3Beasties
Well-Known Member
I've owned my TB for over 7 years but have never been able to (lack of trailer) or brave enough to take him XC Schooling. I finally plucked up the courage to take him today and am sooooooo pleased with how he behaved!
The only 'party' he has ever been to was a fun ride and he was an absolute nightmare, he nearly went over backwards when I was tacking him up and wouldn't tie up to the trailer.
Today I gave him a tube of magic before we set off, and although he was a pain to load (we'll overlook that bit
) he still kept a cool head and once in the trailer was absolutely fine.
We finally got to the venue (I got us a bit lost
) and he unloaded quietly and tied up to the trailer without any fuss, cue very happy me 
Tacked him up and hopped on and it was just like we were riding at home, I had his full attention, he was nice and calm and relaxed.
Warmed him up and popped him over some tiny fences first, he was great. Went on to do some bigger jumps and although I had a couple of refusals early on he jumped everything on the 2nd attempt.
He went from refusing point blank to go through the water to happily cantering through, we jumped skinnys, did a step up and everything in between, he was brilliant!!
I nearly wobbled off at one point but that was because he went to stop at a 3ft upright then decided to jump and nearly ended up clambering over it Tried again and he flew over it 
We finished on a good note so headed back to the box. Had a few loading issues again but when he did go on he stood very quietly (usually he shoots out backwards before the ramp goes up and then kicks until we drive of, none of that today )
Someone who had seen us jumping said 'don't worry if he won't go on, just take him to that box over there and we'll take him home with us.' No-one has ever wanted my silly beastie before so that was a pretty good compliment for me
So proud of my big baby (who's 15
)
It may not sound like a big deal to some people but neither of us have EVER been XC schooling before and I would never imagine that he would go so well, if we never achieve anything else again I will still be happy
3 Months ago I thought I was going to have to retire him but now he's going better then ever!!
Feast ice-cream if you made it to the end
The only 'party' he has ever been to was a fun ride and he was an absolute nightmare, he nearly went over backwards when I was tacking him up and wouldn't tie up to the trailer.
Today I gave him a tube of magic before we set off, and although he was a pain to load (we'll overlook that bit
) he still kept a cool head and once in the trailer was absolutely fine.We finally got to the venue (I got us a bit lost
) and he unloaded quietly and tied up to the trailer without any fuss, cue very happy me Tacked him up and hopped on and it was just like we were riding at home, I had his full attention, he was nice and calm and relaxed.
Warmed him up and popped him over some tiny fences first, he was great. Went on to do some bigger jumps and although I had a couple of refusals early on he jumped everything on the 2nd attempt.
He went from refusing point blank to go through the water to happily cantering through, we jumped skinnys, did a step up and everything in between, he was brilliant!!
I nearly wobbled off at one point but that was because he went to stop at a 3ft upright then decided to jump and nearly ended up clambering over it
Tried again and he flew over it We finished on a good note so headed back to the box. Had a few loading issues again but when he did go on he stood very quietly (usually he shoots out backwards before the ramp goes up and then kicks until we drive of, none of that today
) Someone who had seen us jumping said 'don't worry if he won't go on, just take him to that box over there and we'll take him home with us.' No-one has ever wanted my silly beastie before so that was a pretty good compliment for me
So proud of my big baby (who's 15
)It may not sound like a big deal to some people but neither of us have EVER been XC schooling before and I would never imagine that he would go so well, if we never achieve anything else again I will still be happy
3 Months ago I thought I was going to have to retire him but now he's going better then ever!!
Feast ice-cream if you made it to the end
. He's obviously telling you that he wants to go to parties more often 
