2014 roundup/2015 aims

Well, what a year.  I feel like I have learnt heaps this year, my riding has improved in all 3 phases and I feel positive and confident going forwards into 2015.

I just found my aims for 2014:
And now we look forwards to 2014 - our aims are:

• number one would be to have a year without injury
• I would be over the moon to get a double clear at Badminton and to come in the top ten would be absolutely amazing - he is capable but we will need some luck on our sides
• To come top ten in any of our Regionals classes/Petplan Finals would also be a super achievement
• Moving on from there I would like to get 3 double clears at BE100 and get to the Blenheim Challenge and also qualify for a BE100 Regional Finals and dare I say it, qualify for Badders 2015!
• We are also working hard on the dressage and I'd like to do the Area Festivals at Elem and get top 10.
• Would also like to do a Medium Freestyle and get over 60% in a straight Medium test.  I've never done an affiliated Medium so that would be a great achievement, especially with my little giraffe.

So I don't think we did too badly there.  We had an entire year without injury which considering how busy he was is great.  Badminton didn't go to plan but we learnt a lot.  He came top ten in all 3 Regionals including winning the Prelim which wasn't on the radar at all.  He then came top ten first rounds in the Area Festival Finals and scooped best Veteran award.  I didn't get 3 DC's at BE100 but we did get to Blenheim as they changed the qualification criteria - he had a super round there just rolling one unlucky pole.  We got top ten at the Elem Area Festivals and we did a Medium Freestyle and a straight Medium and got over 65% in both!

So, a little look back at the year.

January and February were focused on training.  Started our steep jump learning curve with Chris Burton, continued flatwork lessons with Sara Jane Lanning, survived competing at Novice JAS and had an amazing time at the BD Winter Regionals, winning the Prelim - beyond our wildest dreams and also landed us a sponsorship deal with the fabulous West Kent Saddles who have been super supportive this year.

March brought our first event - first BE100 since end of 2011 and 3rd place at Munstead with a confident 27, 4 faults and storming XC round.

April saw us come 9th at Portman BE100 round our trickiest XC to date and then grab our first BE100 win at no less an event than Hambleden International with a dressage of 21.5 and a lovely double clear.  April also saw the Area Festival Finals and the Prelim Winter Championships where he pulled out all the stops to do 3 of his best ever tests in one day in a big atmosphere - huge ask of him and couldn't have been more pleased with him.

Have to say we headed to Badminton in May on a high.  Our preparation has gone to the letter and he felt amazing.  They say pride comes before a fall and eventing is certainly a good leveller.  He did a fantastic dressage for 27.8, a superb clear SJ round to leave us lying in 5th place going into XC.  I knew it would be a challenge but I honestly thought we were both up for it.  Sadly hanging around in the collecting ring for an hour in gale force winds really didn't do us any favours at all.  He wasn't focused on the job and when it came to the horrid coffin, he went to take off, clocked the very large deep ditch at the bottom of the slope and said no thanks sending me into orbit.  It was such a shock - he does have a run out in him (and does like to choose important moments to bring it out) but it's not normally so last minute and he's certainly never deposited me on the floor with it!  I got back on, tried again, stopped again and seriously thought we were going home but thankfully 3rd time lucky and we got through it and carried on.  We had another run out coming out of the water which was my fault as lacking focus by this point and I just nursed him home after that.  Spent the week tending to my wounded pride and a sore leg and debating my future in eventing.  Sadly May was a bad month and I made the mistake of entering a very tough BE100 at Farley after a few weeks break.  He hated the ground, got to the water at the end, right next to the XC collecting ring and chucked me on the floor again - twice!!  Definitely ready to give up at this point.

June didn't get much better initially.  I managed to fall off in the SJ warmup at Stratford Hills giving myself a coccyx injury that would bug me for the rest of the year.  I didn't go XC partly due to being hurt and partly as had decided water jump was too much despite dropping back to BE90.  Fortunately a XC lesson with Chris sorted us out and he had us flying again.  I went to Rackham BE90 feeling sick to the bottom of my stomach, did a lovely dressage for 22.5, clung on nervously round the SJ for a clear and then wobbled round the first half of the XC before finally finding some bravery and kicking on to finish bang on the optimum time XC and win.  Quickly headed to Eridge BE90 the following week and nabbed a 3rd place there too.  Confidence on the up!

July was a quiet month as ground too hard for eventing.  Did an Elem at Patchetts and got 72.58%! Did a XC clinic at Coombelands with Chris and Monts was flying all the Novice fences no hesitations. Did Novice BD Summer Regionals and finished just outside top ten.

August saw us start with the BE90 Regionals at Chilham.  Sadly a tiny blip in the dressage saw us lose a mark to just miss out on qualifying for Badmnton.  We were 6th on a score of 30 with a double clear and top 5 went through.  So annoyed to have lost it in the dressage!  Quickly followed that with moving back up BE100 at Aston le Walls.  Ok dressage, one down SJ, nice confident clear XC despite me wobbling about the water jump still.  11th place.  We did the Area Festivals at Pachesham at Elementary and came 10th so got our mounted prize giving and a chance to jump the hedge!

September was a busy month.  Most importantly the BE100 Regionals at Goring saw us coming 5th with a fab double clear, a seriously confident XC round despite it being the biggest/most technical we've done and a qualification for Badders 2015!!!  Second BE90 Regionals at Moreton Morrell and he knocked down the smallest SJ to drop us from 2nd to 7th and out of the qualifications so looks like it's BE100 for Badders 2015 - eeeeeeeeek!  We also did Area Festivals at Wellington and got a 70% in the Freestyle but just missed out on top 10 in the Elementary.  We did the Blenheim Eventers Challenge which has been on my to do list for years and he was cracking, flying the tricky XC section and just rubbing one SJ.  100 odd entries and only 17 clears or something like that so pleased for a first attempt.  We also squeezed in a camp at Nick Gauntlett's yard the week before Goring which was very useful.

