Reacher
Dishonourable Member
Ps Im going to start a separate thread and hope with your help Ill be able to embed a video!!
Weekend plans - Early edition
- Thread starter Accidental Eventer
- Start date
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Reacher
Dishonourable Member
henmother
Well-Known Member
Good luck to all competing . To those having to do boring normal non horsey weekend jobs, I hope they get done in double quick time . Lesson from Sophie Wells on Sunday , can't wait ! Had an early morning lesson with my lovely instructor this morning just so we don't show ourselves up , fingers crossed ! Horse will be bathed and chalk pasted tomorrow, i have a , no dirty horse in trailer , rule .
Fiona
Well-Known Member
No biscuits, but can offer gin 🤣
My son's SJ on Thursday night actually went really well, he did 2 double clears at 40 and 50cm outside on grass without losing control.
He's doing 60-70 at home but she can be spooky so hopefully keeping it small at competitions is the way forward for a little longer.
My pony got his twisted shoe fixed today, so we might go for a family forest ride tomorrow 😃
Fiona
HappyDayz
Well-Known Member
We arent competing but made a huge step today!
Now Choccy isnt good on the roads so we made the decision 2 1/2 years ago that he would no long hack on them.
We have moved to a yard that has a 20x40 which is fab but they also have another yard which is probably a 8 minute ride down the road and has a 20x60.
I decided I wanted to take him down to use the bigger arena and I had planned to walk him inhand but once he was tacked up my brave pants seemed to appear! I only rode him down there! He was fab, we had a horsebox, a trailer and multiple cars pass us and he was so well behaved. Did I feel 100% safe? No I really didnt, but the point is we did it and Im proud of us both!
We have a lesson tomorrow so will see if we can repeat the hack down there! It might seem petty to some people but for some unknown reason my confidence has been at rock bottom for the last few months and Im so pleased we managed this small step!
Now Choccy isnt good on the roads so we made the decision 2 1/2 years ago that he would no long hack on them.
We have moved to a yard that has a 20x40 which is fab but they also have another yard which is probably a 8 minute ride down the road and has a 20x60.
I decided I wanted to take him down to use the bigger arena and I had planned to walk him inhand but once he was tacked up my brave pants seemed to appear! I only rode him down there! He was fab, we had a horsebox, a trailer and multiple cars pass us and he was so well behaved. Did I feel 100% safe? No I really didnt, but the point is we did it and Im proud of us both!
We have a lesson tomorrow so will see if we can repeat the hack down there! It might seem petty to some people but for some unknown reason my confidence has been at rock bottom for the last few months and Im so pleased we managed this small step!
DabDab
Thinks the luddites had a point...
Aww, that's amazing HD! Horses do have a way of picking you up when you least expect sometimes - good job really as they are so good at knocking us sideways too
Reacher
Dishonourable Member
Gin - now youre talking! :lol:
Glad sons SJ went well and enjoy your forest hack which sounds fab
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
I went barrel racing, and it was epic 
DabDab
Thinks the luddites had a point...
Hey, that barrel racing looks fun! And looks like you did rather well for a first go
Love the headshot, she really is oh so pretty, with that 'I've got this' look in her eye
Love the headshot, she really is oh so pretty, with that 'I've got this' look in her eye
zaminda
Well-Known Member
Well we had an interesting weekend at Euston Park. Maisy vetted well on Thursday, which was a surprise as last year at the National ride she started with a heart rate of over 120, and we struggled to get her to calm down sufficiently to be allowed to start! This year she had a heart rate of 56, and trotted like an absolute star, I struggled to keep up!
Friday came, and we side stepped the mass start, as there were over 170 in the class I didn't think she would be manageable at the start, so we left halfway through the 15 minute window. We had to collect the human GPS at the start, which has an emergency button to summon help if needed!
She set off quite well, cantering out of the venue quite happily. She was fine when she could bowl along and pass people at will, but when she got stuck behind people she was not happy! On one occasion she hit one of the route signs, and on another she nearly hit a horse as she flew past them! Her behaviour disintegrated the longer she was stuck behind anyone, and it culminated in her running off as she got past someone and going flat out for well over a mile!
She arrived at the first crew stop, and wouldn't even slow down past a trot, but we had some water thrown at us and off we went.
Just after we left she nearly turned us both over in her frantic attempt to overtake some people, which was not a pleasant experience, but one with her I have become used to.
We finally made it back to the venue, and wired to a mars bar, we just about got her heart rate to 64, and she trotted up ok, although not as good as the day before.
After a 40 minute hold we were out again, this time without another horse in sight, so she dropped the lot and cruised round beautifully. On returning to the venue her heart rate was great, so we presented straight away, sadly she just looked a bit off, and so we failed the vet. I'm glad to say, she only seems a little bit stiff, and her pelvis looks slightly unlevel, which for her is the first place to look.
The following morning, she was still only slightly off, and there was swelling around a couple of little nicks which were obviously a bit sore, but the vet was happy with her.
I was very pleased that they called it earlier rather than letting her go out on the last loop, and potentially break herself properly, she is no spring chicken at 18, and she is more important than anything else.
