Pressure was off for this competition. Got my points needed for Regionals at Novice now. I know N30 isn't really one of my preferred tests for Monty. G&R in trot is really not good and our canter-trot-canters across the diagonal aren't amazing either. The judge makes me nervous as I've written for her and she is not the most generous and also can be quite harsh with her comments she doesn't write down. So, we went in and I overshot the centre line and could feel her despair through the glass - two 1/2 10m circles went well and I felt I kept the power through the 2nd half circle to the right which is good progress. Then follows 2 G&R and medium trots so tried our best. 4sec halt was fine, walk work ok until he jogged just before C. Canter work was nice though - really thought about lifting him up through his shoulders and his CTC's went well. Medium canter not his strong point again though so really didn't feel it was a high scoring test.
Back out to the warmup for a bit, wandered round then practised the walk to rein back to trot to canter right a few times. Into the arena for E49 and had same judge who scored our Novice highly 2wks ago (Mary Robley) - she'd made comments about his canter needing to be more uphill so made sure to try and ride him uphill. It didn't start great as he was behind my leg and I didn't feel the figure of 8 around X was very nice. He really tried in the medium trots and the leg yields though. Halt to rein back to trot went quite smoothly then into the canter work and he was lovely. Really kept him up and forwards and he did the G&R, loops and changes of leg through trot on two half 10m circles really well. Medium canter on a circle felt a bit motorbikey and stretch circle in canter didn't feel like he stretched much but generally pleased with his efforts as not an easy Elem and first time we've done that one.
As I came out was told we'd won the first test on 66.92%. First out of 22 in the Restricted, =3rd overall. Gobsmacked to be honest. Shows how much better he is these days as even in a test that doesn't play to his strengths he can still pull off a win on a good score in a big class. Went round to untack him and message pops up on phone - in the lead on 68% in the Elementary!!!! Jaw hit the ground again. 68%!!! Ended up winning by 3.5% in a class of 10 Restricteds (no Open riders). Really couldn't believe it. He got straight 7's for his canter work and an 8 for his free walk. No mention of being on the forehand in the canter work so big progress made there. Really have to not let him lull me into giving him a longer length of rein and letting him fall on his forehand. He is strong enough now to sit behind and carry himself and straight 7's is awesome! Both tests commented that he needs to be able to take more weight behind to be able to produce good mediums so that is our big thing to work on still as other than that he's creeping ever closed to the magic 70%. So pleased with him. He's won 5 out of his last 6 BD outings - that's a pretty good record! He'll have December off dressage then we'll get a bit more match practice in before Regionals end of Feb.
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Wednesday 27 November 2013
BD Crofton Manor 27-11-13
Schooled yesterday evening working on similar to last week - he's always a bit worse schooling first time after he's been jumping so initially was quite down on my hands in left canter but then moved onto working the right trot in sitting trot and it felt brilliant. Moved onto right canter and he was awesome - so light in my hands but connected and through. Went back to left canter and he was much better. Sitting trot so much easier to ride these days - feel like it's all coming together :) Jumping at the weekend opened up the little crack in the left corner of his mouth again so possibly that was affecting him taking the contact a bit though so must get that sorted. Next step is to try my hanging cheek with the bit guards and see if that is any better. Also thinking I might try a sheepskin noseband on him for jumping to see if it gets him to drop his head a bit. Also going to get him a smaller bit for dressage - his is coming out of the sides of his mouth too much an I'm worried it's the central link catching the corner of his mouth. Expensive bloody bit but should be able to sell the old one on ebay.
So, today we went off to Crofton Manor to do some BD - first time there - they were using indoor for warmup and huge outdoor arena for 2 long arena tests. Quite spooky as lots of advertising boards on the fencing and full white dressage boards - great experience for championships for him.
He warmed up nicely thinking of all the work I've been doing to get him to lift his shoulders - leg yield, circles, etc. Out to arena past car park and decided to have a napping, rearing effort as could see his way back to lorry and didn't fancy a dressage test. Pushed him through it though and avoided needing to be led into arena - it was nothing like the protests we get at leaving a XC warmup. Arena was spooky as predicted but he coped pretty well considering first centre line is straight towards scary judges box and lots of advertising boards. Couple of random spooks at nothing which judge ignored thankfully. It was a pretty safe test but wasn't expecting huge scores. Pretty chuffed to win by a large margin on our highest score ever of 72.17%. 8's for canter to trot from right canter and 8 for 20m circle canter left and an 8 for my riding :) Otherwise all 7's. Final points for Regionals done :) Collectives 7778 "A consistent and well presented test. Well done" Rosemary Ablitt
Half hour break then back on for the next warmup. Really thought of working the shoulder fore this time which helps connect and engage him and he felt super. Had him much better connected in the test but we did make some costly mistakes. He went quarters-in in the rein back which was a shame as otherwise he was super soft and obedient and took lovely big strides back. He then jogged 3 times in the FWLR which is a double marked movement and one he can get 8's for so that was pretty expensive! His medium trots didn't happen anywhere near like they did in the warmup which was a shame but not unexpected as still a work in progress. Medium canter was a bit naff and he felt really crooked although doesn't look too bad on video. He somehow then got an 8 for his G&R over the centre line and another for the counter canter - he poked his nose in the G&R but she put "well shown" and I thought the line I took was terrible and didn't make it back to the track on time and then wobbled down the long side in counter canter. He did do a nice transition to trot and back up into canter. Got 6's for both 20m circles and told on the forehand which we really need to sort if we're going to move on to Elem successfully. Then a 6 for 2nd G&R as he did a giraffe impersonation followed by another 8 for the CC which was much better (got a well done!) and an 8 for his final centre line and halt which was beautifully straight and square - all our hard work on square halts paying off! Collectives 7668. "Super partnership - flowing, rhythmic moments but needing clearer work from behind especially in canter for better self carriage" Angela Cardiff. He won the Restricted section on 66.07% and was 4th overall. The super stunners in the class got 70% so he really wasn't that far behind given the glaring mistakes. If we gave him his usual marks instead of the mistakes he'd have been on about 69%. Such a clever pony! And that's the points we needed for Winter Regionals qualification sorted!
So, today we went off to Crofton Manor to do some BD - first time there - they were using indoor for warmup and huge outdoor arena for 2 long arena tests. Quite spooky as lots of advertising boards on the fencing and full white dressage boards - great experience for championships for him.
