Riverdale Training 25.02.012

OK...time to take the old boy out for a play.

Started by leaving a front shoe on the ramp when unloading....
Got it put back on just before my dressage test and off we went.

Very well behaved, as he generally is, and was very obedient to do a nice test.

Onto show jumping....
There was a bit of a nasty turn between numbers 2 and 3 and he lost his back end, lost confidence and stopped. Represented and over we went.

Then he slipped again turning into the double, and said no.

Although he was eliminated, I still felt his attutude was a lot better, and it was just that he lost confidence in the going.

Cross country day....for the last few outings at Rotorua he has been sore, so it has not been a happy place for him; last time he was so sore he crashed a bit, and was on three legs. Being Willie, a wuss, no doubt he would remember that.

Yep...number two (in exactly the same place as he went splat last time) he basically said no before we even got there. However I belted him over and off we went. Had a few stops and I did use my stick a lot, but we got around. The further we went the less he thought about stopping, so all good.

Hunua Training HT 21.01.2012

First outing for Willie for a while, and I must confess I wasnt exactly sure about jumping him, even though he has been jumping well and very keen. I guess its that hangover from when he hasnt been happy (sore, and then unhappy with his shoeing).

However, he was SO happy to be out and about.

Very short warm up for dressage and in we went. What a happy pony....he was lovely, although couldnt resist a little oopsy in his canter transition - cheeky!

He got great marks, and following my final halt salute the judge actually said to me "What a neat horse!" so that made my day. Comments on his test sheet also very nice with all 7's at the bottom and comments like him looking after me...and rider comment: "well ridden, lucky you!"

Unfortunately, Willie didn't get to jump at all, as I had injured my thumb and shoulder and was in far too much pain to even try.