tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68444649734774663652024-03-12T16:34:06.840-07:00UnstableChristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-54967130673272972062015-07-05T12:47:00.001-07:002015-07-05T12:47:51.441-07:00Cock ups and a sub 40 dressage! <p dir="ltr">We competed at Carlton last Sunday. Carlton was one of the main reasons I joined BE, having done plenty of schooling round there when I was younger. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I found I wasn't quite as nervous about it as I was at Little Downham, mainly because I knew what to expect. Although I did feel slightly unprepared due to some footy issues and it being so hot (horse gets very lazy in the heat) </p>
<p dir="ltr">The day itself started ok, but it wasn't long before we were driving through quite a lot of rain, with one child complaining of feeling sick. Luckily my husband was there to be my sat nav though (my sense of direction is so poor we frequently end up hopelessly lost) </p>
<p dir="ltr">The set up at Carlton was fab. It had a friendly, family type feel with lots of little things going on. There was so much for the spectators and family members - dog show, birds of prey, excellent viewing (with straw bale seating) and a ping pong table. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Also the sponsors of my class Country and Stable of Olney had provided lovely little goody bags for each competitor. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Thanks to a really enlightening dressage lesson (turns out straightness is key!) We managed to get our best dressage score yet. Despite it feeling shocking and myself getting us totally lost. I suppose having your rider sat straight does make it easier to do all sorts of things, like tracking up, half decent transitions etc... Was pleased she didn't feel like loosing her footing at any time, despite the hard ground and recent downpour. Oh yes, and the cows in very close proximity (she doesn't like cows!) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Feeling a bit crap after getting lost in my test I headed off to walk the xc course in my two hour wait between dressage and showjumping. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The course was perfect. A really great mix of twisty little bits which needed a bit of concentration and accuracy, and some cracking galloping stretches complete with nice jumps and hedges (we really do love a good hedge) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Feeling slightly happier I headed back to the trailer to get ready for the sj. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We struggled in the warm up. I had knocked my confidence in the dressage, and then subsequently all my oomph had just gone and I was really struggling with my nerves. I found that every time I turned into a jump I would have to suddenly take a pull because someone had cut me up, or a helper was fiddling with the jump, or someone else had demolished it. In the end I just went in. Jumped the first two well, then just forgot how to ride. It's all down to how wonderful my little horse was that we only had one jump down. I deserved to have had many more faults. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Feeling rather flat we went off to the xc warm up. Decided that we would just school round quietly, use the day for experience and hopefully do better next time. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The first jump we popped nicely, then she had to be persuaded away from the floral novice fence, and over our little hay feeder instead. Jumped big over number 3, then decided that if I was going to go round like a granny then she had better take matters into her own hands! </p>
<p dir="ltr">She then flew! We had a sticky moment over a skinny log where we got the striding wrong and then nearly ended up in the crop field beyond, but apart from that we had a cracking round. Needn't have worried about the fitness, despite being exhausted after the finish, I didn't have to push her at all, and she recovered very quickly, and doesn't seem to have suffered any ill effects from the hard ground. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In the end we finished with a 37 dressage, 4 faults sj and then a clear but with 15 time faults xc. Not bad really for our second BE. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Unfortunately my happy bubble was burst on the way home when someone's cat ran under my wheel. Not something you could even imagine happening really, but rather a traumatic end to the day. Oh and the sick feeling child was spectacularly sick at bedtime. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Next up we have Great Witchingham in about 2 weeks. Need to do some more straightness work, bit of sj practice and learn the bloody test! (its in a long arena - I'm screwed) </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-45395711606409610852015-05-19T03:54:00.001-07:002015-05-23T00:16:05.629-07:00The trials and tribulations of the newly working parent<p dir="ltr">Or, the many ways in which I've fucked up recently.... </p>
<p dir="ltr">I've recently started a new job. It's very new in lots of ways, not only am I the new girl, but I am doing things I've never done before too. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My previous jobs have pretty much been all horse based, or bar/pub work. I've also done the odd stint in a shop, but not since I've been a 'grown up' </p>
<p dir="ltr">Anyway, I now have an office job and I bloody love it. I'm well aware it is still a novelty, and that it could wear thin pretty quickly, but at the moment I don't care! I'm enjoying being paid for being inside, wearing nice clothes, answering phones and emails, and being able to chat to lovely colleagues. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, there have been some <i>teething troubles</i>....</p>
<p dir="ltr">Firstly, I've now got to fit what I usually have all week to do, into before and after work slots, and a Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I know for most that would be easy! But remember I have 2 and a half horses to do daily, one of which is in full work, and I am a slattern so spend a lot of my time charging about trying to find stuff (clean uniform, kids homework, a hairbrush, stuff for my lunch etc...) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Which leads us on to fuck up number 2. Lunch. <br>
All winter I've existed on cereal bars and cup a soup, and then had something when I got home at 2.30pm. Now, I'm in the office 9 - 5.30pm which is nowhere near a shop, so I need to take lunch with me. A couple of times I've forgotten and spent the day eating cereal bars (I keep some in the car) and drinking coffee. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Forgetting stuff. <br>
In the few weeks I have been working I have managed to forget to send snacks for my kids, send my son to French, forgotten to send their books in, their coats (on rainy days too!) I'm hoping once I get into the swing of things then it will be easier.... (hahahaha) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Clothes. <br>
Or more specifically, outfits, I actually have plenty of clothes. <br>
Usually I spend my days in breeches, long socks, a t shirt, or stretchy long sleeved top, body warmer and fleecy headband. However, that's not going to cut it in the office. It is casual dress, some are in jeans and trainers, some are dressed very smart, so it is personal preference. But I do actually like clothes, I've just had no need (or spare cash to be honest) to keep my wardrobe (ok, don't currently have an actual wardrobe, but you know what I mean) up to date. So I'm struggling to find something in between horse wear and pretty dresses. Suddenly a lot of my clothes are looking a bit sad and sorry. And don't even get me started on my hair, that is a daily battle I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Another downside is not seeing the kids as much, but if I'm honest I'm enjoying the time I spend with them more because it's not every waking moment! I have a fab child minder, so I am completely happy that they're happy and well cared for. </p>
<p dir="ltr">There are also some advantages of going out to work (obviously, or I wouldn't be doing it!) </p>
<p dir="ltr">I love learning new things, and especially realising I'm still capable of doing so. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I love the social aspect. Once your kids start school you find you aren't socialising as much. Most of your mum friends are either back to work, or at baby group with younger ones, and after school is impossible because all the kids are doing different clubs and you can't fit it in. So going to work every day and being able to chat to people is great. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I've found I'm getting more organised and making the most of the time I've got.  Before it was easy to put things off because there was always another day, but now my time is more precious so I'm making the most of the odd 10mins. I manage to do the horses in 35mins in the mornings now, because that is all the time I have! And when I get a free evening to ride I do so, even though it is raining and I can't be arsed. </p>
