So, Tuesday evening I schooled him with a view to going to MK on Wed. Was really pleased with how he went, shoulder-in on a circle in trot really coming on and engaging him so well so improving the work that follows it. Even managed a little on the right rein and left rein he seems to be finding easy. Really making myself concentrate on riding more from the outside aids on the left rein and not having excessive inside bend.
MK was a wash out. It rained heavily all night, I got up at the crack of dawn and was at the yard just after 5.30am but it was freezing, torrential rain and high winds. I knew it would be pointless to take him and didn't want to risk him on bad ground so went back home to bed.
Thur did some schooling but the winds were fierce, nearly blowing me off and he wasn't relaxing or concentrating so despite an hour of trying to get him to behave I had to give in in the end.
Fri went for a hack on the ranges and he was wild as usual. Did a 4-5min canter along the top down to the end in a strong hand canter which was fine. Turned round, walked for a couple of mins then picked up canter again and he just got faster and faster and the more he got away from my nice controlled hand canter the more he knew he was away from me. He can sure shift when he wants to and he still wasn't going flat out as I was still trying to pull him up. Came round the corner and found Helen and Ty and nearly ran them over. Had to slam the anchors on - pain in the arse horse! Far too full of life. Am cutting his Power&Performance down by half as of today - he has far too much energy and since the grass came through has gained quite a bit of wt too!
Yesterday was another wash-out.
More schooling today - even our school is starting to hold water now with standing water at both ends - this is unheard of as the school is on a slight slope and normally drains amazingly. Really pleased with him tonight. Despite it being a bit windy he really concentrated. There was another horse in the arena which I think made us up our game a bit. Did a bit of counter canter on both reins, some canters to walk and walk to canter (remaining on same rein), some trot leg yields which he needs to relax in so he can move sideways more easily as it's all a bit tight at the moment - I think he can do it, he just tenses so need to try and keep it easy for him. Trot SI down the long side still a bit wobbly but not too bad. Rein back and then forwards to trot/canter on both reins was nice and some nice medium walk really into the contact with no head nodding. Canter spirals in and then out and forwards on the left rein. Missed these completely on the right rein as he finds so much harder but must remember to at least do a little right rein work on these just keep it a bit easier. Finished with going to ask to stretch a little deeper in left rein trot which I did by lifting my hands and asking for flexion and actually he came really soft so I played around a little bit like this, changed onto the right rein and had him much more into both reins and much softer which felt good! Then let him have a lovely stretch down on the right rein and he really took the neck round and soft - lovely! Might try the higher hands earlier in the session on Tuesday and see if I can get him softer and more through like that earlier in the session or if it just felt so good as it was at the end of the session.
Sunday 29 April 2012
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Simon lesson 22-04-12
Monts was in good form again on Sunday despite the rain. Immediately he was in a working frame of mind. His first trot was more like I used to get after 20mins of warming up.
After initial trot round we did some walk work - leg yield in and out, shoulder-in on the circle, half pass in to walk piri. Then trot shoulder-in on the circle, half pass a few strides in and leg yield out. He did all this nicely.
Then some walk SI down long side straight into a walk piri - keep it larger if needed to make sure he doesn't get stuck. V good on the left, tending to get more stuck on the right. When we went back into trot it was much better. Piris had worked nicely to engage him.
Did some trot SI into medium trot down the long side and then SI down half the long side and medium across the diagonal. Actually finding trot SI easier on the right rein as can control the angle better as he doesn't tend to overdo it. Left is much more wiggly as tends to give me too much neck bend and not move the shoulders then wiggle when I try and correct.
Canter work - some lovely transitions on both reins. Bringing the canter back then moving it on, bring it back, spiral in and ask for canter to walk which he managed on both reins although obviously much harder on the right rein for him.
Still could do with him more in front of my leg - need to be tougher on myself not to nag at him. Generally going much better though - really coming on.
Schooled him last night with a view to doing BE92 at MK BE90 today. Did some excellent SI on the circle in trot on the left rein and had a fair bash at it on the right rein. Definitely improving there. After doing the SI on the circle the trot felt great. Canter still needs to be more forward - more energy, more wanting to take me forwards. He is inherently quite a lazy little monkey and needs an awful lot of motivating!
So, no MK B90 today. Rain was absolutely torrential. Would not have been fun and didn't feel I would want to push him for the time therefore no sense in going as he doesn't need to run for the sake of it. Next event not till Tweseldown - 3.5wks away. Lots of dressage work to do in that time. Need to come out for these last few qualifying opportunities all guns blazing.
Plan now is T/down BE90 then Borde Hill BE100 as unfortunately cant get the Sat off to do the 90, then Eridge BE90, BCA BE90 and Rackham BE90. So, that's 4 more runs at 90 to try and realistically get 2 more qualifying results. That is not going to be easy. Even just one more would be nice though.
After initial trot round we did some walk work - leg yield in and out, shoulder-in on the circle, half pass in to walk piri. Then trot shoulder-in on the circle, half pass a few strides in and leg yield out. He did all this nicely.
Then some walk SI down long side straight into a walk piri - keep it larger if needed to make sure he doesn't get stuck. V good on the left, tending to get more stuck on the right. When we went back into trot it was much better. Piris had worked nicely to engage him.
Did some trot SI into medium trot down the long side and then SI down half the long side and medium across the diagonal. Actually finding trot SI easier on the right rein as can control the angle better as he doesn't tend to overdo it. Left is much more wiggly as tends to give me too much neck bend and not move the shoulders then wiggle when I try and correct.
Canter work - some lovely transitions on both reins. Bringing the canter back then moving it on, bring it back, spiral in and ask for canter to walk which he managed on both reins although obviously much harder on the right rein for him.
Still could do with him more in front of my leg - need to be tougher on myself not to nag at him. Generally going much better though - really coming on.
Schooled him last night with a view to doing BE92 at MK BE90 today. Did some excellent SI on the circle in trot on the left rein and had a fair bash at it on the right rein. Definitely improving there. After doing the SI on the circle the trot felt great. Canter still needs to be more forward - more energy, more wanting to take me forwards. He is inherently quite a lazy little monkey and needs an awful lot of motivating!
So, no MK B90 today. Rain was absolutely torrential. Would not have been fun and didn't feel I would want to push him for the time therefore no sense in going as he doesn't need to run for the sake of it. Next event not till Tweseldown - 3.5wks away. Lots of dressage work to do in that time. Need to come out for these last few qualifying opportunities all guns blazing.
