WEC Mini circuit

Well, as there was no 90 class, I had to take the plunge and go straight into the meter.
He jumped well, and apart from the first jump, I think I sat up and remembered to kick a little better.
Went double clear and got a green rosette for his efforts.

Very disappointed however, as I was actually looking forward to the 1.05, but a couple of horses to go and he pulled off his front shoe. Unfortunately he is one that you really dont run without a front shoe so I had to scratch.

Oh well, at least we had no disasters and a confidence boosting round. Now, I just need to build on that further.

Taupo HT

Well, finally got to ride at an event this spring - other than the training trials!

Dressage - not exactly his best showing - can see looking at the photo just why his score was so abysmal!

Show jumping - having spent a sleepless night worrying about it, and almost packing up and going home I am very proud of myself for actually giving it a go. Two nanna clip clop moments (naughty pony took advantage), then I got determined. I was not going to have an E so actually started kicking and meant it....he realised I meant business too and finished the course well. YAY - I got round.

Why is it that show jumping so terrifies me?

Cross country; he knew what was coming and was so excited that he napped very badly trying to get to the start box. So it took me a while to actually get him in and get going....he flew out and jumped beautifully over number one, a steeplechase type spready thing.
I got all set for a sit and point round.....WRONG
Number two, nice loggy jump though not particularly big - he jolly nearly fell over it. OK, I thought, he will pick up better at number three....again WRONG....nearly fell over that one too (also a fairly small jump).

Now of course the confidence was totally in tatters, and I was ready to pull out - I actually tossed up whether to retire there and then before we did both hit the deck.
Not the best way to approach the next jump, small table with drop on landing - given my lack of intent, we had two stops before I actually decided to kick (it was only the thought of the dreaded "E" that kicked my brain into gear).
In actual fact he jumped it very nicely.
Over the next couple of jumps, then onto the trakener....yep, nailed it first go.
Which led to my next wee mistake. So relieved to get over trakener relaxed, and naughty pony stopped at the next jump - very small training roll top (having made the same mistake at the same jump last year I doubly kicked myself).

Ok, having had stops at two small training jumps, we went on to fly everything else, including the C element of the big water - it was quite a decent jump with a spread two strides out of the water, and he just popped over it. The second last was a big jump with brush on top...measured 1.30, and he did exactly what I thought he would...sailed right over the top.

For the very first time I simply could not pull him up after the finish....the last quarter of the course was a decent size and woke him up a bit....took me quite a few big circles to get him to slow down.
I had been very anxious about my (and his) fitness, but was pleasantly surprised to find that thanks to the new pony, although still not exactly fit, my fitness was a LOT better than last year.

Here's hoping my fitness will continue to improve, and that now I have completed a pre-novice having had very little build up, I can start to work on my confidence a little more and not let Willie down so badly. (I am sure he was missing Gina's riding terribly)

Jump practice

Yay, actually rode a short course of jumps.

I had set them up for Saarin so we could get a video of her pony jumping to send out.

They were between 90 and 1.00 with a couple of spooky fillers. I was feeling incredibly anxious, but off we went. Biggest problem was brakes....he jumped superbly, but it took me three circuits of the arena to stop him...he was just getting going and every jump he saw he tried to cart me to it.

I was very pleased that once I had jumped the first jump I felt fine.

Now have under a week to build up the confidence for Taupo!

One thing is for sure: the new pony is definitely helping in terms of fitness - he wears me out so much in a short ride, that I have got to be getting fitter! (famous last words)

Decisions, decisions

Well, now that my spring season plans are all shot to pieces due to pesky stubborn wee stone bruise, I am not sure what to plan.

I had entered Rotorua HT, just the training division to have an outing this coming weekend as he has only been back in proper work two weeks, although he is pulling my arms out of their sockets. Jumped him the other day (90/1.00 ish); yeegads! strong is not the word - it was a case of 'hold on mum we're going'. Needless to say, the wee lad was very happy to be jumping.