<p dir="ltr">And lastly, the thought of a decent pay cheque at the end of the month is most appealing.... </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-48927009898797343082015-03-16T11:26:00.001-07:002015-03-16T13:15:02.663-07:00Mother's Day<p dir="ltr">Best day ever! <br>
Not only did I have my husband off work all day, the kids had made some lovely cards, presents and a bloody good breakfast in bed for me (with quite a lot of help from said husband) Also, very little whinging to be heard (amazing!!) </p>
<p dir="ltr">We spent the morning getting all the yard jobs done, then the afternoon playing at Ely Eventing Centre over the xc jumps. So much fun! Lovely little horse was just so cool about the whole thing, we jumped lots, and I think her favourite jumps are the steps up and down, totally nailed them. Did lots of ditch practice, even jumped the trakhener twice (I hate the things!) and lots of little combinations. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had a good group of us which pushed us all on a bit, and everyone felt fantastic at the end, having felt we had all achieved loads. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Unfortunately I had a silly fall. Silly because I knew the horse was tired, but because the others wanted to do the 'big' ditch, I decided to have a little pop over it. She is such a good horse, and will figure them out for herself, I just have to wait patiently. Unfortunately she stumbled when she decided to go and lost her footing so the front end came down and me with it! Bang went the air jacket (and £17 on a replacement air canister....) Thankfully I landed on my feet, but have somehow got a cracking bruise on my arm, and have learnt a very valuable lesson to go with your gut instinct and don't push a tired horse. I got back on and popped a smaller ditch on the way back to the lorry park no problem. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Home to cold hose tired horse legs and tuck her up for the night with lots of haylage and a tasty looking dinner. Then onto my home with my fab family and a huge roast and soak in the bath. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Thanking my lucky stars this morning when little horse walked out without bumps, bruises or any hint of stiffness, unlike myself... </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-88093370756809180202015-03-01T13:40:00.001-08:002015-03-01T14:03:55.024-08:00Perhaps I'm just ungrateful? <p dir="ltr">We had a jump clinic today at our yard with an event rider. It was bloody awesome, felt I learnt a lot, and have been bouncing ever since! </p>
<p dir="ltr">But, the more we do, the more we improve, the more capable and in control I feel, the more I feel I don't actually know where I'm heading. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Last year my goal was to get back into it, to improve my confidence and fitness. Then it was to compete more, which we did, then I felt like I wanted to perhaps give British Eventing a go. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But after this winter I feel a bit lost. Ironically because I've had more time to ride, more disposable income to spend on pony outings and things have improved loads.<br>
<br>
But what now? I feel we need to practice our newly acquired jumping skills until they become habit, we should definitely work on our dressage, and I really need to get out xc schooling. But I feel flat, not excited. Maybe I just need sunshine? Or more sleep? </p>
<p dir="ltr">Team Chasing starts for us in 3 weeks, hopefully that should help perk me up. The horse is feeling really well by the way, so no concerns there. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Maybe its just the realisation that we're only ever going to be mediocre? I'm horrifically competitive and I'm no good at being just 'ok' </p>
<p dir="ltr">Meh, maybe I just need to man up and stop moping! </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-11164813301753542012015-02-22T00:00:00.001-08:002015-02-22T00:00:07.551-08:00We went hunting! (and survived!!!) <p dir="ltr">Yay! <br>
Yesterday the mare and I went hunting at one of the busiest meets in the area. The reason was because I know that super early on there is a 6 furlong stretch of grass that I could do battle should we need it, and I know my way home from most places too. Also, they don't technically 'meet' until later on so no cap required til then, just a charity donation, which works well if you think you might only be out 10 minutes (again) <br>
It was very busy, we were towards the back and we were counted as numbers 98 and 99! <br>
But..... We had brakes. The mare wasn't too happy about it to start with, and we stayed so far away from the others we were frequently following footsteps, but despite being so excited she could explode, she didn't, and when I asked her to stop she did. <br>
We stayed out an hour, then spent an hour hacking back in the sunshine, which was blissful. <br>
We really couldn't have done it without a friend and her super patient mare who kept Alice company and was a calming influence. <br>
And I'm not sore today - result! </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-6025316344511944462015-02-16T09:34:00.001-08:002015-02-16T09:34:16.829-08:00First day of the half term, and sorting a little blip<p dir="ltr">I had planned a quick pop on the mare today to help boost our confidence after our blip on Saturday. There were jumps already set up in the school, the kids, who are on half term holiday, were quite happy to have a play and a snack in the clubhouse (only had to stop and bellow at them once from the school) so I figured a 20 minute session would be just what we needed. </p>
<p dir="ltr">She warmed up well, a bit too well actually, rather 'free' today in fact. But I sat quietly and encouraged her forwards, trying to concentrate on my riding - not dropping my inside hip, keeping my shoulders up and the leg on. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Someone had set up what is now known as the Andrew Nicholson circle exercise (after the Eventing Forum the other week) where there are 4 small jumps on a 20m circle. I have done this exercise lots with ground poles, but never felt we were balanced or controlled enough for actual jumps. But still, it gave me the opportunity to pop over one or two of the small jumps, give us both a little boost and call it a day. <br>
Well, that was my plan. Unfortunately the mare very often has her own ideas, and is clearly not suffering from a knock to<i> her</i> confidence. So in an effort to gain the upper hand (or something nearing equality - I'm never fully in charge) I thought "Right you little baggage, let's see what you think of this" and we gave the exercise a go. It's bloody difficult! But to her credit she cracked it on the second go. Not due to our extraordinary balance and coordination, but only our combined bloodymindedness. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Tomorrow we shall try it again and a bigger jump or two, then that will be all for jumping for a week or so. I just know that we need to address any issues as soon as possible to stop them becoming a proper problem (mostly in my mind of course) </p>
<p dir="ltr">And the kids? They've had a great day, playing all morning with the ride on toy tractor, followed by a Burger King and a film - what holidays are for! </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-74150637574586461452015-02-15T10:25:00.001-08:002015-02-15T10:31:35.366-08:00Things we learn the hard way<p dir="ltr">We actually went showjumping on Saturday. Like proper showjumping, with lots of bling, and barely a stock or hairnet to be seen! (actually that is totally a lie, I'm just trying to be funny) </p>
<p dir="ltr">It didn't really go to plan. As predicted I was in way over my head. I tend to have ostrich like tendencies, and if things get a little bit scary or stressful I ignore the bad stuff, put a positive spin on it and keep jollying along. This can work wonders in lots of situations, but sadly this was not one of them. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The course was probably the biggest I've done, it was indoors, and although they did a cracking job of building the course, there's no denying it is much harder in an indoor arena. Despite warming up beautifully, and jumping her socks off over the practice fences, it all fell apart once we were in the arena. We had a bad jump over the first, knocked the second and third down, then stopped at the 4th and 5th, at which point I decided to retire. We left the indoor arena and went straight out and popped the practice fence again, with no problems. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Strangely I don't feel disappointed. I feel it's been rather a large wake up call, and I'd much rather it came at this time of year. I've learnt that I can't take the horse for granted, that we can wing it at 2'6" or even 2'9" but 3ft is pushing it. I've realised that if we want to do the higher levels we need to do more work - more schooling, and we need to learn to change legs when we're jumping. That my horse is actually an animal capable of being spooked by things, and sometimes she gets confused with what I'm asking - our second refusal was due to her locking onto the double, and so the jump we were supposed to be jumping took her by surprise. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I've also learnt that I should not take my husband and children showjumping, because they will not be impressed with a 4 hour wait for a class, and I will spend the day feeling guilty! Especially on Valentine's Day ;D </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-65052006555024487432015-01-29T10:39:00.001-08:002015-01-29T10:40:21.091-08:00Happy Things <p dir="ltr">I do love a bit of good news, and the last few days seem to have been full of it! Maybe it is from being at home on enforced box rest with poorly children all last week, but this week I have been full of oomph and good intentions (hence actually writing a blog post ;D ) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Happy things this week: </p>
