Weekend plans :)

[Mule]

I haven't ridden in about a month. Horse is ill. I had been having lessons on one of the riding school horses but my heart isn't in it. If I were sensible I'd crack on with lessons so I'd keep learning for when horsey will (hopefully) be better again.

I've put on weight aswell ( comfort eating)and my riding clothes are getting too tight

 

[JFTDWS]

Polocrosse training for me this morning, dragging another ex-HHOer along to play with Fergus. The orange lass did good - she was right in the throng of ponies, all in her space and she wasn't at all worried. Need some work transferring the forwardness and super-turns we have at home onto the pitch, but that's improving every time, and she's a real trier.

And Fergus did his job well too...

 

[Mule]

Polocrosse training for me this morning, dragging another ex-HHOer along to play with Fergus. The orange lass did good - she was right in the throng of ponies, all in her space and she wasn't at all worried. Need some work transferring the forwardness and super-turns we have at home onto the pitch, but that's improving every time, and she's a real trier.

And Fergus did his job well too...

It looks fun. I'd say it's difficult though.

 

[JFTDWS]

It looks fun. I'd say it's difficult though.

That depends... It's difficult to play well, yes, but it's easy enough to play and have fun - if you compromise on the "well" bit, which I do

 

[Mule]

That depends... It's difficult to play well, yes, but it's easy enough to play and have fun - if you compromise on the "well" bit, which I do

Is it true that it's more affordable than polo?

 

[JFTDWS]

Is it true that it's more affordable than polo?

Massively so - it's a one horse sport, so you don't need a string of ponies. Tournaments are cheap - about £60/70 for a weekend (usually 3 matches / 54 minutes of play) - and our training sessions are £20 a time (or £50 including hiring a pony). The downside is it's not widespread, so you do end up travelling around a bit.

 

[blood_magik]

Hmm... a day of two halves yesterday - Raz threw a massive spook as we were working in around the arena so I had to ride defensively for the first half of the elementary. It was far from perfect due to a lack of practice through the week but good enough for 69.82% and second overall (only one in section again).

M75 was a disaster. We were both tired, we hadn’t run the whole test and the more I insisted, the more Raz said no. We got through it but it wasn’t up to standard and we made a mistake in the second counter canter circle, which meant the second simple change was late. We scraped 60.95, which I thought was generous. Again, we were the only ones in that section so we got a red rossie as a consolation prize.

Next time I’m going to try going without the warmup test to see if that makes a difference as cutting my warmup time hasn’t worked.

 

[milliepops]

One of those "educational" days them BM the harder mediums aren't forgiving if you're having an off-day so don't be too hard on yourself! Good score in the ele though

 

[Northern]

Went out cross country training today!

Autumn has finally broken, was windy (50km/h) and a drizzly 12 degrees, a far cry from the 30+ degrees we were having just three days ago! Overall pleased with baby E, apart from two unplanned dismounts (and a broken bridle!) from some green mistakes. Will have to build her up again next time to make sure she maintains her confidence levels, but she jumped a few baby logs afterwards before we called it quits and didn't seem too phased.

Obligatory cute baby pony photo (ignore me, no idea what that rein was doing!).

 

[blood_magik]

Typically it was the first time my trainer has been at a show with us but it’s fine... it didn’t look terrible on the video, just a little unsure in places (probably because I wasn’t able to ride for a few days thanks to being bucked into oblivion by Henry), so i’ll use the next 3 weeks to consolidate things before we have another bash at the dreaded m75.

At least this time i’ll get to have a proper run through

D-day for Henry tomorrow (and my 30th - eep ). He could use some of those famous HHO vibes if there’s any going spare.

 

[McFluff]

D-day for Henry tomorrow (and my 30th - eep ). He could use some of those famous HHO vibes if there’s any going spare.

Vibes for Henry. Hope you enjoy your 30th - fab decade

 

[rara007]

We made it out! not the 2 day clinic and 2 day event we were hoping for but none the less a very useful lesson challenging both of us and then a nice pootle through some XC obstacles. Thanks Ester!

