Ooops I've been bad

Silly me hasn't updated my blog since February - a lot has happened since then!

We've been continuing with our flatwork with somewhat mixed success - it seems the harder I try the worse our results get because pony doesn't like being asked to work too hard and therefore tends to get tense/open his mouth against the bit/tank off with me if I push him for more.  I'm trying to stick with it for now as my instructors have both said I'm doing the right thing.

Jumping is also progressing.  I've had several SJ lessons with different instructors as well as my regular trainer.  I can gladly say that I'm finally getting a bit braver.  Whereas the mention of a 75cm jump used to have me running for the hills screaming I can now happily set up an 80 cm SJ in the arena and pop over it nice and calmly without the need for an instructor to shout at me.  In fact I had a lesson last week where I though the jumps looked a tad bigger than normal - I chose not to question it but at the end of the lesson I checked the heights to see that we'd been merrily jumping 95 cm's to 1 mtre.  Not too shabby!

XC is also a work in progress - I've had 2 XC lessons this year - neither were brilliant as pony has suddenly decided that all the other horses in our training groups are his new bff's and he can't possibly canter away from them - at least not with a few run outs, stops, bucks and rears - always fun for me!

Strangely, when we did our first XC competition he was a star - flew round clear and just 13 seconds off the optimum time (that was despite a slight detour when I got us lost in the woods).

Next XC outing is tomorrow so fingers crossed it's more of the same from both of us!  I do promise to post an update on how it went!

Brrrrrr

It's been a chilly few weeks here - at least its not snowing but it has been getting in the way of riding a bit.

Managed to have my first lesson of 2012 last week - just a flatwork lesson for now but hopefully having a jumping lesson this weekend.

I'm keen to improve the quality of the canter this year which will in turn improve both our flatwork and jumping.

RI rode him for a bit to get the feel of his canter and then we did some canter to walk exercises to get him stepping through with his hocks.  Also did some canter spirals and squares to help with this.

I got on him after RI had sat on him for 10 minutes - the difference is amazing - she can get such a good tune out of him and in turn he goes better for me.

I need to work on really getting my leg wrapped round him in canter - he needs a lot of hand to bring him to walk and therefore lots of leg to keep him collected.  Will be having another lesson next week.

Not had much chance to put these learnings into practiec - had a lovely  hack out on Sunday - just the two of us and he was so good even though he'd never hacked this route before - he gets quite tired hacking and there was lots of head tossing towards the end but we'll keep working on that.

All I've managed to do this week is ride once on Tuesday - it was too cold last night - the arena surface isn't frozen but the top layer has gone a bit crunchy and bumpy - wasn't too keen to work him on it but will hopefully manage to lunge him on Friday night to get some of the fizz out of him before Saturday's outing!

Ready, set, go

Tonight I decided it was time to get back to some fittening work as I've been a bit lazy with this lately.

I normally keep pony fit through either doing interval training in the arena or some fast work through the forest tracks.

Due to the seemingly sudden onset of winter there isn't really enough light to hack out after work (although we are lucky that the forest is right next to the yard so can stay out til it's almost dark!) Last night we had to stick to the arena :(

Did a 3/2/4/3/2 set just because it's been a while since we've done it and he was still nice and forward at the end - albeit also very hot and sweaty and puffy - clippers will be out again at the weekend for our second clip of the winter - hopefully the last one this year but we'll have to see what happens weather wise!

A few days off and some flatwork!

After the excitement of Craigie Casp got a few days off to recover - I was slightly worried about one of his back legs as it had a small cut on it just on the cornet band probably from when he's left a back leg (one of his party tricks) but thankfully it's healing fine.

I like riding him after some time off as he's much fresher shall we say! Add to the fact that it was a chilly and slightly windy night which meant a much fun flatwork session with him insisting on cantering at top speed around the arena  - doing some laps of honour I think - and blatantly ignoring my request to just walk!

He did some nice work - was forward and keen which makes my life much easier.

I'm trying to improve my position when riding circles as I tend to tip and slouch at the hip a bit - I also have this awful habit of giving away the right rein- it's almost as though I sit turned every so slightly to the left - I'm aware of it and trying to fix it but it is hard - I'm hoping practice makes perfect!

Clever Casper Clears Craigie!

It’s that time of year again when the leave start to turn and the flurry of Autumn Hunter Trials kicks off (oh where has the summer gone?)

This saw us returning to one of our favourite venues at Craigie farm to compete in the Fife Riding Club HT. We’ve been really fortunate here in the past coming 6th in our first Nursery Novice HT in September last year and then winning the same class in the Spring so this time we’d entered the 2’6 class to let C have a go at the big boy fences.

I was pretty nervous if I’m honest we’ve not gone clear at 2’6 since our first ever attempt at it at Gleneagles earlier in the year. I was beginning to think that perhaps 2’ft was going to be the biggest we could manage in terms of consistency so yesterday was a bit of a decider for me to see if XC is something we should continue to pursue of if we should just stick to dressage.