Plan now is T/down BE90 then Borde Hill BE100 as unfortunately cant get the Sat off to do the 90, then Eridge BE90, BCA BE90 and Rackham BE90. So, that's 4 more runs at 90 to try and realistically get 2 more qualifying results. That is not going to be easy. Even just one more would be nice though.
Saturday 21 April 2012
Merrist Wood BD 21-04-12
Nice relaxed start to the day to get down to Merrist Wood for just gone 10am. Somehow that wasn't quite enough time to get as long in the warmup as I wanted as they were running a bit early but probably best not to tire him out too much anyway as he's much less enthusiastic about pure dressage comps.
N35 is a tad more difficult than the last 4mths of eventing dressage we've been doing but it was good to have something more to challenge him with.
He went round the outside of the arena like he owned the place - amazing up and forwards canter followed by a lovely trot then just as we were getting to the top of the long side he had a huge cough and nearly fell over so I just lost the connection a bit. Centre line felt nice and straight, up the long side, round the corner and then he had a massive flid about the sunbeams that had suddenly appeared on the floor next to the arena - they weren't even in the bloody arena - silly donkey. So that ruined the serpentine in trot. Then just about held together the canter circle and the canter-trot-canter ok. 1st medium trot he tried to do something, 2nd one he tried but lost his balance. Ruined the next serpentine with some more spooking. Again, canter work not too bad though. Walk work good. Medium canter circle ok, bit motorbikey but came back to me nicely and changed the rein very nicely. Quite nice back into right canter and another medium canter circle then a nice transition back to trot. Trot stretch didn't really happen as he didn't want to take the rein down and then got a bit spooky round the last half circle but was pleased with final halt as very almost square - didn't quite bring his foreleg forwards enough but bum nicely underneath.
Was expecting a terrible mark as he ruined so many movements with spooking - not just a little spook but then a big tantrum about me actually grabbing hold of him and getting things back together again. However, judge was either blind or on the lenient side. Nearly fell over when I saw our score of 66.92%! He was on same score as leader of the Restricted when I left with only 2 more scores to go up. Time to register him I think - he can start winning some dosh! Judge was Mary Robley who is List 2 and I always remember her being quite fair but not tending towards over-generous when I had Dan. He got 7 for his entry, 6 for the spooky serpentine, 7's for the canter work, 6's for the medium trot, 6 for the next serpentine, 7 for the right canter transition (serious progress!) 6 for the CTC - that's still a bit above us at the moment. 7 and "marching" for his medium walk, 8 for FWLR (damn this one not having double marks!) "good steps and relaxation", then straight 7's for the move up into trot, then canter then medium canter then change the rein across the diagonal and the medium canter on R rein. back down to 6's for the trot stretch and final halt as bit unsteady to contact in final half circle onto centre line.
Collectives: 877 for paces, 67 for impulsion, 66 for submission and 77 for rider. Comments: "Horse nicely balanced between your leg and hand. Could maintain more suppleness and swing over back in med trot work. The odd spook but correctly trained".
How good does it feel to get those comments from a List 2 judge. Silly pony having flids about sunlight though - score could have been amazing rather than quite amazing!
N35 is a tad more difficult than the last 4mths of eventing dressage we've been doing but it was good to have something more to challenge him with.
He went round the outside of the arena like he owned the place - amazing up and forwards canter followed by a lovely trot then just as we were getting to the top of the long side he had a huge cough and nearly fell over so I just lost the connection a bit. Centre line felt nice and straight, up the long side, round the corner and then he had a massive flid about the sunbeams that had suddenly appeared on the floor next to the arena - they weren't even in the bloody arena - silly donkey. So that ruined the serpentine in trot. Then just about held together the canter circle and the canter-trot-canter ok. 1st medium trot he tried to do something, 2nd one he tried but lost his balance. Ruined the next serpentine with some more spooking. Again, canter work not too bad though. Walk work good. Medium canter circle ok, bit motorbikey but came back to me nicely and changed the rein very nicely. Quite nice back into right canter and another medium canter circle then a nice transition back to trot. Trot stretch didn't really happen as he didn't want to take the rein down and then got a bit spooky round the last half circle but was pleased with final halt as very almost square - didn't quite bring his foreleg forwards enough but bum nicely underneath.
Was expecting a terrible mark as he ruined so many movements with spooking - not just a little spook but then a big tantrum about me actually grabbing hold of him and getting things back together again. However, judge was either blind or on the lenient side. Nearly fell over when I saw our score of 66.92%! He was on same score as leader of the Restricted when I left with only 2 more scores to go up. Time to register him I think - he can start winning some dosh! Judge was Mary Robley who is List 2 and I always remember her being quite fair but not tending towards over-generous when I had Dan. He got 7 for his entry, 6 for the spooky serpentine, 7's for the canter work, 6's for the medium trot, 6 for the next serpentine, 7 for the right canter transition (serious progress!) 6 for the CTC - that's still a bit above us at the moment. 7 and "marching" for his medium walk, 8 for FWLR (damn this one not having double marks!) "good steps and relaxation", then straight 7's for the move up into trot, then canter then medium canter then change the rein across the diagonal and the medium canter on R rein. back down to 6's for the trot stretch and final halt as bit unsteady to contact in final half circle onto centre line.
Collectives: 877 for paces, 67 for impulsion, 66 for submission and 77 for rider. Comments: "Horse nicely balanced between your leg and hand. Could maintain more suppleness and swing over back in med trot work. The odd spook but correctly trained".
How good does it feel to get those comments from a List 2 judge. Silly pony having flids about sunlight though - score could have been amazing rather than quite amazing!
Thursday 19 April 2012
Andrew Gould dressage clinic 19-04-12
First, schooling yesterday. Half an hour between rain clouds but very pleased with how he went so no need to do more. He worked in deep and round really nicely - bit heavy in my hands, but soft and relaxed. Then we did some transitions - TWT and CTC and also some THT. Staying nice and round - very happy. Then did some CWC and the canter to walks are really coming on - starting to step through into them rather than dive onto his forehand, even coming on the right rein and even better we managed some walk-canter on right rein without chucking head in the air. Also did a couple of canter figure of 8's involving counter canter on the circle and he is getting really good at this. The canter is getting so much more balanced - yay!
