Tracey lesson 14-03-12

Tracey rode Monty today - really interesting to watch him from the ground but boy she made him work hard - he finds stepping under and truly engaging so difficult.  He does engage his abdominal muscles as you can see them but doesn't use them to connect front and back end so it feels like riding 2 different horses.  He is constantly wanting to swing his quarters out rather than step through and engage.  The overbending to the left is me rather than him but it's definitely him with the swingy quarters. 

Aims are to work on the shoulder-in on the circle.  Both in walk and trot.  He finds it seriously difficult so careful not to do too much.  Should find left rein much easier than right.  On left rein need to think inside leg to outside hand and be able to give with inside hand - do not ask for too much inside bend, almost think outside flexion and make sure the shoulders come in, not the quarters go out.  On right rein he wants to carry quarters slightly to the inside so must make sure he steps under and through with inside hind and move the quarters away from the inside leg.  Keep my inside leg stretched down and long.  Can change rein across diagonal still in shoulder in, keep the positioning on new rein then back across diagonal.  Intermittently ask him to really stretch down and round in rising trot, but must not let him run onto the forehand when you stop holding him up.  Keep upper body back and really ask him to connect front end to back end, imagining bringing the bridle closer to his hocks.

Until we can gymnasticise him and make him find the lateral work easier he wont be able to produce the quality basic work that you need to get the super marks at basic eventing dressage.

Tweseldown BE90 11-03-12

What a start to the season! After a bit of a panic in the snow a few wks back that we weren't at all ready we've had 2 great XC schooling sessions, a couple of good SJ outings, we won the riding club combined training comp last wkend in torrential rain and then won BE95 dressage at Merrist Wood on Wed evening so was feeling quietly confident that we were on track for a good start to the season.

Alarm went off at 5.30 this morning but I was already awake - far too excited to sleep! Made it to Tweseldown by 7.30 and went off to walk the rather twisty tight SJ course then after my normal battle with the studs finally made it on to warm up for dressage. He did an ok test, everything in the right place but it did lack a bit of sparkle - he could have done with being a bit more forwards but not bad for first one of the season.
warming up:




On with the jumping tack and suddenly he woke up - completely different horse! Popped over each jump once in the warmup - met them all spot on, jumping nicely, albeit completely refusing to soften in the contact. Last few lessons been working on getting him softer and a bouncier canter but he wasn't having any of it today and just got arsey so I let him get on with jumping in the way he always has done. Course had some interesting lines and turns - lots of doglegs, related distances and tight turns plus a tight time so kept my foot down, saw a few interesting long ones but he responded and didn't try chipping in any short ones which made a nice change. Only just made the turn from 6 to 7 so he did well to clear that but chuffed with a nice clear. They announced my dressage of 36 which was a bit disappointing as I felt it was a bit better than that but hey ho.

Piccie of the triple bar - full permission from John Britter to post.


Video:
https://www.facebook.com/video/video...50742774475522

So, on to the fun bit! Walked course first on Wed, then again yesterday and they had moved a couple of fences to better ground so good thing I walked it again! First half similar to last yr's courses then a few changes in the middle. First mission - leaving the car park - numpty horse decided to play napping games and had to be led out. Then managed to forget my number and had to send friend back to get it. Cue him walking by himself to the XC warmup - not a good idea! Got as far as the hill and the motorbike's little rendezvous and he flipped his lid. Rearing, spinning, bunny hopping. He is such a monster - he will choose something to pretend to be scared of and then use as an excuse to have a huge napping fit. Nearly squashed several people on the hill - apologies if it was anyone here. Fortunately saw someone I knew coming down to the warmup and got her to lead me in but even once in there he was being a complete shite. He's always been bad in the warmup there but never this bad. Not fun at all. Wouldn't go near the steward, leaping, spinning, rearing. Gave him a kick and a smack and he did a huge buck. Jumping amazingly though lol - really forwards and getting up in the air nicely. Sometimes he can be a bit sticky about the first XC jump but he was on fire. With one to go I gave him a wake up canter and he just took off with me! So glad I elected to put the pelham in as he was on a mission.

