Had a lovely hack yesterday, lots of cantering up hills to help his fitness. All good until we met most of Surrey's supply of army cadets marching down the road with their escorts in bright flourescent jackets right on the corner by the Indian restaurant where Monty always tries to do a runner. Not good! Sent a few scattering and halted their little march while we skipped past sideways. Daft pony.
Off to Farley Hall today to regain our confidence jumping. Explained the problem to Richard so set about a nice, straightforward session to sort things out. Worked on getting my nice bouncy canter from this week's work. Started by popping a very small fence on a circle which Monts did really well every time. Just waiting for fence to come to us and making sure to use outside leg round the circle. Then moved onto a treble with 2 strides between each element at about 2ft6. Met it spot on and popped through it no worries. Back the other way just as easy. Each exercise Monts just did it fine and Richard said great, move on. Put the elements up until 2ft9-3ft and final one nearer 3ft3 with a pole on the angle in front of each one. He had a little look but leg on and he flew through. Do still need to remember to give more with my hands though. Then we did a 5 stride distance from a blue filler to a triple bar. Pushed him flat the first time then remembered to sit up and wait and he pinged it nicely so that went up to about 1.05m and he flew it no probs. One final pop down the treble and I could really feel him taking me into it from 3 strides away - lovely feeling! He didn't touch a pole all session and never once felt like stopping. We only once met a fence on a bad stride because I looked for a stride and fiddled. Rest of the time just kept coming forwards and it all worked lovely! Must must remember not to hold him in front. Create the amazing canter and just let the fences come to us :)
Sunday 29 January 2012
Friday 27 January 2012
similar to last night
another little flatwork session followed by a few jumpies.
flatwork - still having issues on the right rein getting him connected. hoping things will improve once i get my new saddle but a while to go yet and dressage on Wed - not done a comp for 6wks so could be interesting. Should really be able to manage it in the GP but leg isn't as secure and I was managing it in the dressage saddle a few wks back so it's definitely possible. Left rein trot work ok, canter work he's still leaning down on my hands and not flexing. He's on the forehand and not engaged.
jumping - put up a 2ft6 oxer. Got my nice round bouncy canter from walk and suddenly he was round and softer in my hand - why cant he go like that when I'm concentrating on flatwork. As soon as I pick him up for jumping it feels much better! Turned to the jump thinking about energy through the turn, engage with the inside leg, turn with the outside legs and he pinged it. Repeated several times in both directions and met it spot on every time. Thought about good crest release on the way over and the halting afterwards which he anticipated this time and did nicely. Came at it on the angle a couple of times in each direction and he wanted to rush more at this question and then charge off after so more work needed there. Attempted to jump and then instead of halting really collect up the canter and get it pingy again in preparation for riding a course. Resulted in a fair bit of leg changing but did manage it so just needs more practice as this is a very new way of going for him. Much harder work than I'm used to but I have just been sitting there and expecting the jumps to happen nicely. You do actually have to ride in between the jumps!
Nice hack planned tomorrow then jumping lesson Sunday.
flatwork - still having issues on the right rein getting him connected. hoping things will improve once i get my new saddle but a while to go yet and dressage on Wed - not done a comp for 6wks so could be interesting. Should really be able to manage it in the GP but leg isn't as secure and I was managing it in the dressage saddle a few wks back so it's definitely possible. Left rein trot work ok, canter work he's still leaning down on my hands and not flexing. He's on the forehand and not engaged.
jumping - put up a 2ft6 oxer. Got my nice round bouncy canter from walk and suddenly he was round and softer in my hand - why cant he go like that when I'm concentrating on flatwork. As soon as I pick him up for jumping it feels much better! Turned to the jump thinking about energy through the turn, engage with the inside leg, turn with the outside legs and he pinged it. Repeated several times in both directions and met it spot on every time. Thought about good crest release on the way over and the halting afterwards which he anticipated this time and did nicely. Came at it on the angle a couple of times in each direction and he wanted to rush more at this question and then charge off after so more work needed there. Attempted to jump and then instead of halting really collect up the canter and get it pingy again in preparation for riding a course. Resulted in a fair bit of leg changing but did manage it so just needs more practice as this is a very new way of going for him. Much harder work than I'm used to but I have just been sitting there and expecting the jumps to happen nicely. You do actually have to ride in between the jumps!
