Weekend plans (sunny here!)

[Accidental Eventer]

I didn’t see another thread, but I’m excited. We have state Show jumping this weekend. Hubby is judging 3 days and I’m competing 2 days. It’s always a great show and I’m looking forward to getting some good rounds in and continuing to build our confidence. We are just doing little heights, I want to ride positively to every fence and not freeze in the ring.

My dad is coming with us tomorrow and then I’m solo on Sunday. Looking forward to it!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I might attempt to go showing tomorrow. Not sure. Will see what the weather does.

 

[SEL]

I was hoping to pop to a tiny clear round jumping session but I'm not sure after all the rain it'll go ahead - parking lorries on grass being the biggest issue.

It's feeling very dark in the mornings now too

 

[millitiger]

We'll probably be snorkelling this weekend, judging by the weather

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Very not sunny here so my schoolmaster lesson has been cancelled. Disappointing as not ridden since dressage test a couple of weeks ago. Also kind of relieved because the weather is fairly grim.

Writing for dressage on Sunday. Hooray for indoor arena!

 

[ihatework]

Wading through mud at Bicton International pondering on life choices

 

[ApolloStorm]

I’ve booked onto an unaffiliated dressage on Sunday but YO has stopped turnout yesterday/today/tomorrow so I am anticipating a very fresh and wild ride even though I am getting him out for hand walks and lunging in the mean time!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I had planned on boxing to a friends yard to use arena and lob round their big fields but both v wet now, so will instead be  hacking bog snorkelling both days on the home patch.

 

[southerncomfort]

Very, very wet here.

Took Bo to a RC polework clinic last night.
I don't know what it is about this particular indoor arena, other than its huge, but he's always very, very full of himself!

Such drama! Bouncing, pulling, spooking, mini bucks. I came very close to hitting the deck when someone dropped a pole behind him.

Once he finally settled he was too knackered to work properly. We did finally get some decent work from him right at the end.

Considering hiring the school there and see if we can work through whatever is winding him up there.

Working today and tomorrow and having Afternoon Tea at Chatsworth House on Sunday (50th birthday pressie from my work colleagues).

Stay dry everyone!

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Gentle hacking I think for me. The girls had their vaccinations on Monday and I'm watching Little Madam's neck like a hawk. 2 Years ago she got an abscess after vaccinations that which meant no work for 6 weeks, I would really not like a repeat!

 

[scats]

Building an ark.

 

[Pick and mix]

Got a pole clinic , this weekend , managed to work him in this torrential rain at 5.30 am this am
Before work at 7 am

 

[Alibear]

My weekend has started with another hunt for a lost front shoe. She had it at 4 p.m., but it was gone by 6:30 p.m. There was no sign of it despite an hour search with a torch last night and another daylight hour search in the pouring rain this morning.
As the field is soft (AKA partially flooded), at least she won't rip her foot up, and she's due to be shod Tuesday evening, so I think that's us off games until then.

 

[Accidental Eventer]

Well please send some water our way, it's already too dry here! I hope you all dont wash away

 

[lottiepony]

I'm hoping for a spot of dressage test filming for online comps on Saturday then a dressage lesson on Sunday, Sunday is indoors so thats a bonus and I'm hoping the arena has coped ok with all the rain today!

 

[oldie48]

Cancelled riding this morning as it was pouring but the sun came out and I took the dog for a walk, we went through floods that reached his knees but he trotted on quite happily. Owner said "come up to hack this afternoon" so I did. I feel very spoiled, Mr D was newly clipped and looking uber smart, all his tack was clean and shiny but he'd been in and was a lovely forward fun ride. Three of us out, owner on Spanish dressage horse, daughter on 6 year old eventer and me on Mr Perfect! We met lots of people warning us of the "floods" ahead, had to pass the hedge cutter and then he had to pass us, no probs as Mr D is just ace with big traffic and he went through the flood (that went up to his knees) as if it really wasn't there. He's such a star! Weather permitting, I'll school him tomorrow. He's feeling great for an "oldie" really soft and the contact is really good. Daughter has successfully summited Kilimanjaro and is flying home tomorrow. She's had a wonderful time ( a bit tough at times!) and everyone in the group managed it. I am cooking a massive roast on Sunday as she's desperate for a decent meal. I hope everyone stays dry, despite the rain it has been really warm here, think I might have to clip my legs!

 

[humblepie]

Good luck everyone who is out and about look forward to reports. Horse is having a holiday so I need to give the inside of the lorry a really good clean as haven’t done that since away show at start of month.

