April
80cm unaff at Tweseldown - 39 dressage, clear SJ, 10.4 time pens but clear and a nice bold round to finish 6th.
May
- 90cm unaff at Mattingley - 34.5, double clear inside the time to finish 2nd - made the SJ feel so easy just jumping in a lovely rhythm. Kept it up XC, stormed round no probs at all. £55 prize money
- BE90 at Tweseldown - 35.5, 4 faults SJ and 7.2 time faults to finish 17th. Thought we were going quite fast XC but the time there is tight and it's so twisty. Nice, confident round though.
- BE90 at Borde Hill - 31.5, 4 faults SJ and finished bang on the optimum to end up 2nd - RF Q. £33 prize money.
June
- BE90 at BCA - 34.5, 8 faults SJ and 14 TP XC. It tipped it down with rain all morning, ground was slippery in the SJ and not great XC so took it nice and slow. Finished 21st.
- BE90 at Rackham - 30.5, knocked the planks hard in the SJ, amazing clear round in the XC - 25secs inside the time. 7th place.
July
- RC Novice Q at Rackham - 1st after dressage and double clear. Not sure on time but no time pens so must have been within 15secs of the optimum. Qualified for the Nationals
August
- RC Nationals at Aston le Walls. Lying 10th overnight after a half decent dressage test and clear SJ. Within the time on phases A, B and C. Recovered really well in the 10min box. Came in at HR of 60, down to 42 after 5mins. All going well until fence 7 when he napped back towards the 10min box and we had our 1st run out of the season :( Carried on but took the long route at the nasty drop to corner. Finished with a few time faults so likely would have finished on dressage score without runout and come 3rd. Very disappointing. Learning experience for us both.
- unaff 90cm at Borde Hill - 32 and a double clear to win!!! £70 prize money and a free pro photo :)
September
Something went a bit wrong in Sep - failed to reproduce any of the dressage scores from the earlier half of the year despite jumping seeming to improve!
- unaff 90cm at Tweseldown - 37.5 and 4 faults SJ but finally clear XC within the time. Finished 14th.
- 1st BE100 at Munstead - disappointing 39 but great double clear. SJ was amazing - only one sticky getting in close moment when I held instead of kicking on out of a corner but they were big and wide and he made it feel easy. Bit stickier XC but nice clear inside the time. Only managed 14th though - v competitive section!
- BE90 RF's at BCA - horrendous dressage for 42 - totally lacking any impulsion - lying last after dressage which is a first I never wanted to see. Fab double clear - made it feel easy yet again. Only finished 29th though.
October
- 2nd BE100 at Pulborough - dressage still not our thing, more forwards but not connected. 39.5 disappointing. Thought he deserved a bit better than that. SJ was ok - bit sticky over the first few and very nearly stopped at the planks but then flew the rest for a clear. XC never really got going, kept holding him, holding him and eventually held too much and he ran out at the scary corner which was big and solid and had a big scary pot of bright yellow flowers on top. Jumped it fine 2nd time but then felt tired after and was backing off still. I was still holding and although we got through the rest of the course ok it didn't feel pretty.
- final 90cm of the season - Tweseldown unaff champs. Took him hunting a few days previously to try and brighten him up which worked far too well and he was mental in the dressage - like sitting on an unexploded bomb! Just about contained things for 35 but I think that was generous. Lovely clear SJ and then dragged me round the XC completely out of control - haring about, no real steering but showed how brave he can be as he just attacked everything I pointed him at and the only thing he even had a weeny 2nd thought at was going into the water which he's always a little suspicious of. Finished well within the time. Ended up 12th. Shame not to get top 10 but v competitive and top 10 under 32, mostly under 30.
Winter dressage ahead of us - must sort it out as he has got so much potential - his jumping is fab and has come on so much. Canter is so much stronger. Flatwork has really progressed but still struggling with contact issues, acceptance and submission.
Monday 31 October 2011
Saturday 22 October 2011
Simon lesson 22-10-11
Good pony today. He was forwards from the start which just made everything soooooo much easier and more pleasurable!
Started with just doing a little bit of lateral work in walk whilst walking around waiting for Simon to finish previous lesson - just a bit of leg yield, shoulder-in, renvers.
Then moved into a warmup trot and it was lovely - really taking me forwards, it felt pingy, athletic and easy on both reins! Wasn't worrying about head carriage at this stage.