So, off to Parwood today. Truck poorly so had to hack there. Managed to dodge the rain clouds again so made it there nice and dry. It was only a half hour lesson so limited on what we could do but most important things to take away:
So, off to Parwood today. Truck poorly so had to hack there. Managed to dodge the rain clouds again so made it there nice and dry. It was only a half hour lesson so limited on what we could do but most important things to take away:
- while he learns to work deeper into a more consistent contact he will feel heavier in the hand until he learns to rebalance - this is a normal stage of the process.
- must must straighten him out - right hand just gives away the contact so it's not so much that left rein taking too much contact but right rein is just letting go. easy to see this on the videos on both reins so need to really work on keeping hold better with the right rein. must not overbend to the inside on the left rein. he cant work more forwards until he is more straight
- when changing the rein, change the bend early pushing him over into the new outside rein from the new inside leg and establishing the newbend before reaching the corner.
- trot and canter need more energy, more forwards. dont accept less. if he drops off must instantly push him forwards again
- dont let him drop off in the downwards transitions - keep it active and then go forwards again.
- do lots of transitions and changes of rein
- from the word go he needs to work into an outline - no ambling around, straight into a contact type of stretch, not a giraffe amble.
- work him deeper and rounder - he must learn to take the contact and to respond to requests to come round. dont take no for an answer.
- in the downwards transitions, dont pull back, just push down in the stirrups
- coming from canter to trot, then push forwards and use the energy created in the canter to improve the trot
- looking at video, hands seem in a better place today, still need to work on them not moving so much in trot but not as bad as they are when he's not taking the contact at an event.
- pleased with canter work on the video - nice transitions up and down, needs more energy in the actual canter. trot work def needs to be rounder.
- might need to sacrifice a test at an event to insist he goes rounder and softer rather than nursing him round to try and get good marks.
so, even though a short session, it picked up on some important things which I kind of knew but good to have them reinforced. lots to work on!
Sunday 15 April 2012
Ascott-under-Wychwood BE90 15-04-12
Lovely times today of 1.45pm dressage, 2.45 SJ and 3.20 XC meant a leisurely get-up of 7am!
Did seem a little backwards to be heading 90miles to Oxfordshire when Tweseldown unaffiliated was running next door but you cant win it unless you're in it and Regionals are the aim of the game this yr.
Due to the orange one's behaviour at Larkhill I decided to get there with enough time to pop him on the lunge when we arrived before going to walk the XC course. Did 15mins of very sensible lunging so popped him back on the trailer and went to investigate the jumping. Looked at scores in my section so far - judging very very varied. Some really good early scores in the low 20's then the entire mid section of the class in the high 30's, 40's and even 50's! Walked the SJ and apart from a seriously dodgy dogleg from 1 to 2 it looked fine and not at all big/scary. Am liking 90cm these days :) Walked the XC and the only thing that concerned me was a double at 7ab of 2 skinnies with plants growing out the top on a curved right hand line on 3 strides which came up all of a sudden after galloping up a steep hill through woodland. Interesting!
full course pics
So, back to get on board for dressage. Plan was to warm up long and low for a bit then pick him up and in we go. Had a few discussions about the pick me up part, a sudden inability to do walk to trot, only walk to canter but sorted that so off we went. Did what I thought was a bit of a backwards test but fairly good outline held throughout and no banana/giraffe moments.
Haven't uploaded the vid as taken from miles away so cant really see much but here is a little pic from our lesson on Wednesday:
Onto the SJ - the warmup was worse than concrete. They had done a fab job everywhere else with the ground but I have to say the SJ warmup was atrocious. I popped him over each jump once and took him in. Ground in the ring was lovely and we had a super round. They did announce my crazy dressage score of 25.5 (!!!) just as I was headed to the first fence which kind of put me off completely so got in too close to 1, fluffed the dogleg and got close to 2 then gave myself a mental kick and rode the rest of the round super forwards which included rather a flyer at 9 and a super stride into the final line of 1 stride double, 3 stride related distance to upright. Result: clear!!! Pleased with myself for riding more forwards after the 1st couple of fences and having a nice, fun round :D
piccies:
fence3:
fence 4:
fence 8:
fence 10a:
So, off to the best bit - XC - yay! Unfortunately yet again the orange one was not impressed with the start box and it wasn't easy to get round the front of it to walk in that way which is our current preferred technique so when the starter ended up saying go we were still practising our Spanish Riding School moves 20yards away! Eventually we got going but conscious that the clock started when she said go we had to get a move on. He jumped fab up until the double at 7 which because I was worried about I tried to set up far too much and we fitted 4 strides in which was a little uncomfy. He then powered on over a log pile, a log with a ditch 2 strides later that he totally took into his stride, a flower garden and then turned to the water. He saw the water after the scary fish carving with flowers in front of it and baulked slightly so resorted to some rather loud vocal encouragement and he flew it and actually cantered through the water, meeting part c spot on, flew down the drop, over the wall and onto the last few straightforward fences. Another double clear in the bag - yay!
video of last fence:
piccie over last fence:
So, finally we get a sub30 dressage score exactly a year since we did our first event - unaff 80 at Tweseldown. Not only sub30 but 25.5. We get a double clear inside the time (only by 2secs due to pre-start antics!) and where do we end up??? 5th in a section where top 4 qualified for Regionals. I am very pleased with the orange pony but that is a little frustrating! This season he has jumped 4 double clears inside the time. He has been 3rd, 9th, 8th and now 5th. He so deserves another Regionals qualification and I really want to move up to BE100 now. Winner of the section on 19.5 so judge obviously in a nice, generous mood. Certainly wont complain if we get her again - she gave me an 8 for my riding!!! Also got 8's for all his trot/canter work on the left rein, his canter-trot-walk on the right rein, the medium walk and the free walk and his paces. Comments: "Lots to like. A happy partnership" :D
Got ourselves a nice pretty frilly thing and a cheque to help with some of the diesel.
Next stop Milton Keynes BE90 in 10d time. I hope the jumping has a bit more influence. At Tweseldown we moved up from 23rd after dressage to 3rd overall. Today we were 8th after dressage but only made it to 5th. In the mean time we have 2 dressage lessons and N35 BD down the road at Merrist Wood on Saturday. We will crack this dressage lark if it kills me!
Did seem a little backwards to be heading 90miles to Oxfordshire when Tweseldown unaffiliated was running next door but you cant win it unless you're in it and Regionals are the aim of the game this yr.
