Baydale
Well-Known Member
Get comfy as I have so much to tell you...that'll teach me not to report in more often, won't it? 
In my defence, I have been very busy but I am now going to be getting busier as *drum roll* I've got a job. 
About bloomin' time too, but it's a jolly good job so I'm very happy, even if it does mean I have to trek 65 miles to Norfolk every day.
Back to important stuff though ie. Jooooopiter, The Most Annoying Horse on the Planet. We had a good run at Burnham Market Intermediate, although he lulled me into a false sense of security by warming up for dressage like a beach donkey, then being a little beggar when he went in.
Ok, so the guy in the invalid carriage didn't help matters, but Joooop was very naughty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTgJdVu1fPc&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=3&feature=plcp
He redeemed himself showjumping with a nice clear, shame I got a time fault but much as I'd like to chase him when he's spooky and looky like that, he'll just flatten if you do and have a fence down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI8TvOUhneU&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=4&feature=plcp
I wasn't going to challenge the leaders too much with my stressage mark (35.5) so decided to go steady cross country, particularly with Osberton only two weeks away. I was a bit anxious about the corners at 5 which had caused some problems, but other than that there was enough to do without it being too huge or too tricky. I needn't have worried about any of it as he was fab, jumped the corners really well, locking on and doing them on 4 rather than the curved 5 strides I'd planned... He just landed a bit flat-footed in the second water and trotted through
but other than that it was an ok kinda round, with 13.6 time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_jGSL_0ZE&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=6&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJQOCd58Jts&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=5&feature=plcp
Icestationzebra's OH got some fab photos, including this one:
I wish he wasn't so dangly...
I was pleasantly surprised to find out we were 8th and forgave my pupil for beating me (she was 4th, but did go like the proverbial off a shovel 
), so we both got a frilly for our efforts and had a really fun day.
In the next couple of weeks we ramped up the interval training in readiness for Osberton, jumped lots of ditches - B Mkt hadn't included their coffin sadly, and I knew Osberton would be - had a fab dressage lesson (never thought I'd put "fab" and "dressage" in the same sentence), and I did lots of teaching: new peeps thanks to Holidays_are_coming as well as my regulars like BeckyD and the reformed character that is Bill.
The Barbie Bus was packed, plans made including TarrSteps coming as Chief Butt Kicker, and SuperFran had been preening and producing Princess Gertie Grafenstolz for the 2yo in-hand class, the plan being that we take her on the Thursday morning, she would strut her stuff, we'd go home and I'd go back with Jooop ready for 5pm trot-up. Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men...and go awry they did, as Gertie got a bit over-excited and double-barrelled me while I was taking her tail bandage off. I thought she'd just dead-legged me but then there was blood pumping through my breeches so I felt a visit to the First Aider was in order. They said I needed to go to A&E, I said I didn't and that a couple of steri-strips would do the trick, or they would have if we could have got it to stop bleeding. Anyhoo, the lovely doctor there made my day and gave me three stitches - apologies to anyone who saw me sat in the back of the secretary's tent with my breeches down being stitched up... My ground jury very kindly said that Princess Baydale could have her very own private trot-up the next morning, although TarrSteps had to deputise as I was lame in walk, never mind trot! I was most excited at getting another night in my own bed rather than the Barbie Bus bed.
So, a leisurely start the next day, or it was once I'd got my ex off cubbing on HumungaHorse by 6.15, and we arrived about 10, trotted up ok and went to walk the course. Oh. My. Goodness. I'd forgotten how meaty 2 star is, and what a long way round at 9 mins 47, and the little fish Baydale had put herself in the huge pond that was the CICYH** for 7yo's, full of very smart 7yo's. In hindsight not my cleverest idea but hey, hindsight is a wonderful thing, is it not?