We did some work on a 20m circle, leg yield head to the outside then shoulder-in getting a bit greedier gradually with the amount of angle first. Anything involving right bend much harder for him but felt like he was trying. Then picked up the trot into an outline and it felt lovely - soft contact and he was soft and supple. Did lots of stretching down in trot in between exercises to encourage him to let go. We did a bit of the same lateral work exercise in trot. Then we did a bit of canter which felt pretty good. Must remember to keep soft through elbows/shoulders.
Finished with the turn on the forehand exercise on both reins and then moved into trot on the right rein which wasn't so good - he was resisting the contact, possibly getting a bit tired as had worked hard so will forgive that.
Hunting tomorrow with the bloodhounds as hoping that will be a little less wearing on my back and also I fancy something different to the normal draghunting. Probably little hack on Wed and then he's gonna have a bit of time off before we crack on again with some BD.
Started with just doing a little bit of lateral work in walk whilst walking around waiting for Simon to finish previous lesson - just a bit of leg yield, shoulder-in, renvers.
Then moved into a warmup trot and it was lovely - really taking me forwards, it felt pingy, athletic and easy on both reins! Wasn't worrying about head carriage at this stage.
We did some work on a 20m circle, leg yield head to the outside then shoulder-in getting a bit greedier gradually with the amount of angle first. Anything involving right bend much harder for him but felt like he was trying. Then picked up the trot into an outline and it felt lovely - soft contact and he was soft and supple. Did lots of stretching down in trot in between exercises to encourage him to let go. We did a bit of the same lateral work exercise in trot. Then we did a bit of canter which felt pretty good. Must remember to keep soft through elbows/shoulders.
Finished with the turn on the forehand exercise on both reins and then moved into trot on the right rein which wasn't so good - he was resisting the contact, possibly getting a bit tired as had worked hard so will forgive that.
Hunting tomorrow with the bloodhounds as hoping that will be a little less wearing on my back and also I fancy something different to the normal draghunting. Probably little hack on Wed and then he's gonna have a bit of time off before we crack on again with some BD.
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Pesky pony
Schooled him yesterday and he was resistant and horrible. Started off ok with doing loads of lateral work in walk, getting him off my leg which worked ok - travers with head bend to the outside so much easier than true shoulder-in as the wall controls the shoulders. As soon as we tried to work in an outline in trot/canter he was resisting and nose poking. Ended up getting the draw reins out which doesn't happen v often but got fed up with fighting him. They worked well as stopped him fighting against me. Kept them so they weren't acting if he went in a correct outline but if he started fighting then they put him back in his box.
Today we went to a lesson with Tracey. We did a lot in walk as my back playing up and also we needed to get him back in his box - all strung out, muscles doing nothing useful, not carrying himself at all. Started with leg yield across the whole school - he needs to move when I take my leg away and not wait for the aid. Tap tap tap with the stick just repeating the aid until he moves then he should move from the stick coming near, not wait for it to actually touch him. Keep legs draped long. At the other end do a turn on the forehand but with outside bend, not inside bend so a renvers turn, bum going round to the wall and then leg yield back across the diagonal. then we did a figure of 8 about X with travers on the circle one way (must weight the inside and move the outside thigh back plus make sure have inside bend) and then renvers the other way so same positioning just circling in different directions. On the travers on the right rein he tries to swing his quarters too far in but not bend right. Travers left he's happy to bend left but doesn't want to bring the quarters in.
Moved into trot with shoulder-in down the long side turning into renvers at which point he mostly ground to a halt. On the right rein really struggled to keep the outside rein contact in the renvers, much better on the left rein. He found the renvers really hard but did some quite nice shoulder-in and the trot felt much more connected. Played a little with the canter to finish. Bit tight on the right rein but left rein quite nice.
I need to learn how to half halt with my upper body, bearing down and pushing his back end under and into my contact. Need to be able to give away the inside rein in the travers.
Somehow need to get him into this consistent outside rein contact without him tightening over his back. Renvers turn on the forehand definitely something to help control his evasion of bulging out through the shoulder when asked to step under with his hindleg.
All seemed a lot of hard work. Really I just want to sit there and look pretty - getting him to work properly is a right mission! Just dont feel like I'm a good enough rider to actually make him work properly.
Today we went to a lesson with Tracey. We did a lot in walk as my back playing up and also we needed to get him back in his box - all strung out, muscles doing nothing useful, not carrying himself at all. Started with leg yield across the whole school - he needs to move when I take my leg away and not wait for the aid. Tap tap tap with the stick just repeating the aid until he moves then he should move from the stick coming near, not wait for it to actually touch him. Keep legs draped long. At the other end do a turn on the forehand but with outside bend, not inside bend so a renvers turn, bum going round to the wall and then leg yield back across the diagonal. then we did a figure of 8 about X with travers on the circle one way (must weight the inside and move the outside thigh back plus make sure have inside bend) and then renvers the other way so same positioning just circling in different directions. On the travers on the right rein he tries to swing his quarters too far in but not bend right. Travers left he's happy to bend left but doesn't want to bring the quarters in.