I will say however, that she has definitely done a number on me, as my neck and back are rather sore following on from being thrown about for several hours!
I have lots to work with, and we will hopefully have a fiddle with her diet and possibly try calmer again. Plus get her out to riding club and expose her to more horses, although she is normally fine in enclosed spaces!! Plus I want to work on the fast work, and get her going a bit better there too. Hopefully I will find someone happy to canter for an hour constantly to give her company whilst doing the work we need to do! Fingers crossed for the next time!
Friday came, and we side stepped the mass start, as there were over 170 in the class I didn't think she would be manageable at the start, so we left halfway through the 15 minute window. We had to collect the human GPS at the start, which has an emergency button to summon help if needed!
She set off quite well, cantering out of the venue quite happily. She was fine when she could bowl along and pass people at will, but when she got stuck behind people she was not happy! On one occasion she hit one of the route signs, and on another she nearly hit a horse as she flew past them! Her behaviour disintegrated the longer she was stuck behind anyone, and it culminated in her running off as she got past someone and going flat out for well over a mile!
She arrived at the first crew stop, and wouldn't even slow down past a trot, but we had some water thrown at us and off we went.
Just after we left she nearly turned us both over in her frantic attempt to overtake some people, which was not a pleasant experience, but one with her I have become used to.
We finally made it back to the venue, and wired to a mars bar, we just about got her heart rate to 64, and she trotted up ok, although not as good as the day before.
After a 40 minute hold we were out again, this time without another horse in sight, so she dropped the lot and cruised round beautifully. On returning to the venue her heart rate was great, so we presented straight away, sadly she just looked a bit off, and so we failed the vet. I'm glad to say, she only seems a little bit stiff, and her pelvis looks slightly unlevel, which for her is the first place to look.
The following morning, she was still only slightly off, and there was swelling around a couple of little nicks which were obviously a bit sore, but the vet was happy with her.
I was very pleased that they called it earlier rather than letting her go out on the last loop, and potentially break herself properly, she is no spring chicken at 18, and she is more important than anything else.
I will say however, that she has definitely done a number on me, as my neck and back are rather sore following on from being thrown about for several hours!
I have lots to work with, and we will hopefully have a fiddle with her diet and possibly try calmer again. Plus get her out to riding club and expose her to more horses, although she is normally fine in enclosed spaces!! Plus I want to work on the fast work, and get her going a bit better there too. Hopefully I will find someone happy to canter for an hour constantly to give her company whilst doing the work we need to do! Fingers crossed for the next time!
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Hey, that barrel racing looks fun! And looks like you did rather well for a first go
Love the headshot, she really is oh so pretty, with that 'I've got this' look in her eye
Insane levels of fun
She was epic, 2nd in the open barrels (to a horse and rider who've been at it for a couple of years and are on the England team for their championships at the end of the year - I think, I may have misheard this bit!). Then she won the open bending - very close with the same other horse, time wise, but she had him by a whisker I was insanely proud of her. Oh and we also aced the non-competitive gallop- turn 180 in small box - gallop out game we played while they were adding up scores. It's not often I get to go out and have people saying "oh you're going to bring this one back next time, aren't you?". We're usually regarded as the dead weight!
(rambling and photos can be seen here, though oddly facebook objects to the inclusion of paragraphs in blocks of texts :eek3: : https://www.facebook.com/pg/Hotbloo...8YYT9r9hBtuaJ_btPVW_-8nWHeQaerVy5&__tn__=-U-R)
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Accidental Eventer
Well-Known Member
I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.
We had perfect weather and a great event. Not our best on paper but we had some really great moments.
Our dressage was very nice, a steady test and scored ok, placing us mid field.
XC was full on. The terrain makes this a really tough course and some of the footing was really slippery. We had a stop at the water. Apparently lots of spectators are distracting and so Coolie didn't notice the drop into the water. I could have ridden a bit harder but chose to take the opportunity to school it instead and he popped right in when we represented. I know water isn't an issue and the stop was just a mistake. The rest of the course rode well, and he was so adjustable which is a massive improvement.
Coolie was feeling tired for SJ, but he put in a good effort once again feeling really rideable. We drifted into fence 2 so took the rail, then just clipped 6A which also fell.
I'm pleased with our weekend overall. I was feeling quite anxious about the lead up to this event so to get around with only one minor mistake (which we can fix!) and not feeling nervous at all before SJ is a win in my book. I don't think we would have finished in the ribbons without the stop at any rate. The XC course was causing a few issues over the day, it's the biggest event here for a reason!
The brush before the water, I love him!
We had perfect weather and a great event. Not our best on paper but we had some really great moments.
Our dressage was very nice, a steady test and scored ok, placing us mid field.
XC was full on. The terrain makes this a really tough course and some of the footing was really slippery. We had a stop at the water. Apparently lots of spectators are distracting and so Coolie didn't notice the drop into the water. I could have ridden a bit harder but chose to take the opportunity to school it instead and he popped right in when we represented. I know water isn't an issue and the stop was just a mistake. The rest of the course rode well, and he was so adjustable which is a massive improvement.
Coolie was feeling tired for SJ, but he put in a good effort once again feeling really rideable. We drifted into fence 2 so took the rail, then just clipped 6A which also fell.
