weekend plans

humblepie said:
We went off to do our first BD medium.....horse that never bats an eyelid at different arenas, has done championships, has done music class where he went into a different indoors for the first time with sponsor seating inside the arena, lots of spectators, etc, has done the "in the spotlight" bit when he won a championship - took a dislike to the Christmas decoration We needed to get super duper marks on the bits that are established to make up for the unestablished bits and as that obviously wasn't going to happen thought giving up was the best approach and to retire. Not going to stress it. Think he was getting his own back as previous time doing this test unaffiliated he was on for about a 65% when I went wrong at the end, had mental blockage and retired! He has been pretty near perfect on his other outings this year and it is what it is. Recall my older horse who did all the big shows, once taking a dislike to the cardboard box of rosettes, but happily warming up alongside the main arena display of cowboys and wild west wagons! Well done to those who got out and about. Some fab reports.
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What a shame. It's that time of year isn't it? Rose coped fine with the Xmas tree in the indoor at Hartpury but had eyes on stalks at the judges table and nearly stopped. She managed to get the magic 65% but it could easily have dropped below as she's also got holes in her training. Guess you are also trying to get pts for Pet Plan?
 
Guess you are also trying to get pts for Pet Plan?[/QUOTE]
We’ve got one lot qualified. We are way off trying for medium pet plans. Just wanted a play round ?. I think when they are normally good you sort of expect it and never give things a thought. When I was a child I had a pony that never refused. Then one say he stopped at the first fence as if to say you do still have to pay attention. My father didn’t notice and thought we’d gone clear. Had to explain that one away. Probably early 1970s and still remember ??
 
Amber Prosecco said:
I don't really see why less experienced partnerships who they want to experience XC and the water complex etc should be viewed as less entitled to be in there? There are jumps at all levels on all 3 arenas to allow all levels of rider and horse to enjoy fantastic facilities. One of the things I love about how Andy H has set it out this year is the new technical but small lines like the line of ski-jump, skinny, bounce on the arena nearest the water complex, so people get the full experience even if either they or their horse are only comfortable at 60/70. If they only had bigger jumps, then fair enough. But they don't. They cater for all abilities and I'd hate people reading this rto think it was not for the likes of them because they are 'only' jumping 70cm. It's a brilliant venue and everyone should feel free to access and enjoy it.
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No need to take offence! I can't be the only person who has had a XC session on the technique arenas spoiled by a thousand loose ponies careering about who I wish had been locked away in the ash arena instead...
 
RachelFerd said:
No need to take offence! I can't be the only person who has had a XC session on the technique arenas spoiled by a thousand loose ponies careering about who I wish had been locked away in the ash arena instead...
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I am not offended. If your post was just about loose ponies then fine. But it was about '60/70 riders'. By far the worst riders on the technical arenas, in my experience, are the ones schooling over bigger fences who cut people up. If people on clinics are falling off all the time then that is on the trainers not the riders frankly. I know that some people riding at lower levels feel intimidated and sometimes avoid places like Somerford. And its attitudes like the one you expressed in your original post that contribute to them feeling that way. I am sure that was not your intention so I thought I'd point it out to you so you don't put people off who have every right to be there and could benefit hugely.
 
I'd suggest it's more to do with a, the clinics and b,the time of year. Theres plenty for everyone in either arena but I cant see that many low level riders booking the tech arena and jumping out of scope on their own. Most riders tend to like to not fall off especially in busy arenas, equally at this time of year with everything a bit fresh once one is off it can set everything else off too
 
Amber Prosecco said:
I know that some people riding at lower levels feel intimidated and sometimes avoid places like Somerford. And its attitudes like the one you expressed in your original post that contribute to them feeling that way. I am sure that was not your intention so I thought I'd point it out to you so you don't put people off who have every right to be there and could benefit hugely.
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Quite the opposite - I wish more people thought about what they were doing and didn't go off and do stupid things without checking whether they were sensible first... But then I've got every sympathy with the owners of Herringswell XC who don't let anyone hire it, because they were too scared about the consequences of what people do to themselves and their horses....
 
