Rehab and Squirrel

Rehab is going slowly. And its dull. I like working towards things and seeing results over a day to day period as well as longer term. This is why Lexi has been such a delight to work with because she learns so quickly.

But rehab and waiting for muscle to develop is dull. Dull as dishwater. Dull.

I tried and failed to lunge in a pessoa which went like this

 

 

 

So I tried a chambon which goes like this

 

Ideally I'd still like her a little lower but I looooove the long stretch she's got in it. Nose out and in front of the vertical.

 

We've also been doing lots of hillwork, all long and low.  I can really feel her back working walking downhill and trotting slowly uphill. Not so much walking uphill but its getting there. I've been walking her daily diagonally over poles and doing stretches.

 

We've also been feeding. Lots. She came back from the vets like this

 

12 days of 3 x Saracen re-lieve, equjewel and chaff a day =

Still a little way to go and TOPLINE TOPLINE TOPLINE (although I saw a muscle by her withers this morning that I havn't seen before...obsessed.com). Also been ultrasounding the pocket behind her withers which is coming along...

On Monday I can start schooling again, just walk and trot for 2 weeks but I'm relieved as its all a bit dull right now. Token picture because she's so pretty!

 

Squirrel has been carrying the team by a couple of SJ outings.

 

First one he was mega lazy and managed to scrape a double clear in the 85cm and with some pony club kicking on my part, managed to win. I put spurs on for the second class and he was great and just had one down but he felt fab!

A couple of weeks later we went to another show. He jumped a cracking, fast double clear in the 85cm...only to find out the timers didn't start. So he had to do it again. And he did and won it!

In the 3 foot he jumped another great clear, but I had two down in the jump off. In his defence, I was REALLY pushing the turns and he jumped for me which is lovely after his stops earlier in the year.

Last week I was going to go to a fun show which included a top score and puissance but it was a disaster start to finish. I double checked google maps as the A34 was shut both ways and my sat-nav rerouted me and showed not traffic.

First part of the journey was amusing when my sat nav sent me down a single track lane and we met a couple of cars. What I didn't realise was that this went on for 5 miles and every car avoiding the back roads was on this lane. With few passing spaces..

It was quite amusing to see the general capacity of human intelligence and the number of people trying to suggest I put my 7.5 tonne lorry up on a steep verge or in a muddy ditch amazed me...Eventually we got through and sat in another queue for ages. I attempted to phone the secretary 5 times and emailed them but had no reply. We decided to push on as figured the way home would be a nightmare anyway.

Eventually got there and the wretched show was pretty much finished! AT 3.30. I was fuming at their lack of answering the phone which could of saved my afternoon. Only the puissance was left to run and with no one interested in it bar me, I decided not to bother.

I love puissance. Its great fun in a group with a bit of a crowd and then its exciting and fun. But doing it on my own, just a steward raising a fence each time Squirrel jumps it just to test how far he would go before his confidence gave out? No thanks, he deserves a bit more respect than that.

So we went home. Only to end up stuck right next to an awful motorbike accident and a poor, poor man receiving CPR on the side of the road. It was devastating to see, and put my own day into perspective.

Finally that evening, I was fast asleep and my phone rang. It was a client. Her pony was colicking and needed taking to the vets, she had no transport and none of the emergency transport companies were answering. So I got up and came to the rescue. So sadly the pony, a 6 year old Shetland whom I've been working with for 3 years ended up being put to sleep.

It never fails to haunt me how easily a beloved horse can be fit and well, and less than 24 hours later, dead. Such a sad weekend, and my heart goes out to everyone who lost a loved one that weekend and of course, those who died themselves.

 

 

 

 

BCA and bucking

Sorry for the long delay in posting again...Slightly dodgy laptop makes it quite a big job to make a post with pictures!

So a few weeks ago I took Lexi to BCA 90.

She warmed up super and did what felt like a lovely test. A score of 34 showed we were still missing the marks so  I was a little disappointed.

Show jumping was on a lovely surface but a little trickier than some eventing courses. My mantra was FORWARDS since some soul searching has made me realise I still want to ride with the handbrake on.

 

 

 

 

 

She responded with a cracking clear, asking for the jumps to be bigger next time!

 

On to the cross country. There was quite a wait as they kept holding to do groundwork as it was getting pretty wet. I wasn't particularly concerned about anything on the course; it was fairly tame but had a bit of everything with corners, step up and down, open ditch ect. I also decided to use my watch since I was just in the running for a regional Q and I keep going too fast.

 

She stormed out the start gate, no hesitancy this time over the fist couple of fences.

She bounded over the corner, the ditch, the step up and down....Best run through the water we've had too

Even with my watch I only made it 2 seconds slow enough not to get too fast penalties. She just jumps so easily out of her rhythm that we make up a little too much time.  Plus she has a huge stride!

We finished 10th in the end as there were several equal and we were furthest from the optimum time, but her jumping is improving so much and her confidence was coming on in bounds. It seemed the dressage was the only thing to crack.


However the Thursday afterwards, the bucking was back.

I decided enough was enough and sent her for a work up.
X-rays showed no problems in her neck and back so we bone scanned her. This showed mild to moderate sacroiliac pain but vets weren't concerned this was enough.

A lameness workup showed on a small circle on the hard she was lame on her front fore. X-rays showed the angle of her pedal bone wasn't right and MRI showed some very minor inflammation of the navicular bone. This is a mix of her having a club foot and needing some corrective shoeing.

She was rescoped as due anyway which was clear, and tested for hind gut ulcers and glucose absorption which was all fine. Also scanned her hind suspensory ligaments which were fine.

Overall pretty positive but no concrete answer. I decided to go ahead and medicate her SI.

So now we have 4 days box rest. 2 weeks walk and trot hacking. 2 weeks walk and trot schooling and hacking. Then a month canter then start jumping again.

A bit depressing given we aren't 100% sure this is the cause but hopefully we can get it dealt with.

She's also on project fatten up as she dropped more weight (she didn't have any to lose in the first place) at the vets. Hopefully with the SI sorted, she might start developing some topline at last too.

She was very happy to see me when  I picked her up and we had a lovely cuddle with her grooming me (vets must of wondered what was happening as she was tickling my belly and I was in stitches! I'm so ticklish!). Her highness is now being pampered within in inch of her life with a full selection of forage; ultragrass, haylage and soaked hay to pick at whatever she fancies and 3 feeds a day. Plus every supplement I can find to help.

Now lets hope the insurance coughs up!

 

I have some catching up to do

Yes I have gotten very very very behind.  Again.

April turned into a month mostly consisting of abscesses. First Squirrel had one. Then Lexi had one. Then Squirrel had one.