He warmed up nicely thinking of all the work I've been doing to get him to lift his shoulders - leg yield, circles, etc. Out to arena past car park and decided to have a napping, rearing effort as could see his way back to lorry and didn't fancy a dressage test. Pushed him through it though and avoided needing to be led into arena - it was nothing like the protests we get at leaving a XC warmup. Arena was spooky as predicted but he coped pretty well considering first centre line is straight towards scary judges box and lots of advertising boards. Couple of random spooks at nothing which judge ignored thankfully. It was a pretty safe test but wasn't expecting huge scores. Pretty chuffed to win by a large margin on our highest score ever of 72.17%. 8's for canter to trot from right canter and 8 for 20m circle canter left and an 8 for my riding :) Otherwise all 7's. Final points for Regionals done :) Collectives 7778 "A consistent and well presented test. Well done" Rosemary Ablitt
Half hour break then back on for the next warmup. Really thought of working the shoulder fore this time which helps connect and engage him and he felt super. Had him much better connected in the test but we did make some costly mistakes. He went quarters-in in the rein back which was a shame as otherwise he was super soft and obedient and took lovely big strides back. He then jogged 3 times in the FWLR which is a double marked movement and one he can get 8's for so that was pretty expensive! His medium trots didn't happen anywhere near like they did in the warmup which was a shame but not unexpected as still a work in progress. Medium canter was a bit naff and he felt really crooked although doesn't look too bad on video. He somehow then got an 8 for his G&R over the centre line and another for the counter canter - he poked his nose in the G&R but she put "well shown" and I thought the line I took was terrible and didn't make it back to the track on time and then wobbled down the long side in counter canter. He did do a nice transition to trot and back up into canter. Got 6's for both 20m circles and told on the forehand which we really need to sort if we're going to move on to Elem successfully. Then a 6 for 2nd G&R as he did a giraffe impersonation followed by another 8 for the CC which was much better (got a well done!) and an 8 for his final centre line and halt which was beautifully straight and square - all our hard work on square halts paying off! Collectives 7668. "Super partnership - flowing, rhythmic moments but needing clearer work from behind especially in canter for better self carriage" Angela Cardiff. He won the Restricted section on 66.07% and was 4th overall. The super stunners in the class got 70% so he really wasn't that far behind given the glaring mistakes. If we gave him his usual marks instead of the mistakes he'd have been on about 69%. Such a clever pony! And that's the points we needed for Winter Regionals qualification sorted!
Monday 25 November 2013
A week of schooling and jumping
Gave him a couple of days off after the Hunter Trials last weekend. Then did 3 schooling sessions in a row with him and he was on fire by the 3rd one. 3rd one we did lots of work on trot-walk-trots minimising the amount of walk until just thinking walk then moving on in trot again to increase the expression. 10m circles in canter and canter squares really helped lift him off his forehand. Tried some trot HP thinking of travers on the diagonal and got some passable attempts and his trot was beautiful to sit to after all the other work. Then did a little work on square halts in hand, getting him to step up into a square halt.
Saturday went down to Merrist Wood to do the indoor SJ/XC - bit like unaffiliated version of JAS. Warmup cut short as they were running early and the 4 after me didn't turn up so I was last to go. Meant it was all a bit rushed and didn't do as much as I wanted to do to get the quality of the canter. Had entered the 1m class as that height not an issue for us but didn't really think about how technical they would make the XC section so in hindsight 90cm might have been better! Really pleased with how he jumped the SJ section - he went off a lovely long one into the double but unfortunately then got a little close to the next one and just tapped it in front. When he gets a bit forwards he just doesn't snap up quick enough - annoyingly if you get him there on a nothing stride he pings them from right underneath the base but although the jump feels much better on a longer stride he gets a bit careless. Then moved onto XC section - started ok with simple rustic then turnback to an arrowhead. Then I got a bit lost so had to take a dodgy wiggly line to a skinny stile with flowers under it which he jumped fine. Then round past the double and cut across the school to a skinny roll top which he looked straight at and then just ducked sideways - naughty boy! I probably could have ridden it more positively and had him more between hand and leg but still, he was naughty not to attempt it. He just grabbed the bit 2 strides out and ducked out to the left (not even out through the shoulder I might have lost round the corner). Jumped it fine 2nd time but landed on wrong lead and then went disunited trying to change so lost the canter when should have been riding forwards round the corner to the corner, got right under the corner so then tried to ride 3 strides to another skinny flower stile but again he ducked out to the left - it's not really like him to run out but he can be a bit cheeky and I paid for not riding forwards. Got it together to ride the seriously acutely angled double of verticals on 2 strides and he wobbled a bit but popped them nicely, then onto the viaduct wall fine, forwards round the corner to a skinny stile with brush in front of it no probs then kicked on to final skinny flower stile and he just put in a little one and got right under it but I think I'd let the canter get a bit flat again.
Video:
Yesterday went to first BSJA as a member at Royal Leisure. Got there in a bit of a rush for the British Novice but managed an ok warmup although difficult to do circles and transitions in such a confined space. Course was simple and not big but still managed to fluff it up. He wasn't forwards at all and was lucky to clear some of the back bars of the spreads, got disunited before corner to double so didn't have a forwards canter and he got right in deep, took the front pole then put 2 strides in a 1 stride distance. I then forgot there were 10 fences in the first round and stopped after fence 8 before remembering about 9 and 10 which I then kicked on for and he did beautifully!
I had put my number down at the beginning of the 95cm amateur but it did make it a rush to walk the course and learn it and warm him up all at the same time. He was jumping much better in the warmup though and took him in determined to ride more forwards. He did a lovely round, just still not quite managing 3 strides in the related distance and tucking in a short 4th then just got a bit long round the corner for number 3 and just touching it with the front of his cannon bones on the way up - very unlucky. Rest of round was beautiful and especially the kicking on round the tight right hand bend which meant we met the vertical and then the double perfectly. Disappointed not to get to do the 2nd phase due to having one down as he was jumping so well. All over far too quickly.
Saturday went down to Merrist Wood to do the indoor SJ/XC - bit like unaffiliated version of JAS. Warmup cut short as they were running early and the 4 after me didn't turn up so I was last to go. Meant it was all a bit rushed and didn't do as much as I wanted to do to get the quality of the canter. Had entered the 1m class as that height not an issue for us but didn't really think about how technical they would make the XC section so in hindsight 90cm might have been better! Really pleased with how he jumped the SJ section - he went off a lovely long one into the double but unfortunately then got a little close to the next one and just tapped it in front. When he gets a bit forwards he just doesn't snap up quick enough - annoyingly if you get him there on a nothing stride he pings them from right underneath the base but although the jump feels much better on a longer stride he gets a bit careless. Then moved onto XC section - started ok with simple rustic then turnback to an arrowhead. Then I got a bit lost so had to take a dodgy wiggly line to a skinny stile with flowers under it which he jumped fine. Then round past the double and cut across the school to a skinny roll top which he looked straight at and then just ducked sideways - naughty boy! I probably could have ridden it more positively and had him more between hand and leg but still, he was naughty not to attempt it. He just grabbed the bit 2 strides out and ducked out to the left (not even out through the shoulder I might have lost round the corner). Jumped it fine 2nd time but landed on wrong lead and then went disunited trying to change so lost the canter when should have been riding forwards round the corner to the corner, got right under the corner so then tried to ride 3 strides to another skinny flower stile but again he ducked out to the left - it's not really like him to run out but he can be a bit cheeky and I paid for not riding forwards. Got it together to ride the seriously acutely angled double of verticals on 2 strides and he wobbled a bit but popped them nicely, then onto the viaduct wall fine, forwards round the corner to a skinny stile with brush in front of it no probs then kicked on to final skinny flower stile and he just put in a little one and got right under it but I think I'd let the canter get a bit flat again.
Video:
Yesterday went to first BSJA as a member at Royal Leisure. Got there in a bit of a rush for the British Novice but managed an ok warmup although difficult to do circles and transitions in such a confined space. Course was simple and not big but still managed to fluff it up. He wasn't forwards at all and was lucky to clear some of the back bars of the spreads, got disunited before corner to double so didn't have a forwards canter and he got right in deep, took the front pole then put 2 strides in a 1 stride distance. I then forgot there were 10 fences in the first round and stopped after fence 8 before remembering about 9 and 10 which I then kicked on for and he did beautifully!
