Wintry Weekend Plans

[millitiger]

As our dressage was cancelled, we had a jump at home, practising riding with more power and a longer rein.
It is going to take time to break my 'control freak' habits, however Dima seems to be loving it!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Roads and the yard were pretty lethal and icey on Saturday so I didn't venture out in the end. OH came with me and we went for a walk today ? she marches out no bother at all takes reassurance, didn't spook at anything, all the cars we met were super polite so smiles all round. Not exactly thrilling competing or training but I think we are starting to trust each other. View attachment 106549OH then spend a solid half an hour taking her picture in the field whilst I finished mucking out. He's a much better photographer than me. View attachment 106550View attachment 106551

I think this is very exciting training! The beginning of your partnership getting off to a positive start and paving the way for adventures to come.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Fab lesson with Joe Midgley followed by fab XC clinic at Somerford. Now planning to focus on canter quality and jumping will take a back seat for a few weeks.

 

[Pippity]

Just a little bit of hacking for me - five days around Lake Hāwea down in New Zealand.

The scenery was spectacular, much of it over private land that doesn't normally allow horseriders. We had our gear carried on pack ponies for a couple of nights, while the trusty Nissan Patrol carried it for others. The western saddle was lovely while I was riding, but trying to get off after six hours riding up and down 45-degree hills wasn't especially elegant!

Interestingly, the horses were in western saddles but ridden English style. I can see why they have the western saddles. I think I would have fallen over my horse's ears or tail at multiple points without it!


Hunter Valley Station, where we met our horses and did a short two-hour loop hack to make sure we were happy with them. I was! I had Wishbone, a TB/Shire cross, who was absolutely lovely. Unfortunately, at 16.2hh, a lot taller than the 15hh I'm used to! Throw in the extra size of the western saddle and I didn't dismount so much as plummet.




Second day was seven hours in the saddle, which was a rude awakening. I'd thought I was fairly riding fit, but I absolutely wasn't! For added fun, once I finally heaved myself off poor Wishbone, we were staying in shearers quarters for the next two nights - long drop toilet, cooking on an open fire, and the closest thing to a shower was the river, which was a ten minute walk away through a field full of cattle, complete with arguing bulls!


Third day was just a four hour loop up the valley and back. It would have been further except, while we were stopped for lunch, a helicopter flew over very low and spooked the horses. Thankfully, they were all hobbled so didn't get very far, but we could have had a long walk to get them back!



Fourth day was another long one but, much to Wishbone's delight, involved a lot of water. And I wasn't going to object to him standing and splashing if it meant I got some cooling water up my legs!

And, bliss, that night we were at a STATION! Showers! Flushing toilets! Running water, rather than having to walk down to the river! (Although I will say, the water from the rivers tasted AMAZING.)



The last day was the shortest but probably the toughest. We were up and down slopes that I'd have thought twice about walking, never mind riding. At one point, the trail was maybe half a metre wide with a sheer plummet of several hundred metres next to you. Strangely, I don't have any photos of those bits!

Unfortunately, that's the day when I came down with heatstroke. By that point, we were close enough to civilisation that I could have taken the offer of the Nissan Patrol to the end, but I was absolutely determined to finish the ride. And I did! However, I have cancelled my plans for the next couple of days in favour of spending them in bed!

And finally, the beautiful Wishbone with his literal movie star looks. (He was in the live action Mulan.)

 

[blood_magik]

Long day yesterday but worth it in the end as Casanova continued his streak with a win in AM96 and Jack was 4th/13 in P17 with 68.76%.

Back this afternoon for a test and teach clinic with a local list 1 judge

 

[Chippers1]

Took Buzz out to an SJ clinic (indoor so not frozen) and he was an absolute superstar jumped everything so willingly with no thoughts about stopping. He's the best.

 

[Bernster]

Stunning photos pippity although I’d be crippled with that routine !

 

[southerncomfort]

Roads and the yard were pretty lethal and icey on Saturday so I didn't venture out in the end. OH came with me and we went for a walk today ? she marches out no bother at all takes reassurance, didn't spook at anything, all the cars we met were super polite so smiles all round. Not exactly thrilling competing or training but I think we are starting to trust each other. OH then spend a solid half an hour taking her picture in the field whilst I finished mucking out. He's a much better photographer than me. 

Beautful! Fells are the best hacking ponies (I may be biased!). ?

 

[Pippity]

Stunning photos pippity although I’d be crippled with that routine !