However, although I still struggle SJ, XC at lower heights is just awful on him - he plays around, spooks, backs off and generally just doesnt pay attention (and that just does so much for my confidence - NOT).

Sooooo, I am considering scratching from Rotorua and going to both days SJ at Hopuhopu. Would be much needed practice for me, plus close to home. Also as I would have to leave Friday for Rotorua, that would leave my 85 year old mum having to care for all the animals for several days as everyone else is also away.

Now I have to decide what to enter at Taupo; will probably can Puhinui, and aim at doing Waerenga and Richfields.

Talk about best laid plans!

Hacking?

After Tommy's chiropractic work and a few days off, Willie was to be hacked for ten days. I did a few days just walk and trot, and have now incorporated canter work again.

Took him to WEC yesterday and today for some big paddock circuits, and long sedate canters - ha ha! Try doing sedate canters on a horse that is short of work, bored and full of grass. My arms and shoulders were screaming after one circuit - I did let him out a bit, but simply could not hold him.

Good to know he is feeling good however.

So where is my dinner?

Back into It

Finally was able to have a ride on Willie today.

He is to have ten days hacking upon Tommy Behrns' recommendation starting today. By my reckoning, hacking can include walk, trot, canter etc, but not dressage, jumping, tight turns or anything too strenuous sooooo....... I have entered Willie for Rotorua Horse Trial - just the training class so we at least get out and have some fun, and hopefully all going well we'll be back into pre novice after that? (if I can then get on and learn how to jump over 95)

Fingers crossed

Well finally got the shoe back on Willie along with a leather pad, although there is still a pulse in the foot he didnt seem too worried about the shoe going back on, and has definitely been looking more comfortable on it - not sure he noticed his foot at all when they were all playing silly beggars in the paddock.

Then it's off to Tommy for a check up.
AMAZING guy....Willie was out in quite a few places, and now has to have 3 days off (in addition to the 3wks he has just had) then ten days hacking, then I guess back into it (if the foot also holds up of course).

So now in a real dilemma about entering Rotorua. As I had the shoe back on I had thought I would enter pre novice with the possibility of downgrading to training if he had lost too much fitness. Now my only real option is to do training but I am not sure it's worth the trip for one horse to toddle around training, as Kit was also seen by Tommy and his hip was right out (as Saarin has been telling me for weeks) and he has to have two weeks off, then ten days hacking, and so Rotorua is right out for him.

Hmmm decisions decisions.

30.09.08 - Still sore

Finding it very frustrating that my boy is still lame, and despite two pokes around by the blacksmith, nothing substantial has shown up -must be a deep slow abscess or something...but I wish it would do its thing and then heal!

If still lame tomorrow I will have to bit the bullet and scratch from Te Rapa Horse Trial - so much for the plans etc. Hopefully he will come sound enough to take him to Rotorua (and give me enough time to learn to show jump 1.05 before then!)

In the meantime however, given my frustration - as well as starting to want a greenie to play with, I have been and looked at an OTTB. He is absolutely sweet. However, he is HUGE.

I stood next to him, and he is taller at the wither than I am (I am 6') - work it out ; gave myself a hell of a fright when I did!

He is very light in condition, but is certainly big enough for me - seems to have a lovely temperament. BUT....how do I break it to the other half who is still at me to reduce numbers!?

Anyway, this is the wee boy who I would like to join our herd...If he does come here, he will of course have his own blog to track his progress....

Arghhhhh

Well, so much for giving myself intensive SJ exposure to try to prepare for Te Rapa!

I had planned on doing the St Peter's practice today, however, horse has been sore much of the week.

Tuesday just felt 'off' at end of ride, same Wednesday, in particular left canter lead - although when leading him into the yards for the night he decided he couldnt weight bear at all on the off fore, doing the rear canter thing.

Blacksmith could find little of any note other than a softening perhaps due to a bruise; let us hope it is not a nasty abscess brewing!

So, poor Willie has been inside again at night, being painted with Keratix; and pouticed during the day.