Nice hack planned tomorrow then jumping lesson Sunday.
Thursday 26 January 2012
schooling tonight 26-01-12
Started with 20mins flatwork, just warming up, trying to get him to work long and low. Bit on his forehand but felt full of energy. Need to get him a bit more connected but he hasn't schooled for a few wks so need to give him time.
Then worked on getting a nice bouncy, energetic canter into my hand and popped over a little 2ft3 vertical and he jumped it lovely then tried to race off after like I normally let him but instead made him stop. Took until we got back on the long side for me to stop him first time. But we stopped, then did walk to canter then over the jump before managing to halt in a straight line. Rein back and on into canter again. This worked really well at getting the canter energised. Kept him rounder in the canter and it felt good. Next step is not to halt but just to sit the canter back and get it all bouncy again without obviously hooking back and just killing the canter. Think medium canter and really energise round the corner. We jumped the fence couple of times on an angle. No thoughts about refusing but needed to use more leg. As soon as I get a little worried I tend to forget my leg which is the worst thing to do! Lots to work on!
Then worked on getting a nice bouncy, energetic canter into my hand and popped over a little 2ft3 vertical and he jumped it lovely then tried to race off after like I normally let him but instead made him stop. Took until we got back on the long side for me to stop him first time. But we stopped, then did walk to canter then over the jump before managing to halt in a straight line. Rein back and on into canter again. This worked really well at getting the canter energised. Kept him rounder in the canter and it felt good. Next step is not to halt but just to sit the canter back and get it all bouncy again without obviously hooking back and just killing the canter. Think medium canter and really energise round the corner. We jumped the fence couple of times on an angle. No thoughts about refusing but needed to use more leg. As soon as I get a little worried I tend to forget my leg which is the worst thing to do! Lots to work on!
Tuesday 24 January 2012
back in the arena - 1st schooling since physio
Physio came last Friday so had Sat off, v bouncy hack on Sunday, yesterday off and back in the school today. In the jump saddle as dressage saddle not arrived yet. Ouch is all I can say! Those saddles were not made for sitting in. I was planning on doing a few trot poles but the lights are now on a timer and they timed out on me, had no more 20p pieces so had to finish before getting to poles. Will do them next time. Basically today we worked on long and low and keeping nice and relaxed. He was a bit heavy in the hand but he hasn't been schooled for a couple of weeks and has had 2 lots of physio so prob not to be unexpected. He was more reluctant in canter to work through - could be saddle or previous reasoning re time off as was working v well before the break in the borrowed dressage saddle. Trot felt more even in the hand, so need to learn that feeling and keep it as we ask him to work more up again gradually. He did feel quite forwards today, almost on the point of rushing at times but forwards is easier to create good work from. Lots of long and low this week I think. Really want to get him soft over his back and working through equally from behind.
Wednesday 11 January 2012
oh dear
Today involved trip to the saddler to pick up my jump saddle all nicely reflocked and with an extra d-ring for my hunt flask (v important that!). dressage saddle should hopefully arrive just before due to start competing at Tweseldown. Any dressage I do between now and then will have to be in my GP saddle but cant be helped - not going back to the dressage saddle that made him sore.
Back to the yard and off out on a quick hack before the physio. Tried to pop him over the log I have jumped a couple of times before which is in a slightly awkward place meaning not a great run up and he was not a good stride so he stopped. He has never ever just stopped at any kind of XC fence apart from once when I very first got him and we had a miscommunication. Jumped it fine 2nd time. V concerned about this sudden onset stopping. Took him in the school when we got back as had built a little fence, about 2ft6 ascending spread. Jumped it fine a couple of times then 3rd time I didn't get a great stride and he stopped. I think I knew he was going to and just froze. If I'd put my leg on he'd have jumped it I'm sure but him stopping on Sunday has definitely affected my confidence and my legs just go to jelly. Came round again and was more positive and had a bit of an awkward jump but got over it ok. Did it a few more times singing "nellie the elephant" and looking up and all was fine. Put it up a hole and made it into a square oxer and came round again no probs and then from the other way no probs but was really having to ride it rather than just sit there like I normally can with him. Really hope his confidence hasn't run away forever :( SJing is my worst bit and the bit I rely on him being the best at.