Squirrel was meant to go to cricklands winter league SJ finals at the end of April but when my farrier was hit in the eye with puss after digging out the second abscess on the Tuesday before, it was a no-go. Luckily Lexi had come sound just in time, although schooling the day before (in her dressage saddle), she was bucking and bucking and bucking and bucking. And for fun, bucking a bit more. When Lexi bucks, she's quite kind. Her head doesn't go down. It's only one in a row. But god help me they are ENORMOUS. Handstands. She cuts her heels on her hind legs whilst she's at it.

Anyway. I managed to take her to Wales and just tucked her into the 85cm as with time off, first stay away show, atmosphere ect, I didn't feel we needed to add height into the equation.

She settled quickly and ate well which surprised me.
Friday morning, we jumped a tense but CLEAR round for 10th place.
Friday afternoon was the teams and she jumped another clear and we came 4th overall.

Saturday morning was on grass, we had a slip and ended up with a stop after the slip and a pole down.
Saturday afternoon, first championship class, we rolled an unlucky pole.

Sunday morning I decided to test riding against the clock a bit and we went into fourth place!
Sunday afternoon, she jumped a great clear, then I went for it and came 3rd in the championship class. Real moment of pride - my highest placing in the championship classes overall, she came 4th in total (damn the pole Saturday afternoon!) and I left prouder than ever of my little mare.

Once home, we had a visit from Ruth to check her after the bucking at home, and she was indeed sore. So she did even better than I thought in Wales given her soreness!

She was also feeling rather full of herself and spritely, lots of jogging out hacking and generally thinking of herself rather highly.

We had a lesson with a new dressage instructor, and she was still bucking so I swapped to the jump saddle and she was instantly relaxed and calm. I had a great lesson and we cracked long and low, which she now fully understands which will HOPEFULLY get some muscle on the damned mare.

Next we were off to Broadway.

Walking the course, it seemed fairly simple although I felt we were slightly going in at the deep end with fence 3 being a relatively narrow log into woods, and 5 being a coffin with a meaty ditch. But first...the dressage.

Again she did what felt like a good test, and whilst I was pleased 32.4 was going in the right direction, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that I was still missing the marks for a sub 30 test.

We had a pretty uncomfortable show jumping round. I have done some soul searching regarding my inability to jump an SJ round since then (especially after how well she jumped at cricklands) and I realised I just ride too backwards. I want to jump with the handbrake on.  I'm looking for a new SJ instructor so if anyone has any suggestions...She was backwards, I was backwards, but she was honest and eventually tapped one for 4 faults when  I had the wrong leg for a corner and didn't change through trot as I was aware time was tight.

Then it was time for cross country! I needn't of worried. Fence 1 and 2 were on the cautious side with plenty of leg, and she spooked at the fence judge for 3 but then saw the log, locked on and away we went! She is honestly incredible XC, once she gets going she just jumps and gallops and jumps and gallops. She reads the questions and makes nothing of them. I mean I know its only 90 but she feels unreal.

Big pats for the pony and we finished inside the time for 13th.

The following Wednesday saw saddle fitting. The dressage saddle went down a gullet size and the SJ was reflocked. By the end, Lexi was bucking in both saddles. Great. Just great.


A week later, we were off to Millfield. I made some errors. This one was far away but I was determined to fit in a second event and with me at a wedding for tweseldown and then on holiday, Millfield it was. I also forgot my horses and I were horsesitting at a clients, so I was a further 30 minutes away than planned. A 2.5 hour drive and a 10.30am dressage made for an uncomfortable setting of alarm clocks but that's eventing.

By 5am, Lexi was loaded and we were off! Or we would of been, except the truck didn't start. I cursed myself for not buying the battery jump start kit after it didn't start the week before and rang my breakdown.

Half an hour later, we were on our way. I needed fuel but decided to wait as long as possible (although I felt awful with the distinct lack of coffee) so drove a good 60 miles before stopping. Moment of fear when I tried to start the engine....Nope. No juice.

Excellent. Phoned breakdown AGAIN. Apologised to fuel station manager who told me I wasn't allowed to jump start it there. (Well do you want to help push, its only 7.5 tonnes?!). Two hours later, the same man arrived. Pretty much on first name terms and I expect an invite to Christmas dinner given we've met 3 times in a week at that stage. Jumped.

Set off again. Partner called stewards and begged for a later dressage or otherwise a spot in the BE100. They said we could do our test at 11.38.

At 11.25 we rolled into the lorry park. Partner grabbed number and begged for a later SJ time. No said the secretary, you must go on time. Our time is 11.30 and we havn't done the dressage yet said partner. Eventually the message filtered in and I had thumbs up to push in to SJ anytime I wanted as I still needed to walk the xc.

Mare had helpfully pooed all over herself in the lorry, then rubbed her butt and tail into it for good measure and gave me a very obnoxious look when I suggested we might do a nice test.

The dressage steward was lovely and let me have a little longer to warm up then we went for our test. She wasn't as off my leg as usual but felt okay. I forgot all about keeping her straight and happily overshot the second centre line by about 5m but given the circumstances, I was very pleased with her.

I had left my martingale and stud girth by the lorry so bribed some people watching to hold the Mare whilst I studded her (thankfully her show manners have significantly improved) then warmed up and we went in.

A much better round than Broadway. More forwards although I still got on top of a couple of fences and had one down for four faults. Sigh.

I ran (literally, I almost passed out) round the XC which seemed nice enough with a decent right hand corner and her first drop combo on a course, then got ready. We had quite a wait for XC but once we went to the start box, she knew what was coming and started bouncing! I almost fell off when they announced by 29.5 dressage, we did it! And I made errors!

We set off and again, she just ATE it. Going cross county on this horse is like nothing else. It is what I dreamt of since I took her home just under 3 years ago. It feels as easy as breathing. Jump...Gallop...Jump....She cantered through the water this time and everything was wonderful.

Definitely did not get carried away and get 2 too fast penalties.

We came 6th in the end which was fantastic. Her first BE frilly and foundation points! It was truly a moment to savour as in that moment, everything was going how I dreamt it would.


Then we were pull started in the truck, I left it running whilst we unloaded, took it straight to the garage then crawled into bed. Not before the dog threw up in the living though.


The week following that, she still kept bucking. I also decided she had ulcers (and kissing spines and sacroiliac disease but I digress). I booked her in for a scope and Ruth managed to fit her in before my holiday, and we found grade 2 ulcers and that she was sore in part of her back linked to a too narrow saddle.

Given she has never been sore there before, I've booked an appointment to drive 1.5 hours to see Lavinia Mitchell so PLEASE GOD FIT ME A SADDLE MY HORSE WILL HAVE next week.

I've also turned her out 24/7 and intend to keep her like that until winter as its one of the few changes I can make regarding her ulcers, as she is already on ad lib forage and regular turnout.