Walked the course and was pretty happy with it – the ground on approach and landing wasn’t great by this point and since I know that C does not jump well out of that type of ground it made me even more nervous but I decided not to think about it too much and ride him forward.

Got him ready and wandered over to the warm up all of 10 minutes before my start time – this was based on my experience that Craigie never runs on time. Got tack checked, started walking round to try and settle my nerves (pony was still have asleep at this point) only to see number 138 start on the course – I was number 139.

Starter called out to say we were next so poor C got quickly trotted round and popped over a couple of warm up fences then straight to the start box – poor boy was only registering at this point what was going on and I was even more nervous now having not had time to let myself settle and warm him up properly – that’s what I get for running late though!

5,4,3,2,1 and he was off – lovely over the first log pile, second was a house which he jumped well although I lost my right rein a bit and we drifted off to the right taking us off course for the 3rd but had enough time to recover and pop it nicely.

Into the woods to another log pile – the disk for my class had sort of spun round so I couldn’t see it – I aimed for the jump and at the last minute panicked that it was the wrong fence but pony jumped it anyway and as I was going over I spotted the yellow disc so we were ok!

Next was a sort of wall which he was backing off a bit but jumped ok then a wee canter through the twisty woods to the owls nest. He came round the corner, spotted the fence judge and spooked and backed off – still jumped the fence but it was a very unstylish cat leap but bless him he still listened!

Another canter through the twisty tracks and he jumped the next few really nicely giving me a fab jump over the tyres and the barrels. Was a bit sticky at the brush but still jumped it and then headed to the water. He’s always a bit funny about water – once he’s been in it he’s fine but he’s very suspicious first time round and usually backs off, stops and walks through. Was super pleased that he trotted through this time and popped up the wee step. Then round the corner, off the drop and heading for home! Last 3 he jumped well – backed off at the white bag fence but got a growl and a smack and was told to jump it and was nice over the last two.

Supergroom was timing us so that we could leave sharpish because she’s not very well – optimum time was 420mpm but not sure how to convert that? Anyway – I went round in about 8 minutes which was pretty slow but I’m still setting him up for fences and taking my time a bit – focusing on going clear rather than fast at the moment and hopefully the speed will improve with experience.

I’m just so proud of him – he was an absolute angel – can still be a bit green and looky and backs of fences but is as genuine and honest as the day is long.


Pro pic (awful as always lol!)



http://www.peak-photo.co.uk/index.ph...=100&id=158095

Global warming at it's best!

The weather has been slightly crazy this last week!

On Friday night I was woken during the night to find myself in the middle of a thunder storm.  I was then woken again at 6am by the sound of torrential rain - at this point I'll admit I was glad I'd withdrew from Saturday's hunter trial as if I hadn't I'd have been up at the yard at this point getting ready to head to the event.  So with a smug smile on my face I went back to sleep!

Saturday was damp and cloudy and boiling hot.  I rode pony on the flat for a bit in the afternoon once it had cooled and he was very good.

On Sunday morning the weather was nicer so we went for a short power hack around the forest tracks - lots of trotting up hills - need to keep him fit as he's suddenly lost fitness and put a bit of weight on - grrr! It then proceeded to rain all afternoon so I was lucky to ride in the morning.

On Monday we were foreceast 80mph winds and boy that forecast was not wrong.  Unfortunatlely, I had a saddle fitting booked to get pony's saddle checked with a fancy pressure pad which takes readings of the distribution of weight/pressure across the saddles.

Both saddles were adjusted and checked while a very grumpy pony protested about being ridden in that weather - he was very good considering how bad it was so as a reward I kept him in for the night with a few hay nets.

Tested my GP saddle last night by going for a hack - it feels much better although I need to be wary of it slipping forward slightly due to his huge shoulders - something to keep an eye on!

Rain rain go away!

The weather is absolutely yucky today! It brightened up yesterday and I made the decision that I would indeed go to my Hunter Trial this weekend but looks like it's not to be!

Was going to do some interval work in the arena with pony last night to keep his fitness up (he's getting a bit fat).  Put my GP saddle on and started to have a poke about as I wasn't 100% happy with how it was sitting and lo and behold it seems to have dropped/settled too much at the front -  no wonder he wasn't too happy jumping last weekend.

After much faffing about with pads and dead sheep to try and lift it at the front I declared it unfit for use - so the saddle fitter/saddler is coming out next week to adjust it and probably add some flocking in to lift it.  I can't really complain - I've had it for over 2 1/2 years and although we have needed to adjust it as pony developed it's the first time it's really caused me any issues.

So no HT for use - I could probably cobble something together to improve the fit but I refuse to ride him in a saddle I'm not 100% happy with.

Fingers crossed the saddler can sort it in time for next weeks Hunter Trial - that's one that I really don't want to miss!

Luckily, his dressage saddle still fits so I can still ride him and he'll be doing some hacking, flatwork and pole work over the weekend!