Had the physio after that to treat him under sedation. Stood him up and noticed he'd lost another bloody front shoe - not sure when that happened, maybe when he stopped out hacking but I didn't notice him not sounding even when we trotted back down the road. Couldn't find it in the school so bit bemused. Physio assessed him and thought he looked a bit straighter in walk, looser in his bum muscles, still a bit tender at the back of the saddle area. Then I sedated him - first IV inj in a horse for a couple of yrs but no probs. Good news was she didn't find anything hideous. He is v tight through the neck to the right and we had some good clunking going on there when she mobilised him. His poll was ok though. Then I had to lean on his head and keep it down while she H-waved his bum. He was pretty stiff through his lumbosacral region and took a lot to get him really bouncing there. She did a few hindlimb movements to loosen up his hips, pulled on his tail a bit and that was that. She said she didn't think she should need to treat him under sedation again which is good news for my bank account. He has to have bute for 5days and no work then 3days of long reining in walk and some in-hand pole work and then she's coming back and hopefully he will get the all clear to return to normal work.
Back to the yard and off out on a quick hack before the physio. Tried to pop him over the log I have jumped a couple of times before which is in a slightly awkward place meaning not a great run up and he was not a good stride so he stopped. He has never ever just stopped at any kind of XC fence apart from once when I very first got him and we had a miscommunication. Jumped it fine 2nd time. V concerned about this sudden onset stopping. Took him in the school when we got back as had built a little fence, about 2ft6 ascending spread. Jumped it fine a couple of times then 3rd time I didn't get a great stride and he stopped. I think I knew he was going to and just froze. If I'd put my leg on he'd have jumped it I'm sure but him stopping on Sunday has definitely affected my confidence and my legs just go to jelly. Came round again and was more positive and had a bit of an awkward jump but got over it ok. Did it a few more times singing "nellie the elephant" and looking up and all was fine. Put it up a hole and made it into a square oxer and came round again no probs and then from the other way no probs but was really having to ride it rather than just sit there like I normally can with him. Really hope his confidence hasn't run away forever :( SJing is my worst bit and the bit I rely on him being the best at.
Had the physio after that to treat him under sedation. Stood him up and noticed he'd lost another bloody front shoe - not sure when that happened, maybe when he stopped out hacking but I didn't notice him not sounding even when we trotted back down the road. Couldn't find it in the school so bit bemused. Physio assessed him and thought he looked a bit straighter in walk, looser in his bum muscles, still a bit tender at the back of the saddle area. Then I sedated him - first IV inj in a horse for a couple of yrs but no probs. Good news was she didn't find anything hideous. He is v tight through the neck to the right and we had some good clunking going on there when she mobilised him. His poll was ok though. Then I had to lean on his head and keep it down while she H-waved his bum. He was pretty stiff through his lumbosacral region and took a lot to get him really bouncing there. She did a few hindlimb movements to loosen up his hips, pulled on his tail a bit and that was that. She said she didn't think she should need to treat him under sedation again which is good news for my bank account. He has to have bute for 5days and no work then 3days of long reining in walk and some in-hand pole work and then she's coming back and hopefully he will get the all clear to return to normal work.
Tuesday 10 January 2012
better
Jumped quickly yesterday before the farrier came. Concentrated on keeping leg on, forwards rhythm. He thought about the first fence, really thought he might stop again but got over it and then was fine after that, popped through the double no probs. Kept it all small about 2ft6. Popped spread up to 2ft9 ish and he jumped it no worries. Confidence restored. Will prob hack out tomorrow then pop over a couple more 2ft9ish before physio comes then will leave it on good note and come back to it after his time off.