Due to the orange one's behaviour at Larkhill I decided to get there with enough time to pop him on the lunge when we arrived before going to walk the XC course. Did 15mins of very sensible lunging so popped him back on the trailer and went to investigate the jumping. Looked at scores in my section so far - judging very very varied. Some really good early scores in the low 20's then the entire mid section of the class in the high 30's, 40's and even 50's! Walked the SJ and apart from a seriously dodgy dogleg from 1 to 2 it looked fine and not at all big/scary. Am liking 90cm these days :) Walked the XC and the only thing that concerned me was a double at 7ab of 2 skinnies with plants growing out the top on a curved right hand line on 3 strides which came up all of a sudden after galloping up a steep hill through woodland. Interesting!
full course pics
So, back to get on board for dressage. Plan was to warm up long and low for a bit then pick him up and in we go. Had a few discussions about the pick me up part, a sudden inability to do walk to trot, only walk to canter but sorted that so off we went. Did what I thought was a bit of a backwards test but fairly good outline held throughout and no banana/giraffe moments.
Haven't uploaded the vid as taken from miles away so cant really see much but here is a little pic from our lesson on Wednesday:
Onto the SJ - the warmup was worse than concrete. They had done a fab job everywhere else with the ground but I have to say the SJ warmup was atrocious. I popped him over each jump once and took him in. Ground in the ring was lovely and we had a super round. They did announce my crazy dressage score of 25.5 (!!!) just as I was headed to the first fence which kind of put me off completely so got in too close to 1, fluffed the dogleg and got close to 2 then gave myself a mental kick and rode the rest of the round super forwards which included rather a flyer at 9 and a super stride into the final line of 1 stride double, 3 stride related distance to upright. Result: clear!!! Pleased with myself for riding more forwards after the 1st couple of fences and having a nice, fun round :D
piccies:
fence3:
So, off to the best bit - XC - yay! Unfortunately yet again the orange one was not impressed with the start box and it wasn't easy to get round the front of it to walk in that way which is our current preferred technique so when the starter ended up saying go we were still practising our Spanish Riding School moves 20yards away! Eventually we got going but conscious that the clock started when she said go we had to get a move on. He jumped fab up until the double at 7 which because I was worried about I tried to set up far too much and we fitted 4 strides in which was a little uncomfy. He then powered on over a log pile, a log with a ditch 2 strides later that he totally took into his stride, a flower garden and then turned to the water. He saw the water after the scary fish carving with flowers in front of it and baulked slightly so resorted to some rather loud vocal encouragement and he flew it and actually cantered through the water, meeting part c spot on, flew down the drop, over the wall and onto the last few straightforward fences. Another double clear in the bag - yay!
video of last fence:
piccie over last fence:
So, finally we get a sub30 dressage score exactly a year since we did our first event - unaff 80 at Tweseldown. Not only sub30 but 25.5. We get a double clear inside the time (only by 2secs due to pre-start antics!) and where do we end up??? 5th in a section where top 4 qualified for Regionals. I am very pleased with the orange pony but that is a little frustrating! This season he has jumped 4 double clears inside the time. He has been 3rd, 9th, 8th and now 5th. He so deserves another Regionals qualification and I really want to move up to BE100 now. Winner of the section on 19.5 so judge obviously in a nice, generous mood. Certainly wont complain if we get her again - she gave me an 8 for my riding!!! Also got 8's for all his trot/canter work on the left rein, his canter-trot-walk on the right rein, the medium walk and the free walk and his paces. Comments: "Lots to like. A happy partnership" :D
Got ourselves a nice pretty frilly thing and a cheque to help with some of the diesel.
Next stop Milton Keynes BE90 in 10d time. I hope the jumping has a bit more influence. At Tweseldown we moved up from 23rd after dressage to 3rd overall. Today we were 8th after dressage but only made it to 5th. In the mean time we have 2 dressage lessons and N35 BD down the road at Merrist Wood on Saturday. We will crack this dressage lark if it kills me!
Saturday 14 April 2012
schooling and Tracey lesson 11-04-12
Tuesday schooling - worked him deep and round and he really seemed to go well. Touched on a tiny bit of sideways, transitions etc Felt that working deeper really helped him.
Tracey lesson - started off warming up deeper for a short time then picked him up and Tracey immediately commented on the trot being much more up and together and looking more connected with the potential to do more with it. Then she got on and tried the shoulder-in and said it was definitely improved from last lesson 4wks ago which is encouraging.
Then we did some work in hand using leg yield and then turn on the forehand and repeat. Need to build up to getting the back legs quicker so they're almost trotting. Then I got on and she did it with me on him.
Then finally we did some canter work. Remember not too much inside neck bend on the left rein. Control the shoulders. Think shoulder-in on both reins. In the canter to trot keep hold of the outside aids and just steady, breath out into trot then forwards.
Today we did schooling in the field. Working deep and round to start. Using trot-walk-trot transitions to engage the back end. Tapping the hindleg on the downwards transitions to keep it active. Did some really nice transitions. Then moved onto canter and canter-trot-canter transitions staying on the same rein, riding outside aids into the downwards transition and keeping him round in the upwards. Did some nice upwards transitions on the right rein for a change but also having real issues doing the upwards part of the sequence as kept going off on the wrong leg. Silly, stressy pony. Tried to work on keeping my elbows heavy which felt very different to normal as I think I fix them normally so this should help keep my hands still - need to work on this. Ran through tomorrow's test. Few issues getting right trot circle to start with as he'd got stressy but rest of the test happened ok until final halt when he got stressy again so practised walking into halt a few times and then did them ok. Finished by going back into trot and practising some right trot circles until he relaxed then did a little in sitting trot and it felt really comfy as I think finally he was actually working over his back. Did some really nice leg yield on both reins, staying round and connected.
Aims tomorrow - lunge him to take the edge off him, do a little leg yield in hand. Put him away. Warmup ridden - walk on long rein then trot deep and round and forwards with lots of changes of rein until he relaxes. Also have a canter on each rein. Then do some trot-walk-trot transitions and then some trot-canter transitions. Finally pick up the test outline and do a couple of changes of rein and transitions. Elbows heavy, legs draped, hands soft but consistent contact.
Tracey lesson - started off warming up deeper for a short time then picked him up and Tracey immediately commented on the trot being much more up and together and looking more connected with the potential to do more with it. Then she got on and tried the shoulder-in and said it was definitely improved from last lesson 4wks ago which is encouraging.
Then we did some work in hand using leg yield and then turn on the forehand and repeat. Need to build up to getting the back legs quicker so they're almost trotting. Then I got on and she did it with me on him.