Roxylola said:
I'd suggest it's more to do with a, the clinics and b,the time of year. Theres plenty for everyone in either arena but I cant see that many low level riders booking the tech arena and jumping out of scope on their own. Most riders tend to like to not fall off especially in busy arenas, equally at this time of year with everything a bit fresh once one is off it can set everything else off too
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I can't remember a time i've gone to the technique arenas and there *hasn't* been someone riding around by themselves looking dangerous/out of control/repeatedly stopping at fences/cutting other people up...

But i'm a bit soft and don't like seeing horses being put in situations that make me feel uncomfortable *shrug*.
 
RachelFerd said:
I can't remember a time i've gone to the technique arenas and there *hasn't* been someone riding around by themselves looking dangerous/out of control/repeatedly stopping at fences/cutting other people up...
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Yes but those are not 60/70 riders in clinics! I agree those riders are a liability.
 
I think its the nature of people tbh MP.
I was in a clinic over summer on the 80 acres with a small group and a single rider (looked a sight more advanced than any of us I'd say pro but ?‍♀️) came over using the exact same section as we were and interfered enough with my approach that I stopped for them before theyd stopped for me. I'm pretty aware and on the ball, and perhaps another rider wouldnt have even noticed them, but if they can manage to cut me up on a week day on the 80 acres it can happen anywhere regardless of skill level
 
Katie was in a clinic on the 80 acres. We were at the water and the trainer was sat on a rolltop as the riders were splashing around in the water. An advanced rider on her own jumped the roll top the trainer was sitting on then went straught thrugh the middle of the ponies in the water!
 
Roxylola said:
I think its the nature of people tbh MP.
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well, yeah, i was thinking of the number of times you get cut up in the supermarket, or people are thoughtless drivers, or people stomp over the top of you at work etc, there's a % of people out there who just don't give a toss and I don't know why it would be any different in the horse world! Any warm up arena is bound to have someone causing chaos to some degree, for instance ;)
 
On an entirely different topic.... Does anyone else feel like it should be Thursday already? I found myself looking for the next 'weekend plans' post earlier then remembered it's only Tuesday!! Grr, clearly time is slowing down ahead of my two weeks off over Christmas...
 
j1ffy said:
On an entirely different topic.... Does anyone else feel like it should be Thursday already? I found myself looking for the next 'weekend plans' post earlier then remembered it's only Tuesday!! Grr, clearly time is slowing down ahead of my two weeks off over Christmas...
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yes, I definitely feel like I've already done a week's work :( only got bank hols off so no end in sight!
 
RachelFerd said:
Sometimes they are... aren't I grumpy?!

I only hire during the week now, early in the morning. I think you can understand why, as i'm clearly not very tolerant!
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I suppose that’s the thing. If you aren’t particularly tolerant and don’t want to share (which is fine btw, I’d be a bit that way inclined) then you just put your self out and choose the less busy times.

I can see both sides. It must be pretty intimidating for novice riders to have advanced riders cantering about jumping fences around them/through them without a second thought (which they do!). But advanced riders might have a lorry load to get through in a certain timeframe and can’t always be fannying around while Joe public and Bluey the cob spend 10 minutes deliberating whether they want to go in the water or over the ditch!

Cest la vie.
 
RachelFerd said:
No need to take offence! I can't be the only person who has had a XC session on the technique arenas spoiled by a thousand loose ponies careering about who I wish had been locked away in the ash arena instead...
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Yes i agree its very frustrating and people can easy be out of there depth in the tech arena it took me all year xx weekday is better xx
 
My original plan was to have a lesson Saturday and back Sunday.

I am tentatively waiting to see how Rooni feels tomorrow and how his leg looks. Through no fault of his own he slipped over out hacking on Monday and ended up pinned under a gate with me trapped under him.

It was apparently horrific to watch but actually time seemed stuck in glue and we have escaped with bruising and a scraped hock. I managed to stay on too! He was a mega chill boy about it and moved off sound. He’s had 3 days off with lots of arnica but I’ll leave him well alone if he feels the slightest bit tight. Physio coming too.
 
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