 

[Kunoichi73]

I had a really good lesson last night. It was a jumping lesson. My confidence is coming along, but it does depend a bit on the horse I'm riding. This is the disadvantage of being a RS rider. I had one that listens and responds. He's not the most confident either but we seem to get along ok. We did 3 jumps, 2 strides and a bounce. Instructor believes in working technique, not maximising height, which is perfect for me. I've another lesson on Sunday (different instructor) and the weather is looking ok, so far.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I had a really good lesson last night. It was a jumping lesson. My confidence is coming along, but it does depend a bit on the horse I'm riding. This is the disadvantage of being a RS rider. I had one that listens and responds. He's not the most confident either but we seem to get along ok. We did 3 jumps, 2 strides and a bounce. Instructor believes in working technique, not maximising height, which is perfect for me. I've another lesson on Sunday (different instructor) and the weather is looking ok, so far.

Can empathise with this! Hard to keep motivation going sometimes as change of horse can change confidence levels so much, I struggle not feel set back even though it's still part of learning to ride to ride different horses.

Booked in at not-schoolmaster RS tomorrow. Wasn't going to but a 3 week break is too long. I feel like the dressage comps this summer have put a rocket under me now and I just want to keep progressing and do more!

 

[Kunoichi73]

Can empathise with this! Hard to keep motivation going sometimes as change of horse can change confidence levels so much, I struggle not feel set back even though it's still part of learning to ride to ride different horses.

Booked in at not-schoolmaster RS tomorrow. Wasn't going to but a 3 week break is too long. I feel like the dressage comps this summer have put a rocket under me now and I just want to keep progressing and do more!

I think part of the problem with RS horses is they get into a routine and go stale, particularly at smaller stables where they get used for all levels of riders. The work can be pretty monotonous and I can see why they get fed up. It's a bit sad to see the new ones go from really nice to needing a lot of leg to get them going. I don't want to ride something that needs pony club kicking to get it to go. It's not fair on the horse. Also, because I'm small, I often ride ponies that often get away with things with the kiddies, so try the running out or refusing thing when jumping - which, having come off a couple of times due to this, my confidence is a bit low. I can handle most of what they do on the flat, but I don't bounce as well as I used to, so I'm a bit wary of jumping with some of them.

 

[blood_magik]

Quiet one for us.

My old boy is stepping back up and starting to compete again so he had his first lesson with our new trainer.

The 5yo has had a quiet few weeks as he’s been growing like a weed but the plan is to get back on him today - might lunge him first as it’s still pretty windy

Cas is getting ready to step back up next week. There’s very few PSGs up here between now and the end of winter qualifying so we need to up our game to make sure we get our scores for next year.

I’ve managed to get him booked in for a lesson with Michael Eilberg at the beginning of next month so am quite looking forwards to that.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I think part of the problem with RS horses is they get into a routine and go stale, particularly at smaller stables where they get used for all levels of riders. The work can be pretty monotonous and I can see why they get fed up. It's a bit sad to see the new ones go from really nice to needing a lot of leg to get them going. I don't want to ride something that needs pony club kicking to get it to go. It's not fair on the horse. Also, because I'm small, I often ride ponies that often get away with things with the kiddies, so try the running out or refusing thing when jumping - which, having come off a couple of times due to this, my confidence is a bit low. I can handle most of what they do on the flat, but I don't bounce as well as I used to, so I'm a bit wary of jumping with some of them.

That definitely doesn't help jumping confidence at all!

Sort of wish I hadn't bothered with the lesson today. I did make an improvement to my seat which helped get canter transitions. I think I end up doing a lot of seat stuff when the horse doesn't go forward off the leg, which makes their job harder and then they don't go forwards. Then trying to practice light seat but then that's hard on a horse that breaks out of pace all the time. I'm not blaming the horse because I know a better rider would get better from them but honestly it was just really, really frustrating!

Also watching video back I don't think the saddle fits the horse, to my untrained eye anyway - I can see movement/lifting at the back which I guess doesn't make the horse's job any easier either. Actually if anyone who properly knows their stuff on saddle fit wouldn't mind taking a look at a video clip via PM I'd appreciate it because if even a novice like me can see something is wrong then I'm absolutely feeding it back to the RS (I'd just like to be reasonably confident it is actually what I'm seeing).

In better and slightly unexpected news, I'm off to a yard tomorrow to chat potential share/snoop out their livery for future purchase.

 

[Maddie Moo]

Nothing particularly horsey but went to a large local country store to scout out a new riding hat. Looking very positive I’ll be riding again soon if the new meds work

 

[teapot]

Can empathise with this! Hard to keep motivation going sometimes as change of horse can change confidence levels so much, I struggle not feel set back even though it's still part of learning to ride to ride different horses.