I am crippled! It's amazing how much you have to use your core on that sort of ground!

 

[SEL]

Just a little bit of hacking for me - five days around Lake Hāwea down in New Zealand.

The scenery was spectacular, much of it over private land that doesn't normally allow horseriders. We had our gear carried on pack ponies for a couple of nights, while the trusty Nissan Patrol carried it for others. The western saddle was lovely while I was riding, but trying to get off after six hours riding up and down 45-degree hills wasn't especially elegant!

Interestingly, the horses were in western saddles but ridden English style. I can see why they have the western saddles. I think I would have fallen over my horse's ears or tail at multiple points without it!

View attachment 106581
Hunter Valley Station, where we met our horses and did a short two-hour loop hack to make sure we were happy with them. I was! I had Wishbone, a TB/Shire cross, who was absolutely lovely. Unfortunately, at 16.2hh, a lot taller than the 15hh I'm used to! Throw in the extra size of the western saddle and I didn't dismount so much as plummet.

View attachment 106582
View attachment 106583
View attachment 106584
Second day was seven hours in the saddle, which was a rude awakening. I'd thought I was fairly riding fit, but I absolutely wasn't! For added fun, once I finally heaved myself off poor Wishbone, we were staying in shearers quarters for the next two nights - long drop toilet, cooking on an open fire, and the closest thing to a shower was the river, which was a ten minute walk away through a field full of cattle, complete with arguing bulls!

View attachment 106585
Third day was just a four hour loop up the valley and back. It would have been further except, while we were stopped for lunch, a helicopter flew over very low and spooked the horses. Thankfully, they were all hobbled so didn't get very far, but we could have had a long walk to get them back!

View attachment 106586
View attachment 106587
Fourth day was another long one but, much to Wishbone's delight, involved a lot of water. And I wasn't going to object to him standing and splashing if it meant I got some cooling water up my legs!

And, bliss, that night we were at a STATION! Showers! Flushing toilets! Running water, rather than having to walk down to the river! (Although I will say, the water from the rivers tasted AMAZING.)

View attachment 106589
View attachment 106590
The last day was the shortest but probably the toughest. We were up and down slopes that I'd have thought twice about walking, never mind riding. At one point, the trail was maybe half a metre wide with a sheer plummet of several hundred metres next to you. Strangely, I don't have any photos of those bits!

Unfortunately, that's the day when I came down with heatstroke. By that point, we were close enough to civilisation that I could have taken the offer of the Nissan Patrol to the end, but I was absolutely determined to finish the ride. And I did! However, I have cancelled my plans for the next couple of days in favour of spending them in bed!

And finally, the beautiful Wishbone with his literal movie star looks. (He was in the live action Mulan.)

View attachment 106588

oh wow - so jealous!!

I went travelling in NZ in my late 20s and had a blast. They'd been filming Lord of the Rings and almost every horse I rode had made a filmstar appearance I think

I've never been back although I've thought about it and you've reminded me how awesome the scenery is.

I hope you get over your heatstroke quickly and enjoy the rest of your trip. I shall sit here reminiscing instead of doing spreadsheets

 

[Cloball]

oh wow - so jealous!!

I went travelling in NZ in my late 20s and had a blast. They'd been filming Lord of the Rings and almost every horse I rode had made a filmstar appearance I think

I've never been back although I've thought about it and you've reminded me how awesome the scenery is.

I hope you get over your heatstroke quickly and enjoy the rest of your trip. I shall sit here reminiscing instead of doing spreadsheets

I think I went to the same place!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I haven't been able to join in one of these for months thanks to rehab.

Almost 10 months of rehab, 1 KS surgery, 2 hock fusions, 2 coffin joint injections, grade 4 ulcers, a TMJ injection and a few SI joint injections and multiple physio appointments and I'm finally back having fun and off to a pole clinic tomorrow! I'm so excited plus Mum has come to stay so she can watch which will be lovely. Hopefully she can get some photos/videos for me to update with.

 

[blood_magik]

we found the power button today ??

lots of work still to do but it’s all coming together now. Day off for Cas tomorrow as he’s worked hard 3 days in a row.

Gym time for me, unfortunately ?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Just a little bit of hacking for me - five days around Lake Hāwea down in New Zealand.

The scenery was spectacular, much of it over private land that doesn't normally allow horseriders. We had our gear carried on pack ponies for a couple of nights, while the trusty Nissan Patrol carried it for others. The western saddle was lovely while I was riding, but trying to get off after six hours riding up and down 45-degree hills wasn't especially elegant!

