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.