We entered a dressage competition on Saturday, Prelim 1 and 7. Did prelim 7 first (I'd wanted prelim 1 as a warmup..grrr) and she went beautifully. Got a lot to work on in canter but the rest seemed to go quite smoothly. We ended up with 64.5%!! Our best mark yet and we came 3rd :) Very pleased as it was a strong class.
Prelim 1 didn't feel as good. She wasn't as in front of the leg as I'd have liked but she still went fairly nicely. We got 60% for that (no improvement on our mark from March but she's completely different now so just shows different judges!) and won!! Very pleased with my little dressage pone :) I think once our canter improves and she's moving forward properly we should be getting much better marks, maybe even 70%! We'll see :)
I started her on Allen & Page Hacking Mix on Friday night to give her a bit more oomph. I've worked up gradually and she's now on a scoop a day so I'll see if that helps. I was schooling her today in a Derby House Samber saddle (want!) and she went beautifully. Much more forward going and was working in an outline for the vast majority of the time. I loved it :) Jumping lesson tomorrow! I'm going to ask if we can do some scary fences in preparation for working hunter on Sunday :)
Monday, 26 July 2010
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Jumpy jumpy
Had another amazing jumping lesson today! I started with a 2ft warmup which, although small, makes me pleased we're now jumping bigger warm up jumps. Cara then put up a triple bounce, one stride then another jump. We bounced through them multiple times trying to get it right but she wasn't using her back legs enough and so was brushing the jumps and knocking them. She made me get a really bouncey canter instead of letting her go fast and flat. The best we did was a triple bounce (all about 2ft) then a straight of just under 3ft one stride after. It felt brilliant and she flew it!
Cara then made it into a double but put 2 poles meeting at the middle of each jump in a V shape to make her jump higher rather than flatter. She told me to be ready for her to stop because it was something new but I was determined to ride her through it and she popped through no problem! She really snapped her little legs up and again it felt great :) We were both melting by the end of it but she really seemed to be enjoying it bless her.
I've bought a new saddle off ebay this evening so hopefully it will arrive soon. It's the poshest saddle I'll have ever had, really hope it fits well!!
Cara then made it into a double but put 2 poles meeting at the middle of each jump in a V shape to make her jump higher rather than flatter. She told me to be ready for her to stop because it was something new but I was determined to ride her through it and she popped through no problem! She really snapped her little legs up and again it felt great :) We were both melting by the end of it but she really seemed to be enjoying it bless her.
I've bought a new saddle off ebay this evening so hopefully it will arrive soon. It's the poshest saddle I'll have ever had, really hope it fits well!!
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Out and about
I had such a good hack yesterday :) Unfortunately there's nowhere nearby to go offroad so we always have to do lots of road work on our hacks. She's fine with traffic and the drivers are generally very good so it's not much of an issue. She does like to gawp at peoples' gardens etc though which is quite embarrassing :)
We've hacked out about 4 times on our own and so far she's been pretty great. No unnecessary spooking (the crunchy leaf spook was entirely necessary). We went a different way to normal and went to a little park thing with a bridle path in it. It's tiny, takes about 5mins to walk around the whole thing. Anyway it was completely empty so we had a couple of good fast canters across the grass and she was loving it! It's the first time I've opened her up in ages and she really seemed to enjoy it. It made me realise how great her brakes are too. I didn't struggle to pull her up one bit.
We then went down a bit of the road we've never been down before and she was great aside from oggling a poor defenseless gardener. Got home and I was buzzing from how good she had been and the fact that I now have a pony who hacks alone! It means we can spend a bit less time in the school now so she doesn't go stale.
I got home and got an email off someone about a hound exercise run with the north east cheshire drag hunt this saturday. The kennels are a 45min hack away on a route we've been multiple times (never alone but it can't be too different..right?). I called the hunt master's wife and she was really nice. Apparently it's a fairly slow-paced hack out for a couple of hours followed by lunch at the kennels. It should be good to get her used to riding in such a big group and with the hounds etc without having to worry about charging through the countryside :) Sooo excited!! Will hopefully refresh her in time for the show on sunday too. Eeeeee :D
We've hacked out about 4 times on our own and so far she's been pretty great. No unnecessary spooking (the crunchy leaf spook was entirely necessary). We went a different way to normal and went to a little park thing with a bridle path in it. It's tiny, takes about 5mins to walk around the whole thing. Anyway it was completely empty so we had a couple of good fast canters across the grass and she was loving it! It's the first time I've opened her up in ages and she really seemed to enjoy it. It made me realise how great her brakes are too. I didn't struggle to pull her up one bit.