Flatwork today - last session in the lovely dressage saddle before I have to give it back tomorrow. His canter work was lovely. We got walk to canter and canter to walk on both reins and some fairly acceptable simple changes in both directions. We got collected and medium and we got lovely transitions up and down on both reins - very pleased. Trot work not quite as good but still better than it has been. Feel like getting more connection in the walk, still struggling with walk to trot on the right rein. Still must remember back 6mths when he couldn't do any walk to trot transition without hopping into it so we have improved but I just want them smoother as it always knocks us down a couple of marks per test. Trot could have been a bit more forwards today - wasn't taking me as much as he was on Friday but then he's been in the school for every session since last Wed so maybe getting a bit fed up. Attempted a leg yield to the left with right flexion and he just ran sideways so must work on that once I get him going again as sideways in trot def a weak link at the moment. Much more straight and connected on the right rein in general though. Hoping more physio tomorrow wont uncover anything awful and will help him. Have been using the massage pad after every time I ride and doing his carrot stretches too so hoping she might find his back is more comfy this time. Dont want to have to give him time off when he's going this well but it will prob do him good. Was banking on snow this winter and having to give him a rest so this will be what was planned anyway really.
Flatwork today - last session in the lovely dressage saddle before I have to give it back tomorrow. His canter work was lovely. We got walk to canter and canter to walk on both reins and some fairly acceptable simple changes in both directions. We got collected and medium and we got lovely transitions up and down on both reins - very pleased. Trot work not quite as good but still better than it has been. Feel like getting more connection in the walk, still struggling with walk to trot on the right rein. Still must remember back 6mths when he couldn't do any walk to trot transition without hopping into it so we have improved but I just want them smoother as it always knocks us down a couple of marks per test. Trot could have been a bit more forwards today - wasn't taking me as much as he was on Friday but then he's been in the school for every session since last Wed so maybe getting a bit fed up. Attempted a leg yield to the left with right flexion and he just ran sideways so must work on that once I get him going again as sideways in trot def a weak link at the moment. Much more straight and connected on the right rein in general though. Hoping more physio tomorrow wont uncover anything awful and will help him. Have been using the massage pad after every time I ride and doing his carrot stretches too so hoping she might find his back is more comfy this time. Dont want to have to give him time off when he's going this well but it will prob do him good. Was banking on snow this winter and having to give him a rest so this will be what was planned anyway really.
calorie diary
Tue 10th Jan: 1650 calories. wt: 87.6kg (prob would have been 88.4kg on bathroom scales)
Wed 11th Jan: 1500 calories
Thur 12th Jan: 1530 calories
Fri 13th Jan: 1460 calories wt: 87.6kg
Sat 14th Jan: 1350 calories
Sun 15th Jan: 1550 calories wt: 87.2kg
Mon 16th Jan: 1454 calories wt: 87.0kg
Tue 17th Jan: 1542 calories wt: 87.0kg (88.0kg on bathroom scales)
Wed 18th Jan: 1700 calories
Thur 19th Jan: 1481 calories wt: 86.6kg (87.5kg on bathroom scales)
Fri 20th Jan: 1806 calories
Sat 21st Jan: 1469 calories
Sun 22nd Jan: 1450 calories
Mon 23rd Jan: 1504 calories wt: 86.0kg (86.8kg on bathroom scales - 1.6kg lost)
Tue 24th Jan: 1540 calories
Wed 25th Jan: 1557 calories
Thur 26th Jan: 1736 calories wt: 85.6kg (86.7kg on bathroom scales - 2kg lost)
Fri 27th Jan: 1676 calories
Sat 28th Jan: 1990 calories
Sun 29th Jan: 1519 calories
Mon 30th Jan: 1708 calories wt: 85.0kg (86.7kg on bathroom scales)
Tue 31st Jan: 1606 calories wt: (85.8kg on bathroom scales)
Wed 1st Feb: 1415 calories
Thur 2nd Feb: far far too many - takeaway pizza and chocolate chip cookies - oops!
