Weekend plans......my birthday weekend!

Happy Birthday Lev and FF!

I am at an NSEA SJ comp tomorrow. I am team manager and we have riders entered in every class from 40cm to 100cm so I will be there all day! Should be good fun.

Today we will be getting the ponies ready, cleaning tack etc.

I am also heading to Weston Lawns for my first ever affiliated BS show and my first ever stay away show next week. So excited. So also sorting out all the arrangements for that as I am working Monday and Tuesday.
 
We had a lovely few hours jumping in the sunshine this afternoon at clear rounds. we had the 2 warm ups and main arena to ourselves, which was a nice surprise.

Lovely to be able to ride outside for a change - can’t wait to get our outdoor built so we can make the most of the nice weather if and when we get it.

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Easy day for them tomorrow then jumping lessons on Monday assuming I can get the two shoes they lost replaced in time.
 
An interesting show jumping clinic today - Jensen jumped fantastically, the ability to sfop afterwards was more of a problem.....

I am advised that I need a more forward cut saddle (which makes sense, I can feel my knees coming over the front of the flaps of my current straight-cut GP) and I need to control him more with my seat and legs, not the rein to slow him down. I think it’s safe to say that it is a work in progress!
 
Got up at silly o clock for the Prelim class at the CTR Champs today. Our inexperience showed with a slightly disappointing 63.41% but I remembered the test, we did all the right bits in the right places, and he warmed up lovely. Lots to improve on and we can def get better marks with a bit more practice and comp experience.

I was expecting a bit more pomp n ceremony tbh. It really didn't feel like a big show, just like any other unaff event. Might try and qualify for Hickstead sunshine tour or something similar as would really love to do a 'big show'.
 
Well the oranges had a good weekend, rather different experience on each day as can be expected :biggrin3:

Kira did a sterling job yesterday, first time we've gone and done one class at a normal show out of choice and she was really up for it. Hopefully we are now past the need for a warm up class, hurrah. Just in the nick of time as well! Nice late times so she had a double scoop of oats after a morning in the field which kept the energy levels up :p
66% in Advanced 105, first time we've done it and that's the best advanced score she's had so far so dead chuffed.
The pirouettes were green but that's not a surprise :wink3: but everything else felt established and confident and she got lots of 7s incl for the tempis and canter half passes, whoo hoo. Nice positive comments from the judge too. Fab day.

So we have a lesson on Wednesday, I know there's more to do to develop the piris - we can get in and out in a decent canter but she doesn't always believe she can get round without bunging her ears up my nose. But everything else is pointing towards a PSG before too long, how ridiculous!

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Back today with Salty, after not enough sleep! I wanted to get there with LOADS of time to spare so we could have a wander about, check out the arenas a little etc. So I got there at 8.30 for a 10am test... no one else appeared until 9.15 so we had the place to ourselves :o

Got on and had a spin round the warm up while there was no one around, that was OK just a bit backward thinking. (better than rodeoing :rolleyes:) Had a little snooze in the sun and back to the warm up, there was someone else in there by then so we agreed to keep our distance and did a bit more.
Off to the test and she went straight into the indoor without hesitation - this is a novelty :o haven't ever had a horse that is happy indoors from the off. Bobbled round P15 trying her best but finding the sunlight on the school markers a little spooky. So she did everything as well as I could have hoped really - broke in the canters when she spooked but had a damn good go :) super pleased with her and another good trip in the bank. Scored just under 60% owing to the green canterwork but it's not about the scores at this point, I really wanted her to have a quiet day and just get on with her job. Mission accomplished :D

I think she might be ready to do 2 tests next time, just trying to find another quiet venue where she can keep it all in proportion :o and concentrate a bit.

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No action shots as I was on my own both days :(
 
Wheeeeee!!!! Just had an absolute blast at our first hunter trial of the year :) :) I’m delighted, particularly bearing in mind we haven’t even been XC schooling so far, so Jensen hasn’t even seen an XC fence since last autumn!

It was a diddy little 70cm course but pretty hilly and there was very heavy soil at the venue, I was quite prepared to trot if needed after the clinic yesterday, but kept my warm up to a minimum then went off to see how it went :)

He started off a little cautious at first, and his eyes were out on stalks at the other horses/trailers and lorries/loads of fences across the course :D But he got more and more confident as we went on, he jumped everything without hesitation, I was so proud of him :) We finished with a clear round, he made it feel all so very easy!

