Well, just when I think we're doing as well as we possibly can, the little star comes up trumps again!!
Yesterday we went for a hack. On our lonesomes so could do some proper work. Magic was in charge, so we went left out of the drive (yep, that's the terrifyingly scary way that up til recently he never wanted to go.... and now he likes it!) then round the trot ride for a bit. Magic making the decisions! I tried to do what I do on Exmoor and allow him to dictate the pace.... so we cantered the first edge of the field, did endurance trot the second, then walked the third. Cantered up the hill in the next field and all the way along the top alongside the wood. Its pretty stoney and rutted along there... but his choice!
Then we got to the bit where there's been some earthworks... I expected naps/spooks and I got none! He even wanted to mooch over to look in the big pit thats been dug... I nearly fell off in shock.
Then round the big field.... endurance trot along the woodside, then cantered all the way down alongside the dual carriageway (the gallop if your coming back up it!) and walked along the bottom before galloping back up past the jumps. Walked back to the road. The ride normally takes 3/4-1hr.... it took us about 1/2!!
Then this morning we went schooling. Came out and did biggest bestest trot straight away... Then had a nice behaved canter each way. Had a breather then did some trot SI, rubbish as usual, so gave up and did HP instead. Very nice too! Then discussed learning changes... and M suggested HP in canter to the track, then change once at the track. I said we'd only really dabbled in HP in canter....
Off we went to try it, Did a nice HP each way :shrugs: very easy for a Magic apparently, such a shame for us that SI is spawn of the devil then.
So muggins decide to try for a change, and promply HP's IN to the centre line, then straight then asked for change (it was right to left).... BIG buck, but perfect straight flying change!!! WOOOHHHOOOOO!
Bless him. So on working out that a) I'd done the exercise wrong, sigh, so it was harder than necessary and b) trying to figure out which way we'd just done a change!! We set off to do one the other way.... Up centre line and HP to the track, then balance and change.... it was late behind but he changed in front on the button, and M said he only looked like he was late behind because the canter was loosing the power and getting long and flat. Double Wooohooo!!
The boy's got it!! And it was a bit of a shock to the poor lad, who can spot what I'm going to ask ten strides before I even KNOW what I'm going to ask... haahaha. He didn't see THAT coming!
The first canters were a bit hard to ride, but as he got more collected and I started asking for HP, they felt lovely, he was so light in my hand and sitting.
Gotta love a superstar pony!! :-)))
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Woohoo! We're back online!
Magic is absolutely a-1 after Saturday. We went galloping today and by george I think he's ACTUALLY got it!! He was just lovely!!
Pictures are up....
Show jumping - This picture and next three.... don't ask me what EITHER of us are doing in the 3rd one.... but we were clear, honest!
http://www.pegasus-photographic.co.uk/Event/MoretonMorrell_22_09_07/sj/1600-end/pages/IMG_2896.htm
Then XC - jumping at speed - something a Magic doesn't usually do!! Am most impressed with this one, purely because he's actually moving in it!! Rather than taking two hours in the air!.....
http://www.pegasus-photographic.co.uk/Event/MoretonMorrell_22_09_07/XC%20Other/1600-end/pages/DSC_3198.htm
Then through the water - this one and next two, I like the middle one even though there's no jump!
http://www.pegasus-photographic.co.uk/Event/MoretonMorrell_22_09_07/xc%20water/1700-end/pages/DSC_4553.htm
And then the interesting concept of barefoot studs! I don't know if they made any difference but they sure did look cool! They were all as sharp as the one nearest his heel - so you can see how much they wore in 24 hours! I trimmed him on Monday and there's now no sign as his mustang roll took out the lot!
Pictures are up....
Show jumping - This picture and next three.... don't ask me what EITHER of us are doing in the 3rd one.... but we were clear, honest!
http://www.pegasus-photographic.co.uk/Event/MoretonMorrell_22_09_07/sj/1600-end/pages/IMG_2896.htm
Then XC - jumping at speed - something a Magic doesn't usually do!! Am most impressed with this one, purely because he's actually moving in it!! Rather than taking two hours in the air!.....
http://www.pegasus-photographic.co.uk/Event/MoretonMorrell_22_09_07/XC%20Other/1600-end/pages/DSC_3198.htm
Then through the water - this one and next two, I like the middle one even though there's no jump!
http://www.pegasus-photographic.co.uk/Event/MoretonMorrell_22_09_07/xc%20water/1700-end/pages/DSC_4553.htm
And then the interesting concept of barefoot studs! I don't know if they made any difference but they sure did look cool! They were all as sharp as the one nearest his heel - so you can see how much they wore in 24 hours! I trimmed him on Monday and there's now no sign as his mustang roll took out the lot!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
I love it when a plan comes together!
I haven’t got internet access at home at the moment, typically, so am writing this in a hurry at a friend’s! But suffice to say, ponypants was on top form yesterday!
Walked the course am, and it was soooo wet and slippy and hard that I came home and carved some sharp edges in his hoof walls! His very own version of studs! I hadn’t trimmed since holidays, so his walls were a bit long and he’d got a cm of wall that would be going on the next trim (ie tomorrow!) so I slanted rasp in sideways and carved notches in his outer wall! Don’t know whether it helped (would only help when he put one side of hoof down first) but as nearly all the XC fences are positioned with one end up a hill and other end down a hill, I thought it was a sensible measure!