Interestingly, the horses were in western saddles but ridden English style. I can see why they have the western saddles. I think I would have fallen over my horse's ears or tail at multiple points without it!

View attachment 106581
Hunter Valley Station, where we met our horses and did a short two-hour loop hack to make sure we were happy with them. I was! I had Wishbone, a TB/Shire cross, who was absolutely lovely. Unfortunately, at 16.2hh, a lot taller than the 15hh I'm used to! Throw in the extra size of the western saddle and I didn't dismount so much as plummet.

View attachment 106582
View attachment 106583
View attachment 106584
Second day was seven hours in the saddle, which was a rude awakening. I'd thought I was fairly riding fit, but I absolutely wasn't! For added fun, once I finally heaved myself off poor Wishbone, we were staying in shearers quarters for the next two nights - long drop toilet, cooking on an open fire, and the closest thing to a shower was the river, which was a ten minute walk away through a field full of cattle, complete with arguing bulls!

View attachment 106585
Third day was just a four hour loop up the valley and back. It would have been further except, while we were stopped for lunch, a helicopter flew over very low and spooked the horses. Thankfully, they were all hobbled so didn't get very far, but we could have had a long walk to get them back!

View attachment 106586
View attachment 106587
Fourth day was another long one but, much to Wishbone's delight, involved a lot of water. And I wasn't going to object to him standing and splashing if it meant I got some cooling water up my legs!

And, bliss, that night we were at a STATION! Showers! Flushing toilets! Running water, rather than having to walk down to the river! (Although I will say, the water from the rivers tasted AMAZING.)

View attachment 106589
View attachment 106590
The last day was the shortest but probably the toughest. We were up and down slopes that I'd have thought twice about walking, never mind riding. At one point, the trail was maybe half a metre wide with a sheer plummet of several hundred metres next to you. Strangely, I don't have any photos of those bits!

Unfortunately, that's the day when I came down with heatstroke. By that point, we were close enough to civilisation that I could have taken the offer of the Nissan Patrol to the end, but I was absolutely determined to finish the ride. And I did! However, I have cancelled my plans for the next couple of days in favour of spending them in bed!

And finally, the beautiful Wishbone with his literal movie star looks. (He was in the live action Mulan.)

View attachment 106588

Oh wow I think you win on the hacking this week. What an adventure!

I haven't been able to join in one of these for months thanks to rehab.

Almost 10 months of rehab, 1 KS surgery, 2 hock fusions, 2 coffin joint injections, grade 4 ulcers, a TMJ injection and a few SI joint injections and multiple physio appointments and I'm finally back having fun and off to a pole clinic tomorrow! I'm so excited plus Mum has come to stay so she can watch which will be lovely. Hopefully she can get some photos/videos for me to update with.

Exciting stuff, will look forward to hearing how your clinic goes

 

[Bernster]

Bloodmagic, hope you don’t mind the question but were you more of a show jumper previously (maybe you still are!) but are now more into dressage? interested in the change of discipline, if that is the case. It’s something I’ve seen in a few younger (to me) riders, who start out as jumpers and then focus more on dressage.

 

[Michen]

WOW pippity what amazing photos!

 

[Alibear]

Little drama with a lost shoe on Saturday, but thankfully the farrier was passing that afternoon so was able to stop and fit a new one.
No issues for instructor or I riding on Sunday and again last night for me. So we're back up and running for 2023

 

[blood_magik]

Bloodmagic, hope you don’t mind the question but were you more of a show jumper previously (maybe you still are!) but are now more into dressage? interested in the change of discipline, if that is the case. It’s something I’ve seen in a few younger (to me) riders, who start out as jumpers and then focus more on dressage.

I was, yes ?
Thanks to psoriatic arthritis affecting my knees I’m no longer able to jump, hence switching to dressage. I still jump the odd small fence - my new boy loves to jump so we’ve added a few x-poles into our training plan once a week ?

 

[Bernster]

Sorry to read that BM but glad you’re still having horsey fun on the flat.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=472960764857543

On cloud nine! She didn't put a hoof wrong. It's the first time I've really been able to feel the difference all the vet treatment has had as rehab was purely straight lines out hacking. Yes she's a bit wobbly and could do with being a bit more forward but it's our first proper time in the school since March and I was really nervous.

Please ignore my dodgy riding. I've barely ridden recently so had my stirrups super short cause I feel more secure. Lots for me to work on!