I had put my number down at the beginning of the 95cm amateur but it did make it a rush to walk the course and learn it and warm him up all at the same time. He was jumping much better in the warmup though and took him in determined to ride more forwards. He did a lovely round, just still not quite managing 3 strides in the related distance and tucking in a short 4th then just got a bit long round the corner for number 3 and just touching it with the front of his cannon bones on the way up - very unlucky. Rest of round was beautiful and especially the kicking on round the tight right hand bend which meant we met the vertical and then the double perfectly. Disappointed not to get to do the 2nd phase due to having one down as he was jumping so well. All over far too quickly.
Monday 18 November 2013
Larkhill ARAHT Intermediate Hunter Trials 17-11-13
Back again to Larkhill for 3rd time in 4wks.
Entered the Intermediate Hunter Trials as the Open was at Novice speed and suspected would contain most of the Novice BE fences although the Intermediate was only advertised as being BE90 height and speed there was nothing in between. As it was the Open was a mix of the Novice and the BE100 and he'd have been quite capable of all of it and I wished I'd been doing it! Still, our course was a good mix of the 90 and 100 fences including the big 100 ditch brush, the 100 sunken road and a chance to do the 90 table to corner again.
Mission not to go too fast failed yet again. He just cruises too quickly for 90 speed. Came in 13secs under the time which left us in 4th place - lovely prize money went to 3rd. Grrrr! Had a good ride though and it was a nice, confidence giving easy run to finish the season. He made it feel easy and there wasn't the grunting and little short strides we'd had at the RC Open 2wks previously. He seems to lack confidence at 100 and make more of a meal of it - maybe because I'm lacking confidence too but lots to work on there for next season as would really likely to be competitive at 100.
Much smoother run than in the RC Open - we got the table to corner spot on which was a nice feeling as table was full up height and width but rode really well. Got the brushes right this week as well - lovely forwards 5 strides. Made him canter through the water and he got nice strides to the brushes before and after. He was a bit looky at a few again so every XC run is good for him. Warmup was a nightmare - he was rearing before we got in there so I kicked him and he bucked! He then nearly wiped out one poor girl several times napping in the actual warmup. He did settle more the longer we were in there but was very silly about being led over to the start box again. He's fine once he gets going and never even thinks of napping on the course so I don't really understand it.
Interestingly looking at the schedule the original plan seems to have been for the Open course to exactly match the BE Novice course and the Intermediate to be the BE100 course so they must have decided to soften it after the schedules were printed and probably after it got postponed due to the weather. Must remember that if feel cocky and get tempted to enter the Open next year!
Last XC run of the year done - 6 runs in total - not exactly the year I had planned but hey ho. Next XC run will be 2mths before Badminton - eeeeek!
http://youtu.be/A64aCwcrXls
Entered the Intermediate Hunter Trials as the Open was at Novice speed and suspected would contain most of the Novice BE fences although the Intermediate was only advertised as being BE90 height and speed there was nothing in between. As it was the Open was a mix of the Novice and the BE100 and he'd have been quite capable of all of it and I wished I'd been doing it! Still, our course was a good mix of the 90 and 100 fences including the big 100 ditch brush, the 100 sunken road and a chance to do the 90 table to corner again.
Mission not to go too fast failed yet again. He just cruises too quickly for 90 speed. Came in 13secs under the time which left us in 4th place - lovely prize money went to 3rd. Grrrr! Had a good ride though and it was a nice, confidence giving easy run to finish the season. He made it feel easy and there wasn't the grunting and little short strides we'd had at the RC Open 2wks previously. He seems to lack confidence at 100 and make more of a meal of it - maybe because I'm lacking confidence too but lots to work on there for next season as would really likely to be competitive at 100.
Much smoother run than in the RC Open - we got the table to corner spot on which was a nice feeling as table was full up height and width but rode really well. Got the brushes right this week as well - lovely forwards 5 strides. Made him canter through the water and he got nice strides to the brushes before and after. He was a bit looky at a few again so every XC run is good for him. Warmup was a nightmare - he was rearing before we got in there so I kicked him and he bucked! He then nearly wiped out one poor girl several times napping in the actual warmup. He did settle more the longer we were in there but was very silly about being led over to the start box again. He's fine once he gets going and never even thinks of napping on the course so I don't really understand it.
Interestingly looking at the schedule the original plan seems to have been for the Open course to exactly match the BE Novice course and the Intermediate to be the BE100 course so they must have decided to soften it after the schedules were printed and probably after it got postponed due to the weather. Must remember that if feel cocky and get tempted to enter the Open next year!
Last XC run of the year done - 6 runs in total - not exactly the year I had planned but hey ho. Next XC run will be 2mths before Badminton - eeeeek!
http://youtu.be/A64aCwcrXls
BD - Merrist Wood - 16-11-13
Back at Merrist Wood again on Saturday morning.
Started with the Prelim qualifier - P13 - trying to get last points for Regionals. Warmed up with everything from our lesson the previous day fresh in my mind. He has got a little split in the corner of his mouth at the moment and just as we were about to go down the centre line the bit must have caught it as he threw his head in the air and chucked it around for a few strides. Fortunately he settled just in time to get straight onto the centre line. Test was ok - nothing super special but accurate and obedient. He won it on 67.5% which was just 0.5% of the score we needed to finish our qualification - rather frustrating! Got 7's for all his right canter stuff, 7's at the beginning but 6's for left canter which is a bit back to front! Only 6's for his walk work too - very odd for him. 8 for final trot across diagonal and 8 for final centre line which was ridiculous given the god awful totally unsquare final halt he did. Comment for trot across diagonal was about keeping good swing in the corner though so lesson work paying off! Final comment still involved needing to lighten the forehand - booooring! Judge was Yvonne Huber.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeEDO1biaz0&feature=c4-overview&list=UU84ZsxKlBNYDqKLZi2Fjl0Q
Next test was N28 - judged by Mary Robley. Managed to go wrong straight off the centre line by trying to start serpentine straight away when it actually starts at A - doh! Then he broke into trot in the canter to try and have a poo! His 2nd counter canter to trot was terrible as he tripped. Medium trot wasn't great as he started spooking towards the end and then he did a tiny weeny jog in the final walk down the centre line. Came out thinking it was totally terrible. Totally gobsmacked to see our highest ever Novice score of 68.75%. We basically got straight 7's with a 6 for medium trot and 8's for the 2 walk movements. He got a 7 crossed out to a 5 for the break in canter and a minus 2 for my error - without losing those 4 marks he'd have got over 70%! Gutted to have messed it up but optimistic for the future if he can score that well with me feeling it was awful! She said he needed to lighten the forehand still, especially in the canter so homework is to get that sorted as fed up of that comment now! He came 4th out of 16 in the Restricted and 8th of 21 overall. Not bad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8JjAmVQYHs
Started with the Prelim qualifier - P13 - trying to get last points for Regionals. Warmed up with everything from our lesson the previous day fresh in my mind. He has got a little split in the corner of his mouth at the moment and just as we were about to go down the centre line the bit must have caught it as he threw his head in the air and chucked it around for a few strides. Fortunately he settled just in time to get straight onto the centre line. Test was ok - nothing super special but accurate and obedient. He won it on 67.5% which was just 0.5% of the score we needed to finish our qualification - rather frustrating! Got 7's for all his right canter stuff, 7's at the beginning but 6's for left canter which is a bit back to front! Only 6's for his walk work too - very odd for him. 8 for final trot across diagonal and 8 for final centre line which was ridiculous given the god awful totally unsquare final halt he did. Comment for trot across diagonal was about keeping good swing in the corner though so lesson work paying off! Final comment still involved needing to lighten the forehand - booooring! Judge was Yvonne Huber.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeEDO1biaz0&feature=c4-overview&list=UU84ZsxKlBNYDqKLZi2Fjl0Q
Next test was N28 - judged by Mary Robley. Managed to go wrong straight off the centre line by trying to start serpentine straight away when it actually starts at A - doh! Then he broke into trot in the canter to try and have a poo! His 2nd counter canter to trot was terrible as he tripped. Medium trot wasn't great as he started spooking towards the end and then he did a tiny weeny jog in the final walk down the centre line. Came out thinking it was totally terrible. Totally gobsmacked to see our highest ever Novice score of 68.75%. We basically got straight 7's with a 6 for medium trot and 8's for the 2 walk movements. He got a 7 crossed out to a 5 for the break in canter and a minus 2 for my error - without losing those 4 marks he'd have got over 70%! Gutted to have messed it up but optimistic for the future if he can score that well with me feeling it was awful! She said he needed to lighten the forehand still, especially in the canter so homework is to get that sorted as fed up of that comment now! He came 4th out of 16 in the Restricted and 8th of 21 overall. Not bad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8JjAmVQYHs
SJL clinic - MW 15-11-13
Friday afternoon saw us back at Merrist Wood again. This time for our 2nd lesson with Sara Jane Lanning.