I'm pleased with our weekend overall. I was feeling quite anxious about the lead up to this event so to get around with only one minor mistake (which we can fix!) and not feeling nervous at all before SJ is a win in my book. I don't think we would have finished in the ribbons without the stop at any rate. The XC course was causing a few issues over the day, it's the biggest event here for a reason!
The brush before the water, I love him!
blood_magik
Well-Known Member
Weekend of two halves for us...
Took Raz for a last run-through before areas and managed a decent enough 66.03 and 2nd despite two major spooks in the elementary.
The medium went a bit better - made a conscious effort to let him breathe in the shoulder in and Halfpass and thought it all felt a bit softer than usual. 63.24 and 1st with a few things to work on before the cabin next weekend.
Then yesterday I took Beau to Morris to do the 1.10m NAQ. Had to spend a good 25 minutes getting him soft before we even started jumping but he didn’t try to run through the bridle when we did so it was worth spending the time doing what felt like a million flexions and transitions.
Only one scary fence - a full up 1.20m made up of grey planks - but still had a bit of a meltdown before I got back on to continue warming up. Gave myself a kick when we went in but it wasn’t enough because we had a run out at the first fence. Grrr...
Got over it the second time but took the front rail down with us and then got it completely wrong coming into number 4 and got decked. So that was that... planning to jump round at home today if he’s not needing any dental work done otherwise I’m considering sending him to my trainer’s for the week to seeing as I’m away.
Keeping my fingers crossed that he’s just out of practice and there’s nothing else going on.
Hope everyone else had a better outing that we did
Took Raz for a last run-through before areas and managed a decent enough 66.03 and 2nd despite two major spooks in the elementary.
The medium went a bit better - made a conscious effort to let him breathe in the shoulder in and Halfpass and thought it all felt a bit softer than usual. 63.24 and 1st with a few things to work on before the cabin next weekend.
Then yesterday I took Beau to Morris to do the 1.10m NAQ. Had to spend a good 25 minutes getting him soft before we even started jumping but he didn’t try to run through the bridle when we did so it was worth spending the time doing what felt like a million flexions and transitions.
Only one scary fence - a full up 1.20m made up of grey planks - but still had a bit of a meltdown before I got back on to continue warming up. Gave myself a kick when we went in but it wasn’t enough because we had a run out at the first fence. Grrr...
Got over it the second time but took the front rail down with us and then got it completely wrong coming into number 4 and got decked. So that was that... planning to jump round at home today if he’s not needing any dental work done otherwise I’m considering sending him to my trainer’s for the week to seeing as I’m away.
Keeping my fingers crossed that he’s just out of practice and there’s nothing else going on.
Hope everyone else had a better outing that we did
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Alibear
Well-Known Member
Daisy approved of her new luxury travel accommodation, well she loads nicely. First trip postponed until this evening. It was nearly a fail on the not rushing to buy a new saddle front as was due to pick one up tomorrow evening, but the lady has decided not to sell it now, so perhaps its a win after all.
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Wimbles
Well-Known Member
Went for our second competitive SJ outing at Fieldhouse, Marchington. Was just as nervous and very nearly took an early bath when Koko spooked in a big way going past one of the wings as we entered the ring!!
We actually jumped a really nice round after that as I felt that the spook made me sit up and get my act together. We jumped a double clear to come 5th and for the first time I felt quite proud of myself (and my superstar horse of course!). My nerves are still particularly crippling but thanks to a great prep talk by my YO and then another friend going through the course with me about a zillion times I felt prepared enough to go in and actually ride the course.
The best thing that happened is half way through I actually started to breathe and even enjoy it!
Got today to recover then it's off to the RoR National Championships at Aintree with my giant ginger horseball horse to try and convince him to do dressage on a racecourse! I'm not expecting much but I do hope that we will get a lovely photograph and whatever happens, I will be incredibly proud of this horse that has battled back from horrendous injury to be one of the most versatile and honest animals that I have ever had the pleasure to ride.
We actually jumped a really nice round after that as I felt that the spook made me sit up and get my act together. We jumped a double clear to come 5th and for the first time I felt quite proud of myself (and my superstar horse of course!). My nerves are still particularly crippling but thanks to a great prep talk by my YO and then another friend going through the course with me about a zillion times I felt prepared enough to go in and actually ride the course.
The best thing that happened is half way through I actually started to breathe and even enjoy it!
Got today to recover then it's off to the RoR National Championships at Aintree with my giant ginger horseball horse to try and convince him to do dressage on a racecourse! I'm not expecting much but I do hope that we will get a lovely photograph and whatever happens, I will be incredibly proud of this horse that has battled back from horrendous injury to be one of the most versatile and honest animals that I have ever had the pleasure to ride.
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Awww Wimbles that's fab. On all counts. Hope you get a cracking picture and more!
FINALLY got my music for the show on Sunday so we have some practice to do now, eek. Excited to ride to it though. Token Kira shot from the music clinic
FINALLY got my music for the show on Sunday so we have some practice to do now, eek. Excited to ride to it though. Token Kira shot from the music clinic