Fri 3rd Feb: fail again
Sat 4th Feb: and another epic fail
Sun 5th Feb: failed again
Mon 6th Feb: 1900 calories
Tue 7th Feb: (85.2kg on bathroom scales)
Wed 8th Feb: 1853 calories
Thur 9th Feb: 1870 calories
Fri 10th Feb:
Sat 11th Feb:
Sun 12th Feb:
angel slice - 140
asparagus - 13 calories in 4 stalks
baked beans - 160
banana - 90
bourbon cream - 67
choc brownie WW - 88
cucumber - 16
duck breast - approx 480
fish cakes - 251 each
fondant fancy - 90
four cheese ravioli - 620
french stick - 162 per piece
grapes - 4 calories per grape
green beans - 18
iced cake - 140
jaffa cake 46
ketchup - 18
kiev - 289
mayo - 12
milk tray choccies - 50
milky way - 98
minstrels - 211 per packet
party rings - 112
pate - 120
pasta - 660-800 full pot
pasta tomato sauce - 110
pizza pollo pesto - 540
plum - 36
roll - 160
roses choccies - 50
salmon pate - 80 per quarter pot
satsuma - 18
sea bass - 152 per fillet
smash - 100 per full portion
tomato soup - WW - 75
tomato soup - Heinz - 172
wagon wheel - 168
wotsits - 95
Wed 11th Jan: 1500 calories
Thur 12th Jan: 1530 calories
Fri 13th Jan: 1460 calories wt: 87.6kg
Sat 14th Jan: 1350 calories
Sun 15th Jan: 1550 calories wt: 87.2kg
Mon 16th Jan: 1454 calories wt: 87.0kg
Tue 17th Jan: 1542 calories wt: 87.0kg (88.0kg on bathroom scales)
Wed 18th Jan: 1700 calories
Thur 19th Jan: 1481 calories wt: 86.6kg (87.5kg on bathroom scales)
Fri 20th Jan: 1806 calories
Sat 21st Jan: 1469 calories
Sun 22nd Jan: 1450 calories
Mon 23rd Jan: 1504 calories wt: 86.0kg (86.8kg on bathroom scales - 1.6kg lost)
Tue 24th Jan: 1540 calories
Wed 25th Jan: 1557 calories
Thur 26th Jan: 1736 calories wt: 85.6kg (86.7kg on bathroom scales - 2kg lost)
Fri 27th Jan: 1676 calories
Sat 28th Jan: 1990 calories
Sun 29th Jan: 1519 calories
Mon 30th Jan: 1708 calories wt: 85.0kg (86.7kg on bathroom scales)
Tue 31st Jan: 1606 calories wt: (85.8kg on bathroom scales)
Wed 1st Feb: 1415 calories
Thur 2nd Feb: far far too many - takeaway pizza and chocolate chip cookies - oops!
Fri 3rd Feb: fail again
Sat 4th Feb: and another epic fail
Sun 5th Feb: failed again
Mon 6th Feb: 1900 calories
Tue 7th Feb: (85.2kg on bathroom scales)
Wed 8th Feb: 1853 calories
Thur 9th Feb: 1870 calories
Fri 10th Feb:
Sat 11th Feb:
Sun 12th Feb:
angel slice - 140
asparagus - 13 calories in 4 stalks
baked beans - 160
banana - 90
bourbon cream - 67
choc brownie WW - 88
cucumber - 16
duck breast - approx 480
fish cakes - 251 each
fondant fancy - 90
four cheese ravioli - 620
french stick - 162 per piece
grapes - 4 calories per grape
green beans - 18
iced cake - 140
jaffa cake 46
ketchup - 18
kiev - 289
mayo - 12
milk tray choccies - 50
milky way - 98
minstrels - 211 per packet
party rings - 112
pate - 120
pasta - 660-800 full pot
pasta tomato sauce - 110
pizza pollo pesto - 540
plum - 36
roll - 160
roses choccies - 50
salmon pate - 80 per quarter pot
satsuma - 18
sea bass - 152 per fillet
smash - 100 per full portion
tomato soup - WW - 75
tomato soup - Heinz - 172
wagon wheel - 168
wotsits - 95
Sunday 8 January 2012
Week one 2012
Well, after the shittest end to 2011 imaginable losing my precious Jazzy dog this week feels like it has gone on and on and on. I seem to have spent most of it in a daze :(
I took Montster hunting on NYD to try and blow away the cobwebs. Was in tears multiple times before I even got on. Did actually have a good day in the end, Monty jumped really well, even taking the lead at one hedge. Jumped the hedges that I always used to think were huge but actually after going out with the K&S bloodhounds these were small fry!
Monday worked for Vets Now which was emotionally hard work and not a lot of fun.