Hmmmm; didnt look too sore this morning when the others decided to have RACES around the paddock....his gallop and passage looked pretty regular to me! May hop on this afternoon for a quiet play if he still looks sound by then (could of course have been pure adrenaline + spring fever that masked his pain).

Taupo Training Trials

Not the auspicious start we would have liked to the Season!

Did an ok dressage test, relaxed and obediant, and for once didnt get tense at Taupo. Scored 70% so can't be too disappointed with that.









Show jumping
Very slippery and he did lose his back end around most corners...I rode him a lot more forward, and put on the brakes as well as the prickles, which definitely made a difference. I did however relax on the last jump (the "dreaded" double) and he took advantage. I then lost my stirrup and simply could not find it, so will have racked up squillions of time faults in addition to the stop. But hey - I got around and I DID NOT FALL OFF!

Cross country
I thought it was quite a technical course, especially for greenies. The second half of the course was also very twisty turny and quite difficult to get into a rhythm.
Two jumps in particular I thought were a bit unfair on young horses. They had a roll top barely one stride from the water and a little dog kennel again just one stride from the two banks down.

The first jump was a lovely jump but maximum height, which I thought was a little silly. Willy of course flew it and then started being a pratt round the rest of the course when he realised the jumps were all smaller than the first one.
Spooked badly at the blue tarpaulin they had put under the baby trakener!
I rode the roll top before the water very cautiously and even then we ONLY JUST fitted a stride before the water. One green horse actually bounced it (along with bouncing the rider into the water!)

Willy also spooked at the kennel before the banks.

At the bounce option I was still having problems with the turning and brakes, so I am afraid I simply missed out the second jump and carried on (Willie had sighted the next jump and I just couldnt turn him away). Ummm ended up with a score and not an "E" though - how strange!

Although it wasnt the prettiest of weekends, I will still aim at pre-novice for Te Rapa - it will be interesting to see if I find Willie easier to ride with the bigger jumps (he normally is, and is often dreadful to ride training especially if he has had a bigger start).

SJ practice Taupo - 13.09.08

Lovely spring day in Taupo.

Started Willie in the 90/95 round and he was VERY naughty stopping several times. It was a bit slippery and we lost our back end around a few corners which made me hesitant and back off. Second round was a little better.

I need to stop totally blaming myself - even if I havent ridden particularly well he could be a little more generous and go anyway, rather than playing games with me!

Knocked off 1.20m

Had a quiet play with jumps at home, Willie popping over nicely.
Then spotted Saarin carrying poles, ... which she then added to the top of two of the jumps.
I was then told that I had to go jump them!
ummm.... ok
Willie jumped them beautifully, and I actually felt him spring a little from behind (which tends to be lacking over anything up to a meter). Then of course I had to measure them, so was very happy to see that we had negotiated 1.20 with very little effort at all.
Just shows that some of us really do need someone on the ground; not just to point out what we are doing wrong (which Saarin is actually very good at), but also to bolster us and push us a little.
XC play tomorrow - last one before the course closes.

XC Play WEC 04.09.08

As the WEC course closes this weekend we took an after school trip to have a XC play. Jumped a few training jumps on Willie, which he just plopped over, finishing up with the big palisade and the sunken road (which are also non events for him). He is just popping over whatever he is asked to, but is a MUCH nicer ride over the bigger jumps.

We had specifically gone to give Dawky a XC school, and what a naughty pony he was! Jumped everything he was asked to very well including ditches and water, but was VERY full of it, initially trying a bit of napping and dragging off with his rider sideways. But BUCK....geeze, he was really going for it; at one stage he bucked so big and high he nearly tripped himself up - but hey, what better reason to have another bucking spree. He is full of high spirits and has reached the point where he thinks 'he is the man' and knows it all - which of course he most certainly doesn't!

A few manners lessons were had during the ride.