I went away, got blissfully tanned and relaxed, came home and low and behold, the mare has stopped bucking. She also jumped a cracking 1.05m course today.

Phew.

We have 3 events back to back coming up in attempt to get a regional placing and then we shall rest.

A positive Portman

So  Lexi went for her first BE90 at Portman today.

We staggered off the yard at 5am and had an interesting journey with my satnav giving us a lovely guided tour of the Wiltshire countryside. Eventually after wedging the bottom of the lorry on the road trying to do a 3 point turn in a narrow lane on a slope, squeezing through some insanely narrow lanes and ending up on the wrong side of the estate and having to drive through a golf course we got there.

I was pleasantly surprised at the ground - soggy in places but compared to my paddocks it was great, and the XC looked pretty good. It asked a few questions and given she went green on me a couple weeks ago, I wasn't too sure what to expect.

She was a bit sluggish warming up for the dressage and pretending she didn't know how to bend so worked her in for a while until she was softer. I was pleased with the test - no jogging, I think I kept her straight on the centrelines although her walk was pretty backwards and there were moments of unsteadiness in her head. I was disappointed with a score of 34.5 - I was able to justify it at Aston but without glaring errors and several on the board with 29, I admit I'm a bit confused where we're missing the marks. I'll get my sheet in the post in the next couple of days so will see then, and will show Warren my videos - she's capable of better marks so I want to start producing them!

She was far better in the SJ than at Snowball last week, although spooked at a white filler and was good to jump it, but had it down, then I held her into the skinny planks which we had too. So finished on 8.

I was feeling a bit grumpy at this point - annoyed with my dressage score (although she was good) and annoyed with my poor SJ riding so hoped we would get a decent run XC.

She had a stop at a house in the warm up (scary green roof?) which didn't exactly fill me with confidence but she was bouncing around the start box...then started off very slowly, took a pony club kick to make her realise we were supposed to be cantering....and then we were  OFF.

She suddenly realised oh yeah cross country, I kinda like this, and ballooned over the first fence. Which almost had us eat dirt because she hit some deep ground landing and stumbled a little, but we were fine. Over the next few simple fences and I had to take a bit of a hold because she realised this was FUN and she rather fancied a good gallop. Little spooky over fence 4 which had a drop on the landing but over....then slightly faster than I fancied down the steep hill but I regained control to jump a decent roll top.

Next was the first combo, 2 slightly angled houses which could be done on a curving 3 or slightly angled 2. I went for the angle and she was great and roared off up the hill that followed. Easy pop over a brush fence, tried and failed to gain some control up a step to a house, then a decent corner. Got a little close but over. Took a stride out to a 'fake' trakner, then it was a double of hanging logs with the second one at an angle which she never doubted.

Two more plain fences which she sailed over, followed by the water. I grabbed my neck strap incase of a leap of faith but she dropped to trot but went in bravely and popped the house coming out. Finally a couple more fences then home and dry.

We won't talk about the pedestrian we almost murdered whilst I was trying to pull up.


She really felt great. I didn't intend to go fast as our SJ put us out of the rosettes but we only had 0.4 time faults which was nice as I know I won't need to push to get the time next time out.


Our next outing is Ascott under Wychwood BE90 in a week and a half, so intend to do some gridwork (her SJ shape wasn't great today) and a dressage lesson.

Onwards and upwards!!

Scans and lessons

So Lexi had her scan on Tuesday. It's exactly as we thought - a grade 3 holosystolic heart murmur. She has a moderate leaky heart valve basically. At the moment there are no changes to her heart and we have no idea at what rate it will progress because this is the first time its been picked up on.

In 6 months, someone will come listen to it again and if its still grade 3 then in 6 months from then we scan. If the heart hasn't changed shape yet then we still scan every other year. Meanwhile we can continue as usual, eventing ect, and hope for the best.

I took her for some canter work Friday afternoon and she just filled my heart with how wonderful she is. She really is a dream to ride, feels like a Ferrari and so responsive and so gutsy. I also got a little taste for just how fast she is...I don't think I've ever really asked her to go flat out, but she made my eyes water at the pace she tried to go on Friday and even then I held her a bit steady as the ground was just a little soggy and I was in a dressage saddle.

I had a lesson bright and early at 7.30 yesterday. We did a lot of polework, working on encouraging her to correct her own stride to a fence. Basically I prefer a more forwards, momentous canter because that's how Squirrel always jumped best. A nice balanced canter felt a bit backwards to me.

Up until now  I've given very little thought to striding for her - I didn't want to get stuck into fiddling too much, and jumping 90/1m she has plenty of scope to adjust herself if she's a bit off.  Warren reminded me we're trying to produce a top end horse, and whilst that technique will work safely at Novice, especially on a horse as scopey as her, it won't help us get further.

So we set up 3 poles on a distance which made her reach and lengthen her stride to make the distance, and I had to focus on sitting up/back to support her and not let the canter lengthen. Also had to ensure I didn't let her fall in round the corners. She really got it by the end and I have homework to do lots and lots of it, with different variations.

Schooling this horse delights me, she learns so fast....its just me who needs to keep up now!

We're off to Portman for our first BE90 on Wednesday which is very exciting...

In other news, my partner has suddenly decided she wants to learn to ride and Squirrel has been teaching her this week. Unfortunately he went lame yesterday morning...the right fore. It happened intermittently a few times last year so I sent him to the vet for a work up in September. Although he was slightly lame in both fronts on a small circle on the hard, he was great the rest of the time and x-rays showed nothing. At his age they felt it was pointless to go further on something so small so we didn't pursue it. He was very lame on a small circle on the hard...I'll see how he goes for a few days. I guess he's just a bit old and creaky now and sometimes things go ouch. If it becomes more regular or isn't better in a day or two then we will investigate further.

Snowball Farm Eventer trial

Unfortunately Lexi wasn't able to have her scan on Thursday as a couple of emergencies came in and the cardiologist was needed in theatre until early evening.

They're rescheduled for next Tuesday so fingers crossed we don't find anything awful.

Gladly, the vet okayed me to take her to the eventer trial I entered for last weekend in hope that she would be okay to go (desperately wanted an  XC outing before portman 90!).

Yesterday was my birthday and I had some lovely presents including a book of 101 dressage exercises, which  I tested out on Lexi. Just tried some basic stuff including really lengthening and shortening her trot which got her swinging beautifully and starting to ask her to do some turns on the haunches - that was interesting but she managed it, and she's a sponge so next time I ask her I expect she'll of got it. Shoulder in in trot is getting there too although I neglected to ask for haunches in. Her laterial work is a real priority at the moment to get her stronger and working straighter.

So today I was entered for the 80cm SJ and 90cm XC - was a little worried about the xc as we didn't have the greatest time at boomerang and that's our biggest XC course to date...however I didn't fancy 70cm SJ so figured we would wing it and it would set us up well for Portman or I would know it was too soon.