Then I found out we had been eliminated because I’d missed out fence 12! I’d thought when I’d walked the course that it was a badly planned course route so I’m not surprised - loads of other people did the same apparently. Hey ho I really don’t care - Jensen was fantastic and I’m so pleased with him :) :)
 
Sounds like good fun Lev :) shame about missing the fence but we've all been through It! As long as you had fun.

MP that's great to see improvements - you and Kira are my inspiration, I hope me and my native can achieve even close to what you have. Sounds like Salty had a good outing too.

Bernster shame about the pomp!! Although I prefer a quiet show personally
 
Wheels said:
MP that's great to see improvements - you and Kira are my inspiration, I hope me and my native can achieve even close to what you have. Sounds like Salty had a good outing too.
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awww what a nice thing to say :o I never saw this coming, truth be told.... but it's one of those things where if you just follow your nose you never know what will happen :wink3: Sounds like you had a good day too :)

And to even up the colour balance, (it's not all about the Oranges round here y'know ;)) the bay bombshells today. Worming and rug-downgrade day. Millie was not impressed

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And Twiggy firstly ran away :o and required a bowlful of nuts before she would allow herself to be caught

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Love the photo RO :D

Do look after yourself DF.... Though saddle shopping is always fun

Shame about the atmosphere Bernster, but sounds like a positive experience anyway.

Congrats on the clear round Lev! What a great start

Ginger boys look great BM - Henry looks super keen :D

Super wow on that advanced score MP :eek3: Grand that Salty was so good too - mine thinks the outdoor arena there is terrifying

I've had a brilliant lesson today. I got put on the lunge :o because I've been so obsessed with keeping the forward and not wanting him to have any reason to not be forward that I have been (ever so subtly) giving away the contact. Got all the bits working in the right places on the lunge and then was let off and wow... I had a proper 'oh my god I was right, there is a good horse in here' moment, with instructor chirping that she wish she could film it :D Never mind, will film next time, and in between I now have some lunging homework to do...

Sun is shining here, its been a beautiful day :)
 
You are so brave having a lunge lesson DabDab :D I know it would be really good for me, but I dare not :D

I am so delighted with Jensen, I feel so positive about this season now :) :) It has been a beautiful day here too, life is good today :)
 
Sorry for the belated post...!! Happy birthday for yesterday Lev and FF :D Lev, sounds like you had a fab weekend!
MP - what a score at Advanced, well done!! I'd be absolutely over the moon. And fab outing with Salty too from the sounds of it :D
Bernster - well done at the champs and shame about the atmosphere :(
Well done to everyone else who got out and about!

After all the cancellations and snowed-in issues we've had I'd have loved to get to a comp this weekend but other plans made it impossible. On Saturday I had a very sad funeral to attend (it was beautiful and very emotional) and today my hoof guy was coming down from Northumbria, having had to cancel due to the beast from the east a few weeks back. I'm pleased to say hoof guy was very pleased with their progress although I still have work to do to improve their frog health.

However the weekend started early with a BD 'flexi-training' lesson (I'd like to get on the inter-regional team so I need to do 3 BD training sessions...I'll manage that but my lack of results in recent months may cause some issues I guess!!). It was fab! Very focused on my position, which I always want but most instructors get distracted by Indio's wonkiness ;) Lots of homework for me.

Friday was boot shopping...I don't really need another pair but my first Celeris boots are so fab and really help my leg position, and I though grey would really suit Indio. Well that's my excuse anyway! Yesterday I schooled Indio and he felt great, he's found a new elevated trot that gets bigger through the session even without me focusing on it - I couldn't sit to it by the end of 40 minutes, so more core work for me!! Good hack on the two boys today with a friend, it actually felt like spring!
 
Polework clinic went well-I am now exhausted with a bit of a sore throat after teaching all afternoon! Time for a bath for my sore knees too... Seeing all of you getting out to dressage comps is making me so envious. But I know it's just a matter of time!
 