I'm really looking forward to Taupo training trial (except for the SJ phase) and feel confident and happy about the XC, although it is yet to be seen how the achilles holds up - although I am probably so unfit that I shall expire before the achilles has the chance to get sore!

Unfortunately still no photos as we were both riding today. So to make blog look a little more colourful have put in photos from April with Gina riding - oh well, may not have been taken today, or be me, but its the right venue and the right horse :)
Hopefully will be able to illustrate a couple of draft entries later once I receive photos. (crossing fingers that the photographers on those occasions havent them from their records)

Winter Show Jumping

Well; I actually managed to get to another Winter show jumping outing at the WEC...this year managed the first and last days only - so much for planning to do all four!

80cm - Started at a very low height as its my first SJ round since I fell off in May. Willie went double clear and placed 3rd, and I didnt feel too terrified, so that's good.

90cm - Apart from a VERY lazy rail at number one, he flew around. Got a little long in spots, but I just left him to it. No stops, which is what really matters right now for my confidence. Felt good and confident.

Didnt continue on to the meter, as it was simply AGES before the meter was up, and thought it best to finish full of confidence. We have four weeks till Taupo training trials, and a further three weeks after that to get up to the required 1.05 for Te Rapa.

(Not looking like pics will be coming from the SJ :( )

Practice XC WEC

Well, today was an open XC practice day at WEC.

I went alone, and was amazed at how unmotivated one can be when unaccompanied. Generally there is someone on the ground instructing, and telling you to jump this that or the other. Or else you are with friends also riding and you bouy each other up, and just have fun jumping all sorts.
I jumped a few jumps (which Willie of course did well) but found I was lacking motivation to do an awful lot - almost like "oh well, I've jumped a few jumps: what now?"

Was however very pleased with comments I received on how Willie was looking. One saying she couldnt get over how well he looked, and that he looked like a warmblood and hard to believe he was a TB.

Let us hope he keeps on looking so well!

Always rewarding to get positive comments about our horses.

Spring Omnibus out!

OK now that the Spring Omnibus is out, it is time to set my tentative calendar for the Spring (all things going well).
Not sure if committing it to black and white will mean I am less likely to drift, but we will see (injuries permitting).
Of course there is still the wee problem of the show jumping phobia to be overcome - this was supposed to have been achieved over Winter, but weather etc has basically meant no real inroads have been made.

So here is my calendar:
14.09.08 Taupo training trials
04.10.08 Te Rapa HT - pre novice
01.11.08 Riverdale HT - pre novice
14.11.08 Taupo HT - pre novice
21.11.08 Puhinui HT - pre novice
11.12.08 Richfeilds HT - pre novice

There: it's in writing - no backing out now!

Final Kaurilands Dressage Day

Surprisingly, given the weather forecasts warning of yet more heavy rain, the day was mostly fine, and even sunny at times.

Even more surprisingly, due to the fact that Willie has not been ridden since last weekends XC clinic, and has been on green grass since, he was very well behaved. None of the expected bucks, and indeed he even managed a 5th in his 2.6 test, and won his 3.4 on 61% (with 7's for all his canter work).

Perhaps the secret to dressage is simply not to do any!

I do wonder if I usually try to hard, and/or get very tense and determined to 'show them what he can do' and that results in a score somewhat lower than he is capable of?
He works so nicely at home, and does all the movements well (apart from medium trot which we still struggle with - I just dont think a good medium trot is in his reportoir) and then I go out to compete determined to do well, and he gets tense and reacts to me. Today I expected him to buck, and basically go badly, but he did all the movements well including walk to canter, simple changes, canter serpentines, travers.

nb. Whoever forgot to remind me to take the pillows out from under my jacket is fired! (how flattering - NOT!)

XC Clinic Taupo - with Vaughn Jefferis

Well: happy to say that we all survived the weekend's cross country clinic, and that as a bonus despite horrendous weather forecasts, the weather pretty much behaved itself - apart from being slightly (very) cold.