<p dir="ltr">* The children are better and back at school (yay!)</p>
<p dir="ltr">* I have started riding a lovely little skewbald mare for a friend - I love young horses! </p>
<p dir="ltr">* I have had the amazing news that I am a runner up in the Twitter Eventing ran 'Fit to Ride' coaching course competition. This means I get a whopping 50% off the course price. </p>
<p dir="ltr">* I am considering becoming a freelance groom again, and where once this would have filled me with fear, I am now full of excitement. </p>
<p dir="ltr">* EQ Life magazine have done an article on our Team Chasing team and there is a fab pic of myself and A the wonder pony in it (fame at last?) </p>
<p dir="ltr">* I have had some lovely rides on my little mare A this week, really looking forward to our jumping clinic on Sunday. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Would love to hear anyone else's good news from this week. </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-7621267046083620782014-06-23T03:14:00.001-07:002014-06-23T12:17:30.282-07:00Another ODE!<p dir="ltr">On Sunday we competed in a team competition at our Riding Club Area Horse Trials. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had a dressage time of 9.30am, and with a 1.5hr journey time meant it was an early start! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I packed an enormous picnic (one of my biggest fears is running out of food!) the horse and a whole boot full of necessary gear, add one husband and two small people and we were on our way. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We managed to get there in plenty of time, so found the loos, Secretary tent, burger and ice cream vans, then set about plaiting the horse. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The dressage warm up was huge which was rather nice, especially if you do a proper warm up. Myself I usually just have a good canter round then walk around aimlessly getting in people's way! (not intentionally, everyone else just seems so focused and very few of them actually look where they're going) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our test went well. It was nothing special, a bit flat and quiet, but as I have been trying hard to keep everything quiet and relaxed, it was just what we needed. We managed a score of 39.5 which I was delighted with, especially seeing as my aim was to get below 40. We got straight 6's except for my riding which I got a 7 for. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We went back to the trailer for a short breather and a change of tack, this is when I realised I had only brought 3 brushing boots with me, which was rather clever. Thankfully little mare only has front shoes on, so we just put front boots on, and didn't worry too much about it. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Little horse seemed a bit warm and flat, until she saw a jump! Then suddenly perked up. We produced a fantastic round, the best she has ever done and the best I have ever ridden. Huge smiles all round. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It was starting to get very hot by the time we went xc, so we kept the warm up brief. She stood in the start box snoozing and giving cuddles to the starter who thought she was very cute. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As soon as we got going she was flying. This horse really loves her jumping. We jumped lots of things we've never seen before, and due to navigational error managed to approach a fence from the side. Thankfully my mare is a saint and thought nothing of jumping this fence from less than a stride away. We decided to go the trickier route at the water which meant we ended up with a stop, but I still think it was the right decision, because we need to see different types of jumps, and she is good enough to go once she's figured it out, which she did. We then stormed home, with a total of 40 faults - 20 for our stop and 20 time faults. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The rest of the team also did well and everyone felt pleased with their results. Unfortunately we didn't really get placed (6th out of 6 isn't really a place) but everyone felt they had achieved something which matters more. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sadly, I really am bitten by the eventing bug, but just can't justify affiliated prices. So desperately on the hunt for some unaffiliated One Day Events in the area. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTF2QTXTgkg2MZbFF6yLH-GdK14FYBJTomnMKrFD7PvdAXEfnjeTbLEgey79hoS8emU2ohvNTovgZZHlRY-WQlc6G6pEgfUjPq6WwaXKI6o0MI2udW07PzQ9hDaH82DpLcEhocrl7hIwr/s1600/IMG_118692174331633.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTF2QTXTgkg2MZbFF6yLH-GdK14FYBJTomnMKrFD7PvdAXEfnjeTbLEgey79hoS8emU2ohvNTovgZZHlRY-WQlc6G6pEgfUjPq6WwaXKI6o0MI2udW07PzQ9hDaH82DpLcEhocrl7hIwr/s640/IMG_118692174331633.jpeg"> </a> </div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-72797576347350541682014-06-12T23:49:00.001-07:002014-06-14T01:08:16.037-07:00Sunny evening riding lessons, a picnic tea and impromptu ballet lesson. <p dir="ltr">I had booked a riding lesson for Wednesday evening. I can't really afford lessons weekly, but try to budget in some kind of training each month. </p>
<p dir="ltr">A friend of mine has started riding our gelding, and I thought us both having a lesson would be beneficial. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As is always the way, my poor husband had had to swap on call duties so ended up being on call that evening. But a picnic tea and a warm, sunny evening meant the children were quite happy sat outside the school while we rode. I had only occasionally to answer to "Mummy!" Or to  bellow across the school at them to quiet down or get out of the long grass as the horses (well, the gelding) thought they were monsters. They had a wonderful evening staying up late and running around. At one point my daughter was giving her brother and two other liveries a ballet lesson. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The lesson itself went well too. The mare and I are continuing to make progress with our flatwork, and my friend and the gelding seemed to achieve a lot too. Poor thing was made to do sitting trot though, and when asked how she was feeling the next day, said she woke up wondering if she was in labour, or whether it was the sitting trot! (Decided it was the sitting trot, mostly due to her not actually being pregnant) </p>
<p dir="ltr">The kids are a little more tired and ratty than usual from their late night, but mostly coped very well. It's always nice when things work out better than expected! <br></p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-28161429447781626332014-05-25T13:49:00.001-07:002014-05-25T13:51:01.812-07:00Finally pulling it all back together.<p dir="ltr">Today is Sunday. The day of rest supposedly. Unfortunately for us things had been slipping for a while, culminating in a messy house, huge mountain of laundry, no actual food in the house and a slight feeling of despair! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I was feeling a bit flat after an amazing eventing training session on Friday which was a very long day, and the fact my little mare had gone lame the very next day. Takes the wind out of your sails a bit. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Top priorities today: </p>
<p dir="ltr">1. Laundry, before the mountain takes over and we have to resort to clothes made out of feed sacks in a post apocalyptic type scenario. </p>
<p dir="ltr">2. Food shopping. Because, you know we like to eat, and when you end up feeding your darling children dry cheerios and chocolate cake for breakfast you know things are getting rather desperate! </p>
<p dir="ltr">3. Horses (obviously) </p>
<p dir="ltr">4. Bath children, yes even though it is the school holidays! </p>
<p dir="ltr">5. Cook the family a proper meal to ward off scurvy, rickets and general malnutrition. </p>
<p dir="ltr">6. Claw back some kind of order in the house any way possible. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It is now nearly 10pm and I have achieved the following: <br>
- Horses (mare looks a bit sounder)<br>
- Clean children<br>
- Food shop<br>
- Cook nourishing meal for the family (roast chicken, mash potato, carrots <i>and </i>spring greens, gravy) <br>
- 2x of laundry (still about 10 to go) <br>
- Cleared kitchen side, all dinner stuff away or in dishwasher<br>
- Kids in bed <br>
- Slightly questionable rock buns made for our walk tomorrow. </p>