October I had intended to run him in the BE100 Plus at Pulborough but the weather was against us and I know he hates mud so don't run him in those conditions now as he just loses confidence.  Instead we went XC schooling at Lyneham Heath which is an amazing venue and we jumped him over every ditch and coffin and corner and drop fence without any hesitations.  Will definitely head back there before next season.  We did our first 1.05m BSJA class so up to 1m15 in the second phase and he was absolutely flying - what a great feeling.  He had his usual one rail down but felt so confident.  We also went on a pre-season hunt meet and he reminded me what an outstanding hunter he is by flying over open ditches and huge hedges without a hesitation.

November he mostly spent on holiday.  We did a quick XC clinic with Chris at LMEQ just building on his confidence and he was loving it and very much on form.  We did our first BD Mediums at Crofton and despite it blowing a gale and it not being the best work he can do he managed 65% in M61 and won the Restricted section followed by a respectable 62.5% in M75.

December he came back from holiday feeling awesome, won our first jumping class - a 1m Eventers Challenge, did another 1.05m class at Parwood and just flew round (needless to say via a pole or two on the floor - argh!).  We also won the Restricted Elem Freestyle at Merrist Wood on over 71% then won the Medium Restricted Freestyle on our first attempt on plus 65% so qualified for Regionals!  He has finally got the hang of flying changes and we're most definitely aiming towards Advanced Medium next year which is just beyond exciting!  He feels top dollar and I say roll on 2015 (even if I am quite frankly terrified about Badminton - I didn't get round the 90 very successfully, what on earth am I doing going back at 100?!!!!!)

Aims for 2015:

• Priority number one - another injury free year please.
• Dare I say it - let's just go for completing Badminton BE100 - a clear XC would be amazing but I will go for a completion as a realistic aim.
• Top ten Elementary Restricted/Freestyle Winter Regionals and Elem Summer Regionals
• Top ten Medium Restricted Area Festivals
• over 60% in an Advanced Medium - both straight and Freestyle
• Newcomers BSJA
• unaffiliated Novice one day event - thinking Aston le Walls pre-Badders or Mattingley post-Badders
• qualify for Badminton BE100 2016 unless he does amazingly in which case I might just retire him from qualification chasing and just enjoy a chosen few events!
• that lot should keep us busy!

SJ practice Parwood 30-12-14

Just went to Parwood today for a little play over some jumps before we head to Merrist Wood for BSJA this weekend.  Not jumped for 2.5wks and always feel like my eye for a stride will desert me if I don't get regular practice in.  Did some flying changes in the warmup and as long as I had the right quality canter they happened fine, if I let the canter get long and flat then he can't do them which unfortunately I think will always be a problem with our jumping as that's just how he likes to go.

Started jumping with an exercise I haven't done for a while that Chris Burton started doing with us which is always good for getting my eye in and gives us both confidence.  Trot to a x pole and then just let 5 regular strides happen to an oxer which you build up and out.  We got it to 1m25 and he was jumping really well, picking up and good technique as you can see in the photos.  He didn't feel like he was making much of an effort even at that height but I didn't see the point in keep going higher for the sake of it as we won't be jumping more than 1m10 at BSJA at the weekend.

After that I popped round the course that was up - guessing it was around 1m-1m05.  First time round wasn't great as I found myself adding a few strides.  Second time was fab and he was flying.  Needless to say he didn't touch a pole.  Inevitably he will find one or two to knock down at the weekend - he seems to save his clear rounds for training unfortunately!

SJL lesson and BD FSM at Merrist Wood

Friday's lesson focused on running through my music floorplans - taking advantage of having the long arena set out.  In the Elementary he was trying to throw in changes so had to make sure really kept the bend over the leading leg and positioning in the counter canter and into the medium canter.  Actually him now being able to do changes is going to improve my riding as I can't get away with being sloppy with my aids now - everything has to be right or he'll think I want a change.

We then ran through some lateral work before doing the Medium.  He did some super travers on both reins - really soft and supple to the bend.  Change of hand in trot must remember to move the forehand over to the new direction before asking for the HP.  Canter HP is still his weak point but it is improving slowly.  I need to make sure I really use the corners to set him up and create the bend for the next movement.  Everything comes up so much quicker at Medium and is more difficult as well so I need to sharpen up my riding to cope with it.  Also need to develop more core strength to be able to help him in the more difficult movements and half halt him properly to stop him running off in the lateral work.  Fine tuned the floorplan a bit but basically all works ok.  Remember heavy elbows, keep elbows in, carry hands.  Lift the inside hand in the HP to guide him over and remember inside leg.

On Saturday we were back at Merrist Wood for Freestyle day.  They had huge entries so we weren't on till mid afternoon.  I decided to use the snaffle bridle for the Elem as he is more established in that.  Warmup went well, lots of lateral work and simple changes.  The test all went to plan, floorplan worked really well.  He dropped on his head a little in both simple changes but was very obedient upwards.  Kept the canter through the counter canter and mediums.  Judge was grinning madly at me at the end.  It didn't feel amazing to me but I like happy judges!  Was quite gobsmacked to see score of 71.346%  We won the Restricted section and were 2nd Overall out of 19.  He got straight 7's for almost all his technical marks. 6.5 for his 10m circle right, 6 for his first medium trot, but 7.5 for the 2nd one down the final centre line!!  7.5's for both his leg yields. 6.5 for simple change right to left. 5 for first halt, 8 for second one!  6.5 for rhythm, energy and elasticity. 7 for harmony, 7.5 for choreography and 8 for music! Judge was Debbie Pateman who said "Great test, made me smile throughout! Horse shows lovely attitude and the music & floorplan worked well - well done!"

Swapped him into the double for the Medium which in hindsight maybe shouldn't have done as only had 10mins to warm him up again which wasn't really enough time to get him settled in it.  Test didn't start well with him trying to stop to have a poo as we were about to enter at A.  I kicked him on, he threw his head, curb rein tightened and he had a complete paddy coming into first halt.  Oops!  The rest of the test was a bit uninspiring.  He didn't feel like he was moving very freely sideways in the lateral work, he was wobbly in the shoulder-ins, the trot HP barely made it halfway across the arena and the simple changes all involved trotting on the downwards and they should be one of his strong points.  Was chuffed to see we scored 65.667% as he has the potential for soooo much more!  Even more chuffed to see that we won the Restricted section and ended up 4th out of 8 in the class and qualified for Regionals on first attempt!  Judge was Sue Rowlands who said "Well attacked test, needs freedom, mouth open at times. Good pattern. Music really suited paces"  He got a 4.5 for his first dire halt, 7 for his collected canter, 7.5 for his collected walk, 7.5 for his final halt, otherwise all 6's and 6.5's except a hurried 5.5 for medium trot.  His canter HP's got 6.5's so can't have been as bad as they felt.  6's for the trot HP and he got 7.5's in his last Medium so loads more potential there. 6 for rhythm, 6.5 for harmony, 7.5 for choregraphy, 7 for degree of difficulty and 7 for music.