Why did I worry?!

We had a very hasty warm up - we tacked up leisurely as they were running 20 minutes behind on the previous class, only to get on to find out we were now on time so my warm up was a hasty 10 minutes.

She was pretty sticky in the show jumping but went clear...and we went over to the XC.  It was a short course which was a shame but also a nice taster for her..

One was a pretty up to height roll top and two was something I forgot about..She was a little hesitant but I kept my leg there and she was fine. Then went down a slippy slope to a fairly decent step up which we ground to a bit of a halt infront of but I kept my leg on and she popped up, then over a log with a little drop on the landing which she jumped nicely.

After that it all clicked, she bounded over the tyres just down the slope and settled into her stride. Hanging log before the water was no problem, she LEAPT into the water which took me by surprise as so far she's always slowed down to look and I promptly lost both my stirrups. I failed to try and slow down to regain said stirrups and thought I would bounce straight off (her canter really is enormous...plus water...excellent) but managed to get them back before the fence on the way out of the water. Final two fences she jumped very boldly and forwards.

We had 3.4 time faults (I blame the water incident) and ended up 4th which was lovely, but mostly I am so pleased with how her confidence developed throughout the course. She really feels like a power rocket and I can't wait to build that confidence.

I'm fairly sure the scans are just so we can keep an eye on it - from what they said its just something that needs to be monitored and over time may cause her heart to change shape and could lead to an early retirement given she's so young. On the other hand, it may disappear. Given what I'm aiming to do with her, though, its important we monitor it carefully and know exactly what we're dealing with.

I had to try very hard not to buy a million photos, but this one sums up how she was jumping by the end.

Heart murmurs and a sad Swalcliffe

Friday I brought the horses in at lunchtime as I had the saddle fitter.

I found Lexi was shaking like a leaf. She was warm - well rugged, felt warm to touch ect ect but shaking. Also quiet...temperature was fine but I was at a loss and called the vet.

Who found she has a heart murmur...

She took bloods as suspected a virus and said a virus may be causing the virus.  The bloods came back clear and she came back today to check her again. The murmur was still there - its a grade 3 holosytolic murmur and she will be scanned sometime this week so we can see exactly whats going on. Its regular which is better than irregular and best case scenario would be that it needs monitoring and she may end up retiring fairly young if her heart changes shape due to it. Needless to say, I did not run her at Swalcliffe.

I took Squirrel and was gutted to see the 80 course would of been just perfect for Lexi - a little trickier than Aston but would of been very educational.

He warmed up beautifully and forward for his dressage, and did a decent test. It was on a slope and a bit muddy in the corners so I felt he lost a bit of power but he scored 31 so obviously didn't look bad!

Sadly in the show jumping he stopped at both max height oxers. Very much a Sorry Mum I just can't kind of way. It confirmed what I've been mulling for a while. I will no longer be eventing him. He's done, his body is finally admitting he's an older boy who's had an active life and is now just that bit too arthritic and knackered.

He can retire to doing fun stuff, maybe take my sharer round the odd BE80 or BE90 but never again will I ask him to compete at 1m or bigger. He has been the most incredible horse for me, he has taught me the world and given me so much confidence but I just know now the time is right for him to lead a quieter life.

So we'll have some fun and when that's too much we'll do the odd hack and finally he will retire to spend the rest of his days stuffing his face and I will love and cherish him every day. He's given me everything - from renewing my love for horses, changing the direction of my life, introducing me to BE...I will never forget when he ate up the XC at Borde  Hill. That ride is forever ingrained in my mind because he made it feel so easy and that day, everything went right.

He will always be my wonder horse and his goofy face will make me smile every day.

The ups and downs of being a mare owner

Mares!!

I had the most delightful schooling session yesterday. We nailed shoulder in both ways...we nailed haunches in both ways....we got some lovely walk to canter strike offs...a million square halts....She was just gorgeous, she was pumping away behind, swinging through her back, soft as butter.

Then we took Squirrel and Lexi to Boomerang for some XC practise today.

Okay to be fair I totally blame myself...mostly....The first fence I did I stupidly came through some bushes, didn't really know what I find the other day and attempted the point and kick technique. I forget although Mare has been SUPERB lately....she is infact still quite green, and especially to begin with...she needs some support.

So from the bushes emerged a decent rolltop. Mare tried...then with lack of jockey support, chickened out. Unfortunately one front leg was already over at this stage so we had a hell of a lot of fun getting back, and we were both rather shaken. Me a bit worried...her a little worried...not the best combination. Popped some easy fences and all was fine...so I tried a small but tricky corner and the same happened.

Then we had to reattempt to jump it about 50 times with me basically saying err no I don't fancy it...so she ran out...Eventually with lots of help from my lovely friend (who shares Squirrel) we got over it. We could jump this corner 3 ways on each rein....and she had a naughty (naughty at this point - she had a real mare face on) run out each way...but eventually jumped it beautifully. We had a repeat first time stop at a couple of other fences which she should of found simple and some mare beating pursued...Eventually though she went beautifully, and at the end I went back and jumped all the fences we had issues with again, and she went boldly, straight and well.

On the plus side, we did jump 2 rather large corner brush fences on a curve which I wouldn't expect to see at an event below novice level and she did really jump rather beautifully most of the time.

Lessons learnt

• Warm up better - I had a crappy canter round and called it good
• Remember her experience level...she needs riding...just because she's often as bold as brass it doesn't mean she doesn't need you there
• Don't ride like a pleb

Basically sums it up. Tomorrow is my last day of work before NINE whole days off. God I can't remember when I last did that!!

And roll on Swalcliffe on Sunday with both horses eek

Awesome Aston-Le-Walls

Well, Saturday morning dawned with me doubting a run at all, Saturday evening set with me having entries into two events running.

Better times and location made me stick with Aston since it was on.

I got everything ready the night before so it was a lovely leisurely start and we set off ahead of time at 9.30.

We arrived in good time, which was lucky as we had to be towed into the lorry park. I was glad to see the new arenas allowed much better warm up spaces, and I set about walking the course. I was quite concerned as it was pretty wet, and parts of the BE90 course were rather cut up.

I was in two minds whether to run XC or not - half of me felt well she needs to learn to go on less than ideal going, and she doesn't seem to mind mud at home, the other half of me didn't want to risk a fright.

I decided we would set off and if she felt cautious or unhappy I would pull up.

I unloaded her and she obviously realised this was a slightly more exciting party than usual as she was trembling like a hare and a f-ing nightmare to stud up (although bribery worked a treat). She bounced all the way to the warm up and I hugely regretted not putting my shit-strap on to hang on to. I was quite relieved to get inside the enclosed space of the warm up before I ended up in a puddle of slop.