Moved into trot with shoulder-in down the long side turning into renvers at which point he mostly ground to a halt. On the right rein really struggled to keep the outside rein contact in the renvers, much better on the left rein. He found the renvers really hard but did some quite nice shoulder-in and the trot felt much more connected. Played a little with the canter to finish. Bit tight on the right rein but left rein quite nice.
I need to learn how to half halt with my upper body, bearing down and pushing his back end under and into my contact. Need to be able to give away the inside rein in the travers.
Somehow need to get him into this consistent outside rein contact without him tightening over his back. Renvers turn on the forehand definitely something to help control his evasion of bulging out through the shoulder when asked to step under with his hindleg.
All seemed a lot of hard work. Really I just want to sit there and look pretty - getting him to work properly is a right mission! Just dont feel like I'm a good enough rider to actually make him work properly.
Sunday 16 October 2011
Monty Tweseldown unaffiliated Intro Champs 16-10-11
Well, after last week's backwards XC I decided to take him hunting on Wed to rediscover his enthusiasm. I think after today I could safely say we found it again. He was great out hunting - stood when we stood, jumped and galloped fab - great day. I on the other hand discovered that event fit is not hunt fit. Spent the next 2days in agony as my calves seized up completely. Rode him in the school yesterday and he was insane. Getting in a right tiz about just doing a walk-trot transition. Not good.
Walked the course for Tweseldown yesterday and all looked good. They had changed the nasty combo at 6 from 2 big boxes on a curved 3 strides to 2 big box brushes on a 90degree angle with about 6 strides between them. Right hand bends not my fave so thought this could be interesting. They had moved the corner slightly and the most obvious line to it was going to be a problem as knew he'd spook at the jump you had to go past to get to it and then we'd end up on a left pointing line to a left corner on a horse who likes to run out to the left and with a rider who hates corners! So, I designed myself a new line going up across the grass and round the left of the spare jump so even after a spook we could be pointing right at the corner! Water was improved with a trip round to the other side, a house and then straight in and back out again the other side instead of wiggling through it twice. Last 3 fences same as ever.
This morning set off with a nice dressage time of 12.30. Walked the SJ which was causing plenty of carnage. Nice planks, road closed jump and skinny bright thing to finish. Nothing that should really trouble Montster on a good day though.
Warmed up for dressage and he was just like yesterday in the school. Mental. Seriously taking offence to my leg aids. Kept getting walk to bounce, walk to canter, walk to hop in the air, anything but walk to trot. Not good at all. Perhaps hunting wasn't such a great idea after all! Or maybe all the rocket fuel food was finally kicking in. Either way it wasn't going to be pretty. Took him and after what seemed hours trotting round the outside (daren't walk as feared we'd never get back into trot) and we managed to nurse our way round BE102 (using higher level test for the champs). Was expecting 40 or worse as it was so tense it was ridiculous. Damned dressage. I used to love it, but recently it's become my nemesis.
Quick change to the SJ, got over there and found that play had been stopped for nearly an hour as someone as come off in a big way. When I got over there they had her collar and boarded and were just loading her into the ambulance. Cue major wibbles from me - I hate seeing people injured especially when I'm about to tackle what they were. So I got a chance to actually walk the course although it doesn't really change what I do but it killed some time. Hung around a bit longer and then they finally got going again and rattled through them. Went in and jumped another lovely clear round. 4th eventing clear in a row now - feel like we're getting this SJ lark cracked finally. The Champs section had an extra fence compared to the normal Intro sections - final rainbow skinny but he popped it lovely. 90 looks so small now we've been doing 100. Never thought I'd say 3ft jumping looked small! No video today as my youtube gone up the spout but v pleased with him. They announced my dressage score on the way to fence 1 which was 35 so pretty chuffed with that.