Jup was struggling a bit with the going in the warm-up as it was boggy, and not a lot better in the arena to be honest. It did make me ride forwards which was a good thing, but he died in a couple of canter-walk transitions, either that or he was just showing off his canter-halt transitions. He got stuck in his rein-back, did a couple of dodgy halts and overall it was just not mistake-free and good enough to get anything better than 57.2, which was fair enough. Don't laugh at the vid - my top hat is incredibly tight now I have lots of hair and for some reason unbeknown to me I put it on at a very jaunty angle - probably so my brains didn't pop out of my ears- so I look like a right wally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4DPf3w0Rkg&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=1&feature=plcp
More course walking, less of these the second time, and then an early night in the Barbie Bus after a couple of mega G&Ts and goats cheese kettle chips, mine and TS's new favourite thing. Oh, and painkillers, lots of them.
We were on at lunchtime so watched a few one star peeps, walked a couple of fences again and generally got myself into the zone. The 7yo's were before the rest of the two star so I couldn't watch any, other than what I could see from the warm-up. It seemed to be causing a few problems, a wall to a big skinny at 7, the corner at 16, the second water. I knew it was a big ask for Jup but didn't feel half as nervous as I usually do. Off we set, Gamebird got us at the first two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A80TjsyVkrk&feature=relmfu
He was quite spooky and looky for the first few minutes, but jumped the wall to skinny really well, then went airborne over the second part of the lane crossing - I was sure my PointTwo was going to inflate - then on to Gamebird's fence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HbkYVo6MOg&feature=youtu.be
On we went, good through the first water, ace through the coffin to skinny triple brush, a couple of more straightforward fences and into the woods to the corner, got my eye on it, got my line and he just didn't get it. Boo.
I was sure he just didn't see it as it was very same-y with the trees and the background, so I thought I'd have another go. Nope. That didn't work either, so I took the long route and carried on, a tad gutted. I took my foot off the gas and he was pretty bl00dy awesome for a babe with only 4 Int runs under his belt. He was almost too bold off the big step to angled hedge but never wavered off his line. I did go long at the second water as it was a decent fence in and I was mindful of how he'd been at Burnham Mkt, but the rest he was just super, still jumping well and having a ball - him and me both. Cue lots of pats (him) and lots of gushing (me) when we finished. I love my pony.
I was just a bit annoyed with myself for having a second go at the corner and not pulling it off, as 60 is a hefty amount to add but hey, I'm not too hung up on how his record looks and I am Numpty Nicky often, or Amateur Annie even.
He was right as rain, not a mark on him and still rather perky so I wasn't too worried about him and left him for a big sleep to prepare himself for the next day. I was ok enough to trot him up myself on Sunday morning - you gotta love Diclofenac - and had the dubious pleasure of being first to showjump, that's character-building, let me tell you. The rest of the 2 star were following on from the 7yo's so the world and his wife were there watching to see how the course rode, or how it rode a la yours truly. It was going ok, or it was until Jup got distracted by the stuff outside the ring and did a real baby spook and a "who put that there?!" at the filler in a 6 stride related distance, upright to oxer. Dope. Other than that I was really pleased with him and I managed to retain my position (joke).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgbWi5UAkaI&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=2&feature=plcp
So, that was that, lots to get excited about, lots to do before the next one - probably Houghton in May - and just the best feeling about my pony who I think might have what it takes to be quite good. I know I've said that before but he really does make it feel like the size is nothing to worry about, and he's mentally very robust which is a must when he's got me on top, flapping and riding like a ar$e. Pat yourself on the back if you've got this far, and I can offer you Nigella's Brunch Bar and builders' tea, as Kerilli and I over-indulged at a swanky party in London last night, on a boat on the Thames, which was awesome. I am one very lucky girl, but if someone could remind me of that on Monday morning when the alarm goes off at 4.45 that'd be great...