We then went down a bit of the road we've never been down before and she was great aside from oggling a poor defenseless gardener. Got home and I was buzzing from how good she had been and the fact that I now have a pony who hacks alone! It means we can spend a bit less time in the school now so she doesn't go stale.
I got home and got an email off someone about a hound exercise run with the north east cheshire drag hunt this saturday. The kennels are a 45min hack away on a route we've been multiple times (never alone but it can't be too different..right?). I called the hunt master's wife and she was really nice. Apparently it's a fairly slow-paced hack out for a couple of hours followed by lunch at the kennels. It should be good to get her used to riding in such a big group and with the hounds etc without having to worry about charging through the countryside :) Sooo excited!! Will hopefully refresh her in time for the show on sunday too. Eeeeee :D
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
May, June, part of July
Once again it's been far too long since I updated this but we've been having a brilliant time :) After my last update she went lame for about 10 days due to the hard ground. I bit the bullet and had shoes put on her and it's done her the world of good. She really steps out more now and she's a lot less on the forehand which feels great.
June 13th Urmston
Not bad but not great. I was knackered and she needs me to be excited and lively to pass it on to her. I didn't agree with a few of the placings but she behaved, was a real credit.
June 20th Hargate Charity Show
Was a very hot day and the ground was rock solid. She was good, got some ok placings.
June 27th Dressage Regional Finals
She was a star to hack over there. It was her first time leading a hack that far and she didn't put a foot wrong. She worked in well and rode a really nice test for the intro. I was really pleased. We then did the prelim and she did very well but the other horses were all old-hands and the majority were also entering the novice. Got my result for the intro - we won!!! I was over the moon. Our first ridden red rosette :D It definitely suited her!
July 4th Hargate Show
Really crappy day out. She was great to hack there but just wasn't playing ball for the showing. We had our worst ever show and disgraced ourselves in the riding club horse class by jumping the tiny jump 4 feet at once and losing all stirrups/sense of pride. I decided then that we'd have a break from showing classes and do some working hunter to spice things up a bit.
July 11th Urmston
Brilliant day out :) We both felt recharged and under less pressure because we didn't have to rush around fitting into loads of classes. Did the WH clear round first and it took ages :) It was a really challenging course with a couple of solid jumps. We then went into the novice class and had 3 refusals but I was so pleased with her for trying her hardest. Plenty to improve on for next time! We had time to go in the riding club horse class then too which went brilliantly. She did a gorgeous gallop and popped the jump beautifully. I knew who'd win but we got 2nd!! AND, the best bit, the judge said it was extremely close!!! I was so pleased I almost cried :)
In between those shows we did 2 clear round evenings which were great. A short hack over to the farm then a really relaxed atmosphere to practise our jumping. She loved both times and did the 2ft6 course brilliantly :)
We've started having proper jumping lessons and she's really improving. I'm absolutely loving jumping her, it's so exhilerating. She really gets into it too which is great to feel. She jumped 3ft the other day! The kids kept putting the jump higher and higher to see what she could do :) I used to idolise people with their own horses when I was a kid, especially ones that could jump. Feels very weird to be that person now (not that they idolise me!!), although I absolutely love my situation.
Today in my lesson she did her first triple and then her first bounce, ending on a triple bounce, stride, 2ft 6 fence :D She was great once she realised what she had to do. I just need to remember to stay sat up so I don't unbalance her. My instructor also said it would be worth trying eventing with her!! I never thought she'd say that but I'm so excited to try. There's a small xc course nearby that I'm going to have a lesson on. All very exciting!
That's all for now. Got another show this Sunday, more working hunter classes!!
June 13th Urmston
Not bad but not great. I was knackered and she needs me to be excited and lively to pass it on to her. I didn't agree with a few of the placings but she behaved, was a real credit.
June 20th Hargate Charity Show
Was a very hot day and the ground was rock solid. She was good, got some ok placings.
