Lolo
Well-Known Member
We decided against a 2013 review because it was a tricky year in many respects. But I'm going to say how proud I am of Al for dealing with everything she faced with year with grace and determination: she lost a lot, but gained so much too and conquered demons I thought were indestructible. We miss Bee terribly, but life goes on.
Al is back home, and all stations are go. Her diary is jam-packed, her first day back she was out hunting with a crowd of small children and small ponies and shes been booked out until March by her old employers. Which is nice, as shes skint as can be!
Her time as a WP was very well spent. Her riding has improved, her pony has improved, she got to ride some very smart horses and learn from some amazing riders. She has had her eyes opened to different branches of work that she could do, and the experience was genuinely life-changing. Shes worked hard and had a ridiculous amount of fun surrounded by like-minded people. And as you can imagine, eventers can party pretty hard Her only regret is shes not lost any weight (I blame the wine!)
So here are some videos from her time at the yard:
[youtube]nwc1xXEFkME[/youtube]
Here, Smokes is at Herringswell and showing off how much he enjoys XC.
[youtube]oBvkjT77pQw[/youtube]
[youtube]mKp-eg_zlLM[/youtube]
And two lesson videos- one on Smokes working on him thinking about his jumps rather than being a bit cocky, and one on Zeno. The exercises with Smokes are aimed at getting him to really listen to Al after his fences and stay with her rather than pissing off on a jolly of his own choosing. Its really coming together now with him, hes a ridiculously clever little horse.
In the last week they went to Keysoe to use the BS course from the previous day, round a 95cm course and he was good as gold J Clever pony!
And today she schooled both boys.
Reg was first, and wasnt really in the mood- he never really tries at home, just tucks himself on the vertical and tootles round. He does put the effort in at shows and lessons, where he really comes to life, but at home he is a bit of a lazy lump! Albeit a very pretty one
Please ignore his fluffy bits... He says no one is clipping them thank you very much, and it's really not worth the fight!
Smokes though, was as poncey as could be. He loves working, loves getting things right and is generally a bit of a Perfect Peter. Hes very well at the moment, full of the joys of a fresh clip and good food, and his self-expression is something to behold. Today though butter wouldnt melt!
Hes worked quite low and round because hes still very early on in his schooling, and as long as hes free and forwards into the contact then Al lets him offer what hes comfortable with- she asks him to come up at points in the session and hes offering it more and more.
And finally, the boys now share a field. And they are utter horrors to each other- Reg winds up Smokes with pulled faces and whacky round up races, and Smokes insists on sharing Regs haynets! They have fun though
Yep, there's a reason the bay wears a hood but the grey doesn't!
Pulling faces- Reg wouldn't touch Smokes, but he likes pretending!
Peace...
Or not! Reggie doesn't do sharing
Hope you enjoyed this epic report- if anyone has any questions about what Al was up to, please ask- we don't really know what to write about it all beyond she absolutely loved every second, and after a day where of half 6 til half 6 non-stop all she could think of what they were going to do the next day. She knows this path is for her, however she decides to take it. Which is a bit scary really!
Al is back home, and all stations are go. Her diary is jam-packed, her first day back she was out hunting with a crowd of small children and small ponies and shes been booked out until March by her old employers. Which is nice, as shes skint as can be!
Her time as a WP was very well spent. Her riding has improved, her pony has improved, she got to ride some very smart horses and learn from some amazing riders. She has had her eyes opened to different branches of work that she could do, and the experience was genuinely life-changing. Shes worked hard and had a ridiculous amount of fun surrounded by like-minded people. And as you can imagine, eventers can party pretty hard Her only regret is shes not lost any weight (I blame the wine!)
So here are some videos from her time at the yard:
[youtube]nwc1xXEFkME[/youtube]
Here, Smokes is at Herringswell and showing off how much he enjoys XC.
[youtube]oBvkjT77pQw[/youtube]
[youtube]mKp-eg_zlLM[/youtube]
And two lesson videos- one on Smokes working on him thinking about his jumps rather than being a bit cocky, and one on Zeno. The exercises with Smokes are aimed at getting him to really listen to Al after his fences and stay with her rather than pissing off on a jolly of his own choosing. Its really coming together now with him, hes a ridiculously clever little horse.
In the last week they went to Keysoe to use the BS course from the previous day, round a 95cm course and he was good as gold J Clever pony!
And today she schooled both boys.
Reg was first, and wasnt really in the mood- he never really tries at home, just tucks himself on the vertical and tootles round. He does put the effort in at shows and lessons, where he really comes to life, but at home he is a bit of a lazy lump! Albeit a very pretty one
Please ignore his fluffy bits... He says no one is clipping them thank you very much, and it's really not worth the fight!
Smokes though, was as poncey as could be. He loves working, loves getting things right and is generally a bit of a Perfect Peter. Hes very well at the moment, full of the joys of a fresh clip and good food, and his self-expression is something to behold. Today though butter wouldnt melt!
Hes worked quite low and round because hes still very early on in his schooling, and as long as hes free and forwards into the contact then Al lets him offer what hes comfortable with- she asks him to come up at points in the session and hes offering it more and more.
And finally, the boys now share a field. And they are utter horrors to each other- Reg winds up Smokes with pulled faces and whacky round up races, and Smokes insists on sharing Regs haynets! They have fun though
Yep, there's a reason the bay wears a hood but the grey doesn't!
Pulling faces- Reg wouldn't touch Smokes, but he likes pretending!
Peace...
Or not! Reggie doesn't do sharing
Hope you enjoyed this epic report- if anyone has any questions about what Al was up to, please ask- we don't really know what to write about it all beyond she absolutely loved every second, and after a day where of half 6 til half 6 non-stop all she could think of what they were going to do the next day. She knows this path is for her, however she decides to take it. Which is a bit scary really!