Had an interview with Horse and Hound today.  She said the Elementary judge was really impressed with our final centre line and the Medium judge really liked how I designed the choreography to not include anything he couldn't do.   Not sure if will get a photo or just a few words but will be good to be in H&H again.  Love my boy!

Next stop a bit of hunting over Christmas and then arena eventing before Regionals at the end of Feb and before we know it it will be eventing season again!

BSJA Parwood 13-12-14

As is usual with BSJA - you either end up miles too early and waiting around for hours or late and in a mad rush!  Last time the former, this time the latter.  Missed the course walk for the Discovery which was not good as the second phase was seriously twisty with some tight turns I really could have done with walking.  A friend told me the course and the striding which helped and I just had time to watch 3 go.  Quick warmup.  He started trying to warm up in a poncy dressage canter and got a little reminder that we were SJing today and quickly became the gobby horse I know best.  Had him in his dressage bridle today - still experimenting what he jumps best in.  He was lovely and soft as long as I let him mooch along but once I upped the tempo and razzed him up a bit I don't think it would matter what bit he is in!

Very much enjoying jumping in my new Albion K2 Jump which my super sponsors West Kent Saddles have found me after months of searching for a saddle that fitted Monty and that I felt secure in.  It looks fabulous!

First class was Discovery running as single phase so get to jump the 2nd phase no matter what.  He jumped a fab round.  I held one stride too long at the castle and let him just get a bit flat to the penultimate fence which he had down (along with half the class) but I was really pleased with how he jumped, how easy he made the twisty turns in the 2nd phase and how smooth it all felt.  I also thought it looked quite small - never thought I'd say that about Discovery!

Actually turning in the air for the tricky tight turn to the next fence

If only he gave them all this much room!

Little break then back on for the 1.05m. Good, positive warmup and carried that through into the ring.  This class the 2nd phase looked huge but first phase was up to height yet still looking very doable which was nice.  It was 2 phase anyway so unlikely to get through to 2nd phase!!  He was really unlucky to breathe on the first part of the first double then gave the 2nd part a decent knock for good measure.  Shame as put him on a much better stride than in the first class.  Got a flyer to the 2nd double which has huuuuge oxer on the way in and he was great to respond and gave me a fab feeling.  He is just the most frustrating horse to SJ.  He has oodles of scope but just can't be bothered to pick up his feet those extra couple of millimetres over all the fences!  Most of them he gives them yards.  Still, just jumping smooth rounds over fences this size is huge progress for us!  I watched the Newcomers after and they only put it up a hole - definitely aiming for that next!

Off to Merrist Wood for dressage to music - first Medium level one next weekend then it's a bit of hacking and hunting for the clever orange one over Christmas before we pick up the dressage/SJ/arena evening again in the New Year.

Huuuuge oxer!  Lovely neat jump.

Beautiful jump

Sara Jane Lanning lesson 10-12-14

Aim of this lesson was to sort out a Medium choreography and do a bit with the flying changes.  Had him in the snaffle bridle today as don't want to be relying on the double all the time.  He was much softer than he has been in the past though.  Sara-Jane said often this will be the case - a little work in the double just helps to establish the softness.

Started with canter half pass into simple changes which seemed to work pretty well - kept the canter collected and the simple changes were nice so he is more than capable of us including this in our floorplan.  Canter half pass varied between being pretty good and quarters trailing.  Need more bend, softer to the bend (although he is way better than he was) and remember to half halt and use the inside leg.  To the right I need to watch my position as apparently it's very good to the left but because he finds it harder to go right I let my left shoulder creep forwards and get a bit wonky which blocks him a bit.  When we ran through the music I let his canter get too onwards bound which made the changes impossible so must remember to keep it collected (I think the music is too fast for his new collected canter so need to sort that asap!)  There is a way I can make the choreography a little easier by putting the change in a slightly different place so I can always do that if I feel the canter isn't good enough to get a good change as pointless having degree of difficulty marks if the quality of the basic compulsory movement isn't there.

The other thing I wanted to include was counter canter to counter canter via a simple change and he did this straight off both ways with no hesitation.  Just need to remember to do the downwards transition early enough so as not to be rushing him into the new canter and straight round a corner.

My trot floorplan worked out well and he managed a counter change of hand in half pass with no dramas at all.  He also let me sit to his medium trot which is still nothing special but he tries hard and it actually felt less messy with me sitting than rising.  In the counter change of hand I need to think about staying just behind the imaginary diagonal line I am following then move the forehand back to straighten him so I can then create the new bend in front and start with the forehand leading.  If you try and change everything at once you end up with quarters leading which given that is his tendency in that direction I will have to be quite careful for that not to happen.  Never done changes of hand with him so will probably take some practice to polish that one but definitely capable of doing a good job eventually.

Walk is the easy bit as I can just alter that n various ways to make sure we end up in the right place for the final trot.

Just did a bit of work on the trot afterwards as running through the test he got very heavy in my hand which is what he did in the double bridle in our Mediums at Crofton.  Sara-Jane asked me how many times I half-halted him and there lay the obvious answer.  Er, none!  He leans on my hands for balance, I let him and down the poll goes.  We did a few half halts and suddenly a rather impressive trot outline appeared.  Must must not let the reins get too long and must remember how important the half halts are, even if at this stage he might give me a reaction that doesn't look so pretty it is better than him leaning on me and running onto his forehand.