In my defence, I have been very busy but I am now going to be getting busier as *drum roll* I've got a job. About bloomin' time too, but it's a jolly good job so I'm very happy, even if it does mean I have to trek 65 miles to Norfolk every day. Back to important stuff though ie. Jooooopiter, The Most Annoying Horse on the Planet. We had a good run at Burnham Market Intermediate, although he lulled me into a false sense of security by warming up for dressage like a beach donkey, then being a little beggar when he went in.
Ok, so the guy in the invalid carriage didn't help matters, but Joooop was very naughty:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTgJdVu1fPc&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=3&feature=plcp
He redeemed himself showjumping with a nice clear, shame I got a time fault but much as I'd like to chase him when he's spooky and looky like that, he'll just flatten if you do and have a fence down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI8TvOUhneU&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=4&feature=plcp
I wasn't going to challenge the leaders too much with my stressage mark (35.5) so decided to go steady cross country, particularly with Osberton only two weeks away. I was a bit anxious about the corners at 5 which had caused some problems, but other than that there was enough to do without it being too huge or too tricky. I needn't have worried about any of it as he was fab, jumped the corners really well, locking on and doing them on 4 rather than the curved 5 strides I'd planned... He just landed a bit flat-footed in the second water and trotted through
but other than that it was an ok kinda round, with 13.6 time.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_jGSL_0ZE&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=6&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJQOCd58Jts&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=5&feature=plcp
Icestationzebra's OH got some fab photos, including this one:
I wish he wasn't so dangly...
I was pleasantly surprised to find out we were 8th and forgave my pupil for beating me (she was 4th, but did go like the proverbial off a shovel ), so we both got a frilly for our efforts and had a really fun day. In the next couple of weeks we ramped up the interval training in readiness for Osberton, jumped lots of ditches - B Mkt hadn't included their coffin sadly, and I knew Osberton would be - had a fab dressage lesson (never thought I'd put "fab" and "dressage" in the same sentence), and I did lots of teaching: new peeps thanks to Holidays_are_coming as well as my regulars like BeckyD and the reformed character that is Bill.
The Barbie Bus was packed, plans made including TarrSteps coming as Chief Butt Kicker, and SuperFran had been preening and producing Princess Gertie Grafenstolz for the 2yo in-hand class, the plan being that we take her on the Thursday morning, she would strut her stuff, we'd go home and I'd go back with Jooop ready for 5pm trot-up. Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men...and go awry they did, as Gertie got a bit over-excited and double-barrelled me while I was taking her tail bandage off.
I thought she'd just dead-legged me but then there was blood pumping through my breeches so I felt a visit to the First Aider was in order. They said I needed to go to A&E, I said I didn't and that a couple of steri-strips would do the trick, or they would have if we could have got it to stop bleeding. Anyhoo, the lovely doctor there made my day and gave me three stitches - apologies to anyone who saw me sat in the back of the secretary's tent with my breeches down being stitched up... My ground jury very kindly said that Princess Baydale could have her very own private trot-up the next morning, although TarrSteps had to deputise as I was lame in walk, never mind trot! I was most excited at getting another night in my own bed rather than the Barbie Bus bed. So, a leisurely start the next day, or it was once I'd got my ex off cubbing on HumungaHorse by 6.15
, and we arrived about 10, trotted up ok and went to walk the course. Oh. My. Goodness. I'd forgotten how meaty 2 star is, and what a long way round at 9 mins 47, and the little fish Baydale had put herself in the huge pond that was the CICYH** for 7yo's, full of very smart 7yo's. In hindsight not my cleverest idea but hey, hindsight is a wonderful thing, is it not?Jup was struggling a bit with the going in the warm-up as it was boggy, and not a lot better in the arena to be honest. It did make me ride forwards which was a good thing, but he died in a couple of canter-walk transitions, either that or he was just showing off his canter-halt transitions.