We worked on the walk piris - she had to take over in the right one and do some work to convince him not to run her over and to turn properly and then once it seemed to click in his head he did some really good ones. Have to really make sure get him soft and round in the walk first before asking for the turn. Not easy when he decides to be a wiggly worm in walk.
Trot we worked on keeping up the impulsion through the turns - have to make sure don't ask for too tight turns in the corners of the school which make him lose impulsion and rhythm, keep the hindleg stepping through and the power up. Did lots of leg yield from track to 3/4 line and then straight on - she said he was lazy - not through not going forwards enough but not putting enough effort into moving sideways so need to make sure always get the reaction I want.
Canter we warmed up and did a 5m loop which she loved and said would get an 8 definitely. Then we worked on getting more jump into the canter. On the left rein this involved shoulder-fore, then try to keep that on the circle and into the walk transition. Right rein had to have him rounder - not deeper, but rounder and softer - this had to come first before more power or he just ran onto his forehand. Once we established that we managed to bring him in onto a 10m circle and for the first time ever he made it feel easy! Normally I find it so hard to do smaller circles on him on the right rein. Must insist on the extra roundness though - he needs to be soft and round before asking for transitions. Did some super stretching down to finish. Really pleased with him.
I asked about flying changes but with a competition the following day she didn't feel then was the right time to work on them which was fair enough!
We worked on the walk piris - she had to take over in the right one and do some work to convince him not to run her over and to turn properly and then once it seemed to click in his head he did some really good ones. Have to really make sure get him soft and round in the walk first before asking for the turn. Not easy when he decides to be a wiggly worm in walk.
Trot we worked on keeping up the impulsion through the turns - have to make sure don't ask for too tight turns in the corners of the school which make him lose impulsion and rhythm, keep the hindleg stepping through and the power up. Did lots of leg yield from track to 3/4 line and then straight on - she said he was lazy - not through not going forwards enough but not putting enough effort into moving sideways so need to make sure always get the reaction I want.
Canter we warmed up and did a 5m loop which she loved and said would get an 8 definitely. Then we worked on getting more jump into the canter. On the left rein this involved shoulder-fore, then try to keep that on the circle and into the walk transition. Right rein had to have him rounder - not deeper, but rounder and softer - this had to come first before more power or he just ran onto his forehand. Once we established that we managed to bring him in onto a 10m circle and for the first time ever he made it feel easy! Normally I find it so hard to do smaller circles on him on the right rein. Must insist on the extra roundness though - he needs to be soft and round before asking for transitions. Did some super stretching down to finish. Really pleased with him.
I asked about flying changes but with a competition the following day she didn't feel then was the right time to work on them which was fair enough!
More schooling - flying changes (or not!)
Flatwork session at home. Tried to work on flying changes exercise. Counter canter on the circle, change the flexion to the inside, get the weight in the outside rein like it would feel if you were on the correct leg then big change of leg aids and keep niggling till they do something. Make the circle smaller if needed to make it harder for them to carry on. Sadly Monty was fairly oblivious to what I wanted. Couple of times he attempted something which felt like a change behind but never followed through in front. Couple of times he changed through trot. And a couple of times he got really pissed off and ran sideways and then just stopped! He is quite sensitive and also can be very explosive so it was a little nerve racking and not very successful. He did some very nice work other than that though! Really starting to be able to sit to his trot better now but still needs a lot of work.
Busy week - Carl Belson BSJA clinic - MW - 13-11-13
Was in the 1m-1m10 clinic which was good as wouldn't have wanted to jump any smaller. As it was, only a couple of fences were at 1m05 and the rest around 1m and I wanted them bigger - yay for confidence!
Started with an exercise over 2 small uprights (as in 18inches small) like this \ / - had to jump one and then tight circle away from direction of travel, back and jump the other which was good for control and getting bum underneath them. Then had to jump both in same direction. Monts found all this fairly easy so then worked our way round a course. Main things to think about were outside aids to keep his bum underneath him, his shoulders travelling in the right direction and to keep him straight over the fence. He jumped really well though and apart from getting in too close to an oxer when he fell asleep waiting for his turn to jump and an upright when I chased for a stupidly long stride in a related distance he jumped really well.
Started with an exercise over 2 small uprights (as in 18inches small) like this \ / - had to jump one and then tight circle away from direction of travel, back and jump the other which was good for control and getting bum underneath them. Then had to jump both in same direction. Monts found all this fairly easy so then worked our way round a course. Main things to think about were outside aids to keep his bum underneath him, his shoulders travelling in the right direction and to keep him straight over the fence. He jumped really well though and apart from getting in too close to an oxer when he fell asleep waiting for his turn to jump and an upright when I chased for a stupidly long stride in a related distance he jumped really well.
Tuesday 12 November 2013
Schooling/feed
Feedwise have been slowly introducing TopSpec Turbo to his diet with the aim of that replacing the Baileys Endurance Mix/Outshine. Hoping to simplify his diet to TS Turbo and TS Comp Feed Balancer at full rates as compared it to Farriers Formula and mostly contains same stuff for feet and more balanced overall. Will carry on feeding a bit of Power and Performance as I like him to have a bit of soaked stuff as he's not a huge drinker esp at shows. Apparently if he gets too fiery on Turbo I can mix in Performance cubes as needed so should hopefully be able to come up with a suitable diet combining those. He's been on small amounts during his week off and now building up amounts.