Had to be led down to the start from the middle of the warmup and then led into the entrance to the start box and then he was off. He absolutely flew over 1 to 4 - flower box, chair, hayrack and hanging log but as he landed from a lovely jump over the hanging log he ripped his shoe off. I saw it go flying past my right ear and had a momentary thought about pulling up but he is a toughy and regularly pulls a shoe off halfway through hunting and completes so elected to carry on as long as he felt ok. Saw a long one at the horrid sloping palisade drop thing at 5:



Then onto the brush roll tops on a curve at 6 which we didn't get a great line to as fighting for control down the hill but kicked on and he stayed true. Popped over the little one at 7 then momentary loss of direction as looked for line up the hill to the corner. Saw a long, forward one at the corner (have been guilty in the past of over checking at corners so was trying to ride forwards) but he decided to chip in a little one so got scarily close there. On to the hanging logs at 10 and 11, just making the right turn to 11. Then I managed to fail to set him up for the sunken road as he was pulling my arms out - I just let him bowl on too much so he put in a little one and half fell up the step, completely lost reins, sat up and just kept leg on whilst grabbing my knitting and he popped through the road no probs.

Then onto the dry ditch, 2 strides to brush - he only saw ditch at last minute so slightly intersting jump over that but nice and straight to the brush. Then he just took off - he was spooking at things left and right and all over the place - not fun! Managed to regain some control to make the turn to the house before the water which he took nicely and then dropped to trot for the water, out the other side, turn and back in again, picked up canter and popped out and over the next one no probs:

(what do you think of the new XC kit? I'm loving it - great birthday pressie! although the point 2 does appear to make me look clinically obese - old BP was much more flattering)

Then flew up the hill, down the other side, spooking at a few more things for good measure, flew the chair at 15, up to another log pile and round to the final house, kicking on through the finish as I know the time is usually tough here. Bit of a mental round - really need to work on control and also on his focus - he is so busy spooking at other jumps, objects around the course it's hard to keep his concentration on me and the fences (any suggestions?)

So, sorted him out and then toddled over to see the scores. Turns out my judge wasn't too generous and only one score under 30 so we were actually lying in the lead at this stage as jumping causing plenty of probs. We came in 22secs under time - oops! Took pony off home and came back couple of hours later for scores. Ended up coming 3rd! 34 starters so that gets us a RF qualification and a nice little handful of FP's and a cheque for £31! Not a bad start to the season  We were actually 23rd after dressage so pretty meteoric rise up the leaderboard - thank god for the jumping! Winner finished on 34.5 so pretty close!

MW evening eventers dressage 07-03-12

Time to test out the new dressage saddle!  Conclusion - wow - love it :)  It has left dirty black marks on my new beige breeches though!

Started warmup with a nice stretchy walk then picked up into a slightly stretchy trot and canter.  Walk break and then pick up into competition outline trot/canter remembering to keep hands up in front - still a work in progress, but much better than before looking at the videos.

Went in for BE95 first.  Spooky end of the arena so had a few probs getting him through the corner he doesn't like but managed to convince him to soften before the bell rang.  Concentrated on keeping him up in front and soft.  Must remember not to pull back or down when asking for flexion.  Whole new way of going for him but looks so much better from the vids - he looks like a proper dressage horse!  Judge called us over at the end to say how much we had improved since he last judged us a month ago so that was a pleasant surprise :)  Ended up winning the class on 68% (32 in eventing scores).  We got an 8 for our first half 20m cicle in trot, 6's for both canter circles as needed more energy, 8 for transition from canter to trot on the right rein, 6's for his walk work as he didn't really stretch out much and 6 for final halt which was well wonky!   Rest was all 7's.   Collectives: 8767 "What a lovely presentable test with some good rhythm shown.  On occasions just lost a little outline when not forward"