Another quick change for XC before trekking half a mile round to the warmup. We were last to arrive in the warmup so last to go round. He was in firey mode and I sensed we might have fun today! Fooled his naughtyness around the start box by walking him through it forwards and backwards which really confused him and we had no rearing. Set off on a right mission, spooking at nothing on the way to fence 1. Had all the advice from on here in my head - do not kill the canter, set up then ride forwards etc. Made sure he knew I wasn't messing around today. Had put my reins onto the top ring on my 2 ring snaffle as didn't want him backing off at all but it meant I had zero control! We absolutely hared around the first half of the course. He walloped the big box at 4, hooned around the corner to the house at 5 where I had seen loads refuse so made sure I rode that, took off with me across the grass while I frantically fought for some steeering in prep for the combo at 6. Got right in deep which was due to us fighting but made a nice turn to part b.
pic of 6b
vid fences 5, 6ab and 7 XC
Ok over 7, spooking like mad round the corner to the skinny log at 8, did exactly as I predicted on the way to the corner at 9 so v glad to be coming at it on the line I'd chosen, jumped the wider part but no thinking about running out. Regained small amount of control for the 2 skinny hanging logs on a turn at 10 and 11. Launched through the sunken road taking a stride out, spooked his way to the box at 13, spooked a bit more on the way round to the back of the water, jumped the house fab, leapt into the water, jumped out well, fought for some control coming out of the woods to the hanging log to step down, failed but stopped myself from hooking and kicked on to the log and just absolutely flew down the big drop (normally I come at these things at a trot but I have no idea why as he clearly loves launching into space!). Flew the chair and the last and managed to finish 9secs inside the time. They had wheeled it a bit tighter than the last event given the route was pretty much identical and in every other section hardly anyone managed to get the time. Obviously the champs was a bit more competitive and there were plenty of double clears. We finished on our dressage score of 35. Disappointingly not quite good enough to get placed but we managed 12th out of 31. Out of the other 4 Intro sections only about 10 managed a double clear so pretty chuffed we did as have to remember we are only 6mths after I first wibbled my way round the 80cm course back in April and had no idea about riding SJ, XC or getting inside the time. 35 in any of the other sections would have got us 2nd place. In some sections people were in the top 10 with refusals so it definitely caused problems.
course pics:
course pics
So, this is our record for the season - missed out are our win at the RC Area Qualifier finishing on our dressage score and our round at the RC National champs. Not bad for a first ever season's eventing I dont think. A winter of dressage (and hunting) is ahead of us after he has a bit of a holiday and next yr we will crack the bloody dressage!
Walked the course for Tweseldown yesterday and all looked good. They had changed the nasty combo at 6 from 2 big boxes on a curved 3 strides to 2 big box brushes on a 90degree angle with about 6 strides between them. Right hand bends not my fave so thought this could be interesting. They had moved the corner slightly and the most obvious line to it was going to be a problem as knew he'd spook at the jump you had to go past to get to it and then we'd end up on a left pointing line to a left corner on a horse who likes to run out to the left and with a rider who hates corners! So, I designed myself a new line going up across the grass and round the left of the spare jump so even after a spook we could be pointing right at the corner! Water was improved with a trip round to the other side, a house and then straight in and back out again the other side instead of wiggling through it twice. Last 3 fences same as ever.
This morning set off with a nice dressage time of 12.30. Walked the SJ which was causing plenty of carnage. Nice planks, road closed jump and skinny bright thing to finish. Nothing that should really trouble Montster on a good day though.
Warmed up for dressage and he was just like yesterday in the school. Mental. Seriously taking offence to my leg aids. Kept getting walk to bounce, walk to canter, walk to hop in the air, anything but walk to trot. Not good at all. Perhaps hunting wasn't such a great idea after all! Or maybe all the rocket fuel food was finally kicking in. Either way it wasn't going to be pretty. Took him and after what seemed hours trotting round the outside (daren't walk as feared we'd never get back into trot) and we managed to nurse our way round BE102 (using higher level test for the champs). Was expecting 40 or worse as it was so tense it was ridiculous. Damned dressage. I used to love it, but recently it's become my nemesis.
Quick change to the SJ, got over there and found that play had been stopped for nearly an hour as someone as come off in a big way. When I got over there they had her collar and boarded and were just loading her into the ambulance. Cue major wibbles from me - I hate seeing people injured especially when I'm about to tackle what they were. So I got a chance to actually walk the course although it doesn't really change what I do but it killed some time. Hung around a bit longer and then they finally got going again and rattled through them. Went in and jumped another lovely clear round. 4th eventing clear in a row now - feel like we're getting this SJ lark cracked finally. The Champs section had an extra fence compared to the normal Intro sections - final rainbow skinny but he popped it lovely. 90 looks so small now we've been doing 100. Never thought I'd say 3ft jumping looked small! No video today as my youtube gone up the spout but v pleased with him. They announced my dressage score on the way to fence 1 which was 35 so pretty chuffed with that.