Day one:
We started with some warm up grids and jumping on an angle before heading out to the XC jumps. We did some work on maintaining rhythm and balance into the fences on a short course of jumps - sitting up some six strides from the jump to ensure that the horses weren't too strung out on their take off strides...but of course remembering to keep them moving forward.

We then moved on to some slightly bigger jumps in succession, again establishing the principles of moving forward into the jumps, in rhythm and in balance.

A few splashes into the water, finishing with a baby trakener and palisade.

Willie was a very good boy, and thoroughly enjoyed himself (as did I - which is always a good sign)

Day Two:
Straight out to the XC course, warming up over a small combination, ensuring our horses were listening to us, and able to pop in four even strides rather than three yeehar ones! Willie was excellent as, although very keen and strong, actually listened and shorted up coming into the combination.

Then onto some bank combinations (Willie of course holding a perfectly straight line as usual), the dreaded trakener (at which Willie pretty much took charge and I became a passenger), before some more short courses of straight forward jumps to be taken pretty much out of our stride.

Onto the palisade, at which I was thrilled with myself as I had no anxiety at all, and because of which Willie simply popped over, given that there was no need for him to take charge - not that I have issues with Palisades - it is just those dreaded trakeners; but I think we're getting there slowly.

Finished again with some jumps off the bank into the water. Willie was a little sticky, having never been the fondest of water jumps, but he did go.

Synopsis: Altogether a very worthwhile two days. Both Willie and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I felt that as a combination we were jumping very confidently - Vaughn did ask if I had taken some 'brave pills'.
I definitely feel that I am on track to commence the season at Pre novice, and do well - if of course I can beat the show jump phobia!

I would like to aim to do well at Puhinui championship pre novice, before moving up to novice (arghhh) in the Autumn; all going well of course.

(Still awaiting photos - so hopefully there will be some pics to show I did actually manage to successfully jump over the weekend)

Ouch

For some reason over the last couple of days, my left Achilles has been quite sore. Aching, with random pains, although I am not too lame. Not sure of the reason as I haven't ridden. However, will continue with my regime of calf stretches etc, and with luck I will be sound enough to complete a XC pain free when the time comes.

Looking forward to our XC clinic at Taupo next weekend!

XC Lesson WEC

Popped over a few show jumps at home yesterday (95-100 ish) ; still working hard to keep weight down in my heels, but Saarin tells me that I am now lifting my hands again....one day I'll get both ends of my body to behave at the same time!

Today we went out to the WEC for a XC lesson with Gina. Started by popping over a few show jumps with all going well.

Did some warm up jumps and up and down the banks, then on to the water. Initially it felt to me like Willie was approaching far too quickly (although truth be known he was probably doing a slow canter!) and I took a pull, but I eventually just sat and trusted him and he jumped in far more smoothly. Then it was over the big log into the water...eeeek; but Willie looked after me. I am working hard to slip my reins and lean back, having gotten into the habit of leaning forward into water over the last ten years or so.

We then made our way up the hill to the little trakener (at this stage I was getting wary that I would be expected to jump the big one - not something I was about to let happen if I could help it!).

Willie jumped the training trakener well, and I felt like I was riding positively and was not in the least anxious about that one. Kit also jumped it for the first time, so Saarin was thrilled with him.
Then onto the big ditch for Willie - again not a problem.

Then after some persuasion, I found myself approaching the big trakener, but I was really not committed to jumping it at all. One stride out and I did the unthinkable - it wasn't that I just sat like a prune doing nothing (had I done so he would simply have popped over it); No, I felt compelled to actively pull the reins and stop him in front of it. Poor confused Willie.

I then tried to convice Gina that I really was not ready to jump it, but she wasnt having a bar of it (not even me being near to tears worked). I was still not really convinced, but I also knew that it was simply not fair to Willie to pull him up in front of a jump. Despite my reservations and still approaching with a lack of real conviction, we did actually get over it - it wasnt pretty, but we did it!

I love my pony!
And despite my arguments, thanks to Gina for persevering with me.