We finished with some changes.  Every single left to right one was clean and soft and through and apparently worth 7's!!!  And yes, I did say left to right - given this was the way that initially he couldn't comprehend for love nor money it's quite amazing that he is now just flicking easily from one leg to the other with no drama at all!  Right to left weren't so great, quite often being late behind - sadly only worthy of 4's.  New things tend to go through phases like this though - one bit comes then another bit and the original bit goes.  I feel confident by next year we will have both of them for 7's!  Then it's Advanced Medium here we come!  To get the right to left better I need to half halt before the change and be careful not to block him.  Be quicker to bring my new inside leg forwards out of the way as soon as I change the bend and ask for the change.  I think my timing was a bit out on this rein which is odd as it was always the better one to start with but I think he anticipates more going this way which makes it harder to coordinate everything when you're just learning.  It's like the blind leading the blind but we do seem to be getting places slowly but surely.  Can't believe it was only February he was winning the Prelim Regionals!  Next weekend Medium Freestyle and next year Advanced Medium.  He is such a little cracker!

Arena eventing training and competition report 5th/6th Dec 2014

Friday evening I went down to Merrist Wood for a BE organised training clinic on arena eventing.  Having not jumped for a month I was expecting us both to be a bit rusty but was pleasantly surprised to find my eye appeared to be working just fine and Monts was well up for it.  Downside of Monts in that kind of mood is that any kind of softness goes out the window.  If you try and ask him to work over his back into an outline he just sticks his head even higher in the air and fights.  Still, at least he was going forwards although he was a bit looky at some of the fillers.  We did loads of skinnies, difficult turns, corners etc and he was great - no cheeky run outs and really locking on.  Got told to try and anchor my hands into the base of his neck on landing from a fence to stop him plunging onto his forehand and charging off with me which worked well so just have to try and remember to do that.  Something to practice as he needs to learn to land then immediately rebalance, not gallop round half the arena first!

Saturday evening I took him back to Merrist Wood for the 1m unaffiliated indoor SJ/XC.  There were 5 SJ's then 11 XC jumps against the clock, some were knockdowns, some rolltops etc - things moved round from the night before and I missed the course walk as they were running early so just had 4 people to watch to learn the course!

Quick warmup as I was basically last to go.  Jumping well although there wasn't anything big to jump  and no-one to help me so I started doing some angles instead.  Forgot about his nappy streak and put him on a steep left hand angle right by the gate and he naughtily nipped out the left side.  He got a smacked bum for that as he really needs to learn it's not acceptable now and I didn't put him on a bad line or stride - he just took advantage.  Jumped it a couple more times fine and then in we went.

We had a couple of lucky rattles but for once the poles stayed in their cups.  Totally missed my turn from 6 to 7 so had to do a handbrake turn to a very spooky jump but fortunately he was on the ball and we pulled off some other tight turns, I rode forwards and he really responded.  Then had to seriously anchor up for 2nd last fence followed by 90degree turn right on 4 strides to a skinny - worst nightmare as perfect for him to nip out to the left but he didn't think about it - maybe smacked bum in warmup paid off!  Nearly fell off when they announced we'd gone into the lead.  Given we were last in, that meant we won the class!!!  I've never even been placed in a SJ competition on him and anything against the clock normally sees us coming last but he was excellent and we were a bit lucky in places and for once it all came together for us - well chuffed!

pro pics - last page (and 3 on the previous page) - he makes them look like they're tiny and he just can't be bothered with them!

Merrist Wood BSJA 09-11-14

In hindsight possibly an outing too many this week but as Merrist Wood is on our doorstep it seemed wrong not to enter as they don't hold much BSJA there and the indoor is huge and lovely.  Although Monts (and a lot of other horses) do seem to find it quite spooky.

Warmed up outdoors okish although he was a bit behind my leg (a bit like yesterday but not as bad).  First class was Discovery Qualifier with 120 odd in the class so I think they made it quite technical.  The oxers were certainly max width and everything looked up to height with lots of dog legs and turn backs.  I liked the second phase though and really hoped we could get through to it. He jumped the first 7 fences great.  I was really pleased with how well I thought out my dogleg lines as these have always been my nemesis, tending to cut corners and end up on half strides which to oxers this wide isn't a good idea but no probs today then we had a long 9 strides down to final skinny and he just got a bit flat and tipped it.  Argh!  Why is it he always has to have one fence down!

http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/mhphotos/albums/bsja_area_44/456327_173942/browse/360/?w=800&h=468
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/mhphotos/albums/bsja_area_44/456327_173942/browse/361/?w=800&h=468
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/mhphotos/albums/bsja_area_44/456327_173942/browse/363/?w=800&h=468

Half hour break for him.  Walked the 1.05m and they hadn't really put the fences up much, maybe couple had gone up a hole but the course was pretty twisty as it was an open speed class - one round against the clock.  Don't think we'll enter another of those in a hurry!  Watched the first few go and 2 fell off and 2 got eliminated - great start!  We got the first fence ok but then made a complete mess of the turnback to fence 2 and demolished it - he hates doing that so we were also all wrong to the upright at 3 and demolished that too, shot off into the corner, made an awful turnback to the double with huge oxer going in (that we had made a super job of in the first class) and got right in the base of it - he levitated, landed on the back rail and put 2 strides in the double - what a mess.  Down to the skinny he'd had down in the Discovery and he got in a bit close but cleared it fine (why is that - put him on a good stride and he has things down, bury him to a vertical and he'll almost certainly clear it)  Round to an oxer to vertical on related 3 strides that he cleared nicely and then it was a nasty turnback to the planks.  He had hesitated slightly at these planks in the first class and I'd seen them cause a lot of problems before realising they were the ones that Dan chucked me off at 8yrs ago and put me in hospital with concussion and a broken wrist.  This wasn't a good thing to remember and consequently I rode them very hesitantly and not on a good line and he ran out.  Gave him a pat as really my fault, not his and came back round in a better canter and on a good line and he jumped them fine, rode a good dogleg to big oxer at 9 and good to the final one stride double.  I think after the first crash I just needed to stop and circle and get us back together but you can't do that in the middle of a round so it just got worse and worse.  He wasn't really believing me when I said for him to go forwards and take me - not sure if it was Merrist Wood syndrome as does make them back off in there as quite spooky or whether he was a bit tired from yesterday or a bit of both but you really need to both thinking positively forwards to be jumping that height (and especially width).