Another quick change for XC before trekking half a mile round to the warmup. We were last to arrive in the warmup so last to go round. He was in firey mode and I sensed we might have fun today! Fooled his naughtyness around the start box by walking him through it forwards and backwards which really confused him and we had no rearing. Set off on a right mission, spooking at nothing on the way to fence 1. Had all the advice from on here in my head - do not kill the canter, set up then ride forwards etc. Made sure he knew I wasn't messing around today. Had put my reins onto the top ring on my 2 ring snaffle as didn't want him backing off at all but it meant I had zero control! We absolutely hared around the first half of the course. He walloped the big box at 4, hooned around the corner to the house at 5 where I had seen loads refuse so made sure I rode that, took off with me across the grass while I frantically fought for some steeering in prep for the combo at 6. Got right in deep which was due to us fighting but made a nice turn to part b.
pic of 6b
vid fences 5, 6ab and 7 XC
Ok over 7, spooking like mad round the corner to the skinny log at 8, did exactly as I predicted on the way to the corner at 9 so v glad to be coming at it on the line I'd chosen, jumped the wider part but no thinking about running out. Regained small amount of control for the 2 skinny hanging logs on a turn at 10 and 11. Launched through the sunken road taking a stride out, spooked his way to the box at 13, spooked a bit more on the way round to the back of the water, jumped the house fab, leapt into the water, jumped out well, fought for some control coming out of the woods to the hanging log to step down, failed but stopped myself from hooking and kicked on to the log and just absolutely flew down the big drop (normally I come at these things at a trot but I have no idea why as he clearly loves launching into space!). Flew the chair and the last and managed to finish 9secs inside the time. They had wheeled it a bit tighter than the last event given the route was pretty much identical and in every other section hardly anyone managed to get the time. Obviously the champs was a bit more competitive and there were plenty of double clears. We finished on our dressage score of 35. Disappointingly not quite good enough to get placed but we managed 12th out of 31. Out of the other 4 Intro sections only about 10 managed a double clear so pretty chuffed we did as have to remember we are only 6mths after I first wibbled my way round the 80cm course back in April and had no idea about riding SJ, XC or getting inside the time. 35 in any of the other sections would have got us 2nd place. In some sections people were in the top 10 with refusals so it definitely caused problems.
course pics:
course pics
So, this is our record for the season - missed out are our win at the RC Area Qualifier finishing on our dressage score and our round at the RC National champs. Not bad for a first ever season's eventing I dont think. A winter of dressage (and hunting) is ahead of us after he has a bit of a holiday and next yr we will crack the bloody dressage!
| Date | Location | Cl | Horse | Rider | Dres sage | Show Jump | XC Time | XC Jump | Total | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.10.11 | Tweseldown UA 3 | Int | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 35.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 35.0 | 12 |
| 8.10.11 | Pulborough | 100 | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 39.5 | 0 | 10.4 | 20 | 69.9 | 17 |
| 27.9.11 | BCA 2 | 90rf | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 42.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 42.0 | 29 |
| 18.9.11 | Munstead 2 | 100 | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 39.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 39.0 | 14 |
| 3.9.11 | Tweseldown UA 2 | ITO | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 37.5 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 41.5 | 14 |
| 20.8.11 | Borde Hill UA | ITO | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 32.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 32.0 | 1 |
| 9.8.11 | W Wilts 2 | 90rf | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | Withdrawn | |||||
| 25.6.11 | Rackham | 90 | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 30.5 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 34.5 | 7 |
| 11.6.11 | BCA 1 | 90 | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 34.5 | 8 | 14.0 | 0 | 56.5 | 21 |
| 29.5.11 | Borde Hill | 90 | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 31.5 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 35.5 | 2 |
| Date | Location | Cl | Horse | Rider | Dres sage | Show Jump | XC Time | XC Jump | Total | Place |
| 20.5.11 | Tweseldown 2 | 90 | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 35.5 | 4 | 7.2 | 0 | 46.7 | 17 |
| 7.5.11 | Mattingley UA | ITO | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 34.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 34.5 | 2 |
| 15.4.11 | Tweseldown UA 1 | Pre | MARMALADE MONTY | Holehouse, Nicola | 39.0 | 0 | 10.8 | 0 | 49.8 | 6 |
Sunday 9 October 2011
Monty Pulborough BE100 09-10-11
This week have been building on what we started with Simon last Sunday - forwards at all costs then submission with the walk lateral work and into nice forward, pingy trot. 2 fab schooling sessions where I didn't really want to get off and 2 hacks this week to keep him nice and fresh for today.