June 27th Dressage Regional Finals
She was a star to hack over there. It was her first time leading a hack that far and she didn't put a foot wrong. She worked in well and rode a really nice test for the intro. I was really pleased. We then did the prelim and she did very well but the other horses were all old-hands and the majority were also entering the novice. Got my result for the intro - we won!!! I was over the moon. Our first ridden red rosette :D It definitely suited her!
July 4th Hargate Show
Really crappy day out. She was great to hack there but just wasn't playing ball for the showing. We had our worst ever show and disgraced ourselves in the riding club horse class by jumping the tiny jump 4 feet at once and losing all stirrups/sense of pride. I decided then that we'd have a break from showing classes and do some working hunter to spice things up a bit.
July 11th Urmston
Brilliant day out :) We both felt recharged and under less pressure because we didn't have to rush around fitting into loads of classes. Did the WH clear round first and it took ages :) It was a really challenging course with a couple of solid jumps. We then went into the novice class and had 3 refusals but I was so pleased with her for trying her hardest. Plenty to improve on for next time! We had time to go in the riding club horse class then too which went brilliantly. She did a gorgeous gallop and popped the jump beautifully. I knew who'd win but we got 2nd!! AND, the best bit, the judge said it was extremely close!!! I was so pleased I almost cried :)
In between those shows we did 2 clear round evenings which were great. A short hack over to the farm then a really relaxed atmosphere to practise our jumping. She loved both times and did the 2ft6 course brilliantly :)
We've started having proper jumping lessons and she's really improving. I'm absolutely loving jumping her, it's so exhilerating. She really gets into it too which is great to feel. She jumped 3ft the other day! The kids kept putting the jump higher and higher to see what she could do :) I used to idolise people with their own horses when I was a kid, especially ones that could jump. Feels very weird to be that person now (not that they idolise me!!), although I absolutely love my situation.
Today in my lesson she did her first triple and then her first bounce, ending on a triple bounce, stride, 2ft 6 fence :D She was great once she realised what she had to do. I just need to remember to stay sat up so I don't unbalance her. My instructor also said it would be worth trying eventing with her!! I never thought she'd say that but I'm so excited to try. There's a small xc course nearby that I'm going to have a lesson on. All very exciting!
That's all for now. Got another show this Sunday, more working hunter classes!!
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Last month's update
Can't believe it's been a month since I updated this! Time is flying by. Soon my exams will be over and I'll have the whole summer to spend with ponyface :)
Sunday 2nd May - Mottram Show
We did the working hunter class in the morning, our first go! The course was on maaajorly uneven ground and it was quite slippy but she loved it. She was a star. Unfortunately we knocked one and they had 6 clears (was a huge class) so we didn't get through to the individual show bit but I was very pleased with her behaviour. God knows what happened to her but she went mental in the afternoon. I think it was just such a big show and it all got to her a bit much. We were the only ones in the in-hand spotted so we got a red rosette but I was a bit miffed really because I really wanted our first 1st to be deserved. She behaved like a right berk. Leaping into the air and trying to take off. The judge said she was 'really quite naughty'. No shit sherlock. I took her in the ridden coloured but she was still majorly on her toes so I pulled her out. She was really jumpy on the hack on the way back. I think it was all just too much for her. She was great in the morning though so I'm focusing on that :)
Sunday 9th May - Hargate Show
We hacked over in the morning and she was fab. Our first class was ridden coloured and there were 3 in there. We came 2nd and I agreed with the placing. She was a very good girl and was concentrating most of the time. Good start to the day.
2nd class was senior novice equitation. We came 2nd! I was soo pleased because there were about 8 in the class. She went really nicely, nicer than the one that came 1st in my opinion, so it must have been my riding that let us down. Still, very chuffed with her!
3rd class was in-hand spotted/pally/roan etc. She seems to get really excited in in-hand classes. Quite good though as long as she doesn't flip out. She stood up nicely for the judge and I ran as fast as I could. We won!! There were 4 in the class and I was expecting another one to win as it looked like a fancy little show pony. Yey for Saffy!