He got stuck in his rein-back, did a couple of dodgy halts and overall it was just not mistake-free and good enough to get anything better than 57.2, which was fair enough. Don't laugh at the vid - my top hat is incredibly tight now I have lots of hair and for some reason unbeknown to me I put it on at a very jaunty angle - probably so my brains didn't pop out of my ears- so I look like a right wally. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4DPf3w0Rkg&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=1&feature=plcp
More course walking, less of these
the second time, and then an early night in the Barbie Bus after a couple of mega G&Ts and goats cheese kettle chips, mine and TS's new favourite thing. Oh, and painkillers, lots of them. We were on at lunchtime so watched a few one star peeps, walked a couple of fences again and generally got myself into the zone. The 7yo's were before the rest of the two star so I couldn't watch any, other than what I could see from the warm-up. It seemed to be causing a few problems, a wall to a big skinny at 7, the corner at 16, the second water. I knew it was a big ask for Jup but didn't feel half as nervous as I usually do. Off we set, Gamebird got us at the first two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A80TjsyVkrk&feature=relmfu
He was quite spooky and looky for the first few minutes, but jumped the wall to skinny really well, then went airborne over the second part of the lane crossing - I was sure my PointTwo was going to inflate - then on to Gamebird's fence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HbkYVo6MOg&feature=youtu.be
On we went, good through the first water, ace through the coffin to skinny triple brush, a couple of more straightforward fences and into the woods to the corner, got my eye on it, got my line and he just didn't get it. Boo.
I was sure he just didn't see it as it was very same-y with the trees and the background, so I thought I'd have another go. Nope. That didn't work either, so I took the long route and carried on, a tad gutted. I took my foot off the gas and he was pretty bl00dy awesome for a babe with only 4 Int runs under his belt. He was almost too bold off the big step to angled hedge but never wavered off his line. I did go long at the second water as it was a decent fence in and I was mindful of how he'd been at Burnham Mkt, but the rest he was just super, still jumping well and having a ball - him and me both. Cue lots of pats (him) and lots of gushing (me) when we finished. I love my pony. I was just a bit annoyed with myself for having a second go at the corner and not pulling it off, as 60 is a hefty amount to add but hey, I'm not too hung up on how his record looks and I am Numpty Nicky often, or Amateur Annie even.
He was right as rain, not a mark on him and still rather perky so I wasn't too worried about him and left him for a big sleep to prepare himself for the next day. I was ok enough to trot him up myself on Sunday morning - you gotta love Diclofenac
- and had the dubious pleasure of being first to showjump, that's character-building, let me tell you. The rest of the 2 star were following on from the 7yo's so the world and his wife were there watching to see how the course rode, or how it rode a la yours truly. It was going ok, or it was until Jup got distracted by the stuff outside the ring and did a real baby spook and a "who put that there?!" at the filler in a 6 stride related distance, upright to oxer. Dope. Other than that I was really pleased with him and I managed to retain my position (joke). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgbWi5UAkaI&list=UUITXXFxUhnZR0e7eK5tJsmw&index=2&feature=plcp
So, that was that, lots to get excited about, lots to do before the next one - probably Houghton in May - and just the best feeling about my pony who I think might have what it takes to be quite good. I know I've said that before but he really does make it feel like the size is nothing to worry about, and he's mentally very robust which is a must when he's got me on top, flapping and riding like a ar$e. Pat yourself on the back if you've got this far, and I can offer you Nigella's Brunch Bar and builders' tea, as Kerilli and I over-indulged at a swanky party in London last night, on a boat on the Thames, which was awesome. I am one very lucky girl, but if someone could remind me of that on Monday morning when the alarm goes off at 4.45 that'd be great...
My baby Baydale Marcus has been out and about in recent weeks, we went to Blenheim to do the fun ride, dreamt of being "proper" eventers as we galloped through the water crossings which is about the closest I'll ever get to riding round Blenheim 
, we went to weston lawns to do the clear round this morning. The sensible pony behaved impeccably despite the hopeless jockey on his back and jumped round twice, its a bit like riding hissing sid round a course a the mo. There's not many straight approaches in there. Oh how I love baby horses for testing your stickability