<p dir="ltr">That will do nicely. </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-40999088715806525312014-05-24T01:57:00.001-07:002014-05-30T09:21:46.708-07:00Training Day<p dir="ltr">A couple of months back my friend sent me a link to a British Eventing (BE) training day coming up. It included flatwork, showjumping, and cross-country tuition from Olympic event rider Sharon Hunt, information from BE, a goody bag, training ticket to allow you to enter a BE80 event, and information in how to go about it. All for only £40! it was also based in our area (well, nearly 2 hours away, but in East Anglia still) I booked in immediately! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I had been really looking forward to it. I had planned how I would do child care, I had looked up the distance on the map, and it was very exciting. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Things never really run smoothly though do they? </p>
<p dir="ltr">Childcare had to be rearranged due to a school inset day. There were various road works on the route, and we had had a setback and knock to our confidence only a week before when I had taken the mare to the riding club for some team training, where we proceeded to demolish the showjumps. I had misunderstood the session, thinking it was just flatwork, so left behind our jumping bit and hunting breastplate, which apparently makes more difference than I realised! </p>
<p dir="ltr">The horse has also gorged herself this week and appears to have turned into a hippo. Sadly she is a bugger for jumping the electric fencing, so keeping her to one section is nigh on impossible. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Anyway, Friday morning my alarm went off at 4.30am, I picked up my gear and got to the yard for about 5.20am. Thankfully the mare had stayed clean over night (we nearly fell out over the state of her on Thursday evening!) We were on the road for 6.30am. Sadly I seem incapable of correctly following a sat nav, so we had a few detours, and at one point I honestly thought it was wrong and we were going to be lost in deepest, darkest Norfolk for days! <br>
However, we managed to get there somehow, still with plenty of time. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The plan for the day was as follows: </p>
<p dir="ltr">9-9.30am flatwork riders A + B<br>
9.30 -10 flatwork riders C + D <br>
10 - 10.30 flatwork riders E + F <br>
10.30 - 11 flatwork riders G + H </p>
<p dir="ltr">11 - 12 showjumping riders A, B, C, D.<br>
12 - 1 showjumping riders E, F, G, H </p>
<p dir="ltr">1 - 2 lunch and a chance to ask Sharon questions. </p>
<p dir="ltr">2 - 3.30 xc for riders A, B, C, D <br>
3.30 - 5 xc for riders E, F, G, H </p>
<p dir="ltr">Let's say I was rider A. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The flatwork was kind of as I expected, general riding and Sharon picking up on little things. In my case my tendency to turn my right hand in, and raise my right heel. She also encouraged me to ask for more from the canter, and had us cantering 15m circles in an effort to improve my riding of the mare rather than just letting it happen. So pretty happy with that. It's always nice to know you are at least vaguely on the right track. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The showjumping I was a bit worried about. I was concerned there would be a huge course of smart, brightly coloured showjumps set at 3ft and us expected to be able to jump them effortlessly. As it turned out there was a set of rather tired looking jumps in a field with slightly too long grass, I immediately felt more at home! Sharon had us all cantering over 4 poles spread around the field, trying to establish a decent canter and keeping it. Then a tiny x pole was introduced to this layout, then we had to jump two small uprights on a related distance. Then a small course. No jump was any bigger than 2'6" which was perfect. I tried hard to get a bigger canter and keep it consistent and actually ended up jumping quite a flowing round. This is quite an achievement for us as we tend to lose momentum on the turns and go full pelt at the jumps. I have to work very hard on aiming slightly right of the jumps as I constantly drift left. I think we managed all but one jump on the right stride, and that one wasn't too bad, just missed the stride a bit and muddled through. But it was a huge confidence boost for us both. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The other horses in the group were a mix of young and old and the riders were similar ability, but with a range of experience. It was a good group. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Over lunch we had the chance to speak to Sharon about eventing in general. She really knows her stuff and was happy to share her tips and experience. We talked about making the step up to BE events, and what is different about them. The level of fitness needed, and where to go for a good first time outing. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The afternoon was so much fun! We went out onto the XC course and started off with a canter, then popping over a dinky little hedge, everyone managed this fine, though one of the horses, a 5yr old, was quite suspicious to start with, even though he could step over it! We moved on to a ditch, which I took my time over, letting the mare take a look if needed, but she was quite happy with it. We ended up giving the 5yr old a lead over and over the ditch which was hugely beneficial to us too, as it made ditches rather dull, rather than something that we 'might' have a look at. There was a rail one stride after the ditch, so we progressed onto ditch and rail, then brush, ditch, rail, which went really smoothly for us. Unfortunately two of our group fell off at the rail, one taking her bridle off with her, which caused a bit of excitement! Thankfully everyone was ok. So we moved on to a row of small jumps. The mare was having a wonderful time at this point and flew. She didn't fight me at all, it was really enjoyable. We nannied the baby horse over these too, then popped down and up a step, then did step then rail. Then linked about 5 jumps together and popped those. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Some of our group started having some problems with the next jump. It was a beehive type jump, but with spooky cut outs in the front, and some horses really don't like those. The mare would have jumped the moon if I had asked her at this point, so jumped this little jump beautifully. The others mostly popped this ok, though one horse took a huge dislike to it. It took a lot of Sharon's different tactics to get the horse over it, the horse was actually being quite naughty, and so we did some more leading. Eventually it jumped it twice, to the huge relief of the rider! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Next up we headed to the water. This was also not very straight forward! All went in fine. We walked through, trotted through, stepped down into it, stepped up out of it, then popped a 90cm skinny table/roll top type thing with flowers afterwards which I really enjoyed doing because my mare, Alice was just being a dream to ride. Unfortunately the baby horse had a bad time at the skinny, having decided at the last minute to bank it! Both horse and rider tumbled but thankfully got up unscathed. We then led them over some little uncomplicated jumps to get their confidence back. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We finished up doing a 90cm ditch, stride, roll top combination, which although not quite right we jumped ok. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I don't think I've ever felt so proud of my little horse as I did that day. She seemed to enjoy it as much as I did, and I am almost considering a BE80 attempt. </p>
<p dir="ltr">After a bit of grass and a good wash off we headed home. Alice got turned out into the field with her well deserved feed and lots of grass, and I headed home, picking up my children on the way. We got home at 7.30pm and only slightly late for the children's bedtime. I bribed them with stickers to get ready without fuss, read them Hairy Mclarey and gave them snuggles, before collapsing in a heap on the sofa still wearing my breeches. What a fab day! </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-27022495431516365322014-05-07T04:38:00.001-07:002014-05-08T06:41:30.397-07:00A long time coming,<p dir="ltr">But we finally we made it to a One Day Event! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Bright and early Sunday morning I was loading up the car with an extortionate amount of gear, dragging fat sleepy ponies in from the field, and armed with a new bag of plaiting bands I set to plaiting the Mare's mane. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had a short journey up the road and managed to get there at 8am, ready for dressage at 8.57am. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The dressage warm up was lovely and big, but full of horses! There were 3 arenas currently on the go, so 3 x the amount of horses I'd expected! Being grass it wasn't flat, and round the outside were some lovely dips and slopes, which was ideal to get the Mare paying attention to what we were doing. She was lovely and calm too. The test itself was a bit of a dog's dinner. When under pressure I tend to ride a bit with the handbrake on, so the test was a bit stilted, no real flow to it at all, and I didn't feel particularly in control during the canters. However, we got a score of 40.42 which put us about middle after the dressage. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Quick swap of bits, front boots and hunting breastplate on and we went to the showjumping warm up. We had a bit of a trot around, jumped all of the warm up jumps then came out for a wander around the lorry park. My husband and kids arrived at this point and settled themselves by the showjumping ring to watch. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The showjumping was causing quite a few problems. It was in a large ring, but was a very twisty and tight course with very little room to turn. Competitors were getting eliminated and knocking up huge cricket scores. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I had another trot around the warm up, jumped the upright from the other rein and then waited for the one in front of me to finish. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our round was very messy. I think we got every jump on a bad stride, coming back to trot between for the turns. But despite hitting the planks pretty hard, we finished clear with just one time fault. More luck than judgement I feel! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Back to the trailer for a drink and clothing change. I was shaking at this point, whether from nerves, adrenaline or lack of food I have no idea, but it was unnerving. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Off we went to the xc warm up (sporting a lime green shirt - no blending in for me!) Getting there I was told I could go whenever I was ready. The warm <font color="#000000">up was blissfully empty so I had a good canter round letting her stretch and encouraging longer strides, then popped a xc warm up fence and I felt ready to go. We were only doing the 2'6" so the first few jumps were very small. </font><br>
</p><p dir="ltr">The first half of the course she was a bit green, looking at things, jumping awkwardly, a bit unsure of things. By the time we got to the ditch the far side of the course I was unsure how it was going to be honest, would she settle and enjoy herself, or was I going to have to baby her round the whole way? </p><p dir="ltr">We had a bit of a fight going into the ditch. She was trying to lock onto the rail, while I was busy trying to get her back to trot to go round the rail (that was for the next class) She stopped at the ditch unsure of what to do about it. I let her look, gave her a pat and made encouraging noises while she dithered. Still nothing, so I gave her a smack behind my leg. This seemed to make her switch her brain on, she pricked her ears and hopped over it and the little roll top a few strides after. After that it was like riding a different horse! The strides got longer and more powerful, the jumps less hesitant and she powered home. The water, skinny brush and corner were all fine. So despite our hesitation at the ditch we were clear, and without time penalties. Such a clever pony! </p><p dir="ltr">We had a rather leisurely lunch sat on the trailer ramp at 11am, while the sun shone and the Mare nibbled hay and dozed. It had been a lovely day. <br></p><p dir="ltr">Took the Mare home for a well deserved dinner and turnout, got everything unloaded and put away and returned to the showground for the results. </p><p dir="ltr">7th! Out of 27 competitors! So pleased. Our dressage sheet was detailed too which I like. We had got 7's for our canter work and free walk, but 5's for the tense and hollow transitions. Very fair and something I feel I can improve for next time. </p><p dir="ltr">So plans include working on the flatwork to aim for a dressage score in the 30's next time, working on maintaining the canter through the sj to get a better jump and hopefully no time faults, and getting the Mare switched on a bit sooner during the xc. All things that are perfectly achievable. I have put our name down for the Riding Club Horse Trials team too - fingers crossed! </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-13856877709886640492014-04-27T01:06:00.001-07:002014-04-28T11:11:53.436-07:00Big plans go tits up! <p dir="ltr">Yesterday we were supposed to have been making our long awaited eventing comeback. Ok, that makes it sound way more grand than it is. The mare and I were doing our first ODE since our first and only one 7 years ago. Obviously a lot has happened since then, so pony stuff has been on the back burner. But this year was the year we were going to be getting out and doing stuff, and we actually have been. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So, back to yesterday and supposed plans. I had entered Isleham 2'6" ODE. I wanted to go out and do a small class and get a bit of confidence for us both, Isleham is the one we did before and is local so I know it pretty well. Seemed ideal. </p>
<p dir="ltr">These last few weeks haven't been going exactly to plan though. First we had the horse move, then Easter hols, then saddle issues, some very gung-ho showjumping practice, and finally a very depressing schooling session on Friday where the mare was badly behaved and generally being a bit of an argumentative baggage. So I was actually feeling a bit wobbly about it. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Saturday morning I get to the yard and go out to the field with my barrow of hay. The mare is mean to the poor gelding and always chases him away from any food, so I had plenty of opportunity to see that the mare looked a little wrong. But because she was eating it was hard to check this out properly. I decided to go and get my stuff cleaned and ready, then I could check her properly when I lunged her. </p>
<p dir="ltr">All tack cleaned, all gear packed into my two boxes - horse box and rider box - travel gear found, and a haynet soaked for the next morning. Go out to the horse, trot her up (one handed on a kind of circle, as you do when you are on your own) hmmm, picked feet out and felt legs, hmmmm,  bit of heat around the near hind heel/pastern and up to the fetlock, trotted our awkward circle again. Yup, definitely lame. Bollocks. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Suddenly all the wobbles went away and I desperately wanted to compete reguardless of whether she was going to be badly behaved and a bit wild! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Thankfully my vet/husband was home reasonably early so could come and see her. I was right, she was lame, it was the near hind, but thankfully it was some grit working it's way up into the white line (ouchy!) But not an injury from galloping down the road after the cows chased her on Thursday (bonus) </p>
<p dir="ltr">One sweaty grumpy owner later (i had to put the poultice on, Vet/husband felt he had done his bit with getting the grit out of grumpy mare's hind foot!) she was sporting a bright blue bandaged foot and was already a bit better on it. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It could explain the disastrous schooling session on Friday (or it could not, she is a mare after all!) Hoping all will be ok for our next ODE next Sunday, and at least I can get a bit more work into her and hopefully feel a little more prepared. All good in theory. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In reality, the mare has her own agenda. This includes going through the poultices, and jumping out of her field (clearly not <i>that </i>lame) Trollop. </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-85638882303089910342014-04-18T00:58:00.001-07:002014-04-23T02:46:38.917-07:00New things! <p dir="ltr">It started with the news that EquestrianClearance.com had some good deals at the minute, and I have been after some nice competition breeches for a while. There I found some - Ariat Performance Breeches with knee patches in Tan for £39.99! Perfect, or so I hoped, having not seen them in the flesh, or tried them on. Still they are advertised as having 4 way stretch which I figured should work in my favour. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Next, S and another girl at the yard were having a saddle fitter out. Now I love my saddle, but I've never been 100% certain it was right for the horse. There have been niggles here and there, but I had had it fitted to her in the past and was told it was a good fit, but with needing to use a chamoix leather to keep it in the right place, I knew it needed checking again. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The saddle fitter that came out to us this time really was knowledgeable. She took the time to get a feel for the horse, watched her walk and trot, had a really good feel of her back before checking the saddle. It turns out my saddle is too narrow for my mare's broad spine, and too long for her short back. What I really need is almost a pony saddle with a wide gullet and short seat, and something called continental panels. Sadly, not much could be done to my saddle to make it fit properly. The saddle fitter doesn't really have much in the way of second hand saddles, and I certainly cannot afford a new one (well, not of the quality I want!) So I was advised to search eBay and the like for something suitable. This wasn't easy. Lots of saddles for sale in a 17 - 17.5 inch seat, but very few in 16.5 that were also jump saddles. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But then I looked on eBay on Wednesday (after a rather stressful day - kids are on Easter hols and running me ragged) only to find THE saddle. Someone was selling a beautiful jump saddle, made by a very good make, Buy It Now in the right size, for a very, very good price! Sadly for them it was because their horse was no longer with them after a field injury, and they had huge vets fees to pay. So we snapped it up, hoping it wasn't too good to be true. Then spent the next few days cursing Good Friday and bank holidays in general because I wanted it NOW! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Saddle arrived on the Saturday morning (yay!) and was truly beautiful. But was a fair bit wider than I thought. Managed to get it to fit ok with a thick prolite pad and tried it out in the school. It felt very strange, but the horse felt good in it! She was more willing to bend, and our canter transitions were instant, rather than the slight run we usually get. The next day we tried jumping in it. Again the mare seemed happy, but the pads slipped so it wasn't as secure. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I jumped the mare again on Monday in our usual saddle which felt hugely comfy to me, having moulded to my bum in the last 100 years or so that I've had it (ok, maybe nearer 15) the mare was like a rocket, but that's a whole other post. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Saddle fitter is coming today, so fingers crossed she can make this super beautiful saddle fit my horse and then I can get to work on the all important arse groove ;D </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-58479490302601368762014-04-08T01:11:00.001-07:002014-04-08T01:22:11.960-07:00Our Second Team Chase! <p dir="ltr">As well as all the excitement of the Big Move, we also had a rather exciting trip up to Leicestershire for the Fernie Hunt Team Chase. </p>
<p dir="ltr">This may have been the most fun I have ever had on a horse, even more than last time as I had some sort of control - result! </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had rather an early start. The alarm went off at 5am, but as the clocks had just gone forward, our bodies still very much felt it as 4am! Thankfully the children were at their first sleepover with a friend of ours, so two less things to worry about. My husband was also up at that time, but because of work.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As S, my good friend and sometime super groom was also riding today, B stepped in as team groom and general supporter (oh, and brownie maker - that girl has a gift!) </p>
<p dir="ltr">We got a lift up with another team member in their box which was rather a novelty. I provided the entertainment in the form of endless wittering on about nothing in particular, and mild help with the sat nav. You know you are in trouble if you need me for directions! </p>
<p dir="ltr">The rest of the team got there within 10mins of us, so we all went to the Secretary to collect number bibs, and have our hats and body protectors checked. We then headed off to walk the course. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It was wonderful! Full of hedges and rails and things you could happily jump every day for the rest of your life. We did have a gate to open and close, a water combination, and a Pen though. The Pen is literally that, a pen you jump into and jump out of, except in Team Chasing you have to have 12 hooves in the pen at the same time. This was, erm, interesting, but we managed it, maybe some team tactics are in order for next time! The water was a rail, a few strides, then a step down into water, all managed very easily by our team. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The gate could have been done quicker, but I think it is the first gate any of us have had to do in competition for a long time. </p>
<p dir="ltr">All our team flew round clear, and the feeling going through the finish was wonderful. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Having gone only for a jolly, having gone clear we waited eagerly for our times. Sadly we were 40 seconds off the bogey time, leaving us out of the placings. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Added to all of this it was a beautiful day and we had a leisurely picnic in the sunshine sat on rugs in front of the lorry. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We stayed on to watch some of the open class. The speed is crazy! Where we were trying to get our horses back to us, gain some control, or whatever, these guys were just landing and kicking on! Serious spectator sport, and if you have the chance to go to a Team Chase to watch, jump at that chance, you will not be disappointed. The official British Team Chasing website has all the dates and info you may need http://www.teamchasing.co.uk/<br>
</p><p dir="ltr">I've added the only half decent team picture (taken by B) It was a very difficult task getting them all to stand still after all the excitement! And as you can see one of our team is missing from the picture. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAGtyUkx2lYQfuHIh7c0aK__7L8i1WGxxpFhLPKUcAOu2r_khKTz91sefQR7enfqMzolknrTIBR6-gNKXygh8k1fJuEOrT9uDhzJyA-p3_6EWRS9zXDuE4FF6dJF8wYJY1QjCj9xC0LH8/s1600/IMG_306326656858574.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAGtyUkx2lYQfuHIh7c0aK__7L8i1WGxxpFhLPKUcAOu2r_khKTz91sefQR7enfqMzolknrTIBR6-gNKXygh8k1fJuEOrT9uDhzJyA-p3_6EWRS9zXDuE4FF6dJF8wYJY1QjCj9xC0LH8/s640/IMG_306326656858574.jpeg"> </a> </div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-67536184889676305482014-04-07T00:50:00.001-07:002014-04-07T00:51:49.940-07:00The New Yard (finally!) <p dir="ltr">The big horse move is complete! Surprisingly stress free and very smoothly done. I lost my temper a couple of times, and my language while moving the rubber matting would have been enough to make a squaddie blush, but on the whole it didn't go too badly. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I had roped in a couple of friends and without them it could have been a very different story! </p>
<p dir="ltr">The horses travelled very well together in the trailer, so one stress factor eliminated. </p>
<p dir="ltr">They then settled very well in their (huge!) stables. The gelding does tend to box walk, well, box <i>wander </i>really, especially if he has the room to do so, and if stressed, so he has been quite busy. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The turnout didn't go as well as I had hoped, as grass is no longer a novelty, but grumpy cobs in the next door field are. Luckily I had had the sense to run a strip of electric fence about 4 foot away from the fence so they couldn't really touch - very wise move indeed! </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had planned a hack out on the Sunday to celebrate new yard/new hacking/new hacking friends, but actually it was windy, the horses were being idiots and I wimped out! Rode the mare in the (rather lovely) school instead, where she called to the gelding the whole time, and he called back. Not sure we are very popular now! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Glad as I am to be at the new place, it feels very much like starting a new job. You know what you are doing, you just have no idea of the rules, or how things work, and spend your time going in the wrong direction for things. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Could be a while before I stop feeling like the new girl! <br>
</p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-87520433559010022512014-03-18T00:20:00.001-07:002014-03-18T04:33:04.969-07:00A Surprising Dressage Outing (and a couple of mini rants) <p dir="ltr">We did a bit of dressage at the weekend. It hadn't really been planned, I had been given a free entry for helping the riding club set up some jumps, so figured it would be good to use it as a 'non jumping' schooling day out. Sensible to remind the mare that sometimes we go out in the trailer, but don't actually jump!</p>
<p dir="ltr">As I was seeing it as schooling rather than competing, I was calm and not nervous at all. The mare on the other hand was very wound up - a combination of plaiting her mane, and the daft livery owner deciding to mow her lawn about 3ft away from us. Now, the mare is actually pretty cool with things like this, but when someone is going backwards and forwards over the same sodding bit of lawn (and sticks, stones, dog treats, the garden shed, and God knows what else by the sound of it!) It even has an effect on a bombproof horse. I struggled to get the tail bandage on, and my darling horse of 10years booted me! Thankfully I was very close behind her so there wasn't much force behind it, and thankfully she is barefoot behind. But I have a beautiful round bruise the size of a golf ball on the side of my knee (bad leg, of course) Bloody creature. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So having got the beast ready, I loaded up her, me and kids and we were ready to go. The showground is less that 10mins away, so we were soon turning into the gateway. Just a little suggestion: If you are parked right by the gate at an event, and have rather a large entourage, please do not stand in the way, and then give me a dirty look when I get close to your horse. I would suggest moving your horse slightly, and possibly asking one of your entourage to open and close the gate for someone coming in, or at least pretend you haven't seen me, rather than gawping at me as though you have never seen anything so grubby in your life. This is very small riding club dressage, and you are clearly not Carl Hester.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Anyway, we parked up, I shared out cartons of juice, hot cross buns and Nintendo DS's between the children, got changed in the trailer and away we went. Amazingly, one of my fellow liveries turned up to lend a hand, and even more amazingly, so did my husband! (who was on call, and between calls at the time) <br>