I allowed 40 minutes to warm up which was about perfect. I trotted around for a while until she relaxed then worked on her transitions, bend ect until she felt nice and soft. Took her boots off and of course the first thing she did was cut herself with her studs (no studs inside behind before SJ from now on..) and then promptly lost her ear veil. Ear veil reattached and my backside heaved (so sorry to everyone who had to witness that) back onto my horse and it was our turn to go in.

She was great - bar a jog in the free walk and me doing my walk transition way too early (I forgot where I was meant to do it so figured I'd do it early to avoid being beeped at),  I was very pleased with her. She was much more relaxed than I anticipated and although there's lots to work on (straightness in particular which came up on the comments!), I felt she did pretty much as good as she could for where she is now. Later we found we had a 34.8 which seemed a little harsh, but her straightness and tension in the walk (and my mistake) proved expensive. However, 31.4 was lowest of the day so must of been a fairly harsh judge.

The  SJ looked nice, small and inviting and fairly simple bar a nasty turn back to the second to last fence down to a short two strided double. Lexi came in and popped through it like she does it every day, and didn't bat an eyelid at anything. Again LOTS to work on - namely get control back as soon as we land, as several times we bowled along for a while on the wrong leg thus losing balance and collection and basically everything. We rubbed a couple but left them all up!

Now onto the cross country. I did very little warming up as the warm up was pretty grim but she felt happy underfoot. We went into the startbox and I remembered how  I'd envisioned that moment the very first time I sat on her as a wobbly baby.

We trotted out the starbox ("Go? I'm going...oh okay you mean GO") and popped over the first couple of fences. Then we realised what we were doing and the head went down and I had to sit back and take a serious pull because we were NOT going at speed on that going. Then Lexi figured out she could avoid the mud if she just took off into orbit over the fences which was interesting...

We cantered over the big open ditch and it was just great. There was nothing too exciting on the course but she jumped it all out of her stride. We enjoyed the log to a little slope up and down to another log, then trotted cautiously through the water, easily over the corner then brushed through the brush fence which led to an enormous jump over the last and finished!

We collected 8.8 time faults which put us into 12th place, and I couldn't be more thrilled with her.

Only one photo for now as my videos are playing up...



I'm SO happy with her, she was incredible cross country and I can't wait for the next one!

 

Show jumping videos as promised...

Event prep, lessons and feeding

So last night I picked up my lorry yay (5k later, not yay..) - she was so ZOOMY!!

So today I cleaned it out (aka removed last year's mud ready for this year's mud) then took Lexi to Warren's for a lesson to polish things up for Sunday. He said as she is, if she went how she went that day then she would get a lovely mark.

I didn't want to do any major work - often in our lessons we tackle one 'big' thing and I work on that for a few weeks before returning for the next, but given we're so close to the event I wanted to work on how to get the best out of her for at the place we're at.

The main things he wants me to bear in mind is

• She naturally moves in 3 tracks at the moment, so keep a slight right rein flexion especially on centre line to straight her.
• Ride more into corners - at the moment she tends to fall in flat round them rather than really turning.
• Prepare downwards transitions more and keep right flexion through them.
• On right rein, don't let her lean on R rein and support her through left rein.
• On right rein, lateral work asking her to go into the left shoulder, on left rein asking her to bend through her ribcage more
• Lots of quarters in/leg yield on a circle rather than leg yielding across arena
• Also need to bear in mind I tend to sit a bit heavy; I need to sit closer and deeper to the front of the saddle, almost pushing my hips forwards more - use a neck strap set very loosely to 'pull' myself in
• open knee so lower leg wraps round more rather than lift my heel to put leg on.

But she is being a mule to load. Ever since I ried her in my friends trailer she has been so stupid about it. She'll load if another horse is in the lorry - trots up the ramp. If you then unload her, unload other horse and take it out of sight, she goes in.

But on the way back? Nada. In the end Warren looped a lunge rope round her bum and made it into a bit of a noose so I could tighten the pressure when she refuses to go forwards. It took that and a few swats with a lunge whip (god she kicks out, such a mare!) then she was in. Ii had a go at home, minus a lunge whip and it took 15 minutes, then we went in and out 4 times perfectly.

Little frustrating as she was so good for 2 years (she was a pain at first but 2 sessions with an IH trainer and she's been perfect) BUT I'm sure she'll get over it again.

We also discussed feed. STILL need to figure out how to get her building more muscle without fat. Warren reckons copra, I just need to feed loads more than I did before.

Finally, tomorrow's day at Aston has been abandoned, so lets cross our fingers the weather is better tomorrow so Sunday can run! At the moment it doesn't look promising...

Saddle fitters and show jumping

We had a quiet start to the week following Lexi's girth rub. Few days lunging and an extra visit from Ruth, my equine body worker and sponsor after I attempted and failed to get Lexi loading in a trailer - She was very good and went right in, then panicked and thrashed about. Several times.

I'm so paranoid about her event next week that the last thing I wanted was to not ride her for a few days due to the girth rub, get on and find her sore, then Ruth not be able to make it for a few days, then the days off needed after physio...meaning no event.

That and apparently I like spending money. So she came Wednesday and she was a tiny bit sore but nothing major.

Then we had the saddle fitter, Sarah Stevens, on Thursday. This was fun. I do not recommend her to anyone.

I don't doubt her capabilities as a saddle fitter BUT she proceeded to make me feel like a pile of crap that my saddles hadn't been checked for 2 years (Sorry but when my mother was on her deathbed, saddles were the last thing on my mind, then dealing with my ponies being put to sleep, finding somewhere to live, revamping my business to be able to afford two horses, starting studying, ect ect ect, getting a saddle fitter out when the horses were going beautifully was just not a priority).

She refused to put a saddle on Lexi as she came up to her, PRODDED her in the back, and when my COLD BACKED SENSITIVE mare flinched, proclaimed her to be terribly sore and in no way fit to be ridden. She then went onto another rant that Lexi needs to gain 40kg of fat in order to build top line (come again? Last time  I checked, fat does not turn into muscle) and went on to make many more personal remarks about their condition, welfare, so on and so forth. I stupidly let her take my jump saddle for reflocking, then in the morning I decided I wanted nothing more to do with her. So I sacked her, and had to drive an hour yesterday to pick up my saddle. I have someone different coming next Friday as this one said my jump saddle wasn't great on Lexi (and I have no issues regarding her expertise regarding saddles - just the rudeness and total disregard to my opinion as the horse's owner).

She also had a truck full of jump saddles and refused to show me any, because she couldn't tell me 100% whether the saddle fits without me riding...which I totally understand BUT if she could rule out my Albion by popping it on her back for 2 seconds...we could of ruled out other saddles and narrowed it down, allowing me to do some research at home.