Then finally we did some canter work. Remember not too much inside neck bend on the left rein. Control the shoulders. Think shoulder-in on both reins. In the canter to trot keep hold of the outside aids and just steady, breath out into trot then forwards.
Today we did schooling in the field. Working deep and round to start. Using trot-walk-trot transitions to engage the back end. Tapping the hindleg on the downwards transitions to keep it active. Did some really nice transitions. Then moved onto canter and canter-trot-canter transitions staying on the same rein, riding outside aids into the downwards transition and keeping him round in the upwards. Did some nice upwards transitions on the right rein for a change but also having real issues doing the upwards part of the sequence as kept going off on the wrong leg. Silly, stressy pony. Tried to work on keeping my elbows heavy which felt very different to normal as I think I fix them normally so this should help keep my hands still - need to work on this. Ran through tomorrow's test. Few issues getting right trot circle to start with as he'd got stressy but rest of the test happened ok until final halt when he got stressy again so practised walking into halt a few times and then did them ok. Finished by going back into trot and practising some right trot circles until he relaxed then did a little in sitting trot and it felt really comfy as I think finally he was actually working over his back. Did some really nice leg yield on both reins, staying round and connected.
Aims tomorrow - lunge him to take the edge off him, do a little leg yield in hand. Put him away. Warmup ridden - walk on long rein then trot deep and round and forwards with lots of changes of rein until he relaxes. Also have a canter on each rein. Then do some trot-walk-trot transitions and then some trot-canter transitions. Finally pick up the test outline and do a couple of changes of rein and transitions. Elbows heavy, legs draped, hands soft but consistent contact.
Saturday 7 April 2012
Larkhill BE90 07-04-12
Larkhill BE90 today. Went to an EHOA clinic on Wednesday and Monty excelled himself in the SJ and XC making mincemeat of every exercise he set us so was feeling confident about the jumping phases today, not so confident about stressage.
Nice relaxed start to the day as dressage not until 12.22. Got there in plenty of time and wandered over to the SJ in time for a course walk - lucky as there were some funny old lines and it helped to walk them on foot.
Then got on in time to do 30mins warmup for dressage which is normally plenty. Only Monts was in a funny old mood today. He came off the trailer a bit mad and stayed a bit mad all day. Wouldn't stand still to have his studs done, swinging his bum around, head up, in hindsight should have lunged him or something to settle him down but he's not normally like that so took me by surprise. Got on him and he jogged over to the dressage warmup (not like him at all) and then he just wouldn't go forwards. Tried to get him into a nice forwards trot to warmup but he kept backing off, napping and threatening to rear (common problems when the orange one gets overexcited) Kept having to dodge Laura Collett as well which didn't help as really didn't fancy mowing her down with one of our spin and run manouveres!
They were running early and I hate keeping judges waiting even if it is just to go at my alloted time so I asked him to go through into the dressage arenas and he leapt in the air and spun. Cue large kick so then he took off with me into the dressage arena area in full on canter - pesky pony! Settled him around the arena in canter and then braved trotting again and it wasn't too bad. Went to enter the arena and he did a huge spook at the flowers either side of A (can I roll my eyes yet?) The test felt hideous - he was tight and tense, his right canter felt like a donkey and his walk work was awful (normally can pick up some marks here). Took him back out in the warmup and made him canter round a few times but he still felt rubbish esp in right canter. Yesterday when schooling he went disunited in right canter a few times so started to think something was actually wrong, although in no way did he feel unlevel. Was assured test didn't look as bad as it felt so decided to go and walk XC course and then get on to warmup for SJ and see how he felt.
Here is dressage vid:
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150802309915522
And a couple of stills:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2709328830048766437dZblQH][IMG]http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/51275/2709328830048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
1st centre line:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2695715960048766437oxnHzu][IMG]http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/49928/2695715960048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Walked XC course and it was fab! Rediscovered enthusiasm for rest of the day and went to check dressage scores. Well, blow me down but we only got a 30.5 (equal to our best ever eventing score). Seems judge was in a generous mood though as that still left us loitering in =12th after dressage with loads in the 20's. Still, at T/down we moved up from 23rd to 3rd and the SJing looked a bit challenging so I lived in hope of the jumping causing everyone else probs except us lol. Dressage sheet revealed 8's for canter transitions and the FWLR (very generous I feel but not arguing!), 6's for the canter to trot transitions and the 2nd medium walk (again generous, I wouldn't have argued with 5's!) Collectives 7767 "Some super work, just needs more round outline to relax at times. Well done!"
So, onto the SJing. He warmed up brilliantly - taking on the fences, feeling nice and forwards so put the rubbish dressage behind us and got on with the fun stuff. Fortunately the video on the phone died so I cant show you my worst round for a long time! Fences 1 to 4 were straightforward then we had a nasty turn to a narrow planks which went really well but then fluffed up the weird dogleg to the double and totally forgot to ride him forwards into a big oxer then 1 stride to a vertical so he tucked in a little extra one, landed short and had to put 2 in the double then turned himself inside out to jump the vertical. Gave him a big pat and myself a kick up the backside and he went on and jumped the followed 2 really well but then final fence was uphill and I didn't keep the motor running well enough, he got right on top of the final big oxer and again had to turn himself inside out to clear it. So we went clear but it was all down to him, not me!
Finally onto the fun stuff. He was a complete idiot in the warmup, wouldn't go near the exit but jumping fab. Had to be led over to the start box and led around as he was leaping all over the place, spinning, rearing etc. In future I'm going to take the degree of madness as a show of how well he's going to go XC as he was absolutely on fire today! Definitely the best XC round I've ever had on him. Flew out of the start box and over no.1, then made sure kept positive riding as big chance to nap around the corner towards the lorry park but no worried as he flew the little log at 2 then house at 3. Up over the parallel at 4 in fine style. Round right hand bend to a picnic table thing then down the hill, steadied beautifully for left hand turn to a double of logs with a long 2 strides in it which he ate for breakfast. Onto the water, steadied a little so he could have a look, bit of verbal encouragement and in we went. Popped out over the skinny brush then on again to a rolltop and a sloping palisade. Steadied round a left hand bend to go downhill over a brush then back uphill and round to the right. Steady up again to pop a brush rolltop then launch into outer space down a big drop running downhill which he flew. Then uphill and up a step which had a funny coloured landing so he spooked at that which was quite funny as it was almost like he tried not to land on it but was kind of committed! Then over the house which was part b. Onwards to a log pile thing then the sunken road, little steady, flew through there, took an absolute flyer at the brush fence then met the final 2 fences spot on and lolloped through the finish. Am still on a high because he just gave me the absolute best ride ever. Turns out we came in spot on the too fast time limit so narrowly avoided time pens. Thing is, I didn't feel I was pushing him on - he was just running at a comfortable speed and didn't need setting up as he was just taking it all in his stride. To hold him back from that speed would have been uncomfortable for both of us! Lex was riding just after me and by the time she finished XC (also in the time) Monts already had his breath back and was looking fairly nonplussed about the whole event! No worries about his fitness!