Sheep said:
You really must keep us posted, I was thinking about you not so long ago (I think your name popped up as you'd posted on ROG's towing thread). Glad to hear your riding is going so well, good luck for the dressage & for the training day!
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Thank you for thinking of me Sheep . My weekend was one of the best weekends of my life . Saturday , I actually managed to remember my first test , came third as horse was quite excited ( understatement) and I felt like we'd have had a wall of death scenario if I'd not held him back . Nice comments from judge though , " potential to be a super cob ! He just needs to go more forward and show his power and paces . Lots to like , well tried ." Dad and sister had come along to cheerlead and we had a lovely car picnic inbetween tests while horse stood happily chomping on his Haynet . My friend came first , she was thrilled as she's never won anything before and always expects to come last , I was over the moon for her and her boy . He's such a sweet pony and she is one of the loveliest ladies I know . My Instructor came along to watch my second test , unfortunately, I totally missed out the second 20m circle, oopsy , queue bip on the judges horn and me looking very confused . Thankfully a lovely lady shouted out offering to call, to which I gratefully replied ,yes please. My instructor had offered to call for me but I thought no , I want to see if I can remember . I am 42 I need to get my shat together . Anyway , we managed second place , again lovely comments , " super cob ! Needs to show a little more relaxation at times but some lovely movements . Well ridden ." Whilst I was frustrated at myself for fluffing up the second test I was happy that I'd at least remembered the first .High fives / hooves . My dad and sister bought me a photograph from the professional photographer as a momento of the day , it's beautiful , my very favourite photograph of us. Took him home, chalk pasted his feather, bandaged legs and turned him out to tell his field mates of his his exciting day out! I went home to bed as I was cream crackered ! Sunday , hurrah horse still mostly clean , good start . Dad and I drove to the Rda centre , around and hour and a half away , the furthest I've towed, thankfully the weather was fine and the roads were too , no silly billies . Unloaded , warmed up then had lesson . Wow , what a difference . Instructor immediately noticed I am over compensating for my knackered leg . She slowed us both right down and we spent most of the lesson doing circles and turns , no straight lines for him to power through , to try to change his way of listening to me, and my way of communicating with him. She was amazing , we managed a few goes round the arena with him feeling so so light in the contact , he has never been so light in my hand , or so responsive. It was like my reins were thin threads and I barely needed to hold them , or hold him . Had a nice chat with the local para rep afterwards , about joining BD and doing para classes proper, rather than competing unaffiliated against able bodies . I've never ever thought I was good enough to do it so never seriously considered it , there's also the associated costs which I thought would exclude me. My regular instructor has been pushing me to do it for ages but I didn't think we were anywhere near up to that kind of standard . Spoke to the manager of the centre about the possibility of representing them , you need to be attached to an RDA centre to compete in some events . She was very encouraging and is going to contact me about about the process . Nice tow home , tucked the lad up in his stable , took trailer back to storage went home and just about cried my eyes out . I cried because I was so happy , happy and proud of my lad , excited that maybe we could go out there and compete seriously . Optimistic for our future . For the first time since my accident I felt like I have a direction , and could set goals that can be acheieved . I feel like I am finally finding out who I am after the stop button was pressed on my life , maybe I've been on pause , even rewind , now I feel confident that I can press play and look ahead and not worry.
Apologies for my life story , a beverage of your choice for all that have gotten to the end . Thank you .
 
Well done HM - sounds like a very positive weekend. :)

I had another good session with pocket rocket Henry this evening. He took exception to trainer’s hat sitting on top of the kickboards by the fire exit and put in a few spins but he soon forgot about it once we started jumping... strange creature ;)

I’m getting more confident with him every time we jump but think we’ll stick to a small class for our first outing on friday. Then if I’m feeling brave and he’s not too tired I might have a go at the 85 NAQ.

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Looking forwards to having a day off tomorrow
 
HM - your post made me well up! I don’t know your story but a huge well done on doing so well. I don’t know much about para but having taken the plunge I much prefer BD to unaffiliated! It has more to aim for and I get a real sense of achievement out of getting good scores.

BM - it looks like you have been going great guns since moving to your own place!
 
Thankyou Bm & Jiffy . Reading what everyone gets up to in the weekend thread plans has been inspiring to me . I like reading everyone’s plans and seeing how well everyone does , every step little or large is a step towards achieving goals . It’s good to look outside your own horsey circle sometimes . BD , here I go !! Here’s to a fab summer , after the poor winter we all deserve a great year !
 
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