Short schooling session today as had 8days off. He had plenty of energy. Had to re-establish the seat aids a bit but he remembered quite quickly. Really need my body to be a bit more flexible though. No probs moving inside hip forwards on left rein for canter transition but does body want to do it on the right rein? No, it does not! Probably why have more problems keeping him round on the right rein in the canter transition. Pleased with how he remembered that when I put legs on at the girth in halt he has to lift his back and round over his topline - he was really good at this considering only started it the week before his time off. He has started charging down the centre line though - not sure what's worse - dying on me or running away with me! Did some walk piris which were ok on left rein although must keep inside hind marching through but crap on the right - just don't seem to be able to get flexion and turning - sure it's all down to my one sidedness again. Did some lovely sitting trot, esp on right rein - he was very easy to sit to which felt lovely. Did some on and back in canter and a couple of canter to walks, lots of walk to canters and canter to trot, trot to canter concentrating on scissor legs in canter and normal leg position in trot which is helping with transitions being prompt. Kept it fairly simple given he hasn't schooled in a while but lovely to have him forwards and willing and also soft and happy. He puts such a big smile on my face when he's like that.
Watched video this evening of friend learning changes with Damian Hallam - worked on counter canter on a 20m circle, then introducing inside flexion and then taking the weight into the outside rein before very eliberately and obviously changing over the canter aids and the scissor position to ask for the new canter lead. Then just keep asking - not harder if they don't respond, just keep niggling away and annoying them, tap on the bum if needed to keep annoying them (might not try that with Monty as likely to get orbited!), can make the circle smaller if needed to make it harder to stay in counter canter but just keep niggling and annoying them until they do something. Sounds like a good method to try with him. Have previously got him to change by doing leg yield back to the track and he's occasionally given me a clean change but he finds the leg yield quite hard and tends to resist and come above the bit and if he doesn't change when you reach the track then you're just stuck on the wrong leg and can't do much about it other than try again. I like this way as you can just keep cantering and niggling. Damian said it could take 10 circles but normally eventually they will get it and offer you something. SJ lesson tomorrow but might give it a go on Thursday before my lesson on Friday.
Things to work on in lesson on Friday with Sara Jane Lanning:
walk piris esp to the right
stopping him diving into the final halt on centre line
getting canter off the forehand
walk to canter right
changes - simple and flying
medium trot
Short schooling session today as had 8days off. He had plenty of energy. Had to re-establish the seat aids a bit but he remembered quite quickly. Really need my body to be a bit more flexible though. No probs moving inside hip forwards on left rein for canter transition but does body want to do it on the right rein? No, it does not! Probably why have more problems keeping him round on the right rein in the canter transition. Pleased with how he remembered that when I put legs on at the girth in halt he has to lift his back and round over his topline - he was really good at this considering only started it the week before his time off. He has started charging down the centre line though - not sure what's worse - dying on me or running away with me! Did some walk piris which were ok on left rein although must keep inside hind marching through but crap on the right - just don't seem to be able to get flexion and turning - sure it's all down to my one sidedness again. Did some lovely sitting trot, esp on right rein - he was very easy to sit to which felt lovely. Did some on and back in canter and a couple of canter to walks, lots of walk to canters and canter to trot, trot to canter concentrating on scissor legs in canter and normal leg position in trot which is helping with transitions being prompt. Kept it fairly simple given he hasn't schooled in a while but lovely to have him forwards and willing and also soft and happy. He puts such a big smile on my face when he's like that.
Watched video this evening of friend learning changes with Damian Hallam - worked on counter canter on a 20m circle, then introducing inside flexion and then taking the weight into the outside rein before very eliberately and obviously changing over the canter aids and the scissor position to ask for the new canter lead. Then just keep asking - not harder if they don't respond, just keep niggling away and annoying them, tap on the bum if needed to keep annoying them (might not try that with Monty as likely to get orbited!), can make the circle smaller if needed to make it harder to stay in counter canter but just keep niggling and annoying them until they do something. Sounds like a good method to try with him. Have previously got him to change by doing leg yield back to the track and he's occasionally given me a clean change but he finds the leg yield quite hard and tends to resist and come above the bit and if he doesn't change when you reach the track then you're just stuck on the wrong leg and can't do much about it other than try again. I like this way as you can just keep cantering and niggling. Damian said it could take 10 circles but normally eventually they will get it and offer you something. SJ lesson tomorrow but might give it a go on Thursday before my lesson on Friday.
Things to work on in lesson on Friday with Sara Jane Lanning:
walk piris esp to the right
stopping him diving into the final halt on centre line
getting canter off the forehand
walk to canter right
changes - simple and flying
medium trot
Tuesday 5 November 2013
Larkhill - BVRC Open Hunter Trials - 03-11-13
Got down to Larkhill about 1pm on Sunday and went off to walk the course. It was basically the same as the BE100 from the week before except they were using the BE90 brush combination at 5 which was slightly disappointing as was looking forwards to tackling the huge steeplechase shaped fences in the BE100 but also slightly relieved as they were huuuuge! They had also taken out the table before the corner which again was half disappointment and half relief as that was pretty big too. They were also using the BE90 rail at the top of the hill at 9 and had taken out the first brush at 10abc. Strangely though they'd used the Novice rolltop at 6 and the huge Novice chair at 8. I didn't walk up to those ones!
Wasn't really sure how best to warm him up for a hunter trials as only ever go XC after dressage/SJ and just do minimal warmup. Decided to lunge him in trot for 10mins as I knew he'd be silly once we got up to the proper XC warmup. As predicted he napped his way up there and was a complete pleb in the warmup - prancing and leaping around and charging over the warmup fences. I knew we'd come home only 4secs off BE100 time at the BE90 2weeks previously so assumed if I just let him flow on and try to kick on for the last fence we'd be pretty close to the optimum.
Got a lead straight into the start box with 5 secs to go and he was off like a rocket. Over the nice hanging log at one, he was a bit looky at the house at 2
and again at the parallel at 3.
On down the hill to the huge chair at 8 which he was looky at but jumped well. Fence 9 the rails he popped. Then downhill and back up again, spooking wildly at what was 10a but managed to get him off to the left again to get straight for our 10a the step up to 10b the brush.
Wasn't really sure how best to warm him up for a hunter trials as only ever go XC after dressage/SJ and just do minimal warmup. Decided to lunge him in trot for 10mins as I knew he'd be silly once we got up to the proper XC warmup. As predicted he napped his way up there and was a complete pleb in the warmup - prancing and leaping around and charging over the warmup fences. I knew we'd come home only 4secs off BE100 time at the BE90 2weeks previously so assumed if I just let him flow on and try to kick on for the last fence we'd be pretty close to the optimum.
Got a lead straight into the start box with 5 secs to go and he was off like a rocket. Over the nice hanging log at one, he was a bit looky at the house at 2
and again at the parallel at 3.
Onto the palisade at 4 (still looking), got in close to the brush at 5a and then managed to put in 6 strides before part b when we'd done it nice on 5 strides 2wks previously. Onto the Novice rolltop at 6 which made sure to kick on at and he jumped it well. Up to the corner at 7, got my line but ended up rather deep to it. He wasn't thinking about running out though which was something as it was twice as wide as any other corner we've done and only the 2nd open corner we've ever done. He did have to work to clear the back bar from that spot though.
