ew0855
Well-Known Member
Boxer's last report was all smiles after a fabulous 40km at Cirencester Park. For some reason our enthusiasm then died over the winter ... some reason including exams, leaking house roofs and job hunting for me with virtually no turn out and horrible roads to hack on for Boxer. Like many horses stabled for too much of the time Box had found ways to entertain himself and, while he's never done anything bad in the grand scheme of things, my old canter demons were resurfacing. Awful though it is to admit I was starting to get a bit nervous and wasn't too upset when our last planned trip out had to be cancelled due to the weather. I was working Sunday, the day of the Wentwood Graded Rides and I not too sadly crossed it out off the diary.
Then my instructor caught me off guard and suggested both doing the training ride at Wentwood on the Saturday. Having said yes without engaging brain I couldn't back out so spent the week not thinking about it! This resulted in cleaning a light green mould off Boxers breastplate at 7.30 on a Saturday morning while his always helpful groom helped get him ready to go out. Box gave every impression of being pleased at the prospect of a trip and gets easier to load with every outing. The drive took a little longer than expected with a bit of a scenic detour (we'll go via Chepstow next time!).
It was good to be early and we were the second group of horses to set out. We walked the first section letting the first group of riders get away from us and then trotted on. The route was well marked and I swear Boxer is starting to look for orange tape. The organizers deserve all credit as I don't think we needed to look at the map at all on the way round. I like forest rides and Wentwood was perfect for this time of year. There has obviously been a lot of forestry work done recently and there were relatively large areas which had been cleared. The result was some really impressive views down the Severn estuary mixed with sun-dappled woodland which is going to be stunning when the bluebells come out. We were taking things reasonably slowly but as we trotted round I started to relax and enjoy the ride. The lack of work (and a changing coat) showed and Box was more than a little sweaty. He was also completely in his element, with his ears forward the entire way.
Confidence is a funny thing but cantering up a forestry track, the hill falling away to our right, blue sky ahead everything just felt right. At the next stretch of decent going it was me suggesting picking up the speed. The horse was sweaty, my lower legs were burning but suddenly 28 km didn't feel long enough and I had no desire to finish. All to soon we were back, untacked and ready for home. While Box did his best to finish hay and bed (he's on straw) in the shortest possible time, I settled down to a couple of hours with schedules, rota's and diary.
Hopefully nobody will mind this isn't quite a competition report but hopefully it's the start of our 2014 season
Then my instructor caught me off guard and suggested both doing the training ride at Wentwood on the Saturday. Having said yes without engaging brain I couldn't back out so spent the week not thinking about it! This resulted in cleaning a light green mould off Boxers breastplate at 7.30 on a Saturday morning while his always helpful groom helped get him ready to go out. Box gave every impression of being pleased at the prospect of a trip and gets easier to load with every outing. The drive took a little longer than expected with a bit of a scenic detour (we'll go via Chepstow next time!).
It was good to be early and we were the second group of horses to set out. We walked the first section letting the first group of riders get away from us and then trotted on. The route was well marked and I swear Boxer is starting to look for orange tape. The organizers deserve all credit as I don't think we needed to look at the map at all on the way round. I like forest rides and Wentwood was perfect for this time of year. There has obviously been a lot of forestry work done recently and there were relatively large areas which had been cleared. The result was some really impressive views down the Severn estuary mixed with sun-dappled woodland which is going to be stunning when the bluebells come out. We were taking things reasonably slowly but as we trotted round I started to relax and enjoy the ride. The lack of work (and a changing coat) showed and Box was more than a little sweaty. He was also completely in his element, with his ears forward the entire way.
Confidence is a funny thing but cantering up a forestry track, the hill falling away to our right, blue sky ahead everything just felt right. At the next stretch of decent going it was me suggesting picking up the speed. The horse was sweaty, my lower legs were burning but suddenly 28 km didn't feel long enough and I had no desire to finish. All to soon we were back, untacked and ready for home. While Box did his best to finish hay and bed (he's on straw) in the shortest possible time, I settled down to a couple of hours with schedules, rota's and diary.
Hopefully nobody will mind this isn't quite a competition report but hopefully it's the start of our 2014 season