 

[Accidental Eventer]

We had a really awesome weekend eventing. We had a cricket score, just a very average dressage test and we sent poles flying in the SJ. But you live and learn. XC though was a total blast. Coolie felt so incredibly confident out over a fairly tough course and for the first time in along time at a higher grade my nerves were totally under control.

I think the XC more than makes up for out not quite wooden spoon, and we will go and do lots of homework before our next event!

We had a great time camping with friends too, nothing like a few gins while eventing! Coolie thought he would rather enjoy his dads beer though!

 

[Embo]

Not the best day for us yesterday. Had another run through of E49, same venue as before. It was even busier, although B wasn't being so neurotic, he was still throwing a fit whenever a lorry or trailer went by. Got on, and he was tense, but started to relax once we got up into trot & canter. Still struggling with working out how much warm up we need. At least it wasn't dramatic like last time.

Went into the ring and it started raining. The test itself was a lot better than our first attempt in that he didn't buck or kick out at my leg aids our transitions were accurate and clean (except for our last canter-trot, which was a bit late due to my lack of half-halt). I knew exactly where I was going so I was able to ride him a bit more. Mediums were OK, he went a bit hollow, but I will take that as our mediums aren't totally established. He went a bit slug-mode on me at points and our leg yields weren't the best but I managed to keep him straighter this time. Our last halt was good, too. As I saluted, it stopped raining.

I was pleased because it was better than last time, but disappointed because I know we can still do a lot better.

59.6%. I was gutted to see this as it was so improved from last time but the score was much worse. Some of our movements were marked quite harshly I think, but the Judge must not have liked what she saw. Comments were horse needs to work through back more... etc, as always. I do struggle to get him to relax, so lose the lift.

So this one was either marked too harshly or the first was way too generous? Not sure. Obvious move is to stick to Prelim/Novice but I'd like to have another go first to see if we're really not ready to be here yet. Of course the 'rule' is compete a level lower than you're working, but our elem work at home is pretty solid so there's no reason we shouldn't be able to do it.

I only had time for 1 test anyway as he was jumping too, would have been long and tiring day for him otherwise... So opted for the Elem to be later in the day. The 90cm class was running v. late and didn't start until 5.30 so it was almost 2 hours to wait. Friend took him round, he was ace. One pole down due to a tight turn and a slight striding mistake into the double, but otherwise he was jumping really well. It's obvious what he prefers doing

So a mixed day for Bowser. He's got his first event of the season on Saturday, hopefully be a nice day out.

 

[j1ffy]

I'm stewarding the top arena tomorrow and saw your name on the list of entries. I should really be competing, but my sister died suddenly a few weeks back and my head is not in the right place at the moment. At least the weather should be ok - the past two times I have stewarded, I've had to shelter in my car much of the time. Good luck!



If you are in the same place, please say hello - I'll be stewarding your long arena test. Good luck!

Sorry, I only just saw this! So sorry to read about your sister, how awful. It was lovely to meet you, albeit briefly!

Embo - I had a similar experience at Elementary last week and it’s knocked my confidence at that level. We had errors in one canter movement and I predicted (and got) a 3 for that, but I didn’t expect 6s for most of my trot and canter work as we usually get plenty of 7s and the odd 7.5 at Novice. I’ve also done three test riding clinics at Elementary with list 1 judges and got 66-67% in all of them, and last week’s test didn’t feel particularly different. A friend videoed the test and I’m going to go through that and the test sheet with my trainer to see what went wrong. I did follow Alice Oppenheimer into the arena on one of her stunning homebreds but I’d hope that wouldn’t cause the judge to drop scores (even though we wouldn’t have compared well!).

As for my weekend, Indio did a lovely test in the sun for 67.2% on Saturday (Novice 38). I think he fancied sunbathing more than dressage! Just one proper resistance and no flying changes! There’s definitely still plenty of improvement to be had so we’ll keep plugging away.

Sunday was VWH fun ride. I ended up swapping onto Pocholo as his soon-to-be-loaner was unwell with a chest infection. We went as quick as the ground and his fitness allowed, jumped lots of the more solid fences (and avoided those that looked a bit weird or splindly!) and had lots of fun despite the rain and mud.