Booked in at not-schoolmaster RS tomorrow. Wasn't going to but a 3 week break is too long. I feel like the dressage comps this summer have put a rocket under me now and I just want to keep progressing and do more!

I think part of the problem with RS horses is they get into a routine and go stale, particularly at smaller stables where they get used for all levels of riders. The work can be pretty monotonous and I can see why they get fed up. It's a bit sad to see the new ones go from really nice to needing a lot of leg to get them going. I don't want to ride something that needs pony club kicking to get it to go. It's not fair on the horse. Also, because I'm small, I often ride ponies that often get away with things with the kiddies, so try the running out or refusing thing when jumping - which, having come off a couple of times due to this, my confidence is a bit low. I can handle most of what they do on the flat, but I don't bounce as well as I used to, so I'm a bit wary of jumping with some of them.

This is partly why I've not ridden in over a year - I can't stomach paying £80 to £110 to ride a horse that's switched off. There was a time I was being allocated horses that were only doing a certian level of lesson/training, but as those riders have dropped off, horses I was being told were being kept for x, were then doing y to their own detriment

 

[Kunoichi73]

This is partly why I've not ridden in over a year - I can't stomach paying £80 to £110 to ride a horse that's switched off. There was a time I was being allocated horses that were only doing a certian level of lesson/training, but as those riders have dropped off, horses I was being told were being kept for x, were then doing y to their own detriment

That's really rubbish for you! Although there are some horses at my RS that are really hard work, there are also some that are reasonably good. I'm also lucky, because I'm small, I can ride a wide range of the horses they have. I'd rather ride the naughty ponies than some of the large horses that are hard to get going.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’m another who hasn’t a horse of my own that is fit enough to do anything with other than very gentle hacking, so I don’t venture much in this thread.

However, this (bought and paid for) pic is me yesterday enjoying riding a lovely horse (who was new to me) on a fabulous 2 hour morning all off road ride on Cannock Chase. Despite the desperately wet post Storm Babet wet ground conditions, the team took us on a route which had held up well and we were able to have a number of canters.



ETA added a video still

The pro photographer was out again. I’m always rather when I first sit on a new horse, but as assured she gave me a fabulous forward ride. We were all dressed for it to be wet, but the rain finally mostly stopped just before we got going.

It is just so much fun. I wasn’t the only HHOer out.

ETA Part of yesterday‘s group on the Chase, with half of me and my mare on the far left coming into view .

 

[SEL]

I’m another who hasn’t a horse of my own that is fit enough to do anything with other than very gentle hacking, so I don’t venture much in this thread.

However, this pic is me yesterday enjoying riding a lovely horse (who was new to me) on a fabulous 2 hour morning all off road ride on Cannock Chase. Despite the desperately wet post Storm Babet wet ground conditions, the team took us on a route which had held up well and we were able to have a number of canters.

View attachment 125631

The pro photographer was out again. I’m always rather when I first sit on a new horse, but as assured she gave me a fabulous forward ride. We were all dressed for it to be wet, but the rain finally mostly stopped just before we got going.

It is just so much fun. I wasn’t the only HHOer out.

ETA Part of yesterday‘s group on the Chase, with half of me and my mare on the far left coming into view .

View attachment 125632

I love seeing your photos - it brings back so many good memories. I knew where all the good canter tracks were!

Is that one of Lisa's homebreds? She's always had quality horses rather than the usual trekking centre plods.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Is that one of Lisa's homebreds? She's always had quality horses rather than the usual trekking centre plods.

Yes, I’m riding Arizona who is indeed a homebred, one of many at the centre . She’s by Lisa’s resident Dutch warmblood KWPN stallion Zidane out of Tia, an Irish sports horse mare.

The quality and choice of horses there is indeed excellent, from steady neddies up to much whizzier mounts.

ETA Arizona’s mum Tia on the right co leading out the annual Sheriff’s ride.



Dad Zidane.

 

[nikkimariet]

Inter 1 debut = done

After being flooded into my village and then my show being cancelled, mega venue organisers ran it today instead. Surfaces perfect and roads fine.

67.5% PSG with just some tiny bits I need to tidy up and 65.14% Inter 1 (some bobbles which were not his fault but he does need to learn to concentrate fully). Dead chuffed! He’s back out in the field now whilst it’s sunny and will have a few days off.

 

[MuddyMonster]

A lesson & hacking. Lots of splashy canters so can't complain even if we weren't out quite as long or as far as usual (due to non-horsey plans).