Getting in far too close to the skinny but clearing it:
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/mhphotos/albums/bsja_area_44/456327_173943/browse/63/?w=800&h=468

Number 6 - making it look easy:
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/mhphotos/albums/bsja_area_44/456327_173943/browse/64/?w=800&h=468

The dreaded planks:
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/mhphotos/albums/bsja_area_44/456327_173943/browse/65/?w=800&h=468

Final double:
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/mhphotos/albums/bsja_area_44/456327_173943/browse/66/?w=800&h=468

He's having 3wks off now to recharge his batteries as he's been a busy lad since his last break after Badminton.  Then it will be more and more SJ practice.  I'm going to let our BSJA membership go though as in a whole year we've been to all of about 8 shows and not managed to go clear, let alone win any money so I'll just jump on a ticket.  I wan't to keep doing BSJA rather than unaffiliated to get the extra level of technicality and the widths of the oxers though.  Would never have tackled a 1.05m at the beginning of this year so we have improved, just not our day today.

Crofton Manor BD 08-11-14

Not the ideal weather for our Medium debut - blowing an absolute gale but at least the rain stayed away.

Monty felt pretty flat as soon as we entered the warmup which didn't really bode well.  Had to do a lot of sharpening up and didn't really feel like he was taking me forwards which isn't a great feeling when you're about to do the hardest test of your life!  Made sure to do lots of sideways and lots of transitions and a bit of medium trot.

First test was M61 - bit of a spook at the boards down near the judge but a nice canter around the arena and then back to trot and down the centre line - super square halt and a good move off for a 7.5.  I could feel the tension in his trot though and it was making it flipping difficult to sit to.  Was definitely bouncing more than usual and struggling to keep my weight down in my stirrups as he was needing more leg than usual.  Still we managed 7's for both shoulder-ins and 7.5 for the two half 10m circles.  Medium/extended trots didn't really happen and 6's were generous.  Half passes were surprisingly good though and earned 7 for left and 7.5 for right!!  Sara Jane has been telling me they are good but have to confess I thought she might just be being nice!  Watching the video though he is really crossing over nicely.

Had a bit of a blip in the walk work because the arena next door rang their bell and in the wind I thought it was my bell and I'd gone wrong so I trotted down to the judge and she rang her bell and we had a bit of a discussion mid test about bells!  I did manage to convince her of my confusion though and that I knew where I was going and she didn't give me an error of course so that was nice.  She didn't seem very impressed with us at this point so I did lose a bit of focus and felt like giving up!  I didn't really ask for much in the extended walk so got a 6 but 7 for collected walk, 7 for the walk to canter and also the 10m circle.  Only a 5 for his HP which needed more suppleness to bend and also then he was on 3 tracks on the centre line.  7 for his medium canter across the diagonal though and no wanting to change so that was good.  6.5 for his trot to canter right and right canter 10m circle then after starting a nice canter HP right he just suddenly broke to trot and then had a complete hissy fit about going back into canter.  It's not unknown for him to have hissy fits but normally in the snaffle he just throws his head up and then settles again.  In the double when he chucks his head the curb catches him in the mouth so he had a full on tantrum in the middle of the test which got us a 3 - our first 3 lol!  Managed to get him going again and got 6.5 for extended canter across the diagonal and 6.5 for final halt.

7, 6, 6, 7 for collectives.  Judge was Joy West who said "Super horse with much to offer. Just needs to create more activity behind at times"  We were in the training section so score didn't count but we actually beat the 3 in the Restricted section and finished on 65%.  Over the moon with that for a first test.  We actually beat the horse who won the Medium Restricted Area Festivals at Wellington this year!  Video doesn't look as bad as it felt although is clear I am not sitting as soft as I can and he is tending to drop his poll so need to do more work in the double with him to get him used to it and get him up in front of me.  He is easier to flex and keep round in it but no good if he is dropping down on my hands.

Getting ready:

Nice square halt to start with:

Some trot:

Some half pass:

medium canter:

video:
M61

Half hour break then back on for a short warm up - just did a bit of travers, rein back, walk piris, counter canter and simple changes as these are the extras in M75.  At this stage hadn't seen sheet for M61 and had felt it hadn't gone great so wasn't sure if had bitten off more than I could chew with M75 being the Championship test but thought might as well give it  go!  Tried to have him more up and in front of me in the warmup and keep that for the test.

warmup video:
warmup

Got a nice canter round the outside of the arena bar a bit more spooking at the advertising boards by the judges box.  All ready to go down the centre line when he has a freak out at something just before A at which point I was committed to entering and entered amidst tempi changes and bunny hopping before screeching to a sideways halt somewhere to the left of X.  When I asked him to move he went backwards for 6 strides before finally deciding to go forwards.  Again, this would have been a reaction to him getting caught in the mouth with the curb when he chucked his head up to spook.  Not a lot I can do about that.  When his head comes up it totally changes the position of the bits and it's so sudden I can't loosen the rein immediately.  I'm sure he will learn it's not a sensible thing to do!  Anyway judge clearly wasn't paying much attention to the circus act or was feeling in a forgiving mood as we got a 5 and the comment "cautious in before X and quarters L in halt, stepped back" - ha ha!

Putting that behind us the rest of the test went really well!  He got 6's for his SI and travers as I didn't have quite as much bend as in the first test, we were probably both a bit tired at this point.  HP got 7 for right and 6.5 for left though so that is really encouraging.  I feel his lateral work has real potential to score good marks.  6.5 for both 10m circles as he was dropping his poll again.  6's for the mediums as he hurried.  6.5 for rein back - nice square halt and obedient but dropped his poll.  7 for extended walk.  6.5 and 5 for walk piris - she said he stuck in the 2nd one although video shows him continuing to step so not sure what she was looking at!  Nicely into canter and medium canter although only got 6.5 and 6 for this as she wanted more ground cover in the medium.  6.5 for his HP left, 6 for CC as wanted more uphill then a 7 for his simple change which he did really nicely.  Just really have to watch the quarters don't swing.  5.5 for canter HP right as quarters were trailing a bit, doesn't look too bad on video though - definite potential.  Lost a bit of balance in the CC this way as was definitely anticipating a change but still managed an ok simple change for a 6.  6.5 for a nice extended canter into counter canter, 6 for extended trot as hurried but he did show some difference.  5.5 for final halt as he took the tiniest step back.  6, 6.5, 6.5, 6 for collectives.  Judge was Sue Russell and she said "Obedient horse, some nice transitions but needs to develop a little more lateral suppleness and bend for higher marks"  Finished on 62.16% and ended up 6th out of 7 in the Restricted but it was quite close and he's definitely got potential to gain quite a few more marks in that test with a bit more polish.  Really pleased with him coping with the wind without too many hysterics and achieving our ambition of points at Medium level, not just one but 5 of them (ok, theoretical points as we were in Training sections but that doesn't make a difference to the marks)  Loads for us to work on but definitely no reason not to keep taking him out at Medium level and improving!  Definite aim for Advanced Medium next year.  Trainer thinks we can do it so we shall go for it!