Final class was riding club pony. She did an amaaaazing show. Absolutely brilliant. She was really energetic so was lovely and forward going. I was so pleased :) We turned towards the jump, all ok, got to the jump (1ft 6 maximum) and she comes to a grinding halt. Grrrrr! She stepped over it and then jumped it fine from the other direction. There were about 7 in the class and nobody else refused it so I was expecting to come last but we ended up with 4th. The judge said we would have come first if she'd have jumped it properly. We'd have gotten a trophy too!! Never mind. At least I know what we need to work on!
Sunday 16th May - Urmston Show
First class was novice/green horse. She went quite well but I think in future I really need to warm up properly before doing any classes. We came 3rd. We were originally pulled in 5th because idiot here got the wrong leg and didn't notice but our individual show bumped us up. To be honest the winner didn't particularly seem novice or green but meh.
2nd class was senior equitation. It was on pretty uneven ground but she coped well with it. We came 2nd. Again I'm sure her show was better than the winner's but my riding probably ruined it. I really need to focus on keeping my heels down.
3rd class was riding club horse. I was determined not to let her refuse the jump again! She did a nice individual show and cleared the jump well. We came 4th, would've come 3rd if I'd have cantered her to the jump. Fair enough, I didn't want to risk it. Definitely something we're working on though.
Final class was ridden coloured. It was a bigger class than last time with some very nice looking coblets. The winner from last time was also there. We came 2nd!! I was probably the most pleased with that result as we beat the person who won last time and came 2nd only to a very well schooled traditional cob. Overall another very good day :)
So this weekend she has a weekend off from showing while I revise for exams. Next weekend we're going showjumping (mini ones!). Really looking forward to it. She really had her jumping head on today and was getting excited bless her :) The weekend after that she'll be having another quiet weekend because of exams then we have Urmston and Hargate charity show the 2 weeks after that. It's going to be a busy summer!
Sunday 2nd May - Mottram Show
We did the working hunter class in the morning, our first go! The course was on maaajorly uneven ground and it was quite slippy but she loved it. She was a star. Unfortunately we knocked one and they had 6 clears (was a huge class) so we didn't get through to the individual show bit but I was very pleased with her behaviour. God knows what happened to her but she went mental in the afternoon. I think it was just such a big show and it all got to her a bit much. We were the only ones in the in-hand spotted so we got a red rosette but I was a bit miffed really because I really wanted our first 1st to be deserved. She behaved like a right berk. Leaping into the air and trying to take off. The judge said she was 'really quite naughty'. No shit sherlock. I took her in the ridden coloured but she was still majorly on her toes so I pulled her out. She was really jumpy on the hack on the way back. I think it was all just too much for her. She was great in the morning though so I'm focusing on that :)
Sunday 9th May - Hargate Show
We hacked over in the morning and she was fab. Our first class was ridden coloured and there were 3 in there. We came 2nd and I agreed with the placing. She was a very good girl and was concentrating most of the time. Good start to the day.
2nd class was senior novice equitation. We came 2nd! I was soo pleased because there were about 8 in the class. She went really nicely, nicer than the one that came 1st in my opinion, so it must have been my riding that let us down. Still, very chuffed with her!
3rd class was in-hand spotted/pally/roan etc. She seems to get really excited in in-hand classes. Quite good though as long as she doesn't flip out. She stood up nicely for the judge and I ran as fast as I could. We won!! There were 4 in the class and I was expecting another one to win as it looked like a fancy little show pony. Yey for Saffy!
Final class was riding club pony. She did an amaaaazing show. Absolutely brilliant. She was really energetic so was lovely and forward going. I was so pleased :) We turned towards the jump, all ok, got to the jump (1ft 6 maximum) and she comes to a grinding halt. Grrrrr! She stepped over it and then jumped it fine from the other direction. There were about 7 in the class and nobody else refused it so I was expecting to come last but we ended up with 4th. The judge said we would have come first if she'd have jumped it properly. We'd have gotten a trophy too!! Never mind. At least I know what we need to work on!
Sunday 16th May - Urmston Show
First class was novice/green horse. She went quite well but I think in future I really need to warm up properly before doing any classes. We came 3rd. We were originally pulled in 5th because idiot here got the wrong leg and didn't notice but our individual show bumped us up. To be honest the winner didn't particularly seem novice or green but meh.