Then finished off over an easy chevron (just a sit and point exercise with Willie).

Synopsis: There is no reason not to trust Willie, sit, kick and TRUST HIM to do his job. I have trained him well (yes, I have done something right) and he is more than capable.

Thanks to Justine for taking such wonderful photos - what an excellent way to see what one is doing wrong (and right of course) and WTF were my hands doing way up round my ears coming into the water??

Green Grass Guzzlers

Yesterday:
Willie has had a day in the really good grass and it has definitely had some affect already!
Not normally too much of a bucker, apart from the odd grumpy kick-up or yeehar when jumping, he really let rip at one stage. And much as I hate to admit it, came close to depositing pilot on the ground. Ok, let's give the boy a bit of a run - not too much mind you given his current bucketini mode - hmmm arms nearly pulled out of their sockets.

Today, back to good behaviour, thankfully. Just did some flatwork, walk demi-pirouettes, shortening (right up) trot and canter and lengthening. Actually got some decent medium trot today - he was really lifting and using his shoulder. Just popped over a couple of little jumps to finish which cheered him up.

Plan to jump tomorrow, in anticipation of both XC lesson Friday (eeeek) and Winter Show Jumping series Sunday (double eeek).

Although the Left Achilles was a little sore today, it was not bad enough to prevent me riding two.
Sox was also feeling the effects of her time off Jenny Craig, and on green grass, treating me to an enormous buck on her first canter transition. Despite still having a rather large tummy, due to lack of riding she has unfortunately lost her topline, and is now showing some rib. Hopefully if the weather doesnt deteriorate we will find time to keep riding her.

SJ Clinic with Vaughn Jefferis

Our first day (yesterday) was cold wet and miserable, although once riding one didnt seem to notice the rain so much.
Willie went very well, and was his usual good self. I have to admit to being a bit disappointed however, as we jumped pretty small jumps and I didnt feel I actually achieved much.

Today however, was a bit better and I was quite pleased with how I rode. Again Willie went well. But more importantly I really felt that the work and effort in trying to get more weight down through my heels is making a lot of difference. My leg is more stable, which is making me feel more confident and in turn I ride better and don't get anxious. OK, we're yet to see if I can maintain it when the jumps do get big, but for now I am very happy. Particularly when Vaughn commented that today was the best he has ever seen me ride - so I must be doing something right!

We did some grid work, some related distances and also roll backs (I need to keep looking ahead). Also had a couple of comments about how great Willie was, and what a dude he was. Even Vaughn said he had been a great 'old' horse for me. Because I have had Willie for so long, he didnt realise he was only ten.

Can't wait for my next jumping outing - whether its another lesson or a competition.

Photos taken by the wonderful Kate Peddie

Kaurilands Winter Dressage - 06.07.08

Dragged the ponies out of the mud only to find that Willie has managed to ding his front leg, and now has a front leg that resembles that of an elephant. Oh well, on with a squirt of iodine and onto the truck.

He was a little tentative on it at first, but soon worked through it and so his test went from going nowhere to yeehar and very strong. However he's not been ridden for a few days and had nice new grass so I can't really complain. The judge marked us all very hard, Willie getting a HUGE 45.74%. (Elementary 3.2)

His second test was more fairly marked (Novice 2.4) and he came 5th with 59.23% scoring a couple of 8's and some nice comments. Judge also commented that he was "very kind"

Leg blew up like a balloon while tied to the truck waiting for Saarin to do her tests.
Worth the wait however, as Kitson placed 5th in one test, and won the second test scoring a 9 and a TEN!


Let us hope that the hosing and bute brings it down enough to ride him at the Show jumping clinic tomorrow. Much as I am nervous and anxious, I am also a wee bit excited and really do want to jump!

Just me

Well, this is my first forey into the world of blogging!
Guess I just don't want to feel left out given that everyone else is doing it.

So this first post is more of a bit of a play around (don't even know yet if I am able to go back and edit it)

And this is my wee boy Wilson.