Nice trot photo:

Video:
M75

Sara Jane Lanning lesson - Merrist Wood - 07-11-14

First lesson in the double bridle and he seemed to accept it well.  He did object when the curb chain was done to correct tightness though so had to have it looser and just watch not to use too much and end up with horizontal curb.  Will need to get a curb guard for it.

Have to make sure to not let reins get too long as he tends to just sneak out the contact.  Watch the amount of bend in the lateral work and make sure the shoulders lead in the HP, esp in canter.  Need to get more inside bend before starting the canter HP as then he moves across much better.  In the simple changes keep the walk collected, he get long and strung out then finds it hard to step back up to canter.  In the canter down the centre line think shoulder-fore.  Do lots of LY and HP in the warmup rather than too many circles to get him supple and thinking sideways.

In general she said we were doing really well and especially the HP has come on loads.  Given how well his changes are coming on we should be aiming for Advanced Medium next year - pretty chuffed with that!

XC clinic LMEQ with Chris Burton 01-11-14

Had a lovely warmup canter round the gallops before heading out onto the XC course.  Chatted to Chris at the beginning of the session and agreed today wasn't the day to be jumping huge fences or over-challenging him.  A nice, confidence giving end of season outing to end on a high was what was needed.  Warmed up getting forwards canter then collect on a circle before moving on again making sure to keep the connection.  Tried to make sure to ride positively to the fences and really soften my hands over the fence and he jumped brilliantly.  Piccies here from our two warmup jumps which he flew - no stickiness at all which set the theme for the session.  Clipped him the day before as he just so sweaty in our SJ lesson on Wednesday which I'm sure helped.  He was forwards to all his fences which in turn meant he was straight.  No wobbles at the skinnies.  Got in a bit close to the corner first time but because I was riding forwards still he didn't think about a run out.  Discussed with Chris whether to attempt the meaty Novice corner but the fact Chris didn't sound sure about it was enough for me to decline - save that for next season I think!

warming up:

Skinny to steps up

warming up:                                                                Playing in the water:

Finished with flying over the trakehners and through the owlhole.  No hesitations.  Super duper horse.  Well chuffed with him.  Great way to end the season and can't wait to get back out there again next season!

2014 event season roundup

A summary of our 2014 event season - I think safe to say our most successful season so far:

• 12 BE events
• 57 BE Foundation Points
• 8 top ten finishes
• 2 wins (one at BE90, one at BE100)
• 5 Regional Final opportunities (3 at BE90, 2 at BE100)
• 5th, 6th and 7th at the three Regionals we attended
• Personal best dressage scores of 21.5 at BE100 and 22.5 at BE90
• 6 sub 30 dressage scores
• 5 clears SJ
• 4 double clears
• Badminton Grassroots BE90 completion (not the XC round we hoped for but a great dressage score and clear SJ in testing conditions, plus completing is still an achievement I'm proud of)
• Qualification for BE100 Badminton Grassroots 2015 - let's go back and do a better job!

We had a huge confidence blip after Badminton but I feel that I've learnt a lot from it and that we've ended the season stronger than ever.  I can't wait for 2015!


Huge thanks to our fab sponsor for the year, West Kent Saddles, who have expertly made sure that Monty's saddles fit him perfectly.  I have really enjoyed working with them and thoroughly recommend them to anyone in the South East looking for a saddler.

I have also enjoyed being an ambassador rider for the wonderful Celeris riding boots which are truly the most comfortable boots I've had the privilege of wearing.  If anyone wants any more details on them then feel free to get in contact!

Date	Location	Cl	Horse	Rider	Dres sage	Show Jump	XC Time	XC Jump	Total	Place
10.10.14	Pulborough	100+	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	Withdrawn
26.9.14	M Morrell 2	90rf	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	28.0	4	0.0	0	32.0	7
6.9.14	Goring 2	100rf	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	30.5	0	0.0	0	30.5	5
7.8.14	Aston 4	100	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	31.0	4	0.0	0	35.0	11
2.8.14	Chilham 2	90rf	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	30.0	0	0.0	0	30.0	6
28.6.14	Eridge	90	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	30.0	4	1.2	0	35.2	3
21.6.14	Rackham	90	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	22.5	0	0.0	0	22.5	1
14.6.14	Stratford Hills	90	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	27.5	4	W	W	W	W
31.5.14	Farley	100	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	33.0	4	E	E	E	E
6.5.14	Grassroots	90 	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	27.8	0	82.0	145	254.8	63
Date	Location	Cl	Horse	Rider	Dres sage	Show Jump	XC Time	XC Jump	Total	Place
18.4.14	Hambleden	100	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	21.5	0	3.2	0	24.7	1
1.4.14	Portman	100	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	31.0	4	1.2	0	36.2	9
22.3.14	Munstead 1	100	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	27.0	4	0.0	0	31.0	3
7.3.14	Aston 1	90	MARMALADE MONTY	Holehouse, Nicola	Withdrawn

Chris Burton SJ lesson 29-10-14

Worked on the canter to start with - had the schooling whip and had him going nice and forwards but when forwards he does get more argumentative about the contact and outline.  Had to work to keep him in an energetic canter but keep him round and keep the canter contained.

Started with a little grid - pole to x pole to pole then made x-pole to upright and then 2 uprights on a bounce.  He wanted me to concentrate on getting a distance to the first pole and let the rest happen from there - I find it really hard to see a distance to a pole though!  It makes me look down for a start.  Did fluff it a few times but just kept leg on and he sorted himself out after falling over the first pole.  He's never been the best at poles for some reason.