2nd class was senior equitation. It was on pretty uneven ground but she coped well with it. We came 2nd. Again I'm sure her show was better than the winner's but my riding probably ruined it. I really need to focus on keeping my heels down.
3rd class was riding club horse. I was determined not to let her refuse the jump again! She did a nice individual show and cleared the jump well. We came 4th, would've come 3rd if I'd have cantered her to the jump. Fair enough, I didn't want to risk it. Definitely something we're working on though.
Final class was ridden coloured. It was a bigger class than last time with some very nice looking coblets. The winner from last time was also there. We came 2nd!! I was probably the most pleased with that result as we beat the person who won last time and came 2nd only to a very well schooled traditional cob. Overall another very good day :)
So this weekend she has a weekend off from showing while I revise for exams. Next weekend we're going showjumping (mini ones!). Really looking forward to it. She really had her jumping head on today and was getting excited bless her :) The weekend after that she'll be having another quiet weekend because of exams then we have Urmston and Hargate charity show the 2 weeks after that. It's going to be a busy summer!
Sunday, 25 April 2010
April Update
Been quite a while since I posted anything. I've been stupidly busy with uni etc, it's all getting a bit stressful now. Anyway Saffy has been brilliant as usual :) We had Urmston show last Sunday and she excelled herself. I went with the goal of getting a 2nd place, we got 2!! We also got a 3rd. I was thrilled to bits with her and I thought she looked great. Only need a red rosette now and we have a full run!
In my lessons I've been working on my position and keeping my heels down so my legs down ride up. It sounds basic but I've gotten into a really bad habit of bringing my heels up and turning my toes out. I'm also working on getting her moving off my leg much quicker and not constantly nagging her with them. It's quite hard work but she's a pleasure to work with :)
We did our 2nd dressage test on Saturday and hacked over to Hargate. She was great on the hack and I felt pretty relaxed, new for me on hacks!! I just wish we could get to off-road hacking without having to go on so many roads. The drivers are generally great but there are so many things that are potentially scary in gardens etc. Meh, I'll get over it. Anyway she was a very good girl in the dressage, really did what I asked and worked a lot better than last time. We got 62.2% and came 3rd!! That's an improvement of 2.2% on last time so I'm pleased. I didn't see the tests that got 1st and 2nd.
Today I've bought her a 2nd hand western saddle for hacking. She was an angel when I was trying it on her and just stood there while I faffed about with it. It was very comfy so I'm looking forward to taking her out in it soon. I got her some hoof boots too which I'm going to use for hacks to stop her front feet wearing down.
We have Mottram show next Sunday then Hargate show the weekend after that. We then have a weekend off while I stress over exams followed by a jumping competition on my birthday weekend. Busy busy bees!!
In my lessons I've been working on my position and keeping my heels down so my legs down ride up. It sounds basic but I've gotten into a really bad habit of bringing my heels up and turning my toes out. I'm also working on getting her moving off my leg much quicker and not constantly nagging her with them. It's quite hard work but she's a pleasure to work with :)
We did our 2nd dressage test on Saturday and hacked over to Hargate. She was great on the hack and I felt pretty relaxed, new for me on hacks!! I just wish we could get to off-road hacking without having to go on so many roads. The drivers are generally great but there are so many things that are potentially scary in gardens etc. Meh, I'll get over it. Anyway she was a very good girl in the dressage, really did what I asked and worked a lot better than last time. We got 62.2% and came 3rd!! That's an improvement of 2.2% on last time so I'm pleased. I didn't see the tests that got 1st and 2nd.
Today I've bought her a 2nd hand western saddle for hacking. She was an angel when I was trying it on her and just stood there while I faffed about with it. It was very comfy so I'm looking forward to taking her out in it soon. I got her some hoof boots too which I'm going to use for hacks to stop her front feet wearing down.
We have Mottram show next Sunday then Hargate show the weekend after that. We then have a weekend off while I stress over exams followed by a jumping competition on my birthday weekend. Busy busy bees!!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Saffy's first showjumping
What a brilliant day :D
I didn't sleep very well last night because I was so nervous. I was so sure we'd have a repeat of Thursday. I needn't have worried :) Got to the farm at 8:15 and she'd managed to get poo stains on her even though she was ninja-d up. It must just seep through the rug. I'm going to put her fleece on over the top next time. I need to modify the ninja thing for next weekend too. She hates it going on and off and I get all stressed because she panics. I'm just going to cut it under her neck and sew some velcro on. Should be a lot less traumatic for both of us!