Wed the saddler came for Llewi - dressage saddle bad, jumping saddle not much better. No wonder he hasn't been going great. Tried some new dressage saddles on him. The 3rd one we put on he was like a different horse. Suddenly he went forwards, felt much freer through his shoulders and softer on the right rein. It was a revelation! Saddler leant me the saddle for the week and suddenly got all enthusiastic about schooling again so we did Thur/Fri in the school and he was amazing both times. Soft on the right rein, through in the transitions, I could even do some sitting trot in it! Dont want to give it back now! Have ordered my new saddle but it will take 6wks to arrive :(
Today I couldn't decide what to do. Have hunted last 3wks in a row so didn't fancy that again. Was hoping to go and pop round a SJ round at MW but they were full up when I popped down in the morning. Ended up going to see Llewi. All is not so well in Llewi land as when I posted my last blog entry. He is being difficult to catch and poor loaner has lost her confidence after falling off him a few wks back. I rode him today and he was good as gold. He still doesn't feel absolutely 100% on a hard surface though - I dont think this is going to change now as it's been the same since he came back into work a year ago so I spose it's good it's not deteriorating but still a shame that he will only really be capable of light work forever more. So, he is coming back at some point in the next couple of wks and going to share with Dan again (poor Dan was prob glad to be rid of him but hey ho, not many other options). Becky who shares the field at the moment is having to give back her horse so she will take over Llewi and hope it works out or I dunno what I'll do with the little bugger.
So, after doing that I headed back to the yard and stuck up some jumps for Monty. Not jumped him hardly at all since last event mid October. Been to one SJ clinic and that's it. Figured it was time for some practice. Built a parallel down the long side, a 1 stride double across the diagonal all about 2ft9 and then a barrel on it's side with poles for guidance. He jumped them all absolutely fabulously. In a nice rhythm, got perfect strides every time, jumped bits of the double as single jumps on an angle and never wavered. Then we had a little rest while someone put the jumps up for me and in that time the light really dropped so stuck the school lights on and it all fell apart. First attempt at the parallel he walloped the front rail so hard he took it over the top of the back rail and down the other side whilst somehow leaving up the back rail. He didn't get in particularly deep, just didn't pick his feet up. Then it all seemed to go wrong. I tried to keep my approach the same but somehow a stride just wouldn't materialise. He kept putting in short ones and then eventually he stopped and I dont really blame him because I put him on such a misser 3 times in a row. Put it down a bit but he stopped again. Put it down a bit more and he stopped even more violently and I came off. Landed on feet so got back on and we put it right down to a cross and he still ducked out so he got a smack, not allowed to properly turn away, just brought him back to fence and made him jump it from a standstill. Then gradually built it back up to about 2ft6 spread and left it there. Didn't jump my double or the barrel again. Not entirely sure what got into him as not like him to stop - not sure if the sudden change in light was all it was or the fact I seriously fucked up the approach a few times in a row or whether he scared himself the first time taking the front rail with him or a bit of all 3. Funny how it all went wrong when the lights went on though and that jump was right under a floodlight so maybe he just couldn't see it properly. Was so pleased with how it had all gone initially - was really thinking we had cracked this SJ lark as I just kept a nice rhythm, remembered to ride forwards round the corners and it all worked so well. He even jumped the skinny barrel without any hesitation. So disappointed with the stopping - really really not like him. I dont think it's anything physical as he jumped so well initially and I'm not convinced it was just putting the jumps up that made it all go so wrong. Really hope it was just the lighting and he was being a spooky bugger but still not impressed with the stopping as he's always been very reliable SJing. Going to get up early in the morning and pop over them again in daylight as he's got physio under sedation on Wed so will be having some time off and dont want to end on that jumping session as regardless of him, I know it will play on mind for wks to come. Going to have to really concentrate on riding forwards tomorrow which I wont find easy now he's done that. Damn it - cant anything go right at the moment :(
Went to see a potential new dog Sat afternoon but it was no good. Just kept barking at Tyson and then really going for him. He was cowering and it was not nice to see. She was really lovely with people but Tyson is most important at the moment. Back to the drawing board.
I took Montster hunting on NYD to try and blow away the cobwebs. Was in tears multiple times before I even got on. Did actually have a good day in the end, Monty jumped really well, even taking the lead at one hedge. Jumped the hedges that I always used to think were huge but actually after going out with the K&S bloodhounds these were small fry!