Then moved onto a wide low oxer which is absolutely fab for getting him to round over the jump - you can really feel him looking for the back rail.  Then nicely forwards to an upright.  Then onto a short course including a one stride double and a tight turn back to a big oxer and then right turn to a big oxer over the water tray.  Determined not to hook and pull like in my last lesson so went the other way and just fired him at them all.  He listened to me and he flew but it does then take me a year to get him back under control after the fence and after telling Chris we'd mastered our flying changes I couldn't get him to change to the right.  He said it was taking me far too long to regain control after a fence - needs to be within 2-3 strides, not halfway round the school.  He wanted him rounder and more connected.  Need to sit down in the saddle sooner after the fence and get him to listen to me.  Needs to come from seat and legs, not hands.  Also need to remember not to nag him with my legs, sit quietly and use the schooling whip in the couple of strides before the fence if needed to really wake him up.

Chris jumped on at the end and had him better connected and waiting for the fences rather than firing, but without hooking.  One day I'll work out how to do that!  Monty still wasn't making it easy for Chris to get him soft and round though so not surprising I struggle.  It's amazing how much he fights it considering how soft he is with his flatwork now.

I was initially pleased with how he was forwards and attacking his fences and listening to me saying go rather than chipping in but came away feeling frustrated as didn't get the usual praise from Chris.  I guess because he is really trying to work on our technique now rather than just getting us over fences.  I see his point about having him more connected and that would make him easier to adjust.  Need to do some work at home on small fences and regaining softness between them I think.  The problem is that to get him really taking me to the fences I have to razz him up and then he loses the softness and then just charges around with me - this works to an extent but is rubbish if I need to adjust him at all.  If I keep him in a quiet, soft dressagey canter he's fine but as soon as I open it up I lose the connection.  Determined to sort this!  Thinking I might organise a bit of a bootcamp with Chris once he's back from Australia.  Go for a few days and ask Chris to go back to basics with our canter and really try and crack this.  Was also thinking I might try and go there for the week before we go to Badminton so we can really tune him up.  Last year I had weekly lessons in the lead up which really helped as he did a fab dressage/SJ.  Want to do similar this year but make sure we get out XC schooling and SJ on grass as well so a whole week would work well.  It's close enough I can leave him there and travel in daily for lessons.

BSJA Parwood 19-10-14

Was at a wedding last night so feeling a little delicate this morning.  Possibly not the best thing to go SJ but for this reason I had pre-entered to make sure I didn't wimp out at the last minute!  Early again, so an hour hanging around while they finished the British Novice but lots of lovely people I knew to talk to this week so big improvement on our lonely trip to BCA last week.  

This week we started with the Discovery.  Walked the course and liked it much better than nasty twisty BCA course last week.  No tricky distances and no tight turns (only as tight as you wanted to make them in the second phase).  They were running single phase which I really like as even if you knock a pole in the first phase you still get to carry on and do the second phase against the clock so more fences for your money.  It was a little scary knowing I was going to have to do the second phase though as it looked rather large!  Long wait again as we were 42nd to go!  He was yawning his head off in the lorry when I went to find him.  Made sure I had him raring to go in the warmup and he was jumping really well, despite some scary sunbeams on the floor of the indoor school!  Went into the arena and he jumped a cracking round.  Really unlucky to just get a touch too close to part a of the double which was the very last fence.  I even rode some tight-ish turns (for me!) and was really enjoying myself!

Bit more of a break while they finished another 20 or so in that class then walked course for the 1.05m Open - our first one!  Another nice course, just the last line from an upright to the final one stride double which was on 6.5strides and the first part of the double was a ginormous oxer as wide as it was tall - eek!  He jumped the first bit brilliantly and was again unlucky to just rub exactly the same fence as he did in the Disc which was fence 6 this time (I clearly didn't learn much from whatever I did the first time although it was on an awkward turning line in my defence!).  Onto the huuuuuuuuge jump off section (allowed to be 10cm higher than first phase so up to 1m15!) and he was flying - fence 10 was a humongous oxer that he flew, then round to the upright at 11 and I didn't get the line I wanted so ended up on a weird dogleg to the final double which I might have wanted to hold to if it wasn't the size of a house so I just kicked like hell and hoped for the best.  We were just a bit off it so he didn't quite make the width but totally my fault, not his and so pleased with how he jumped and how he took me forwards into everything.  Also pleased that I didn't hook once and how much smoother that made our round!  Even Badminton will look small after a winter jumping that height!  Brilliant photos thanks to the lovely Gary Horner.  He still makes it look so easy - he's clearing them by miles - plenty of scope left to go bigger!  I reckon Newcomers (1m10) by the end of the winter!!!

Next stop is tracking Chris down for a last couple of lessons before he heads back to Australia for a couple of months.  He has been in Europe for the last few weeks competing but he's back tomorrow and I'm feeling in the mood for working on our SJ some more before Monty has a bit of a break in November.  Just hope I can remember to ride like this after a few weeks off!

Owen Moore BE training day at Lyneham Heath 16-10-14

I decided to make the long trip up to Oxfordshire for the opportunity to train round a brand new XC course with a great reputation, combined with the fact that at a cost of £48 for an hour of SJ and 1.5hrs of XC it was too good to miss!

We set off at 7.30am and were there in good time at 9.45am so time for Monty to have a leg stretch before our lesson at 11am.  Was surprised to find it was still on grass after recent rain and we were the third group so ground pretty chewed up.  Not what I would choose to compete on, let alone train on, but not much I could do and I guess it is good practice just in case Badminton is a big soggy mess.  He warmed up rather brightly in a large grassy field and gave me a perfect flying change both ways (something we've been putting some serious work in on recently!)  We warmed up well - I was using my schooling whip as per last Chris lesson and he was towing me in.  Then moved on to ride a course.  Kept the height down as he was getting stuck in the mud a bit but the bigger fences I rode better and he jumped well and we did a few at 1,05m, inc a triple bar and water tray so it was worth doing.