So, turns out the jumping didn't cause enough problems as we only managed to pull up to 8th place, but still another DC on our record and I wont forget that XC round in a hurry - it was just magic! What a feeling to meet every fence spot-on! :D
Video of the last few fences - can just see the sunken road top of the shot then taking a flyer at the next and coming home:
http://youtu.be/Xzqh6M76qJc
Piccies - no pro ones I'm afraid - am far too skint to pay £14 for a piccie :(
This is me, Lex and luce with our prizes
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2429359720048766437gkTQot][IMG]http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/49161/2429359720048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
over the last fence:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2933619730048766437mxZdor][IMG]http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/48919/2933619730048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
landing:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2605492280048766437eHJhJf][IMG]http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/48832/2605492280048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
and getaway:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2692491620048766437ZVETOp][IMG]http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/15264/2692491620048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
course pics - click next for more:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2278290470048766437IJoqTn?vhost=pets
Onto Ascott under Wychwood next Sunday - let's pray for a challenging SJ/XC and see if we can climb a bit further up the leaderboard this time. I think praying for a decent dressage test might be a step too far. Anyone any useful tips for getting a seriously tense horse to relax for the dressage? He's totally different at pure dressage events but when he knows the XC is coming next he's a complete nightmare!
Nice relaxed start to the day as dressage not until 12.22. Got there in plenty of time and wandered over to the SJ in time for a course walk - lucky as there were some funny old lines and it helped to walk them on foot.
Then got on in time to do 30mins warmup for dressage which is normally plenty. Only Monts was in a funny old mood today. He came off the trailer a bit mad and stayed a bit mad all day. Wouldn't stand still to have his studs done, swinging his bum around, head up, in hindsight should have lunged him or something to settle him down but he's not normally like that so took me by surprise. Got on him and he jogged over to the dressage warmup (not like him at all) and then he just wouldn't go forwards. Tried to get him into a nice forwards trot to warmup but he kept backing off, napping and threatening to rear (common problems when the orange one gets overexcited) Kept having to dodge Laura Collett as well which didn't help as really didn't fancy mowing her down with one of our spin and run manouveres!
They were running early and I hate keeping judges waiting even if it is just to go at my alloted time so I asked him to go through into the dressage arenas and he leapt in the air and spun. Cue large kick so then he took off with me into the dressage arena area in full on canter - pesky pony! Settled him around the arena in canter and then braved trotting again and it wasn't too bad. Went to enter the arena and he did a huge spook at the flowers either side of A (can I roll my eyes yet?) The test felt hideous - he was tight and tense, his right canter felt like a donkey and his walk work was awful (normally can pick up some marks here). Took him back out in the warmup and made him canter round a few times but he still felt rubbish esp in right canter. Yesterday when schooling he went disunited in right canter a few times so started to think something was actually wrong, although in no way did he feel unlevel. Was assured test didn't look as bad as it felt so decided to go and walk XC course and then get on to warmup for SJ and see how he felt.
Here is dressage vid:
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150802309915522
And a couple of stills:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2709328830048766437dZblQH][IMG]http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/51275/2709328830048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
1st centre line:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2695715960048766437oxnHzu][IMG]http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/49928/2695715960048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Walked XC course and it was fab! Rediscovered enthusiasm for rest of the day and went to check dressage scores. Well, blow me down but we only got a 30.5 (equal to our best ever eventing score). Seems judge was in a generous mood though as that still left us loitering in =12th after dressage with loads in the 20's. Still, at T/down we moved up from 23rd to 3rd and the SJing looked a bit challenging so I lived in hope of the jumping causing everyone else probs except us lol. Dressage sheet revealed 8's for canter transitions and the FWLR (very generous I feel but not arguing!), 6's for the canter to trot transitions and the 2nd medium walk (again generous, I wouldn't have argued with 5's!) Collectives 7767 "Some super work, just needs more round outline to relax at times. Well done!"
So, onto the SJing. He warmed up brilliantly - taking on the fences, feeling nice and forwards so put the rubbish dressage behind us and got on with the fun stuff. Fortunately the video on the phone died so I cant show you my worst round for a long time! Fences 1 to 4 were straightforward then we had a nasty turn to a narrow planks which went really well but then fluffed up the weird dogleg to the double and totally forgot to ride him forwards into a big oxer then 1 stride to a vertical so he tucked in a little extra one, landed short and had to put 2 in the double then turned himself inside out to jump the vertical. Gave him a big pat and myself a kick up the backside and he went on and jumped the followed 2 really well but then final fence was uphill and I didn't keep the motor running well enough, he got right on top of the final big oxer and again had to turn himself inside out to clear it. So we went clear but it was all down to him, not me!
Finally onto the fun stuff. He was a complete idiot in the warmup, wouldn't go near the exit but jumping fab. Had to be led over to the start box and led around as he was leaping all over the place, spinning, rearing etc. In future I'm going to take the degree of madness as a show of how well he's going to go XC as he was absolutely on fire today! Definitely the best XC round I've ever had on him. Flew out of the start box and over no.1, then made sure kept positive riding as big chance to nap around the corner towards the lorry park but no worried as he flew the little log at 2 then house at 3. Up over the parallel at 4 in fine style. Round right hand bend to a picnic table thing then down the hill, steadied beautifully for left hand turn to a double of logs with a long 2 strides in it which he ate for breakfast. Onto the water, steadied a little so he could have a look, bit of verbal encouragement and in we went. Popped out over the skinny brush then on again to a rolltop and a sloping palisade. Steadied round a left hand bend to go downhill over a brush then back uphill and round to the right. Steady up again to pop a brush rolltop then launch into outer space down a big drop running downhill which he flew. Then uphill and up a step which had a funny coloured landing so he spooked at that which was quite funny as it was almost like he tried not to land on it but was kind of committed! Then over the house which was part b. Onwards to a log pile thing then the sunken road, little steady, flew through there, took an absolute flyer at the brush fence then met the final 2 fences spot on and lolloped through the finish. Am still on a high because he just gave me the absolute best ride ever. Turns out we came in spot on the too fast time limit so narrowly avoided time pens. Thing is, I didn't feel I was pushing him on - he was just running at a comfortable speed and didn't need setting up as he was just taking it all in his stride. To hold him back from that speed would have been uncomfortable for both of us! Lex was riding just after me and by the time she finished XC (also in the time) Monts already had his breath back and was looking fairly nonplussed about the whole event! No worries about his fitness!