Off to sunny Spain for five days on Wednesday...although the forecast is better here! My next report will mostly feature bay PREs and possibly me getting yelled at by my Spanish trainer

 

[blood_magik]

Lovely pictures AE.

Well I’m happy to report that my vet doesn’t think I’m crazy - Henry’s back is reactive and he’s slightly unlevel on his right hind which had minor arthritic changes in the hock when we had him vetted in December, so he’s going to get his back x-rayed and right hind blocked on Thursday.

Here’s hoping we get some answers.

 

[j1ffy]

Lovely pictures AE.

Well I’m happy to report that my vet doesn’t think I’m crazy - Henry’s back is reactive and he’s slightly unlevel on his right hind which had minor arthritic changes in the hock when we had him vetted in December, so he’s going to get his back x-rayed and right hind blocked on Thursday.

Here’s hoping we get some answers.

Fingers crossed for you and Henry, hopefully it’s all down to the hock and that it’s manageable x

 

[Mule]

I'm stewarding the top arena tomorrow and saw your name on the list of entries. I should really be competing, but my sister died suddenly a few weeks back and my head is not in the right place at the moment. At least the weather should be ok - the past two times I have stewarded, I've had to shelter in my car much of the time. Good luck!



If you are in the same place, please say hello - I'll be stewarding your long arena test. Good luck!

I'm sorry about your sister x

 

[rosiesowner]

Great pics everyone. Looks like you've all at least had educational outings! It can't all go right all the time... On Friday our vet talk and raffle at work was a brilliant success and we raised more than £750 for the Wonkey Donkey sanctuary! This weekend I've worked Sunday and Monday and I was at an open day for most of Saturday so it has been a case of fitting in a quick schooling session and a lunge. I do think she's looking rather well, though.

 

[Embo]

... I did follow Alice Oppenheimer into the arena on one of her stunning homebreds but I’d hope that wouldn’t cause the judge to drop scores (even though we wouldn’t have compared well!)...

Ah, well for me I followed Sam Penn on a very (very!) nice older horse who was the last to go in the Novice (I was then first in the Elem). She then followed me on the same horse in the Elem. We were the only 2 in the class. I really hope that that's not the reason we were marked down so same, a bit of a confidence knock. I did get a blue rosette but I threw it in the bin when I got home feeling very much undeserved.

Having been at the judges seminar a couple of weeks ago, there was a huge emphasis on not judging the horse in front of you against others that you've seen the scores they discussed giving me were 6's and 7's and up to an 8 at times for my trot and canter. My highest mark in that test was a 6.5. Anyway, hopefully the next time will be better. And I'm sure you will, your horses are lovely!

Glad you had a good weekend and enjoy your holiday!! Not jealous at all

 

[j1ffy]

Ah, well for me I followed Sam Penn on a very (very!) nice older horse who was the last to go in the Novice (I was then first in the Elem). She then followed me on the same horse in the Elem. We were the only 2 in the class. I really hope that that's not the reason we were marked down so same, a bit of a confidence knock. I did get a blue rosette but I threw it in the bin when I got home feeling very much undeserved.

Having been at the judges seminar a couple of weeks ago, there was a huge emphasis on not judging the horse in front of you against others that you've seen the scores they discussed giving me were 6's and 7's and up to an 8 at times for my trot and canter. My highest mark in that test was a 6.5. Anyway, hopefully the next time will be better. And I'm sure you will, your horses are lovely!

Glad you had a good weekend and enjoy your holiday!! Not jealous at all

I went through it with my trainer yesterday and she felt we'd lost the 'forward' which resulted in lack of suppleness and occasional loss of rhythm, hence the low marks. Good to get the feedback and I know what we need to work on now - keeping him in front of the leg in the test! He's very in front of the leg at home and I'm very focused on it, but I lose that in competitions (definitely my fault rather than his, I think nerves make my legs go wobbly even if I don't feel nervous overall). I think we'll stick to Novice for a few more tests while I reinforce 'forward' in test situations and see how that goes.