Monday worked for Vets Now which was emotionally hard work and not a lot of fun.
Wed the saddler came for Llewi - dressage saddle bad, jumping saddle not much better. No wonder he hasn't been going great. Tried some new dressage saddles on him. The 3rd one we put on he was like a different horse. Suddenly he went forwards, felt much freer through his shoulders and softer on the right rein. It was a revelation! Saddler leant me the saddle for the week and suddenly got all enthusiastic about schooling again so we did Thur/Fri in the school and he was amazing both times. Soft on the right rein, through in the transitions, I could even do some sitting trot in it! Dont want to give it back now! Have ordered my new saddle but it will take 6wks to arrive :(
Today I couldn't decide what to do. Have hunted last 3wks in a row so didn't fancy that again. Was hoping to go and pop round a SJ round at MW but they were full up when I popped down in the morning. Ended up going to see Llewi. All is not so well in Llewi land as when I posted my last blog entry. He is being difficult to catch and poor loaner has lost her confidence after falling off him a few wks back. I rode him today and he was good as gold. He still doesn't feel absolutely 100% on a hard surface though - I dont think this is going to change now as it's been the same since he came back into work a year ago so I spose it's good it's not deteriorating but still a shame that he will only really be capable of light work forever more. So, he is coming back at some point in the next couple of wks and going to share with Dan again (poor Dan was prob glad to be rid of him but hey ho, not many other options). Becky who shares the field at the moment is having to give back her horse so she will take over Llewi and hope it works out or I dunno what I'll do with the little bugger.
So, after doing that I headed back to the yard and stuck up some jumps for Monty. Not jumped him hardly at all since last event mid October. Been to one SJ clinic and that's it. Figured it was time for some practice. Built a parallel down the long side, a 1 stride double across the diagonal all about 2ft9 and then a barrel on it's side with poles for guidance. He jumped them all absolutely fabulously. In a nice rhythm, got perfect strides every time, jumped bits of the double as single jumps on an angle and never wavered. Then we had a little rest while someone put the jumps up for me and in that time the light really dropped so stuck the school lights on and it all fell apart. First attempt at the parallel he walloped the front rail so hard he took it over the top of the back rail and down the other side whilst somehow leaving up the back rail. He didn't get in particularly deep, just didn't pick his feet up. Then it all seemed to go wrong. I tried to keep my approach the same but somehow a stride just wouldn't materialise. He kept putting in short ones and then eventually he stopped and I dont really blame him because I put him on such a misser 3 times in a row. Put it down a bit but he stopped again. Put it down a bit more and he stopped even more violently and I came off. Landed on feet so got back on and we put it right down to a cross and he still ducked out so he got a smack, not allowed to properly turn away, just brought him back to fence and made him jump it from a standstill. Then gradually built it back up to about 2ft6 spread and left it there. Didn't jump my double or the barrel again. Not entirely sure what got into him as not like him to stop - not sure if the sudden change in light was all it was or the fact I seriously fucked up the approach a few times in a row or whether he scared himself the first time taking the front rail with him or a bit of all 3. Funny how it all went wrong when the lights went on though and that jump was right under a floodlight so maybe he just couldn't see it properly. Was so pleased with how it had all gone initially - was really thinking we had cracked this SJ lark as I just kept a nice rhythm, remembered to ride forwards round the corners and it all worked so well. He even jumped the skinny barrel without any hesitation. So disappointed with the stopping - really really not like him. I dont think it's anything physical as he jumped so well initially and I'm not convinced it was just putting the jumps up that made it all go so wrong. Really hope it was just the lighting and he was being a spooky bugger but still not impressed with the stopping as he's always been very reliable SJing. Going to get up early in the morning and pop over them again in daylight as he's got physio under sedation on Wed so will be having some time off and dont want to end on that jumping session as regardless of him, I know it will play on mind for wks to come. Going to have to really concentrate on riding forwards tomorrow which I wont find easy now he's done that. Damn it - cant anything go right at the moment :(
Went to see a potential new dog Sat afternoon but it was no good. Just kept barking at Tyson and then really going for him. He was cowering and it was not nice to see. She was really lovely with people but Tyson is most important at the moment. Back to the drawing board.
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