Anyway I digress. Scrubbed the poo stains off her, tacked up and off we went. It was a beautiful day. I was sick with nerves though. She didn't put a foot wrong hacking either way, she was perfect. I was on edge as always but she put up with me :) When we got there I warmed her up a little bit and popped her over the little warm up jump. Once she was jumping it nicely I took her round the the arena for clear round. Went in and walked her around to have a look at the scary jumps. She hesitated slightly at the first (a filler with a ladder) but popped it and was fine from then until we got to the plank. She gawped at it for so long she got far too close and knocked it. She didn't refuse though so I wasn't bothered. I took her in again after a breather and she went round no problems. It was only 1ft6 but I was more bothered about her going around the course without any problems rather than clearing great heights.
The next class came around eventually and I went in 2nd. I kept it steady again and did half in trot and half in canter. It was 1ft9 and she managed it no prob. Went clear and got into the jump off. There was a hell of a lot of waiting around for the jump off and I was supposed to be going in 2nd but the person before me had disappeared so I ended up having to go in first. Having watched the video back I could've cut so much time off but I really wasn't pushing her too hard. I could've probably cut about 4 or 5 seconds off our time if I'd have been really going for it. She jumped clear and did brilliantly :) We came 5th and got a pink rosette and a medal. Dead chuffed :) She was loving the lap of honour too bless her.
I'm going to give the jumping a go at Urmston next weekend. Will start with the clear round (either sj or wh, not sure which yet) and then maybe do the novice if she's ok. If I get into a jump off I'm going to keep her in canter throughout and push her on in between fences. I need to get my turns a bit tighter too, will work on cantering small circles. Overall I'm so pleased with her. She out-performed every expectation and was an angel waiting around between classes. I couldn't have a more perfect horse. Very excited about my dad watching the show next weekend!
I didn't sleep very well last night because I was so nervous. I was so sure we'd have a repeat of Thursday. I needn't have worried :) Got to the farm at 8:15 and she'd managed to get poo stains on her even though she was ninja-d up. It must just seep through the rug. I'm going to put her fleece on over the top next time. I need to modify the ninja thing for next weekend too. She hates it going on and off and I get all stressed because she panics. I'm just going to cut it under her neck and sew some velcro on. Should be a lot less traumatic for both of us!
Anyway I digress. Scrubbed the poo stains off her, tacked up and off we went. It was a beautiful day. I was sick with nerves though. She didn't put a foot wrong hacking either way, she was perfect. I was on edge as always but she put up with me :) When we got there I warmed her up a little bit and popped her over the little warm up jump. Once she was jumping it nicely I took her round the the arena for clear round. Went in and walked her around to have a look at the scary jumps. She hesitated slightly at the first (a filler with a ladder) but popped it and was fine from then until we got to the plank. She gawped at it for so long she got far too close and knocked it. She didn't refuse though so I wasn't bothered. I took her in again after a breather and she went round no problems. It was only 1ft6 but I was more bothered about her going around the course without any problems rather than clearing great heights.
The next class came around eventually and I went in 2nd. I kept it steady again and did half in trot and half in canter. It was 1ft9 and she managed it no prob. Went clear and got into the jump off. There was a hell of a lot of waiting around for the jump off and I was supposed to be going in 2nd but the person before me had disappeared so I ended up having to go in first. Having watched the video back I could've cut so much time off but I really wasn't pushing her too hard. I could've probably cut about 4 or 5 seconds off our time if I'd have been really going for it. She jumped clear and did brilliantly :) We came 5th and got a pink rosette and a medal. Dead chuffed :) She was loving the lap of honour too bless her.
I'm going to give the jumping a go at Urmston next weekend. Will start with the clear round (either sj or wh, not sure which yet) and then maybe do the novice if she's ok. If I get into a jump off I'm going to keep her in canter throughout and push her on in between fences. I need to get my turns a bit tighter too, will work on cantering small circles. Overall I'm so pleased with her. She out-performed every expectation and was an angel waiting around between classes. I couldn't have a more perfect horse. Very excited about my dad watching the show next weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