Few hours rest while the others did their XC then it was our turn.  The heavens opened right at the beginning which made reins and saddle all slippy but then the sun came out and we dried out again.  We worked through water, steps down into water (which he was a little hesitant about - definitely something to work on still), most of the ditches there - ones with a slope down to and ones on the flat and he never hesitated.  Did a coffin with hanging logs either side on an angle, no probs, didn't think twice.  They have a bigger coffin with really airy hanging logs and slope down to a ditch that I'd like to have a go at when the ground is better so definitely planning a return trip before Badders as it was 100% the best XC course I've schooled round.  Huge variety of fences, loads of lovely hedges between the fields and every fence you could dream of, all with all-weather take offs and landings which was fab considering the recent weather!  We did a couple of meaty left handed corners on a right 90degree turn which he flew, steps down to skinnies no probs, skinnies on turns no probs.  I didn't give him a chance to question, just rode forwards and he answered.  Only time he questioned me was bounce up 2 steps then 3 positive strides to a brush into space - fab 2nd time round though. (definitely will do more work on getting him to trust me when he has to jump and land down a steep hill) Finished with jumping a big rolltop on top of a mound, landing into space down steep slope to ditch on 2.5strides (we did 3), then 2 strides to another meaty narrow rolltop on an angle - flew it!  Honestly, if he chucks me in the coffin at Badminton again next year I don't know what more I could do to prepare him!

SJ practice and a BSJA outing

Wednesday we went to Parwood and hired the outdoor school which had the full BSJA course from the day before.  Bit of warming up complete with schooling whip (following on from last lesson with Chris) made for a nice, forward going Monty really taking me into the jumps and listening when I rode for the forwards stride.  Set the course up to be 1m/1.05m ready for the BE100 Plus at Coombelands on Saturday.  Flew round not touching a pole even when I messed up a couple of lines as hadn't actually walked the course.  So we put a selection of them up and he flew round again not touching a pole.  Very pleased with how he went.  Big full up oxer into one stride double then 4 stride related distance easy peasy.  Clever lad.  Pleased I didn't see a duff stride all session either!

Sadly our BE100 Plus debut wasn't to be.  Torrential rain on Friday and again on Saturday morning led me to withdraw.  We went last year for the BE90 and after all the effort of getting there, the SJ warmup was a bog, he wouldn't canter in it let alone jump and because we weren't warmed up properly I didn't ride well in the arena and it was all just a bit waste of time with me then withdrawing before XC as I knew he'd hate the ground.  No point attempting our biggest class yet in the same circumstances so sadly decided to stay at home.  Practiced our flying changes instead and managed clean ones both ways (amongst some not so clean!) - the penny is definitely dropping!

Sunday we went to BCA for some BSJA.  About time I used my membership - it cost enough!  Why is it the jumps look so much bigger indoors?  The British Novice looked small so I'm glad I didn't enter that but suddenly the 95cm looked plenty big enough.  Ridiculously twisty course with turnbacks after almost every fence.  Finally after 3hours (this is why I hate SJ!) it was time to actually get on.  He warmed up well enough (warmup outdoors) although I was struggling to see forward shots and did crash through one oxer due to hooking him back to nothing.  So frustrated with myself after jumping so well at Parwood - it must be subconscious nerves as I don't see why else it was so different to literally 4days previously.  Went in and because it was so twisty I really struggled to get a good rhythm going, some of the turnbacks were so tight he had to trot and I just held him into a big oxer at 3 so he had the back rail.  He saved us at fence 6 by going on a long one when I was definitely trying to hold for another non-exiistant stride.  No second phase for us.  Bit disappointed with my riding.

Half hour break.  New course to learn for our first Discovery.  Definitely looked big enough although sure no bigger than Parwood but indoors and tight turns made it seem huge.  Final fence of second phase full up 1m10 oxer looked massive and sort of hoped I wouldn't have to jump it!  Course was nicer for us - still the silly 270degree turn back from 1 to 2, then there was a sharp left turn after 3 back to a one stride double, 4 stride related distance (glad we had practiced that at Parwood!) and then round to 2 fences on a straight line down the long side that walked on 6.5 strides so I knew I'd have to hold for 7 as unlikely to make 6 indoors.  Tight turn back to planks as final part of first phase.  Warmed up more forwards, practiced some tight turns from one warmup fence to another convincing him to trust me and go on the long one.  Didn't jump anything decent before we went in as no-one there to help me and no-one jumping anything big in the warmup so just had to go in with what we had.  He went sooooo much better - was really pleased with how he jumped.  Still trotted round the corner from 1 to 2, but sharp right turnbacks like that definitely still our weak point.  Thrilled with how he jumped the big oxer at 3 then the difficult line at 4-5, great shot at 6 and then donut here sat and held a little but wasn't actually effective in my holding then thought 3 strides out maybe I could make it on 6 strides and pushed him on only to have him chip in a 7th and take it down in front.  Nice turnback to the planks to finish.  Bit annoyed with myself for cocking up what should have been quite an easy related distance after the 4-5 line but did get out of jumping the second phase!  Still, I guess 4 faults for our first Discovery wasn't too bad and I was pleased with how much better we went second time in.  Just frustrating that he rarely touches a pole in training yet almost always has 4 faults in competition.  Chris always says he doesn't understand why I ever have a fence down when he sees us in lessons.

Next week there is BSJA on my doorstep at Parwood.  It's outdoors so hopefully the fences won't look so big although apparently they built well up to height last week.  They don't have a 95cm though so I'm stuck with the Discovery and 1.05m!!!  I really don't want to do the British Novice as it's just so small I don't ride it with any purpose so I'm gonna man up and enter the 1.05m.  If the Disc goes horribly wrong I can always ride it again HC but we really should be able to do the 1.05m if we're going to get round Badminton next year!  Let's just hope we don't make it through to the second phase as 1m15 is quite frankly terrifying!

Next stop is training at Lyneham Heath with Owen Moore on Thursday.  Chris is away at the moment so taking the chance to get some training in at a completely new XC schooling venue to encounter some new questions as he's seen everything local to us.  Bargain course through BE - £48 for an hour SJ in the morning and 1.5hrs XC in the afternoon.  Gonna be a long day though as 2.5hrs each way without allowing for rush hour traffic - eugh!