Had a little break and a chit chat to a few people then back on for 20mins before next test.  Worked on getting more energy in the canter, did some on and back, spiralling in and out on the circle which he did nicely.  In for next test - BE106 - new BE test not ridden it before.  Thought he did a fair attempt - not quite as soft in the contact a first test and canter didn't feel great - think I tried too hard to create more energy and fluffed it a bit, but generally still pleased with him.  Marks a bit random but they always are with this judge.  Got an 8 for his free walk which he totally didn't deserve as someone was walking across the gallery and he was gawping at them.  Got a nice mix of 6's and 7's but then only got straight 6's in collectives :(  Got a 7 for a walk trot transition that he completely hopped and hollowed in then only a 6 for the canter transition which was lovely and comment was hollowed - very back to front.  7's for both centre lines though - we appear to have cracked this straightness thing now :)  7's for most of his canter work, 6's for the trot work.  Need to get him more used to me carrying my hands higher and responding to flexion requests in the right way, getting forwards without rushing.  Comments: "Accurately ridden.  Just lacking a little softness and suppleness.  Could have a rounder outline.  Be careful not to allow horse to become hurried"  Looking at the video I dont want him rounder at all as that would put him behind the vertical.  Ended up on 64% and 7th out of 10 which is rather disappointing as he went nicely and so much better than last time we were there.  Will mark that one down for experience as really just wanted a chance to ride through that test.

Munstead Combined Training RC Q and BE class 04-03-12

Forecast was for heavy rain and they weren't wrong.  Got up and left house at 7am and it wasn't too bad.  Steadily got heavier as I was plaiting up and was proper chucking it down by the time we got there.  Studded up and headed over to the dressage warm up. He worked in nicely enough, felt quite soft and forwards.  Test was BE95 and was ok - centre line was very very undulating and he lost balance a bit.  Generally everything happened where it should do but it wasn't wow.

Wandered around for a bit then had another warmup for N27 - the RC team test.  Really worked on picking up my hands in the warmup and riding him forwards to it and actually had a really good feeling from it.  Shortened my reins by about a foot and held my hands up and out in front of me.  Very different feeling but I think I've been riding with far too long reins and a very intermittent contact.  It was difficult to keep reins nice and short in the rain but determined to keep riding in same fashion, remembered all Helen's tips for a well prepared test and it all came off.  So so chuffed with him.

Onto the jumping, didn't fancy much of a warmup in the rain so just popped a couple of fences, didn't worry about walking course, watched a couple of people go and learnt the route.  Went in and he jumped a lovely smooth round, just a minor disagreement at the last fence which lo and behold was a skinny so I tried to fit in an extra stride and he ignored me and went on a long one.  Must must stop hooking at skinnies!

Straight on round to the 95cm course which was full up height and width and again not getting off to walk it so watched and learnt.  Dog leg from oxer at 4 to 1 stride double at 5 causing probs, otherwise looked ok.  Warmed up again over a couple of fences then in we went.  He jumped a really classy round, just ended up on a slightly deep shot to the double so was prepared for him to try and put in 2 strides but he went on a flyer at the 2nd part and I wasn't ready so just had to sit back, slip reins and hang on hunting style.  Jumped through related distance 6 to 7 easily then just lost balance round the corner to 8, came at it disunited and just clipped a pole out.  Such a shame as he was jumping really well off not great ground and big fences.  He didn't really deserve one down and I dont think he would have done had the ground been better so not too worried.

Final results: Riding club all did fab - everyone did good dressage and jumped clear so ended up with the 2 prelim riders on 2nd in their arenas and I won mine so our team won overall!  Excellent so now off to the National Champs at ALW in June.  My score for the Novice was 64.6% so quite happy with that.  Was 1 mark off the leader in my arena and equal with another on same score as me but they both had 8 faults so we won our arena.  Not sure if we won overall as the other arena was generally marked much more generously and I think even with the corrections we wouldn't have won overall but doesn't matter as team won so we all get to go to the finals :)

BE results:  I got 36 which I initially thought was a little harsh as was hoping we'd improved but at least it was better than 40 odd from end of last season!  We had 4 faults so finished on 40 overall.  That left us on same score as 6th place but she jumped clear and had 40 dressage so she got the placing.  If we'd finished on 36 we'd have been 3rd.  Equal 1st were on 34.5 and one of those was ridden by a pro and the other I know gets score in the 20's regularly so well chuffed we weren't far behind and general consensus is that judging was a little harsh.  In the end there were an awful lot of withdrawals - meant to be 40 in the class but only 23 completed dressage and show jumping.  But still 7th out of 23 not bad IMO!  Work out that normally that would be followed by our best XC phase and would def have been in line for a good placing had that been a ODE.  We were =9th after dressage out of 34 so again I think that's a good result for us especially as I only worked out how to ride him after that test so hoping from now on if I ride like I did in N27 we should be online for some really decent scores this season as long as I can stop him from getting too tight and tense over his back at events.