The mare felt amazing, I had to put my stirrups up a hole as I felt I was not quite in full control with the added oomph she had acquired that day, but she warmed up well, and before long it was our turn to go in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Last time I did dressage I did the same test, Novice 24, under the same judge, at the same venue. The only difference was that I felt I could actually ride this time, and my horse didn't feel like we were doing the wall of death! There were still 'moments' that I felt it was best to just sit quietly and wait for her to relax, rather than fight with her. But on the whole I was absolutely delighted with the test. I was beaming and giving my horse a lovely big pat, the judge looked at us as though we were a complete disgrace! Now usually I am happy to admit that we are disgracing ourselves in some way, but this time I felt proud of my little horse and the work we had put in. One of my pet hates is snotty professionals. Yes you may be at a very low level, but they have absolutely no idea how fucking hard you have had to work to get that 52% and a bit of encouragement, be it a smile or a positive comment goes a long way. I've written for dressage judges at British Dressage events, and on the whole, they are pretty cool. They generally give a smile at the competitor, even if they are muttering to the writer "Oh dear, here we go!" (or worse) </p>
<p dir="ltr">I felt very pleased with our test, and felt the mare had redeemed herself for kicking me. One of the most disheartening things when competing is feeling you have done really well, only to look around and discover the standard is ridiculously high. Bugger! So imagine my amazement to see we had scored 61.9% (5% higher than last time!) and been placed 3rd overall, and second in the members section, also qualifying for the local Riding Club Championship!!! I practically skipped back to the car, blue and yellow rosettes fluttering in the wind, only for my darling daughter to say "But you didn't actually win, did you?" </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-80304946391509008662014-03-09T00:35:00.001-08:002014-03-09T00:35:56.294-08:00A bit glum, but ending on a high! <p dir="ltr">I've been a bit down this week, mostly due to the ongoing livery yard saga. Amazing how something so good can break down so quickly and completely with only one toxic person. It's very sad, and has taken the shine off having horses at the minute. Thankfully we have only 4 weeks until we move. <br>
With all of this in mind, my enthusiasm for riding has been waning. My flatwork appears to be going backwards, jumping isn't any fun on your own, and I have no one to hack with. Yes, woe is me. <br>
So, with this in mind, I wasn't that enthusiastic about going xc schooling. It felt a bit like a pointless waste of time and money. But I am so glad I did! <br>
It wasn't easy, I had to drop the kids at a friend's house at 7.30am armed with a packed breakfast, get to the yard and pretty much load straight up. Luckily I had S the super groom come along, and she really is pretty super!<br>
The xc was at Ely Eventing Centre which is great for seeing everything. There are teeny jumps, and huge jumps, and everything inbetween. I wanted to do ditches and water, and a couple of other technical bits, and have a ping around some small jumps just to have a jolly and get some confidence. <br>
There were 5 of us, which I think was a bit too many if I'm honest as it did mean a fair bit of standing around, but Ros the instructor was very good and took me aside for a few minutes to warm up, as she knows that is the bit I struggle with. She told the others to warm up over all the little jumps in that part of the field, changing gears as necessary. With me, she told me exactly what I needed to do, and kept me going continually between the two jumps until I had relaxed. She knows me so well! After that we were flying! We were definitely the least experienced pair out of the 5, the rest all doing/have done BE, but actually we didn't show ourselves up in the slightest and jumped everything (some even better than the experienced ones!) So proud of the little mare, she really is a star :-) </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-21980208810820611262014-03-05T07:44:00.001-08:002014-03-05T07:44:32.881-08:00How to be a Horse Trials spectator. <p dir="ltr">On Saturday morning my friend S arrived, we packed the kids and a breakfast picnic of warm cheese and ham croissants and hot chocolate into the Disco (or the fun bus as it is often known) and set off for the first local Horse Trials of the season. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had a few friends competing, so we kept our eyes and ears open for any sight of them. This proved tricky due to the thick fog, and the PA system seemed to be having some difficulties. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had a wander around the xc course, inspecting a rather large log and steps combo that S was desperate to show me as she had jumped it the previous year. I'll admit I was suitably impressed! We then joined the congregation around the ditch (Isleham Horse Trials has a notoriously tricky ditch) where we met up with some friends in time to watch our friend (and sometime babysitter) go through rather stylishly. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The kids had started getting fed up by this point, but S is clearly a genius and had packed several packets of Smarties. This helped keep the little ones occupied for a while. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We then saw another friend arrive so went to say hello and help her get on. I must admit I was pretty impressed at how calm all the horses were. My two would embarrass me hugely! </p>
<p dir="ltr">We watched the showjumping for a bit, discussed jumping techniques, and people who we knew/knew of/knew to avoid. The problem with watching the showjumping is that your comments can be overheard rather easily! </p>
<p dir="ltr">It was cold by then, the fog not clearing quick enough, so we retreated to the car for hot chocolate and more yummy things. Luckily our parking space was right next to the xc warm up area, so there we sat for an hour watching how everyone warmed up, what tack is currently 'in' and deciding which xc colours looked good, and which made the rider look like an oversized cupcake (there were a few!) It seems that the air jackets have really taken off at the lower levels, which can only be a good thing, also five point breastplates seemed to be the most recent 'must have' accessory. Personally I like my hunting breastplate for being good for the job and not rubbing or getting in the way, the five point ones seem a little fussy for my liking (yes, even the Devoucoux ones, dare I say it) but I am very much an amateur, so what do I know! Also spotted a few Micklem bridles which I quite like the look of. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Another thing I noticed was the trend for jumping the warm up jumps at an angle. A useful exercise I'm sure, but in the hour of watching I think I saw one person jump a jump straight. Is straightness not important anymore? S informs me that her non-horsey other half pointed this out at an event last year, while she was warming up, and instructed her to do the same in an effort to fit in. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sadly we couldn't stay there all day, as we had our own horses to see to. But a great way to start a weekend. </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-1770424495185312792014-03-05T06:14:00.001-08:002014-03-05T06:14:45.589-08:00Last week's update<p dir="ltr">I wrote a blog post the other day all about the last week, the ups and downs and conclusions. But I couldn't bring myself to publish it. Basically it was what the mare and I were doing, a bit about going to watch Isleham Horse Trials (and how being parked next to the XC warm up provided at least an hour of entertainment from the comfort of the car) in fact I probably will write about Isleham. The rest was just whinging on about the stress of livery yard politics. No one wants to read that shit. Anyone who has horses on a livery yard knows only too well the stressful situations you can find yourself in, no need to bore anyone. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Anyway, the horses finally got some grass! How wonderful it was to see them outside in the sunshine, eating grass and being horses. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr4AmoZBUAW_gJUwzyURMQlTsT6vKsVF4kZhtk95htu5RuyQwvJgwMpT4gUZHEUtzx1yV6Sfj9nRI7hhyphenhyphenwCBYMKWCot8RnUER7sVAmlM7VuYLCC3oOBIoR97oEzQcL2AxcTMbbqh78oWD/s1600/IMAG0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr4AmoZBUAW_gJUwzyURMQlTsT6vKsVF4kZhtk95htu5RuyQwvJgwMpT4gUZHEUtzx1yV6Sfj9nRI7hhyphenhyphenwCBYMKWCot8RnUER7sVAmlM7VuYLCC3oOBIoR97oEzQcL2AxcTMbbqh78oWD/s640/IMAG0135.jpg"> </a> </div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-3984721528015073392014-03-04T05:03:00.001-08:002014-03-04T05:03:59.069-08:00Jumping Exercise<p dir="ltr">We have a small arena, and at this time of year, only half of it is usable. This can make jump practice a bit tricky.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The mare is very easy to actually jump, in that if it has poles you just point and shoot! Turning and general control however are not our strong points. Neither is anything 'unusual' </p>