So, turns out the jumping didn't cause enough problems as we only managed to pull up to 8th place, but still another DC on our record and I wont forget that XC round in a hurry - it was just magic! What a feeling to meet every fence spot-on! :D
Video of the last few fences - can just see the sunken road top of the shot then taking a flyer at the next and coming home:
http://youtu.be/Xzqh6M76qJc
Piccies - no pro ones I'm afraid - am far too skint to pay £14 for a piccie :(
This is me, Lex and luce with our prizes
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2429359720048766437gkTQot][IMG]http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/49161/2429359720048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
over the last fence:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2933619730048766437mxZdor][IMG]http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/48919/2933619730048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
landing:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2605492280048766437eHJhJf][IMG]http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/48832/2605492280048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
and getaway:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2692491620048766437ZVETOp][IMG]http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/15264/2692491620048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
course pics - click next for more:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2278290470048766437IJoqTn?vhost=pets
Onto Ascott under Wychwood next Sunday - let's pray for a challenging SJ/XC and see if we can climb a bit further up the leaderboard this time. I think praying for a decent dressage test might be a step too far. Anyone any useful tips for getting a seriously tense horse to relax for the dressage? He's totally different at pure dressage events but when he knows the XC is coming next he's a complete nightmare!
Wednesday 4 April 2012
EHOA clinic Boomerang - Richard Waygood - 04-04-12
Crack of dawn wake up call. Freezing this morning. Left the yard complete with orange pony at 7am.
Arrived at Boomerang at bang on 8.30 as per plan - amazing! On board at five to 9 and off down to the arena. Not silly enough to attempt to leave a strange car park by myself do latched onto someone else and off we went. Arena has open sides which were v scary so bit of spooking and tension but once we started jumping he was fab as usual!
Started with a small fence on a 20m circle, not letting them fall out, using outside aids to guide round the circle. Monty done this before so real pro at it. Then moved onto a long 4 stride distance from vertical to oxer. Told to really attack the first part and ride on for 4 strides and Monts did it good. Must remember to go straight after the fence though. Then we strung together a little course with those 2, the jump on the circle then round to a dog leg on 5 strides. Then added in another dog leg to make it a complete course. Remember to soften hands in last 3 strides and keep leg on, steer with legs not hands. Then we did the 2 starting fences of the dog leg, so over part one, 90 degree turn to part 2. Monts made it look and feel easy and it was on a right turn. He was connected and engaged and forwards into my hand. Richard said first thing to do is get him thinking forwards and powerful then can sit him back on his hocks and he can do the more technical stuff. Finished with jumping the same 2 dogleg fences on a straight line down the centre of the school so at an acute angle - fences angled like this : \......./ although at a slightly steeper angle than that and there was a fence on the circle alongside the run up to the first angled one. First time it took him totally by surprise and I used a bit too much hand but still managed to use enough leg to get over it. 2nd and 3rd times much easier, use legs to guide after getting a nice square turn. Good pony :)
Couple of hrs break to watch some others then onto XC. He was a complete and utter pro. Made it all feel so easy. Couple of small warmup fences, one a bright white house which made him look a bit but still jumped well. Then we jumped a log on top of a mound, so straight up over and down. Important to keep shoulders back as enables him to go on the slightly longer stride and not chip in. Then moved onto a combination of narrow tyres, 3 strides, bright red train on a slight angle, 3 strides, narrow tyres. First time round he tried to wobble at the train and I used too much hand but he did do it. Flew through it the next time. Then we moved onto some water and steps. He loves steps, esp down and was flying on and off giving everyone a lead. Cantered down the 2 bigger steps into the water then round and down the really big one which felt like coming off a cliff! Have to make sure to soften hands, sit back and leg on but he has no hesitations here. Then the others did the sunken road but he doesn't need to as he loves them. We just did the drop down through the road and up over the swan - leg on, perfect stride, flew it no probs. Then we tackled a real question - bright white sloping palisade seriously skinny - arrowhead width. First time I did the opposite of hooking and rode for a ridiculous long stride so he stuck in another and went anyway as I had leg on. 2nd time remembered to bring shoulders back and put leg on, keep hands soft and he flew it. Then onto the water - cantered round in it to start with, then in and out over steps. Jumped out up a step, up a steep mound, over a carrot jump on the top then down again. Repeated the other way and he was really boldly taking on the water without overjumping - real pro. Finished with jumping in over a small log, out over a hanging log, in down a step, up a step, 1 stride and jump over a small log with drop behind. Easy peasy :) last thing just made him walk over the ditches. No probs. He wasn't really happy to walk to them but took them at an easy jog and didn't even give the big one a 2nd glance. Clever clever pony :)
Sunday 1 April 2012
My kind of eventing this - RC qualifier - ride course of 10 SJ then straight out onto XC course against an optimum time of 450m/min and 0.4pens over or under the optimum time. No poxy dressage!
Given that we have been so ridiculously far under the time last 2 BE events this season I thought we would have room to play with the ridiculous elements RC had decided were appropriate to include in a Novice qualifier max 90cm in height. After fence 4 we had to wiggle our way through some woods which was fine but then towards the end you had to take a sharp turn right to jump a ridiculously skinny log between 2 trees then curve left handed downhill 2 strides to another not quite so skinny log with a drop! Then suddenly veer off to the right to jump a palisade before sharp turn left to a log pile, then out from the trees into a massive open field with loads to look at and jump an arrowhead with no trees either side, just plonked in the middle of a field! Reckoned if we got through that lot we'd be home and dry as rest of course ok for him.