Lazy start to the day. Got there with loads of time so wandered off round the XC course. Looked pretty nice - few things I was worried about were no.7 the trakehner (coz I hate them), no.9 a log with a kind of shallow ditch in front of it coz I knew he'd look at it, probably didn't worry enough about no.11 the corner with it's big pot of bright yellow flowers and other decorations. no.13 the 2nd water was a decent step into muddy water and then after that should have been home dry.
Got ready for dressage, they were running early so short warmup - gave him a gallop around the huge open warmup and then bit of walk lateral work then picked up into trot nicely so in for our test. I didn't have him connected enough in front but the aim of today was to establish forwards and softness and not have him all tight over the back. I think aim was completed. Bit disappointed to see 39.5 on the board as was hoping for a little better. Sheet seems fair enough in most places though - thought his halt in the middle was nicely done and square so to get a 6 was a bit stingy. Then he got a 5 for left canter trans which said above the bit which I cannot see on the vid, but otherwise much better than it has been so I think progress in the right direction.
Went to watch some SJ which seemed to be causing carnage for unknown reasons. There were about 15 clears in all the Novice sections and course quite similar for the BE100 and also causing issues. He warmed up nicely - whacked up a nice big parallel just before we went in which he knocked which isn't a bad thing before he goes in to jump as wakes him up a bit - jumping nicely and taking me forwards. Went in and he promptly gawped at no.1
so kicked on to 2 which he gawped again so got a smack and onto the wall oxer at 3 which was ok, round to the bright planks at 4 and he nearly stopped - got a huge growl and kick and launched over amazingly clear.
Kicked onto the double as I know if I hold at all he wont make the 1 stride so really rode it and it jumped nicely.
Finished the rest of the course nicely for a very rare clear in the BE100 sections. This is fence 7 and 8:
Changed and onto XC. Warmed up ok, quite pingy which was a relief as he's been so quiet recently. Round to the start box and just as about to go in he decided to stand on his back legs so we missed the cue to go and started several seconds after they said go - not a great start!
Jumped fence 1 and 2 no probs then had to come round to 3 and 4 which were 2 small hanging logs on an angle. For some reason decided to just hold and hold for a non-existant stride into 3 so got in far too deep, much better over 4. 5 was a chunky log before the drop and again I held him back instead of kicking on so got in deep but popped off the drop ok.
Coming round and up the hill to 6 he was spooking at everything and not concentrating but jumped it ok then same on the approach to 7 the trakehner - looked in the ditch at the last minute and leapt then shot sideways afterwards nearly leaving me in space. Onto the brush to sunken road (which was more of a sandpit) which I held to again (spotting a theme here?) and he skirted round the sandpit on the grass but inside the flags. Next fence was the hanging log with the fake ditch in front so really kicked on and he jumped it fine then the into space which was ok then I got the wonkiest line to the corner and I didn't have my leg on - he baulked at it and all the flowers and I didn't have the forward momentum to get over it or just stop him running out the side. 1st 20pens on our BE record so v sad about that as sure it was mostly my fault for riding him so backwards all the way round :( Anyway, onto the house before the water, still holding, still getting in deep, not learnt at all. Up the step and onto the 2nd water. Concerned about the step in so back to trot but he popped off ok, lost a bit of balance in the water but just about gathered up knitting to make the skinny brush out. Long gallop to the big wide bar thing at 14 - he felt tired, but it was big so kept leg on and he jumped it really well, heard commentator say how nicely he'd jumped it. Finally remembered I have legs for a reason and kicked on to the step up to brush and then onto another skinny brush and finally to the flower garden to finish.
Completely knackered. Not used to having to kick him on between fences so much and I just buggered up his rhythm so much by holding into the fences it was much harder work than it needed to be. Gutted about 20pens on his record. Ended up with 10.4 time pens too as all that fiddling just slowed us down so much and it was a long old galloping course which would normally suit us. Forutnately the vids wont upload so you dont get to see how much I screwed up fence 3 which was the theme of things to come. I reverted back to my old "if in doubt hold on to his mouth for dear life" instead of "kick on". I did it when I first started the season and I've done it on both my BE100's at anything I've been worried about. Totally a mental problem with me rather than him as know he's more than capable of jumping clear round 100. Feeling chuffed we appear to have cracked the SJ but glad we are dropping back to 90 again for a bit so I can sort out my XC riding.
Just one event left now - unaff champs at Tweseldown next Sunday. Going to change him back into the snaffle as feel he doesn't need the gag at this stage of this season and it's not helping with him backing off his fences. Sure there's nothing wrong with him as he's SJing fab and I think it's all me XC.
full XC course pics here:
full course pics
Lazy start to the day. Got there with loads of time so wandered off round the XC course. Looked pretty nice - few things I was worried about were no.7 the trakehner (coz I hate them), no.9 a log with a kind of shallow ditch in front of it coz I knew he'd look at it, probably didn't worry enough about no.11 the corner with it's big pot of bright yellow flowers and other decorations. no.13 the 2nd water was a decent step into muddy water and then after that should have been home dry.