ANYWAY.

I schooled my terribly sore, crippled horse for 40 minutes on Friday and she was wonderful, really swinging from behind, it was delicious. Squirrel very enthusiastically did some canter work.

Saturday Lexi did canter work (felt fabulous) and I let my friend take  Squirrel to a jumping clinic as her horse is a little poorly. She also came and jumped him in the 80cm today and he was lovely and really looked after her for 1 pole down.

Lexi? I could not fault her. She was a little buzzy when I got on but settled quickly and jumped beautiful double clears in both rounds. I couldn't be more pleased. I went round the houses in the 80cm jump off, as it was that or a very nasty turn to a double and I just didn't want to ask that of her, but she really took me into it, didn't hesitate or roll a pole.

The 90cm was very up to height but she just ate it up and I have a VERY cheesy photo of me grinning my head off.

I've got a photo and videos which I'll post when my phone is feeling a bit more co-operative.

I'm thrilled to bits with her and feel its really set us up for our first BE event next Sunday. PSYCHED!!!

I'm so proud of her, she's really grown up over the last year and its so exciting that after two and a half years of slowly waiting for her to mature, we can finally start doing what I bought her for. I'm so excited to see what the future brings for this little mare.

Cross country schooling and The Great Escape

The other day, my horses partook in what was clearly a pre-planned conspiracy to escape and create carnage around the yard.

 

 

Yes. That is their bottoms as they make a bid for freedom.

 

 

Squirrel has been confined to a small pen for 10 days after his hock injections. He wasn't able to go out a couple of times because it was frozen and the pen in the ground is pretty wet so it was a death trap. That day, I decided to drop him off in his pen on my way to put Lexi out.

 

 

I knew it was a bad idea but it seemed so simple, and my horses are relatively well behaved and well mannered, are they not? Apparently not.

 

 

I popped Squirrel in and just as I was shutting the gate, he galloped out, Lexi went with him, all ther way to the bottom of the turnout. I trek for 10 minutes and grab them, shove Squirrel back in his pen, shout at him for being so ignorant and not backing up so I could shut the pen, take off his headcollar.

 

He wanders up to the tape. He stops with his chest touching the tape. He looks at me, straight in the eye. Then sits back on his haunches and launches from 0-gallop, straight THROUGH the tape, snapping a wooden post and trailing tape everywhere. Lexi is going beserk on the spot so I decide to chuck her out then go retrieve Squirrel who was very much in the dog house at this stage.

 

Another 10 minute trek whilst being about half an hour late for work at this stage. As I approach him, he looks at me again in his obstinate way then plonked into a puddle and rolled. Got up, turned around, did it again. Bastard.

 

 

So he's been in his stable ever since. I tried to lead him out for a pick of grass today but that was Very  Exciting and he squealed and almost beheaded me so. Nope. He can stay in until Monday.

 

In other news, I managed to borrow a lorry to take Lexi for a much needed XC schooling session at Tweseldown. What can I say? She was phenomenal!! She got a bit cross by the end, and I found her girth rub got quite sore (she's having a day off then a few days lunging now to let it heal properly) so she was even more honest and incredible than  I first thought.

 

She's just...amazing cross country. She's so so brave and clever, she just figures it all out and delivers, no matter what I ask of her. My only issue is in between fences I struggle to get her back and have much steering so may need to think about a change of bit (she's in a straight bar happymouth snaffle at the moment!) Although I think its more a question of balance and needing to teach her quicker reactions, so that's our homework for now. I was brave enough to jump some BE100 fences and god she felt amazing. Also perfectly happy to go through the water, steps up, steps down, huge nasty ditches with water in the bottom...nothing was an issue.

 

 

I'm thrilled with her, she's feeling so grown up and just...wow cross country. She's so intelligent about it and so brave its the most incredible feeling.

 

Sadly doesn't look like we'll get to practise any more dressage before Aston-le-walls but lets hope (in vain I expect...) that we get the lorry back in time for SJ next Sunday.

 

 



Canter work and jumping

Slightly manic few days..
I was up at 4.30am on Sunday to school Lexi before my uni day. We did a lot of work on our halts and its evident to me we need to do some serious work on our straightness in our downwards transitions. But the canter was better.

I lunged her Monday night after work, nothing exciting to say about that, then went on a lovely long hack to do canter work yesterday. She was superb and really enjoyed herself, and went twice up the big hill. Still had to take it fairly steady as was slippery and icy in places but we got the work done. However when I got back I was horrified to see my lovely Albion girth had rubbed a big bleeding hole in her.


Lots of sudacrem!

I had a jump today, managed to patch her up with a different girth and a fluffy guard and she was super. She was a little sticky at some of the fillers at first but with leg she popped over them regardless. I had told my friend who was helping to bully me and we ended up jumping a 90cm-1m course and she was perfect! Probably some of the biggest fences I've done on her and about time. It was no effort to her.

We need to work on our balance round turns but I got a bit of a feel of how to ride for a nice bouncy canter towards the end.

Missed the bit in the corner before the last fence where she threw an almighty buck!
Unfortunately the rub looked a bit sore afterwards so she's going to have a day lunging before hopefully going cross country.

Back in business!

So after her second treatment with Ruth, Lexi had a few days off before I popped back on yesterday.

I went for a lovely steady ride for about an hour and 15 minutes with a fair few hills and she was just lovely.

The real test to see how she was feeling today, when  I schooled her. She was just delicious. Lovely and soft in walk and trot although falling in through her left shoulder than she has been recently. A few leg yields sorted that out, then I popped into canter.

At first it was a little downhill and reluctant and she humped her back a little, but as I worked her through it she must of realised it didn't hurt and sat more underneath herself. I did some long and low work which I've neglected with her and was pleased to see she was stretching down and out into the contact - she has the inclination to come up and behind the bit a little at times.

I didn't push her too hard today but got a lovely few moments of elevation in her trot although they only lasted for a stride or so. At times, before her time off, we were able to keep that trot for a little while and as she gets stronger I'm sure it'll come!

I finished off attempting counter canter which she did a lovely job of, and really got her up off the forehand. Right rein was better than left which surprised me as left is her better rein but she didn't do a bad job at all! Our canter transitions were smoother and rounder, and she was listening to my seat far better than she has so far, so I finished with a big smile!

I'll school her again tomorrow and focus a bit more on her lateral work and start to ask for some medium steps in trot - at the moment she thinks I mean canter but when I do get a step of medium...wow!

Squirrel went out in his pen and was stood shivering after a couple of hours so I decided to leave them in for the rest of the day. I've never been in the habit of keeping them in when its wet, but my fields are unbelievably waterlogged and there was a nasty cold sleety rain so I figured they'd be happier in.