First stop, dressage at MW tomorrow evening to do BE95 and BE106 and then it's T/down on Sunday - yay!

N27

BE95

85cm RC round

XC schooling Munstead 03-03-12

XC schooling session at Munstead with Eloise Webb.  Started off a little sticky which he always does so we stuck to jumping the 90 fences to start with including the trakehner but once we moved on past there we jumped all the 100 fences apart from the corner as it wasn't flagged.  Things to remember - 3 gears for jumping out of, real steady coffin canter not really needed at our level, big strong SJ type canter for any combinations, drops etc. and jumping out of your stride then 4th gear top speed in between fences.  Remember to sit up and slight check about 5 strides before the fence then leg on, ride forwards and channel them over the fences.  Ride forwards through combinations to make the distances, dont hook back.  If in doubt, leg on, ride forwards!

My new mantra - ride forwards, ride forwards, ride forwards!!!

We jumped through the 90 then the 100 sunken road complex then the water, flew over the hedge then the skinny, brush top, skinny palisade, flower box all completely like a pro - checking back when I asked and galloping on and jumping out of his stride no probs.  We did the 90 angled palisades which initially didn't balance him enough and put in a 2nd short stride but then on 2nd attempt better balancing 5 strides out then ride forwards and straight on an acute angle to make the one stride perfectly - told the others that was how it should be done :)  Really chuffed with him - he felt straight, genuine and honest :)

Merrist Wood schooling

the week consisted of hack on Tuesday, interval training Wed morning (3 x 4min canters in the field with 2mins walk in between and full recovery in 10mins), flatwork on Thur and then off to Merrist Wood to use the 20x40m set out arena.

Worked on getting him relaxing to start with, getting him to stretch into the contact.  Then we did some walk work to get back end engaged then some canter work on and back which he did really nicely on both reins - still finds right rein harder but getting there.  Pleased with the work he gave me.  Then took him into the other school and ran through N27.  It was pretty rubbish really - he wasn't with me at all, medium trot broke, broke in his trot circle etc.  He did however do 2 super straight centre lines and a fab straight halt at the end.  Did a little more work on softening him in the trot which he did nicely and finished there having done over an hour - oops!

Went back to Helen's and analysed the videos afterwards.  Worked out holding my hands far too low, hooking back with my left wrist and not giving him a consistent contact at all.  We also thought about how to ride certain movements better.  Medium trot try and collect first half of corner then push on out of the corner and across the diagonal giving plenty of time to collect up again for the corner.  In canter across the diagonal aim for a few feet before the marker so as not to have to hoik him round the corner and lose balance.  Think hands up and out in front, can use hand upwards rather than backwards and still have same effect on asking him to flex.

Novice SJ Qualifier - Sands Farm 26-02-12

Last Sunday saw us off out again.  This time down to Sands Farm for the Riding Club Novice Winter SJ Qualifier.  First round 80cm, 2nd round 85cm and changed a lot too.

Worked on warming him up keeping him soft in the canter but nice and forwards.  Popped a few jumps all nicely so in we went.  He jumped a nice round apart from when I checked too much into the skinny off the corner where he got in far too deep but still cleared it.  Also, I pushed on too much in the related distance thinking he would struggle with the distance as usual but he didn't so ended up taking out a stride and taking a flyer.  Now he is taking a bigger, more powerful canter stride he is finding it easier to make related distances and is also more confident jumping off a longer stride.  Must must remember not to hook him into skinny fences - much more likely to jump honestly and straightly if I push him up into my hands.

2nd round I remembered not to hook into the skinny and it rode really nicely off a sharp turn.  Whole round felt smooth and in control and another fab clear.  Clever pony.

Team not placed as loads of completely clear score sheets but satisfying result for us :)