Got ready for dressage, they were running early so short warmup - gave him a gallop around the huge open warmup and then bit of walk lateral work then picked up into trot nicely so in for our test. I didn't have him connected enough in front but the aim of today was to establish forwards and softness and not have him all tight over the back. I think aim was completed. Bit disappointed to see 39.5 on the board as was hoping for a little better. Sheet seems fair enough in most places though - thought his halt in the middle was nicely done and square so to get a 6 was a bit stingy. Then he got a 5 for left canter trans which said above the bit which I cannot see on the vid, but otherwise much better than it has been so I think progress in the right direction.
Went to watch some SJ which seemed to be causing carnage for unknown reasons. There were about 15 clears in all the Novice sections and course quite similar for the BE100 and also causing issues. He warmed up nicely - whacked up a nice big parallel just before we went in which he knocked which isn't a bad thing before he goes in to jump as wakes him up a bit - jumping nicely and taking me forwards. Went in and he promptly gawped at no.1
so kicked on to 2 which he gawped again so got a smack and onto the wall oxer at 3 which was ok, round to the bright planks at 4 and he nearly stopped - got a huge growl and kick and launched over amazingly clear.
Kicked onto the double as I know if I hold at all he wont make the 1 stride so really rode it and it jumped nicely.
Finished the rest of the course nicely for a very rare clear in the BE100 sections. This is fence 7 and 8:
Changed and onto XC. Warmed up ok, quite pingy which was a relief as he's been so quiet recently. Round to the start box and just as about to go in he decided to stand on his back legs so we missed the cue to go and started several seconds after they said go - not a great start!
Jumped fence 1 and 2 no probs then had to come round to 3 and 4 which were 2 small hanging logs on an angle. For some reason decided to just hold and hold for a non-existant stride into 3 so got in far too deep, much better over 4. 5 was a chunky log before the drop and again I held him back instead of kicking on so got in deep but popped off the drop ok.
Coming round and up the hill to 6 he was spooking at everything and not concentrating but jumped it ok then same on the approach to 7 the trakehner - looked in the ditch at the last minute and leapt then shot sideways afterwards nearly leaving me in space. Onto the brush to sunken road (which was more of a sandpit) which I held to again (spotting a theme here?) and he skirted round the sandpit on the grass but inside the flags. Next fence was the hanging log with the fake ditch in front so really kicked on and he jumped it fine then the into space which was ok then I got the wonkiest line to the corner and I didn't have my leg on - he baulked at it and all the flowers and I didn't have the forward momentum to get over it or just stop him running out the side. 1st 20pens on our BE record so v sad about that as sure it was mostly my fault for riding him so backwards all the way round :( Anyway, onto the house before the water, still holding, still getting in deep, not learnt at all. Up the step and onto the 2nd water. Concerned about the step in so back to trot but he popped off ok, lost a bit of balance in the water but just about gathered up knitting to make the skinny brush out. Long gallop to the big wide bar thing at 14 - he felt tired, but it was big so kept leg on and he jumped it really well, heard commentator say how nicely he'd jumped it. Finally remembered I have legs for a reason and kicked on to the step up to brush and then onto another skinny brush and finally to the flower garden to finish.
Completely knackered. Not used to having to kick him on between fences so much and I just buggered up his rhythm so much by holding into the fences it was much harder work than it needed to be. Gutted about 20pens on his record. Ended up with 10.4 time pens too as all that fiddling just slowed us down so much and it was a long old galloping course which would normally suit us. Forutnately the vids wont upload so you dont get to see how much I screwed up fence 3 which was the theme of things to come. I reverted back to my old "if in doubt hold on to his mouth for dear life" instead of "kick on". I did it when I first started the season and I've done it on both my BE100's at anything I've been worried about. Totally a mental problem with me rather than him as know he's more than capable of jumping clear round 100. Feeling chuffed we appear to have cracked the SJ but glad we are dropping back to 90 again for a bit so I can sort out my XC riding.
Just one event left now - unaff champs at Tweseldown next Sunday. Going to change him back into the snaffle as feel he doesn't need the gag at this stage of this season and it's not helping with him backing off his fences. Sure there's nothing wrong with him as he's SJing fab and I think it's all me XC.
full XC course pics here:
full course pics
Sunday 2 October 2011
Monty Simon lesson 02-10-11
Yesterday did some lunging with 2 reins for the first time. Worked quite well for getting him forwards and into quite a nice outline - now why cant I get that on board??
