The One Eye side has been terrorising his sharer including galloping off up to the field in full tack, destroying his bridle and pulling off a shoe. She sent me a very sweet text saying she would understand if I wanted someone more competent.
I sent back three photos of him loose in full tack in the field from the past.
Team Unicorn tried to go show jumping. I still need my cricklands double clear.
I was happily driving along the dual carriageway and suddenly a light came on on the dash board. "Brake Booster". Then an alarm sounded. Excellent.
I drove on until I found a layby and called the breakdown service. Once they arrived, we called the police as there was no way I was going to unload the princess on the side of a busy national speed road and attempt to reload her into a new horsebox.
So they came and shut the road.
As it were, she bounded up the ramp like the seasoned competition horse she now is. Plus I was holding a lunge whip.
Yes that is police in the background.
We went home and Susie (the iszuzu horsebox) went to lorry hospital.
£560 and a week later, we set off for dressage.
I had been highly anticipating this show. Both tests were outdoors and Lexi works better outside. I didn't account for the snow, the rain and the 3 degree temperature.
I'd entered and paid so like the fool I am, I loaded up and we went.
Mareface was not impressed.
Despite the weather and the settling snow as I drove towards the venue, she warmed up well. Until the loudspeakers at horse level in the warm up sounded. Ah. Terrifying.
We set off down the centre line and the test started okay, if a little tense after the pony eating loudspeaker debate. Until someone walked on the gravel near the arena. We demonstrated an excellent reverse round 30m of the arena at speed and earned a 3 and a "disobedient." We also then clocked the photographer. Also terrifying.
Unfortunately the test was a bit of a write off from that stage. We scored 58% - our worst mark EVER - and came a resounding last. Comments stated "Not an easy ride for you today"
The second test was better. Elementary 59 is a horrifying test on paper but Lexi does well with the constant changes of direction and questions. Our medium trots still aren't as lovely out as at home and she still felt tense but it was going comparatively much better. Until I forgot the test AS USUAL. It went a bit pear shaped after that as I became a bit flustered.
We still managed to score 66.42% which given I went wrong and I know she has a LOT more to give, is quite pleasing.
I think she just needs much more mileage. We haven't done a lot of pure dressage and out eventing we go into a quiet, secluded field, miles away from everyone else. She needs more exposure to distractions. I'm not sure where we came in the class, I didn't wait to see and the results aren't up yet.
One Smug pony!
I'd like to get another BD outing next month but it depends a little on my XC schooling schedule which is the priority. We won a voucher to go to a nice venue which I'm hoping to use as it will pay for both myself and my instructor which saves a fair wack of money which means I can afford to do a BD too....but I'm not sure if they will open in time if the current weather conditions continue!
We're show jumping next weekend which is pretty much my last shot at my cricklands D/C as I'm working the next few weekends so fingers crossed!!