On down the hill to the huge chair at 8 which he was looky at but jumped well. Fence 9 the rails he popped. Then downhill and back up again, spooking wildly at what was 10a but managed to get him off to the left again to get straight for our 10a the step up to 10b the brush.
On up the hill to the easy square topped thing and then onto the sunken road. This walked 2 strides in the bottom then 2 long strides to a skinny rails. I predicted he would land short up the step and struggle to make 2 strides so elected to hold him for 3 short ones rather than risk 2 and a half strides. This worked perfectly :) Then on down the hill and round to the skinny hanging log which he got a little close to. Then onto the water. As usual he was backing off - really need to practice jumping into water more as any jump before water where he cant quite see where his feet are landing he backs off and at Badders we will have to jump right into the water so need to make sure he's ok with that. He tucked in an impossibly small stride before the brush in and then trotted through the water, put in one canter stride and he was a little way off the wide skinny part c but popped it sweetly no probs - wish he'd go off a long one more often! Then up the hill to the carved fence which we met perfectly.
On down the hill to the ditch brush - I saw a longish one, he started backing off so I growled at him and he went on the long one and flew it.
Re-composed myself to try and set up nicely for the sharp right hand turn, lined up with gap in the trees on the horizon but typically got in way too close to first hanging log on the angle and so again was forced to just sit quietly and let him pop in 3 strides and pop over the skinny brush at part b. Kicked on for final fence and we were home.
Chuffed to go clear as lots of skinnies and the couple of Novice fences. Not so chuffed with how looky he was but I guess it was our first course at that height for 2yrs and definitely more technical than anything he's seen in the last couple of yrs. The ground was pretty holding and I underestimated how much of an effect that and his lookiness would have on his speed. We ended up 13secs off the time which was worked out on BE100 speed of 475m/min. Bit disappointed as hoped we'd be closer to the optimum but still came 5th out of 30 odd so not bad for a step up.
On the back of that decided to try and get a place in the Intermediate Army Hunter Trials which is BE90 height and speed as only other option was the Open which was Novice height and speed and I know we can't make the speed and don't want to push him to try Novice level XC just yet. Looked at BE calender for early year and realistically likely to only have about 4 runs before Badminton so need to get as much practice judging speed XC as possible as important to get as close to the optimum at Badders as possible as likely to be close scores.
Course pics
Sunday 27 October 2013
Tracey lesson 27-10-13
Worked on getting him to go forwards from my seat aids today. At the moment it's taking my leg aids to get his work suitable for a 7. Need him to give me work for a 7 with no effort from me and use my leg aids to increase it to an 8. In the canter especially he doesn't flex his hocks so need to get him sitting more behind.
So, started with walk to trot - need to tilt pelvis and think trot with my body. For canter need to move inside hip forwards - that was easier as I use that aid anyway. The trot was a whole new thing though so need to work on that. To get him round in the halt need to wrap legs around and in and use them to lift his abdomen up so he can round over the back and soften in the halt. Then move thighs backwards which will tilt pelvis forwards and keep him round in the rein back. Must then move instantly forwards afterwards.
Tried to get him to do some half steps in the trot to try and get him to ping up and down rather than just pushing forwards. Don't think he really got it. Had a lot of bum swinging from side to side but we did get a few half steps.
In the walk piris must remember to use my inside leg to keep activating the inside hind to march and not pivot.
Then did exercise medium canter up 3/4 line then collect and think working piri collected canter to the other 3/4 line then back down in medium canter.
Medium trot must not waterski - puts too much weight on his loins and makes him hollow. Tried doing it standing in stirrups which was interesting but actually worked well.
So, started with walk to trot - need to tilt pelvis and think trot with my body. For canter need to move inside hip forwards - that was easier as I use that aid anyway. The trot was a whole new thing though so need to work on that. To get him round in the halt need to wrap legs around and in and use them to lift his abdomen up so he can round over the back and soften in the halt. Then move thighs backwards which will tilt pelvis forwards and keep him round in the rein back. Must then move instantly forwards afterwards.
Tried to get him to do some half steps in the trot to try and get him to ping up and down rather than just pushing forwards. Don't think he really got it. Had a lot of bum swinging from side to side but we did get a few half steps.
In the walk piris must remember to use my inside leg to keep activating the inside hind to march and not pivot.
Then did exercise medium canter up 3/4 line then collect and think working piri collected canter to the other 3/4 line then back down in medium canter.
Medium trot must not waterski - puts too much weight on his loins and makes him hollow. Tried doing it standing in stirrups which was interesting but actually worked well.
Saturday 26 October 2013
BSJA - Crofton Manor - 25-10-13
Very early start for Crofton Manor - never been before so wasn't sure how long would take and how much traffic but really easy run so will definitely go back.
Was pretty much first to go, they were still building course for British Novice when I got there. It looked big enough for my first BSJA so decided to buy 2 tickets for that class and not worry about trying the 1m open.
Warmed up ok, if a bit lazy as usual. Went into indoor and he was quite looky. Predicted he would be - he can be quite a spooky thing when he wants to be. Thought he might not like fence 5 which had rustic poles but funny wings. Jump off only had 4 jumps but they were bigger than the rest. 12 fences in all. As he was being looky he was a bit behind my leg and not going forwards enough hence got in short to 3 and landed short so I opted to hold for 6 strides as thought he might not make 5. He almost stopped at no.5 but I was ready for him. Looky at 6 too but got the curve right on 5 strides to 7, clear over the 1 stride double, big oxer at 9 then onto the JO - nowhere to cut corners so just kept him moving on and met everything spot on. Yay - double clear in a good time. We were only a fraction off being placed and I hadn't even thought about looking where the finish line was and kicking on for it as I wasn't actually trying for the time, just wanted to keep our forwards rhythm.
Quick wander round the warmup to get his breath back then in for another go. This time I had him in a much better rhythm and made the 5 stride distance easily between 3 and 4. He was still a bit looky at 5 and 6 and landed off to the right over 6 which meant we cut the corner and I crazily decided to try and fit 4 strides in the 5 stride distance and he chipped in and somehow left it up. Just lost our canter quality a bit and then he got in a fraction close (not as close as to no.7) and just touched the rail on the way into the double. Clear from then on though. Despite the 4 faults I was much happier with that round as much more rhythmical. Still having to really work to keep him on the forwards stride though. He needs a rocket up his bum!
I looked at the 1m Open and the first part was fine but the JO did go up and out quite a bit and given his lack of forwardness I think good decision not to try that one just yet!
In the afternoon I went with Caroline to watch her lesson with Seb Poirier which was interesting as Womble has a lot of the same issues as Monty. These are the things I really took note of:
Was pretty much first to go, they were still building course for British Novice when I got there. It looked big enough for my first BSJA so decided to buy 2 tickets for that class and not worry about trying the 1m open.