22 days til Aston le walls and I cannot wait!!!!

I've also just signed up for an online assessment through the Active Rider programme. They will assess my posture/movement/riding and give me a personalised plan on what to work for. If that goes well, I might do their 12 week programme....if I want any chance of NOT falling off this mare over bigger courses, I need to seriously improve my stability.

Arena eventing and life is against me

So last Friday I tested out boxing to a new place to go cantering. SUCCESS.

 

Even with all the rain we had, the going was still decent.

 

We did two 4 minute sets, then I called it a day as he felt a bit tired coming up the hill the last time. I want him SUPER fit so I hope to build this up to 3 5 minute sets. It will be easier when the ground is drier as I can use more of the hill - at the moment its a bit tricky as don't want to chew up the ground too much.

 

On the way back  I decided to pop him onto the verge along side the track to have a little canter home. I heard a clink and my heart sank. I jumped off and yes...he'd pulled a shoe. And the other one was only on by half a nail. Despite being in over reach boots. His feet suck when it gets and stays this wet.

 

4pm on a Friday and we were due to leave for Arena eventing at 8am the next day. My farrier was away. Luckily I managed to get hold of someone who came and stuck his shoe back on and sorted the other. Thank god!

 

 

Saturday dawned wet and windy windy windy. It was crazy weather! We decided to take the back roads and still got there with plenty of time to spare.

 

My friend jumped a cracking round in the 70cm and nailed it, only 2 seconds off the optimum time! She went on to win which was a fantastic achievement, with her horse having only been to three shows in the last 3 years or so!!

 

I did the 80cm on Squirrel - I was meant to take Lexi but given back issues, I subbed him and I didn't want to wait for the later class. He was a little offended and went through two fences - the second part of a double and the second 'xc' fence. Once we went through the water and up the steps on the xc 'phase' he went Weeee! This is FUN! Zooooom.

 

It was great fun and we finished  3 seconds off the optimum time to come 4th.

 

Squirrel had his hock injections today so he's confined to 2 days box rest then 10 days in a small pen...He has an awful habit of jumping out of small pens so we will see how it goes.

 

I decided to move his first event back from Tweseldown to Swalcliffe as didn't realise he would need 12 days off...it also means I can run him and Lexi on the same day as the open is the same day as the 80 so saves me some fuel money...and gives me a day off the week before.

 

My AMAZING physio and sponsor, Ruth Mawer came out the day after returning from Iceland on a day off to treat Lexi after she still tried to put me on the floor. This time it was her shoulder/neck. Pleased its not the same thing recurring and just bad luck it all happened so close together. I'll be back on board on Friday then maybe..maybe...we can crack on. Its 25 days til Aston le Walls so we can't lose anymore time or I'll have to withdraw.

 

Speaking of which....My lorry (Susie) has been making a mysterious ticking noise when I've been accelerating lately. I arranged for a guy to come see her on Tuesday but he never turned up. I went to move her today so my friend could access her trailer and....she was dead. Sigh. I've arranged for someone to come see her tomorrow so hopefully we can get her fixed and on the road ASAP!!!!

The season ahead....

Over the winter I spend a long, long time musing about the problems Squirrel and I had regarding our attempts at Novice and my ambition to do a 1* on him.

I think there were 3 main factors involves.

Hocks.
Fitness.
My riding.


I'm not sure we got the right balance with his hocks. He was treated with tildren and steroids in April when he started stopping, then Tildren twice more throughout the year as a pre-emptive measure. I only noticed a difference after the first treatment.

I'd already decided I wasn't going to use Tildren this year. At £800 a pop (and his hocks have long not been insured) its frankly too expensive. We were all set to treat him using an ethanol treatment. Ethanol is injected into the joint and basically kills the nerve endings around the joint where he's arthritic. However, there's a slightly higher risk with this so when we realised we only did the steroids once, that's our plan of action.

Sometimes I feel guilty when I think about how much I'm medicating this horse to keep him going. But...he LOVES his work, he loves shows, he lights up when the lorry comes out and he comes alive in the ring. He doesn't look or feel a day over 8 so whilst he's happy to do his job, we'll keep going.


Fitness.

Looking back,  I did not do the canter work I wanted or needed. Life kept getting in the way. There were times I was on a ride where I intended to do canter work and it didn't happen due to a lost shoe or the pony I was out with playing up.

So this year, this is a priority. I've given a lot of thought to this. Whilst my hacking is okay, there aren't many places within a 2 hour ride to do proper canter work. A good long two hour fast ride is ideal BUT some weeks the time just isn't there - especially now I have two eventing. On Friday I tested boxing out to somewhere 5 minutes up the road.  It was perfect - less than an hour start to finish  I left the yard, did my canter work and got back. So if I bribe my girl to keep the other horse company, I could get them both done in an hour and a half or so. Perfect! Plus, an old school friend is riding Squirrel a few times a week which takes some pressure off, plus he may get worked twice those days. So he will be fit fit fit.


My riding...

Now partly, I still want to believe he will jump off any stride any time. News flash. He won't. Especially at novice, I need to be there 100% of the way. I also noticed I pull him in the mouth like mad XC so I need to improve my release. No wonder he stops if I yank him in the gob for 16 fences running....

I also intend to have a lesson or two with a different coach. My regular one is FANTASTIC and I love him on the flat and I LOVE him for Lexi - he suits her to the ground. However, we spent a long time trying to get Squirrel to jump slower and more from power than speed. However, the horse is 18. When we changed this, and I was unable to generate the power (or due to his hocks, he didn't have it), he lost confidence and stopped. Now he doesn't jump like a freight train, just prefers to go on a slightly longer spot and a little quick. When I had a lesson with someone else, we got him forward again and he instantly improved. So I need to follow that vein.


I am also going to run him less. 1 event every 3 weeks or so is fine. I think he gets a little stale. I also think I'll give him 1 or 2 months with no events maybe July/August as I think it will keep him fresh and keen. Maybe a couple of weeks off during that time.


So basically my plan for him this year is;

• Run 2 BE100 opens, if going well, step up to novice
• If still stopping after 2 or 3 runs, call it a day at novice, then just enjoy him at a lower level/play about on him
• If all goes well - ONE STAR!!!

I'm not going to push him if he keeps on stopping. He's getting older and I'd rather enjoy him at a lower level. My only conundrum is I'm not sure whether I will still BE him if he won't do novice anymore. Its expensive and as he has points I can't do grassroots anyway so it may feel a bit aimless....We shall see.


Now for Lexi, my vague plan is..