Got on and did 10mins getting forwards no matter what. Felt he worked quite well. Ridiculously hot so went off for a half hour hack to cool down. Has been on oats since Wed but was a good boy.
Simon lesson today - explained the recent problems. So, we started on a loose contact establishing forwards, pinging off my leg and then maintaining his own forwardness - must not nag! Must make him super reactive as his build is not conducive to me being able to contact his sides with my lower leg so I need him to be taking himself forwards not relying on me. Did some walk to canter and he responded really quickly - Simon says that is because I use my seat in the canter trans but only my legs in the trot transition and he's not responsive to the legs. Tried to use my seat more in the walk to trot transition and then once in the trot to really think about swinging hips forwards to create forwardness.
Once we had him pinging forward we did some work on the 10m circle - head to the middle, quarters out, really asking for the inside hind to step under. Obviously much easier on the left rein as he loves to banana and fall out through the right shoulder. Much much harder on the right rein. Tended to either get flexion or sideways but very difficult to get both. Each time after getting a few steps pinged him forwards to trot on the 20m circle. Slowly working on picking up the contact, moving him on and back. Must not get too much neck bend on the left rein - real, ongoing problem with both of us. Did some work on shortening the walk almost to piaffe and then on into trot. Same with the trot - bring him back almost to a walk and then ping him forwards. Every now and then stretch the trot to the floor. Main problem we have created is getting him stuck/blocked and not able to lower the neck when asked - need to free him up.
With the FWLR must start to pick him up much earlier and more gradually so he doesn't hollow on the pick up.
Finally did a bit of canter which felt super, not really anything to do to it - it was soft and round and forwards.
Suggested warmup regime - canter off his back to get him forwards. Bit of work on long rein getting forwards reaction. Walk lat work - if possible use above exercise but if getting silly then can just do some leg yield. Into trot, forwards from the seat, pick the neck up and put it down again and then in. If necessary sacrifice this weekend's test to establish forwards and relaxation.
Watching vids from today he looks nice and loose and swingy, but not connected enough, just need to keep a slightly better contact. What felt like very long and strung out doesn't look it - dont ask for too much!
Big things to think of - swinging forwards from the hips and forwards reaction from him.
Got on and did 10mins getting forwards no matter what. Felt he worked quite well. Ridiculously hot so went off for a half hour hack to cool down. Has been on oats since Wed but was a good boy.
Simon lesson today - explained the recent problems. So, we started on a loose contact establishing forwards, pinging off my leg and then maintaining his own forwardness - must not nag! Must make him super reactive as his build is not conducive to me being able to contact his sides with my lower leg so I need him to be taking himself forwards not relying on me. Did some walk to canter and he responded really quickly - Simon says that is because I use my seat in the canter trans but only my legs in the trot transition and he's not responsive to the legs. Tried to use my seat more in the walk to trot transition and then once in the trot to really think about swinging hips forwards to create forwardness.
Once we had him pinging forward we did some work on the 10m circle - head to the middle, quarters out, really asking for the inside hind to step under. Obviously much easier on the left rein as he loves to banana and fall out through the right shoulder. Much much harder on the right rein. Tended to either get flexion or sideways but very difficult to get both. Each time after getting a few steps pinged him forwards to trot on the 20m circle. Slowly working on picking up the contact, moving him on and back. Must not get too much neck bend on the left rein - real, ongoing problem with both of us. Did some work on shortening the walk almost to piaffe and then on into trot. Same with the trot - bring him back almost to a walk and then ping him forwards. Every now and then stretch the trot to the floor. Main problem we have created is getting him stuck/blocked and not able to lower the neck when asked - need to free him up.
With the FWLR must start to pick him up much earlier and more gradually so he doesn't hollow on the pick up.
Finally did a bit of canter which felt super, not really anything to do to it - it was soft and round and forwards.
Suggested warmup regime - canter off his back to get him forwards. Bit of work on long rein getting forwards reaction. Walk lat work - if possible use above exercise but if getting silly then can just do some leg yield. Into trot, forwards from the seat, pick the neck up and put it down again and then in. If necessary sacrifice this weekend's test to establish forwards and relaxation.
Watching vids from today he looks nice and loose and swingy, but not connected enough, just need to keep a slightly better contact. What felt like very long and strung out doesn't look it - dont ask for too much!
Big things to think of - swinging forwards from the hips and forwards reaction from him.
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