weekend plans

[SaddlePsych'D]

Yesterday's jump lesson was a bit mixed, B Fuzzy had got v upset at xc schooling on Thursday and I'd had no idea how much she'd got worried till we started sj. Had retrograded back to 2 years ago in rushing without any control. Luckily I'd still got martingale and a drop noseband in the box, so a quick change from std hunter noseband and I had a little more control. Last few jumps were getting back to how she was last summer.

This morning I went to an adjacent RC (ours had a stressage comp on) for Equicross comp and I'd entered just the 60 for our 1st comp outing since last September.
Had left the drop and martingale on and did need them for the 1st 10 fences, then steadily B settled much better and jumped the remaining 15 efforts SO much better but occasionally leaning on my left hand still.
Cleared the final fence, the joker which was a hanging plank with pole at 70cm - with a grin on both our faces.
Was astonished to find we had won! ? Good B Fuzzy ?

Yay well done to you and B Fuzzy! Was this at NC?

Well done Katie and Dolly too - that drop really does look big to me, and that's just from the pic.

And just generally well done to everyone getting out there, even if it's not gone quite to plan. I've huge respect for those out competing at whichever level they are at!

I've done my lesson and hack report already, the extra hack didn't go ahead today but got another RS lesson on Tuesday. I've asked for 'things to work on balance' including for jumping which I'm not a massive fan of but do think would be great to work on to push a bit out of my comfort zone now. Also just starting to think I'd like to have a go at some (very very tiny) XC jumps this year so time for a mindset change if I'm going to work toward that.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

SPd, yes, it was ?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

SPd, yes, it was ?

Ah cool, my friend was fence judging there. I wish I had volunteered to help, would have been great to see you and B in action

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Ah cool, my friend was fence judging there. I wish I had volunteered to help, would have been great to see you and B in action

You'd have need speed specs for over half of it! ???

 

[DirectorFury]

Well done TFF, B Fuzzy, Katie, and Dolly! It sounds like a everyone’s had a great weekend and the weather has played ball too .

We did actually school today, just working on slowing everything down and M using her gigantic arse to provide the engine, rather than yawping around using her front legs! There were very few moments of brilliance but some are always better than none . No idea what my hands are doing in the photo, they have a mind of their own if the video is anything to go by ?.

 

[milliepops]

productive but very much home-based weekend here. Did NOT put the headcollar on the 3yo but I hereby promise i will do this week Favouritism at work I'm afraid, Hera ate her first carrots and did more walkies round the field.

We finally got the wire up in the dodgy corner of the retirement field so that is properly horse proof now. The jobs are endless; shelter is still upside down after its little jolly in the gales this winter so that is the next thing to tackle.

Kira did her schoolwork, nothing much of note but she got hot and sweaty in the sun

 

[TheMule]

Lovely long hack in the sun yesterday, but horse was lame when we got to jump lesson today. So not sure if that's an after effect from her fall last Sunday or something new going on. Bloody horses!
Had really nice little rides on the 4yr olds, just adding in some movement from the weight aids and learning a bit more about the contact in walk

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

We had the most gorgeous day out hacking the tracks round Tollymore forest. Hard work (very hilly!!) but the horses loved it.

 

[scats]

Loaded up and met a friend at a local chaser course to have a play. Millie had a fantastic time, though she spotted cows in a nearby field when we arrived so she spent the first 10 minutes rigid!

Id popped the kimblewick on her bridle because Ive just felt a lack of control in faster work in the happy tongue. Sure enough, as we went for a canter up the hill, she did a gear shift and I felt her try to lock her mouth, but a quick check down the rein and she realised that mum had spoilt her fun and was rather mannerly for the remainder! We popped a few little logs, had a good trot and canter up and down the hill and then had a nice blast in the final field.
I love my little horse, she is so much fun

 

[scats]

That drop looks huge AE! Well done Katie and Dolly! X

 

[nikkimariet]

Quick hack yesterday - 6 miles in an hour. Rooni enjoyed a blast!



Then today off to our first 2021 party. He behaved impeccably but some mistakes dropped a few marks for 65%+ and 67%+. Just missed out on our last regionals point!



Thrilled with his behaviour overall - first outing in the double and first tests in sitting trot. Can’t wait for the next one!

