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!

Good drying weather..

The rain continues to fall and the wind continues to blow although fortunately it's settled down a bit and I was able to ride last night.

It was just a short schooling session between the rain showers and before it got fully dark.

It was cool and a bit breezy and I loved it - it's my favourite weather for riding as pony is always more forward in these conditions which makes life easier for me.

He worked really well for me so I'm pleased with him and looking forward to getting out and doing more dressage soon!

I was feeling a bit glum after Monday's lesson and couldn't bring myself to ride on Tuesday but after riding last night I remembered how awesome my pony is and how fun he is to ride so I'm in a much better mood now!

Practice, practice, practice - or give it a break?

The horrid weather we are having is making me feel all gloomy and only adding to my bad mood.

I posted on a equine forum last night about my rubbish jumping lesson but also my SJ rounds at the weekend.

Some of the suggested issues include saddle fit (I'm very paranoid about saddle fit issues so I do keep a very close eye on it and think it is time for another check), and that I perhaps am doing too much jumping with him, putting too much pressure on him and therefore maybe it's time for a bit of a break?

The thing is, we rarely jump at home - I go out for lessons or competitions and that's the only time we jump. Looking at my diary we have jumped 3 times in the last month - a SJ lesson, a XC lesson and then the competition on Sunday - hardly excessive is it???? Or perhaps it is and I'm not seeing it?

My instructor is a big fan of saying practice makes perfect - surely it is only through doing this that I'll get better?  Yes I don't want pony to get stale or bored of jumping but we do so little of it?  Maybe I have been posting too much about our jumping and it makes it seem that way?  Or maybe the fact that I'm more likely to post about a bad jumping session that a good one makes things appear worse than they are.

I really don't know!

What I do know is that I have a Hunter Trial on Saturday that I am really not in the mood for - especially if this weather doesn't clear.  I suspect that it may be cancelled - is it  bad that I'm almost hoping it will be so that I get my entry fee back?

One step forward - about 50 steps back

Well here I was thinking I was finally getting good at jumping!  How wrong could I have been.

I had a lesson with my RI at my yard last night.  Not had a jumping lesson from her in over a month as we've either being having flatwork lessons or attending jumping clinics elsewhere.

We have only a few jumps at my yard so perhaps it's not the best to have my jumping lessons there but we have enough for 4 jumps.

Pony was just not in the mood at all - spooking but at the same time not forward off the leg. I wasn't wearing spurs as I need to improve his way of going without spurs as I don't want to reply on them all the time.

Stared over some small xpoles and that was fine - they were perhaps smaller than I'd have liked but that's fine.  Then did some work over a double - I hate doubles - they have always been a problem for us but I understand that means we need to practice them even more. 

Didn't always get the right striding - we're aiming for 1 stride and he sometimes still takes two but it's improving.  For some unknown reason though I kept taking my legs off at the last stride so some of the jumps were far from pretty and I wasn't happy with myself!

Then RI set up an angle - quite a sharp angle too - over a skinny of barrels to a straight - straight was only 65cm so hardly taxing.  Jumped it fine once I'd sussed out the correct line and was reasonably happy with it.

Then I had to jump it the other way - straight then barrels.  Could I get it right - no I could not!  I got more and more and more frustrated each time we ducked out the the right of the barrels.  I was looking at the line but not riding it if that make sense.

I must have got it wrong about 6 times and I was sooo deflated.  RI made me jump it the other way again and kept emphasising that it's the same angle and the same line regardless of direction but that didn't really make me feel better. By this point I was ready to just give up and was declaring myself as "absolutely useless" at this point - I honestly wanted to cry with frustration!

Finally, after messing it up another few times we got it right.  Tried again and messed it up again! GRRRR!! One final attempt which was successful and we called it a night.

RI seemed positive about the lesson - says that I need to be pushed out my comfort zone and didn't I feel a sense of achievement that we'd finally managed it - if I'm honest, I felt no achievement whatsoever as in my mind we should have been jumping it easily from the word got and then moved onto more difficult jumps rather than being stuck at such a small jump. At my last clinic we were popping 80cm courses with ease so why couldn't I do that! Instructor tried to make me feel better by explaining that it was a very skinny fence on a tight angle and that at the level I compete I'd never face anything as technical as that but I do wonder if she was just pandering to me a bit!

I feel a bit better today but honestly I wonder why I bother - it's frustrating when you're not as good as you want to be when you try so hard to get it right. 

I think I need to reassess my goals, take the pressure off myself and come up with a plan that helps me progress but doesn't affect my rather shaky confidence!

Something different for a change!

After spending most of the summer focusing on improving our XC jumping it was good to do something a bit different.

Pony and I toddled off to our local Riding Club show for a day of SJ and dressage.

The venue was only 13 miles away which is luxury after trailering up and down the country all summer.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't looking good and I almost withdrew my entry after arriving at the yard in the pouring rain! Glad I didn't though as the rain soon stopped and the sun even tried to peek out from behind the clouds!

First up was our prelim test - P13.  Considering we used to solely focus on dressage you'd think we'd be good at it but it has been so long since we've focused on it and although I school him weekly on the flat it takes us a while to settle into competing again. I'd set myself a target of 65% for the prelim.

So the test felt awful - he was rushing, pulling, refusing to bend in the corners - typically he'd rode perfectly when we practiced at home but that's how it goes!

Had an hours break before the next test - Novice 20 - only our 3rd ever attempt at a novice.  It's a nice test though and we've done it before so I'd set myself a target of 60% (our highest previous score at novice is 59%)

I gave him a longer warm up this time and he was going much better and did a much nicer test with some bits that felt ok an others that felt really nice. 

Results were as expected - prelim we got 62.5% - actually higher than I was expected but lower than my target.  No rosette for us in that class. For the Novice I was delighted to get 62.8% and even a 3rd place rosette - sort of makes up for the poor Prelim performance!

Next it was time for some showjumping.  I have always hated SJ - it's always been my least favourite discipline because pony struggles with tight turns and I generally always feel like I ride like an idiot when SJ whereas going XC you have a nice long gallop between fences so plenty of time to recover from a dodgy jump!

Did the 65cm and he just couldn't be bothered - demolised jumps 2 and 3 before improving for the end of the round so we only finished on those 8 faults.

Next was the 75cm - I rode a bit more strongly to try and avoid a similar problem but he still had fence 3 down and despite clearing the rest he felt a bit tired - so no SJ rosettes for us this time round but I thoroughly enjoyed it and am actually keen for the indoor season to start so that we can focus on doing some pure dressage and SJ.

A lovely friend managed to get some pictures which I'll try and add later but I'm pleased to see that my jumping position is improving - not looking down anymore, trying to focus on finding the right line and also riding more positively.  Still lots to work on but things are looking up!