• 2 or 3 BE80s - I just want it easy for her. I want her to take in the atmosphere, the sights, the sounds, before we add in technicality to the mix.
• Then establish her at BE90, and aim to qualify for regionals and then GRASSROOTS FINALS
• HOPEFULLY do 1 or 2 BE100s before the end of the year
• TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING.
• Figure out what to feed her to finally get some damn muscle on her (any thoughts? She's a good doer and very sharp but despite working correctly, the muscle is taking a loooooong time to come. I mean she only stopped looking like a foal last November, she's a slow developer hence why she's 7 this year and yet to go BE)

I think this mare could go all the way. I've taken it dead slowly, but I need to crack on especially in regards to lessons. I need to improve to do her justice.

As for my personal goals

• Personal fitness - 1 or 2 runs a week and pilates?
• Keep a balance - I normally run myself into the ground and start dying halfway through the season from being on the go 5am-8pm. I NEED, mentally and physically, to spend some time sitting down.

Final Lexi update

Soooo we got to the new year.

We had some lessons and Warren tried to convince me to sell her to the Americans as they're looking for young horses for the team. And very seriously.

I declined and he simply said "Well, that's the best horse you'll ever have."

He ADORES her. He's suggested buying her more than once.
He almost made me cry once when he said "You want to do grand prix dressage? That'll do it. You want to jump 1.60s? That'll do it. You want to go 4*? That'll do it."

And Warren doesn't exactly do compliments. Generally when he sees me ride, he sighs. A lot. And looks constipated. I mean, maybe he is, but I think my riding just hurts his eyes.

I decided to take her for some show jumping in the rain. Absolutely pouring rain. As in, my phone drowned from the inside pocket of my coat rain. But I really wanted to go and I figured it was good for her to jump in rain.

The classes were tiny so I missed my first class so went straight into the 85cm. She jumped the most lovely double clear and won it!! Then I decided to pop her into the 95cm as weren't many people there. I've only jumped her about 2 single fences that size so I wasn't sure how she'd be.

She took it in her stride,  I held her a bit into the double and she exploded over the first and stopped at the second. The distance was short and she just didn't have space to jump out. She figured it out and popped through lovely the second time anyway and finished the course clear to come second.

Good pony!

 

she was so cross with me though. This was her expression all day. I HATE YOU STUPID HUMAN

 

Then we went and did some dressage. In my first test she was silly and spooky but still managed to get 72% and 4th (kind judge!)

 

I worked her until she was on her KNEES after that. When she gets tense and spooky she won't bend and its just horrible. So I worked her and worked her and worked her and the second test was far better. Still a little spooky but hey she needs miles. Plus I've found she's WAY better with ears on and it was indoor dressage so I couldn't use them.

We scored 65% and won!

 

 

We also did some bigger jumping at home....

 

Oh she is so lovely. And so talented yum yum.

 

Unfortunately then she broke. I got on for some schooling and she was not a happy pony. Just felt odd. Then started bucking. Then started bucking bigger. So I jumped off and called my physio. Unfortunately she couldn't make it for about 10 day so Lexi had a little holiday. When she came, we found she was mega sore, poor pony.

 

So a couple more days off then back to work. So I thought. She pinned her ears back when  I girthed her up which surprised me. My micklem also arrived so I spent ages fitting it.

What are you doing Stupid Human?

 

Unfortunately she HATES it. I tried it on Saturday in the pouring rain and she was just yuck. Leaning, heavy, not bending at all. Grim. It was pouring with rain so I gave up.

 

Tried again today and she was still gross. Also sticking her tongue out again which is an old habit which had disappeared. Then I went into canter and she threw the most enormous buck. Hmmm.

 

I jumped off and popped her back in the grackle. Vola! Walk and trot were lovely. Light, on the contact, bendy, more impulsion. Lovely. Went back into canter.

 

Buck buck buck. Sigh. Physio needs to come back. She did say when she treated her to see how she went as she was very sore and may need a follow up. And this mare lets me know when she's not comfy!

 

So we're sitting tight, waiting for an appointment. Bit frustrating, she's entered for her first BE event and I have a lot of prep work to do so hopefully Ruth can come soon and fix her.

 

She is inclined to make herself sore quite easily - she's a little long in the back, has this insane lovely movement but is taking FOREVER to build muscle so doesn't have much to support it.

 

Sigh. Horses!

 

A baby horse becomes a grown up horse edition 2

So I went in to unload her at Ascott under Wychwood. I led her down the ramp like any other time. The next thing I knew, I was on my arse and she was grazing.

The ramp had literally completely severed itself from my lorry. We called our recovery then got on with our day.

I warmed her up for a loooooooong time but never really managed to get her relaxed. She did a decent but tense test for 35. We managed to skip a long queue for SJ (and xc) due to needing to be finished in time for the recovery people, and picked up 8 faults in the SJ. One down and a stop.

Unfortunately a while back, she put her back out twice in quick succession which I realised when she point blank refused to jump. Both times she was fixed right away by my wonderful sponsor, Ruth Mawer from Equigility, but for a while it left a mark and she would throw the odd stop in.

Then cross country time....She bounced down to the warm up (which alarmed me slightly as I had my second fall off her the week previous - a loose pony galloping in a field fried her brain and she exploded for the first time. I always knew she had it in her. I always knew I didn't want to experience it. I was right. I don't know if we went left, right, forwards, back, up, down. All I knew was I had no hope of staying on and started to bail. Unfortunately I bailed as she threw a huge buck so I ended up on my back....watching her galloping home. She was intelligent enough to head home. The pony she was with did not. We ended up getting my car stuck in the woods searching for him. But that's another story...pony ended up home safe and sound)

Anyway, we skipped the queue again (yay) and set off.

I've never had a car posh enough to put it on autopilot. But apparently now I have a horse with that mode. She cruised round. I didn't do a thing. I pointed, kept my leg there, she looked for the flags, maintained a rhythm even through the woods and just was insanely perfect. Never ridden a round like it xc, even on my wonderful Squirrel. I kept my leg on for the water but it wasn't a problem. What a wonderful horse

 

We were rescued and all was well.

 

That summer we also did a little showing and dressage show.  We were late, I couldn't warm up for my dressage and she surpassed herself by performing a lovely relaxed test to break the 70% barrier for the first time and to finish second.

 

The showing went very well until it came to her 'gallop'. I'd never asked her to do it before but apparently this is Very Exciting and we went bronk bronk bronk. Hmm. Yeah.

 

We were entered for two more unaffiliated events. Unfortunately in the week leading to the first of those she felt odd. I'm very tuned in to how this horse feels and she wasn't herself. I had Ruth out who suspected she'd done a slight tear in her shoulder muscle which the vet later confirmed. She was prescribed 2 weeks off.

 

I decided to end her season there and give her 6 weeks. She's too good, too special to risk bringing back into work too soon and causing damage to herself.

 

The time off did her the world of good. She FINALLY FINALLY filled out and now resembles a horse, not a 2 year old.

 

To be continued....