So we started with the SJ and he put in the obligatory clear round (only 85cm so really no excuse to knock any but you never know when I might start riding like an idiot again).
video: http://youtu.be/aFbJFK5qVnE
PS-none of these are pro piccies before anyone gets button happy :D
fence 3:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2820191090048766437diexQU][IMG]http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/51021/2820191090048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
fence 10:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2452108680048766437ELgAJm][IMG]http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/47288/2452108680048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
and fence 10 from another angle:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2524873990048766437lREMzB][IMG]http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/50639/2524873990048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Then straight out onto the XC course which you can see the 1st couple of fences on the SJ vid.
Just about to go through the start:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2502458510048766437vryZgL][IMG]http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/49859/2502458510048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
First 3 fences v straightforward then uphill to a wall followed by a little sunken road then the wiggle through the woods. Given that we have had a serious lack of control our last 2 events I brought him back to trot way in advance of the skinny log and then we ended up actually walking round the corner to get the right line to it, leaving us less than a stride away. Thank god for hunting - he is used to jumping from nothing. I just put my leg on, he popped over and locked on nicely to the 2nd part. Then wiggled our way through the trees over 7 and 8 no probs before out into the field to tackle the arrowhead - skinnies always been my nemesis and have always tended to hook at them to try and make him straight but determined to ride forwards I felt him wiggle a bit but legs on then he locked on and flew it - yay! Onto a let up fence then swing left to a ditch, 2 short strides to a skinny log no probs, sloping ski jump type thing then trotted through the uninviting water, flew over the chair and the trakehner then bit more trotting down a steep hill out of the 2nd set of woods to make sure we kept control.
Back into canter and through what they call the bomb hole which is a sort of sunken road type affair. choice of small step in, wiggle right, step out, 2 strides to skinny or big step in, stay straight, 1 stride in the bottom, pop up and 2 strides over skinny. We're better at straight than wiggles so went for that option before flying the last 2 fences. Another double clear under our belts :D
Video:
http://youtu.be/1RY5EU85X74
bomb hole part a:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2445007250048766437UOqITg][IMG]http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/50495/2445007250048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
part b:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2540956060048766437UOeAit][IMG]http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/47448/2540956060048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
part c:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2579633800048766437uORqXe][IMG]http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/48015/2579633800048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
2nd last fence:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2554189900048766437izapuS][IMG]http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/50912/2554189900048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
So, mega chuffed with the orange pony as accuracy questions would have had us all over the place last yr and there were plenty today but he locked onto everything and jumped like a complete pro. So pleased with him. We ended up 20 odd seconds over the time so in 4th place which was slightly disappointing as 3rd place qualified for the National Champs and we were only a few seconds slower than her so should have kicked on more - underestimated the amount of time wasted at the tricky bits. Pleased I took my time at those though as more speed might have resulted in a run out. All in all, a good learning experience and I do love my ginger ninja so much. Have even forgiven him for having a huge nap attack on entering the SJ arena - cheeky sod.
Given that we have been so ridiculously far under the time last 2 BE events this season I thought we would have room to play with the ridiculous elements RC had decided were appropriate to include in a Novice qualifier max 90cm in height. After fence 4 we had to wiggle our way through some woods which was fine but then towards the end you had to take a sharp turn right to jump a ridiculously skinny log between 2 trees then curve left handed downhill 2 strides to another not quite so skinny log with a drop! Then suddenly veer off to the right to jump a palisade before sharp turn left to a log pile, then out from the trees into a massive open field with loads to look at and jump an arrowhead with no trees either side, just plonked in the middle of a field! Reckoned if we got through that lot we'd be home and dry as rest of course ok for him.
So we started with the SJ and he put in the obligatory clear round (only 85cm so really no excuse to knock any but you never know when I might start riding like an idiot again).
video: http://youtu.be/aFbJFK5qVnE
PS-none of these are pro piccies before anyone gets button happy :D
fence 3:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2820191090048766437diexQU][IMG]http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/51021/2820191090048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
fence 10:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2452108680048766437ELgAJm][IMG]http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/47288/2452108680048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
and fence 10 from another angle:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2524873990048766437lREMzB][IMG]http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/50639/2524873990048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Then straight out onto the XC course which you can see the 1st couple of fences on the SJ vid.
Just about to go through the start:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2502458510048766437vryZgL][IMG]http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/49859/2502458510048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
First 3 fences v straightforward then uphill to a wall followed by a little sunken road then the wiggle through the woods. Given that we have had a serious lack of control our last 2 events I brought him back to trot way in advance of the skinny log and then we ended up actually walking round the corner to get the right line to it, leaving us less than a stride away. Thank god for hunting - he is used to jumping from nothing. I just put my leg on, he popped over and locked on nicely to the 2nd part. Then wiggled our way through the trees over 7 and 8 no probs before out into the field to tackle the arrowhead - skinnies always been my nemesis and have always tended to hook at them to try and make him straight but determined to ride forwards I felt him wiggle a bit but legs on then he locked on and flew it - yay! Onto a let up fence then swing left to a ditch, 2 short strides to a skinny log no probs, sloping ski jump type thing then trotted through the uninviting water, flew over the chair and the trakehner then bit more trotting down a steep hill out of the 2nd set of woods to make sure we kept control.
Back into canter and through what they call the bomb hole which is a sort of sunken road type affair. choice of small step in, wiggle right, step out, 2 strides to skinny or big step in, stay straight, 1 stride in the bottom, pop up and 2 strides over skinny. We're better at straight than wiggles so went for that option before flying the last 2 fences. Another double clear under our belts :D
Video:
http://youtu.be/1RY5EU85X74
bomb hole part a:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2445007250048766437UOqITg][IMG]http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/50495/2445007250048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
part b:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2540956060048766437UOeAit][IMG]http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/47448/2540956060048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
part c:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2579633800048766437uORqXe][IMG]http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/48015/2579633800048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
2nd last fence:
[URL=http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2554189900048766437izapuS][IMG]http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/50912/2554189900048766437S425x425Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
So, mega chuffed with the orange pony as accuracy questions would have had us all over the place last yr and there were plenty today but he locked onto everything and jumped like a complete pro. So pleased with him. We ended up 20 odd seconds over the time so in 4th place which was slightly disappointing as 3rd place qualified for the National Champs and we were only a few seconds slower than her so should have kicked on more - underestimated the amount of time wasted at the tricky bits. Pleased I took my time at those though as more speed might have resulted in a run out. All in all, a good learning experience and I do love my ginger ninja so much. Have even forgiven him for having a huge nap attack on entering the SJ arena - cheeky sod.
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