Warmed up ok, if a bit lazy as usual. Went into indoor and he was quite looky. Predicted he would be - he can be quite a spooky thing when he wants to be. Thought he might not like fence 5 which had rustic poles but funny wings. Jump off only had 4 jumps but they were bigger than the rest. 12 fences in all. As he was being looky he was a bit behind my leg and not going forwards enough hence got in short to 3 and landed short so I opted to hold for 6 strides as thought he might not make 5. He almost stopped at no.5 but I was ready for him. Looky at 6 too but got the curve right on 5 strides to 7, clear over the 1 stride double, big oxer at 9 then onto the JO - nowhere to cut corners so just kept him moving on and met everything spot on. Yay - double clear in a good time. We were only a fraction off being placed and I hadn't even thought about looking where the finish line was and kicking on for it as I wasn't actually trying for the time, just wanted to keep our forwards rhythm.
Quick wander round the warmup to get his breath back then in for another go. This time I had him in a much better rhythm and made the 5 stride distance easily between 3 and 4. He was still a bit looky at 5 and 6 and landed off to the right over 6 which meant we cut the corner and I crazily decided to try and fit 4 strides in the 5 stride distance and he chipped in and somehow left it up. Just lost our canter quality a bit and then he got in a fraction close (not as close as to no.7) and just touched the rail on the way into the double. Clear from then on though. Despite the 4 faults I was much happier with that round as much more rhythmical. Still having to really work to keep him on the forwards stride though. He needs a rocket up his bum!
I looked at the 1m Open and the first part was fine but the JO did go up and out quite a bit and given his lack of forwardness I think good decision not to try that one just yet!
In the afternoon I went with Caroline to watch her lesson with Seb Poirier which was interesting as Womble has a lot of the same issues as Monty. These are the things I really took note of:
- break course down into bitesize sections and regroup in between each one, breathe out, calm and off you go again
- he falls in and cuts corners on the right rein which makes distances too short
- he falls out and jumps off to the right on the left rein making distances too long
- practice, practice, practice
Wednesday 23 October 2013
Mark Corbett SJ lesson - Parwood - 23-10-13
2days off to chill in the field after Larkhill brings us to today. 25min hack to Parwood to warmup and then into a lesson with 3 others all happy jumping same height. Warmed up over the same 2 stride double we did last week. Start with just x pole, then x pole to vertical then x pole to 1m oxer. Really concentrating on keeping him straight and letting him work it out for himself.
Moved onto a really twisty course that he had deliberately designed with lots of turnbacks. Double then round to little oxer, left turnback to wavy planks, round to the right to a big oxer, round to the right to a vertical then left turnback to scary psychadelic filler, round to the right to the sheep, keep going round to right and over zebra planks then completely double back on yourself to upright then left dogleg to wavy planks. He just took the back rail on the back of the oxer in the first double for no good reason but otherwise I was really pleased with how he jumped the entire course and how well I managed to keep the power round the corners and meet the fences in the right places.
Different course to finish - double to little oxer then double back 180degrees to a big oxer then right to the big oxer and then right to the wavy planks and right dogleg to upright. Cleared them all and got a super jump over the 2 big oxers.
Mark would like to see him snapping up more in front and learning to go from a deeper spot which is interesting as we've been pandering to him up till now and appreciating that he likes to go on a long, forwards stride and when I get him in deeper it's normally with not enough power and then he just tries to levitate over the jump. Now I've got more power when he gets in deeper he's taking the fence down because he doesn't sit back on his hocks and snap up in front. Mark would work on shorter striding grids (today's 2 stride had 10 strides in it so not exactly long anyway) and v-poles to try and get him to get to a deeper spot and snap up. Something we can work on at home. Interesting to now be thinking about improving his technique rather than just getting round. Perhaps we're making progress!
Moved onto a really twisty course that he had deliberately designed with lots of turnbacks. Double then round to little oxer, left turnback to wavy planks, round to the right to a big oxer, round to the right to a vertical then left turnback to scary psychadelic filler, round to the right to the sheep, keep going round to right and over zebra planks then completely double back on yourself to upright then left dogleg to wavy planks. He just took the back rail on the back of the oxer in the first double for no good reason but otherwise I was really pleased with how he jumped the entire course and how well I managed to keep the power round the corners and meet the fences in the right places.
Different course to finish - double to little oxer then double back 180degrees to a big oxer then right to the big oxer and then right to the wavy planks and right dogleg to upright. Cleared them all and got a super jump over the 2 big oxers.
Mark would like to see him snapping up more in front and learning to go from a deeper spot which is interesting as we've been pandering to him up till now and appreciating that he likes to go on a long, forwards stride and when I get him in deeper it's normally with not enough power and then he just tries to levitate over the jump. Now I've got more power when he gets in deeper he's taking the fence down because he doesn't sit back on his hocks and snap up in front. Mark would work on shorter striding grids (today's 2 stride had 10 strides in it so not exactly long anyway) and v-poles to try and get him to get to a deeper spot and snap up. Something we can work on at home. Interesting to now be thinking about improving his technique rather than just getting round. Perhaps we're making progress!
Monday 21 October 2013
Larkhill BE90 20-10-13
Early times for Larkhill meant I'd have been walking the course in the dark so managed to find a stable and I headed down on Sat afternoon. Took Monts for a wander round the dressage warmup - it was blowing a gale and there was firing going on but he doesn't mind that kind of thing living next to a firing range! Went to walk the course - it felt like miles but I thought it was just the hills making it feel long - couple of fences to make me think about my lines but nothing that should challenge him. It was getting dark by the time I finished talking to far too many people and walking the SJ course so headed off to find my stabling. Two 3 point turns on dark country roads and finally got there! Settled Monts into bed and we headed off to the pub with the guys we were staying with. Couple of large glasses of wine and a nice meal and tumbled into bed.
Spent most of the night awake listening to high winds and heavy rain, dreaming of it being cancelled and running through all 3 phases in my head so was glad when it finally got to 6am and could get up.
Got to Larkhill with plenty of time and the sun poking through the clouds. Headed up to dressage, pretty windy but he is mr.cool. He was a bit lazy in the test, it wasn't as good as Pulborough but not bad and the judge gave us a big smile at the end which always makes me feel good!
Headed straight off to SJ as was chasing the black clouds. SJ there is on a slope, he has only jumped on grass 3 times this year due to all his foot problems, last time was Tweseldown in July which was flat and hard so this was a bit different. He was leaping around and launching at his fences and I thought this could be fun! First 3 fences went well but I lost his back end round the turn back to the planks at 4 and we got in a bit close but clear. Saw a bit of a stupidly long one to the oxer downhill at 5 and he launched and then tanked me down the hill on a very wonky wiggly line towards a very narrow, flimsy looking stile. Luck was on our side as managed to leave that up and made a good turn to the oxer at 6. Jumped that well so I rode forwards for my 5 strides to the double which had walked an exact 5 and I know with him to make 5 I have to ride pretty forwards but that is my new mantra so off I went only to find 3 strides away I was never going to make it, so ended up strangling his canter and he took out the first part and had to really stretch to make the 2nd part on one stride although at least we seem to have got out of the habit of putting 2 strides in a 1 stride which he did last year at Larkhill. A hairy right hand turn to another big oxer downhill we just about survived then he thought about stopping at the last fence as he clocked the flowers marking the finish - leg on and we finished. I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed with one down on a slippery arena on the side of a hill given our lack of match practice but it always feels like I've let him down so much when he's so good at the other 2 phases now and everything had been going so well in our lessons. A winter of SJ is in store for us I think.