 

[Roxylola]

Um I don't know what this was

 

[Michen]

Um I don't know what this was View attachment 70162

superhero pose! ?

 

[DirectorFury]

Um I don't know what this was View attachment 70162

Terrifying? ?

 

[Roxylola]

I don't remember any specific moment feeling as bad as it looks. I can't stop laughing at it, the more I look the funnier it gets

 

[DabDab]

That kind of over analsying or going up into your head is not what mindfulness really is though. Sports people might describe it as being in the Zone or Flow. You aren't tinking 'what's my left leg doing, etc you are just aware and responding. And 'this probably looks shocking' definitely isn't mindful!! That is a judgement. Mindfulness is non judgemental, present moment awareness. But maybe we need a separate thread on Zen and the Art of Horse Riding.....

Yes, I know. I was explaining in past tense
I only commented to point out that sometimes the phrases used, particularly when delivered over a forum, are not the most useful. It's a very personal thing, a person's sense of their own patterns of thought, and what does and doesn't make sense to them. You're welcome to start a thread but given past experience on this forum and in the horse world in general, I most certainly would not be commenting ?.

Massive congratulations to Katie and Dolly - what a fantastic combination they are. That brush looks huge with a Dolly sized pony taking off for it! Do they have another BE lined up?

 

[DabDab]

I don't remember any specific moment feeling as bad as it looks. I can't stop laughing at it, the more I look the funnier it gets

? You look very in balance tbh - maybe you are a natural at riding superhero horses...? Could be a niche ?

 

[Roxylola]

? You look very in balance tbh - maybe you are a natural at riding superhero horses...? Could be a niche ?

Aw thanks, I think that's what makes it extra funny, if it weren't for the random superhero "arm" the rest all looks quite OK and together ?

 

[LEC]

Pleased with Elliephant who went and did a 33 DC. Much improved from Larkhill especially as much more economical in her jump which meant she was a lot more rideable and wasn’t eating distances. New brakes also helped xc, giving us a half halt again.

Still things I need to work on though - especially sjing as looking at photos I let her get downhill on her corners. Also I need to be more forwards at doubles now she isn’t running through the distance.

One more run next week at Bicton then she will be shelved as ground is turning to rock. Shame as nearly ready for novice ? just need some rain and none on the horizon.

 

[Chippers1]

Well done Katie and Dolly! They look amazing. That's a great placing for her first 90, and the broken bridge jump is such a good photo

Podrick’s first time XC schooling was a success.

He was expectedly baby wobbly at first, but jumped and gained in confidence as we went.

This is Aylesford isn't it? I was there too!

Buzz was being rather strong and excited, think he's just glad to be out. He was headshaking a bit which wasn't fun, even though he had vaseline in his nostrils (which normally stops it) but there were a lot of trees in bloom and hedge lines so I don't think this helped. Nose net is on order!
I was really quite nervous, especially because of the strong/headshaking combo (we did move away from the tree line which definitely helped) but we did jump a few of the 80cm fences - only realising after i'd done them! - so I'm pleased that we managed to beat some of the nerves to do them. I think once we do more he will settle down, this was our first xc since last summer so it was understandably exciting but over all I am so pleased, he didn't stop at anything and was so forward and raring to go despite the pollen. He took many flyers but I don't mind if i'm ready for them haha. He even cantered through the water and he never does that! Hopefully my friend will send me some photos and I will share them

 

[j1ffy]

Well done to everyone who's been out and about. Katie and Dolly, LEC and NMT all looking great in the photos!

We've had a good weekend though I'm slightly kicking myself! Danny's owner did well on Saturday at her first Prelim dressage comp - her horse was such a doddle to take out, looked lovely and just some nerves and tension crept in an otherwise decent and obedient test. I may be converting her to the dark side ?

Role reversal on Sunday when she came to help Danny and I. Having gone a bit within himself at our first comp back, Danny was far more forward yesterday. E45 and E53 felt like a big step up for him, he's not had to do rein-back, leg-yield or walk-canter in a test before. Warm-up went well then for some reason I had a huge nervous wobble heading into E45! Complete jelly legs and dry mouth, so I felt a bit useless through the test. Danny was great though and there were no major errors, it could just all have been a bit more up and together.

