson- instructor prefers me to do lots of transitions and flatwork to try and stop him anticipating / assuming he is going to jump I suppose . The problem isn’t so much the jumps (we are only jumping small ones anyway) it’s the fact I feel like he is going to take off/ I’m going to lose control even when I’m not intending to go over a jump. I think he is frustrated that we can’t just “get on with it” and jump. It’s interesting that he was so much better behaved at a comp when we just jumped the course without all the “pratting around” as he would see it!!
PS I think what I’m saying is, he gets so worked up in that Xc field, even without going over the jumps, I’m worried he is going to blow a fuse / tank off with me and I’m going to come off (which hasn’t happened - yet!)
 
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Blimey it was hot at camp! They had 1 1/2 hours of XC schooling in the morning and 1 hour SJ in the afternoon. in 30+ degree heat. Ponies were full of beans though! Not sure anything would ever slow Jenny down :D:D but even Dolly was somewhat lacking in the brakes department. She has only been on the 80 acres at Somerford once before but seemed to remember that she likes it!

Much cooler on Sunday thankfully. Kids were impossible to wake up for school this am and ponies were flat out, snoring in the field :p.

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Great pics AE..... Two amazing ponies x x

Don't shout at me, but even in 30 degrees I wouldn't go xc in short sleeves...

How long til girls are off school? F finished on Fri, and we celebrated by going XC schooling this morning...

Fiona
 
Fiona said:
Don't shout at me, but even in 30 degrees I wouldn't go xc in short sleeves...

Fiona
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Nowt to do with me! I just turned up to take the pictures. But the PC instructors are normally very strict so I am surprised she got away with that. And even more shockingly, on the short-sleeved day she actually forgot to put her body protector on too. And NO-ONE noticed. Not me, not her, not the instructor. We only noticed when we got back to the stable block and saw it at outside the stable. Bad, bad parent!!! :eek::eek::eek:
 
I hate riding in long sleeves. If I have them on due to rules I invariably end up rolling them up! Hadn't noticed the lack of bp though :eek:

They are lovely riders though.
 
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