Got a bit wet on the walk back to the lorry but fortunately just a shower and it cleared in time for us to go over to the XC. I felt rather sick which I'm not sure was the wine the night before or XC nerves but it wasn't good! He had a nap attack before we even got into the warmup, but jumped the warmup fences nicely. Optimum time for XC was down as 6mins8secs - I knew it had felt long when I walked it but given the hills I did wonder if he'd be fit enough given his lack of runs. I swear he knows his number because as soon as they called for us he went into reverse. Got friend to lead us round the start box and then he decided another attempt at rearing and reversing was needed. 10 seconds to go, big kick, 5seconds, got posted through the side of the start box and he was off like a rocket.
He soared over the first hanging log and tore off round the corner - I just love that feeling when he's really taking me. Had a bit of a look at the house at 2 and then uphill to the parallel rails at 3 but then he was off. Made sure to keep a bit of a lid on him as last time we did Larkhill he very narrowly missed too fast TP's. Downhill to 4 which was a simple up to height palisade which he flew, up a hill and round another corner and set up for 5 which was a double of skinny chase fences on 5 strides. Felt him looking for which fence was his, locked on and flew them both. Down another hill and flew a little rolltop then uphill, steady and got my line for a wide table then 5 strides to a corner. Got the line perfect and perfect stride to the table, leg on, 5 strides and felt the cheeky bugger go to go through his left shoulder - leg on and some err verbal encouragement and we were over safely.
Down another hill to another straightforward fence, up another hill (getting the sense it was hilly yet??) and set him up for an upright up to height rails at the top of a hill, got the canter, got the line, got the turn and he popped it beautifully before cruising downhill and back up the other side to a step up to brush, continue up the hill and round to a simple box fence. Along the top and set up for a rails then 2 strides to sunken road which he popped through nicely. Downhill, round a corner and pop a narrow hanging log, continue downhill to the water which was skinny brush, water to skinny brush, uphill to a carved log thing, then downhill to the big scary ditch brush which has become the size of the Cottesmore Leap in my head overnight! Saw a lovely forwards stride, tap on the neck with the whip and we were flying. Up another hill, turn ride for a 2 stride combo and then uphill to the last and through the finish still full of running. Any doubts about his fitness gone. He had flown round, made it all feel like a walk in the park and had his breath back halfway back to the lorry park. What a buzz! I absolutely love taking that horse XC. Cannot wait to fly round Badminton on him. Stupidly forgot to turn my hedcam on though :(
So, 29 dressage with a comment about being beautifully turned out :D and a clear 16secs inside the time meant we finished on 33. As usual for me, it was a super competitive section so we finished 8th out of 33. Did mean that was his tenth top 10 finish in a row. Am so lucky to have such a super duper horse. :D
Spent most of the night awake listening to high winds and heavy rain, dreaming of it being cancelled and running through all 3 phases in my head so was glad when it finally got to 6am and could get up.
Got to Larkhill with plenty of time and the sun poking through the clouds. Headed up to dressage, pretty windy but he is mr.cool. He was a bit lazy in the test, it wasn't as good as Pulborough but not bad and the judge gave us a big smile at the end which always makes me feel good!
Headed straight off to SJ as was chasing the black clouds. SJ there is on a slope, he has only jumped on grass 3 times this year due to all his foot problems, last time was Tweseldown in July which was flat and hard so this was a bit different. He was leaping around and launching at his fences and I thought this could be fun! First 3 fences went well but I lost his back end round the turn back to the planks at 4 and we got in a bit close but clear. Saw a bit of a stupidly long one to the oxer downhill at 5 and he launched and then tanked me down the hill on a very wonky wiggly line towards a very narrow, flimsy looking stile. Luck was on our side as managed to leave that up and made a good turn to the oxer at 6. Jumped that well so I rode forwards for my 5 strides to the double which had walked an exact 5 and I know with him to make 5 I have to ride pretty forwards but that is my new mantra so off I went only to find 3 strides away I was never going to make it, so ended up strangling his canter and he took out the first part and had to really stretch to make the 2nd part on one stride although at least we seem to have got out of the habit of putting 2 strides in a 1 stride which he did last year at Larkhill. A hairy right hand turn to another big oxer downhill we just about survived then he thought about stopping at the last fence as he clocked the flowers marking the finish - leg on and we finished. I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed with one down on a slippery arena on the side of a hill given our lack of match practice but it always feels like I've let him down so much when he's so good at the other 2 phases now and everything had been going so well in our lessons. A winter of SJ is in store for us I think.
Got a bit wet on the walk back to the lorry but fortunately just a shower and it cleared in time for us to go over to the XC. I felt rather sick which I'm not sure was the wine the night before or XC nerves but it wasn't good! He had a nap attack before we even got into the warmup, but jumped the warmup fences nicely. Optimum time for XC was down as 6mins8secs - I knew it had felt long when I walked it but given the hills I did wonder if he'd be fit enough given his lack of runs. I swear he knows his number because as soon as they called for us he went into reverse. Got friend to lead us round the start box and then he decided another attempt at rearing and reversing was needed. 10 seconds to go, big kick, 5seconds, got posted through the side of the start box and he was off like a rocket.
He soared over the first hanging log and tore off round the corner - I just love that feeling when he's really taking me. Had a bit of a look at the house at 2 and then uphill to the parallel rails at 3 but then he was off. Made sure to keep a bit of a lid on him as last time we did Larkhill he very narrowly missed too fast TP's. Downhill to 4 which was a simple up to height palisade which he flew, up a hill and round another corner and set up for 5 which was a double of skinny chase fences on 5 strides. Felt him looking for which fence was his, locked on and flew them both. Down another hill and flew a little rolltop then uphill, steady and got my line for a wide table then 5 strides to a corner. Got the line perfect and perfect stride to the table, leg on, 5 strides and felt the cheeky bugger go to go through his left shoulder - leg on and some err verbal encouragement and we were over safely.
Down another hill to another straightforward fence, up another hill (getting the sense it was hilly yet??) and set him up for an upright up to height rails at the top of a hill, got the canter, got the line, got the turn and he popped it beautifully before cruising downhill and back up the other side to a step up to brush, continue up the hill and round to a simple box fence. Along the top and set up for a rails then 2 strides to sunken road which he popped through nicely. Downhill, round a corner and pop a narrow hanging log, continue downhill to the water which was skinny brush, water to skinny brush, uphill to a carved log thing, then downhill to the big scary ditch brush which has become the size of the Cottesmore Leap in my head overnight! Saw a lovely forwards stride, tap on the neck with the whip and we were flying. Up another hill, turn ride for a 2 stride combo and then uphill to the last and through the finish still full of running. Any doubts about his fitness gone. He had flown round, made it all feel like a walk in the park and had his breath back halfway back to the lorry park. What a buzz! I absolutely love taking that horse XC. Cannot wait to fly round Badminton on him. Stupidly forgot to turn my hedcam on though :(
So, 29 dressage with a comment about being beautifully turned out :D and a clear 16secs inside the time meant we finished on 33. As usual for me, it was a super competitive section so we finished 8th out of 33. Did mean that was his tenth top 10 finish in a row. Am so lucky to have such a super duper horse. :D
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