We had a very short break then back on for E53. I picked up my schooling whip in case my legs failed me again! Danny felt great, he was getting a bit tired by the end but tried incredibly hard. We had one error when he picked up canter as we headed down the centre line for leg yield but other than that all the errors were mine. For some reason I couldn't find the centre line at all in that arena!! TBF it's only the third time we've been in a 20x60 in the last four months and we usually practice our dressage while dodging jumps, but I was very annoyed at myself when I got the test sheet and we undershot the centre line not once, not twice, but three times!! Aaarrghhh.

Weirdly we got exactly the same score in both tests - 66.03%. First (of two!) overall in the first test and second / fifth overall in the second. Still lots of work to do but we don't feel completely out of our depth at this level so I'm very happy!

A photo taken by his owner below. Kevin Sparrow was there doing photos but his digital prints are more expensive than a posted printed print at £20 so I won't be buying!



We also had a successful hack on Friday taking Chilli off the yard for the first time. He was hoof-perfect! So comfy too.

 

[Bernster]

Loving all the updates and photos. So refreshing to see people out and about again. Some great photos, especially the superman from roxylola and the fabulous Dolly pics from eland. Wow.

I had a very strange xc outing yesterday. But in a good way. ? First time xc for ages but 1) I wasn’t nervous and 2) finnegan came out raring to go from the off, in a really good way. He was well up for it, feeling very jolly and taking the fences on a forward stride which is fab. I always feel very ‘messy’ in how I ride xc but with him being more forward and confident, I didn’t default to some of my bad habits! He must also have heard about me commenting on another thread about how sticky he can be with his jumping and decided to prove me wrong!

 

[RachelFerd]

Well, we did all the things we set out to - Lucinda Green clinic, dressage lessons for both horses and a trip out BS showjumping for Simon.

Here's his round in the 105 which I was pretty pleased with -

Unfortunately had a few down in the 110 - initially a bit disappointed, but I think I've pinpointed the errors - and it was nothing other than fractional errors causing tappy feet - nothing 'bad bad' ... and he's always showjumped better out eventing on grass anyway!

 

[GinaGeo]

This is Aylesford isn't it? I was there too!

Yes it was - glad you had a good outing too! We got there early to try and avoid Pony Club as I suspected we might need to get the lunge line out for the water!

 

[humblepie]

Well done everyone, some fabulous outings. We did our first dressage of the year - had forgotten quite how small a 40 x 20 arena is and some very very inaccurate test riding by me but kind judges were kind and horse was complete babe. There is nothing like actually riding a test to remind you what you need to do!

 

[LEC]

Well, we did all the things we set out to - Lucinda Green clinic, dressage lessons for both horses and a trip out BS showjumping for Simon.

Here's his round in the 105 which I was pretty pleased with -

Unfortunately had a few down in the 110 - initially a bit disappointed, but I think I've pinpointed the errors - and it was nothing other than fractional errors causing tappy feet - nothing 'bad bad' ... and he's always showjumped better out eventing on grass anyway!

Your horse does what mine does which is become downhill on the turns. Its interesting as the tighter turns are then the ones he taps. I have become obsessed with watching pros following this revelation for me, and theirs stay more uphill on a turn and so for me its something I am going to really think about. I think I get away with it more with a bigger arena but last week where the Sjing was more technical I didn't with a pole down. I know I let the power ebb away slightly on a turn but actually now thinking about it needing to be more uphill is a better picture for my mind and to ride the hind leg more.

 

[RachelFerd]

Your horse does what mine does which is become downhill on the turns. Its interesting as the tighter turns are then the ones he taps. I have become obsessed with watching pros following this revelation for me, and theirs stay more uphill on a turn and so for me its something I am going to really think about. I think I get away with it more with a bigger arena but last week where the Sjing was more technical I didn't with a pole down. I know I let the power ebb away slightly on a turn but actually now thinking about it needing to be more uphill is a better picture for my mind and to ride the hind leg more.

Yes this is definitely the case - and the arena in this video is not especially big, so exacerbates poor balance on the turns! In lessons I am continually reminded to put the canter back together and put the revs back in. He's not a forward thinking horse, so I have to actually do this myself - not sit quiet and think I can just hold it together - because the revs just disappear. Life is much easier in a 80x80 grass arena

 

[rara007]

We had a lot of fun Won all 3 phases and he was on point all 3 phases!

 

[Bernster]

Beautiful horse rara!

 

[nikkimariet]

rara those pics are so cool!