<p dir="ltr">With this in mind I wanted to practice the bits we found hard. So this jumping exercise is perfect. Four poles set up in a + shape, with a jump stand on the outside edges, and a stack of tyres in the middle (a block would have been the obvious choice, but you have to work with what you've got!) This took up about the same space as a 20m circle. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The small jumps helped us to concentrate and for me to sit quietly and not over ride. Because of the jump layout the mare was listening to me instead of fighting, which was rather nice! I should have planned my routes a bit better though, to get more of a flowing round. It was a little disjointed at times. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We then attempted the tyres in the middle. This surprised us both as I half expected her to stop, but she jumped it with a lot of space to spare (beautifully basculed too) However, she then proceeded to stop the next few times. I think I wasn't being assertive enough going in to the fence, so she quite rightly said 'No' <br>
We popped a couple more of the straightforward jumps and I asked again for the tyres and this time she went. We jumped it a few more times (still bigger than necessary) and then called it a day. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So now I know I need to get her used to spooky and unusual jumps. Time to get out the feed bags! <br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bhEE-iYCXG71yfPT4K1MjXuZcxtlvHOWXSmjih2fazSrfP1IeToSIrqMjW6we4UYCKNmEj-tFYAOHhkXSV2JoCHwY2IQw15DHokBygZl1Jvh7RjtcbsKD118f_ILEOzNwWWH6sudC6B7/s1600/IMAG0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bhEE-iYCXG71yfPT4K1MjXuZcxtlvHOWXSmjih2fazSrfP1IeToSIrqMjW6we4UYCKNmEj-tFYAOHhkXSV2JoCHwY2IQw15DHokBygZl1Jvh7RjtcbsKD118f_ILEOzNwWWH6sudC6B7/s640/IMAG0134.jpg"> </a> </div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-79258216906674653402014-02-23T01:57:00.001-08:002014-02-23T01:57:29.181-08:00The Half Term Holiday (also known as the week we will never speak of again) <p dir="ltr">This week has been a bit shit if I'm honest. It has also been Half Term. In the space of one week we have had: </p>
<p dir="ltr">1 x  disastrous trip to IKEA - daughter got very travel sick and vommed up onto the restaurant floor (there are no words to describe that moment) Also, the main thing we went for wasn't in stock.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2 x trips to see family, which was nice. </p>
<p dir="ltr">2 x trips with the trailer, which went very well despite getting stuck in traffic for 30minutes (seems amazing that the mare was cool about it, considering the travelling stress we've had with her)</p>
<p dir="ltr">2 x dressage lessons - very grateful for these, and I have learnt a lot, but also made me feel a bit useless. Well, I made myself feel useless, but I'm working on that, it is just a slight inferiority complex.</p>
<p dir="ltr">1 x outbreak of slapped cheek disease -technically two cases (both kids) and both my husband and I feeling a bit ropey. Probably wasn't travel sickness at IKEA after all.... </p>
<p dir="ltr">2 x fantastic hacks. </p>
<p dir="ltr">1 x husband away for the weekend at a course.</p>
<p dir="ltr">1 x hour spent with the kids falling off their bikes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">1 x car crash - in which I realise why I love my Tank as much as I do. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Also, several hours of Wii and kids television, extortionate amounts of bribery, cakes, sweeties (and calpol) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Thank God they are back to school tomorrow! </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-26359381793808987812014-02-20T01:32:00.001-08:002014-02-20T01:32:59.583-08:00Dressage Boot Camp (and a huge wake up call) <p dir="ltr">This week is half term here, so a month or so back I decided to kill two birds with one stone. As well as take the kids to visit family, I would take the horse too. This way we could see family spread out over two days instead of crammed into one, and I could get some much needed tuition at the same time. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My grandma, aunt and great aunt are all amazing riders, my grandma and great aunt are also riding instructors. They are all really into dressage. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Now, the mare and I can trot around looking pretty, but it is far from correct. I have been working really hard at riding her with my seat and leg, and trying to leave my reins alone, and I thought we were improving. It definitely felt better. But dressage is our weakest phase.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But by the end of our first session with my aunt I honestly felt like I had never sat on a horse before. My reins are always too long, so I was made to shorten them, and put my hands more forward and opened wider (I am guilty of keeping my hands pretty much in my lap) this immediately made me feel unbalanced. I was nagged about my right heel creeping up constantly, my inclination to just push the horse forward at all times (and so unbalancing the horse) and you don't want to know what was said about my canter transitions! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Day two saw an improvement, and we did things I didn't think possible - travers, walk to canter off a demi pirouette, shoulder in etc. Don't get me wrong, none of it was pretty, but now we have some extra exercises for schooling which was the plan. I felt enthusiastic and couldn't wait to see the videos! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Well, that was a bad move. The videos looked nothing like it felt. I looked like a sad sack of potatoes, and yes my reins are way too long, and my poor horse looked like some overworked nag from Victorian London (ok, one that was finally tracking up, but still) I can't believe the weight and muscle she has lost since our jumping lesson a few weeks ago (I compared videos) it is truly baffling! She is getting more food that she was(fibre based) she is so full of energy that I have decided to try her on the gelding's magnesium supplement to see if she relaxes more. I can't understand how she has lost so much! </p>
<p dir="ltr">So the plan for the next few weeks is to work on my new exercises in walk and hope it builds up some muscle and helps us both to become more supple, and take her out for walks around the summer paddocks for grass and more slow exercise in the afternoons. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So all in all, the dressage boot camp was a bit of a wake up call in more ways than one. </p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844464973477466365.post-52129400636037519832014-02-12T05:38:00.001-08:002014-02-12T05:38:23.161-08:00A spanner in the works. <p dir="ltr">So I made the mistake of thinking things were going well. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We are now possibly looking at having to move yards, and as every horse owner who has ever had to rent somewhere knows, there is little that is more stressful. </p>
<p dir="ltr">There is somewhere quite perfect, two spare stables, 2 acre field with year round turnout, excellent arena with a good jump selection, one of my best friends, and several other horsey friends, good hacking. Perfect, except it is half an hour away. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Do you jump at the chance and accept time will be tight for the next couple of months until the kids finish school for the summer (have I mentioned that our favourite National Trust property is only 10mins from this yard?) And that horsey outings will be limited in order to cover increased fuel costs? Or find somewhere else more local, and hope you find one of the rare good ones? </p>
<p dir="ltr">A year ago I would have been content with a field and a couple of stables, or even a decent field shelter, but now things are starting to happen, I'm giddy at the thought of a real life decent arena without an almost year round water feature! </p>
<p dir="ltr">If the yard I am at was going to stay the same, I would never leave. But there are rumblings from the powers that be and we are all uneasy. When the longest standing members of the yard have put their names down on the waiting list of the local all singing, all dancing livery yard, you know it's time to worry! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I sense some sleepless nights ahead. <br><br></p>
Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094580753040971341noreply@blogger.com0