They looked well cool too!! And MUCH easier than studs! Will try to remember to take a photo!
My dressage wasn’t til 3.45 so I was thoroughly de-motivated by the time we set off. I only took one slice of hay as my times were pretty close together.
Got there and he’s not at all interested…. Dozing, and totally chilled. Go down to warm up for dressage and I’m actually having to KICK! He was totally calm and quiet, even with the XC next door. Is he sickening for something?
Canter warm up wasn’t good as he was in his best bit-rattling mode. I concentrated on hands in neck (to stop me trying to ride him through it with hands) and riding from the leg and holding the shoulders straight. Did memo to self to put hands in neck in the test (something I’m rubbish at) as it stops me falling into his little trap.
The one before me didn’t turn up, so got to go in early. Trotted round the edge, and except for the obligatory spook at some white boards (sigh) he kept his feet on the ground!! Shocking. He definitely tenses up at this point, so I worked on me staying very relaxed and it does seem to give him confidence.
(I decided after Thursday’s showjumping that although he has all the talent in the world, he really does still need my support when HE thinks things are scary…. If I am exasperated by him being ridiculous it really doesn’t help him. So I have to feign confidence and relaxation to show him its fine…. Then he’ll do the best job he can. If he winds me up being ridiculous then it all spirals.)
Anyway, we went in, and unfortunately the 4 yr olds were doing their test next door, and the horse in at the same time as me was a stallion bellowing to all and sundry. Magic was STILL angelic! :-)
Trot work was nice, canter ok, obedient transitions up but a bit late to come back. He was a bit inconsistent in his head, but not too bad.
Came out happy enough, it was a pretty decent test on grass, especially as it had been pretty wet and slippy.
Back to change for SJ… to find they’d botched the times and were running really late. So had a wash off and a sit down and ate most of his hay (serve me right for not bringing much!)
SJ warm up was in middle school, absolutely packed. Horrible. We cantered each way (just), then jumped a few times. Fine. Well behaved. Then walking round, he started getting a bit stressed and bum wiggly (always a sign of ‘about to explode’) then with no further warning, he went up vertical…. Lots of ‘ooooooh, that’s some rear’ from the stewards etc. Got him to land, eventually. Then walked round trying to calm him down. Fortunately there was only 1 to go before me so I was able to stand in the slip between the two schools to wait my turn (phew!).
Went in, and jumped an IMMACULATE clear! He was a bit concerned about jumping 2 and 6 as they were heading for the judges box, but he was perfect, tried so hard for me and was so rideable!
The course had been causing carnage as well, so a clear was just brilliant! Proof that me working only on giving HIM confidence pays off as the talent comes out!!!
Quick change and straight onto the XC. No one waiting so jumped practice fence once then went to start. Got in the start box a bit early so we had to halt, but he did, and jumped off at the start too.
And he was GOING from the word go, none of that nappy cr*p like at Solihull. He flew the first, second and then had to divert past a lump of (scary) soil to three, jumped it on an angle, flew 4, onto the road, sharp left and over roll top. Galloped as fast as we dare along the drive, sharp right, galloped past the piles of soil (he’s much less spooky the faster you go!!) then flew 6, up and off the bank at 7 without missing a beat, over 8 (even though horrid camber!) and flew 9 into the wood….. galloped through and up wood and out over steps and hedge with only 1 stride to see it, bless him. Over ditch and log, back into park field and over 2 more, then the water and then flying for home! We miss hit one fence on the whole round, where we should have gone long and he put one in but was travelling a bit fast at the time. Otherwise he was SPOT on!!
Was sooooo chuffed. And it felt really fast…. But he is deceivingly slow, so it felt fast for HIM!!! :-)
Get back to find support crew ‘think’ my dressage score was 32.4…. (67.6%) which we all think MUST have been mis-heard….
Go down t look at scores and yep, dressage score WAS 32.4! So with a doule clear I’ll probably get a place…. Even if we did get loads of time faults XC….
So hang around for results to go up……. The optimum time was 4.09, and our time?? …………………………. 4.09!!!!!! Hey heee!!!!
And we’ve only bloomin well WON it!!!! :-))))))))))
We won some gift vouchers and a VERY fitting bright PINK rug for the big girls blouse himself!!
Chuffed to bits and still in shock to be honest!
Walked the course am, and it was soooo wet and slippy and hard that I came home and carved some sharp edges in his hoof walls! His very own version of studs! I hadn’t trimmed since holidays, so his walls were a bit long and he’d got a cm of wall that would be going on the next trim (ie tomorrow!) so I slanted rasp in sideways and carved notches in his outer wall! Don’t know whether it helped (would only help when he put one side of hoof down first) but as nearly all the XC fences are positioned with one end up a hill and other end down a hill, I thought it was a sensible measure!
They looked well cool too!! And MUCH easier than studs! Will try to remember to take a photo!
My dressage wasn’t til 3.45 so I was thoroughly de-motivated by the time we set off. I only took one slice of hay as my times were pretty close together.
Got there and he’s not at all interested…. Dozing, and totally chilled. Go down to warm up for dressage and I’m actually having to KICK! He was totally calm and quiet, even with the XC next door. Is he sickening for something?
Canter warm up wasn’t good as he was in his best bit-rattling mode. I concentrated on hands in neck (to stop me trying to ride him through it with hands) and riding from the leg and holding the shoulders straight. Did memo to self to put hands in neck in the test (something I’m rubbish at) as it stops me falling into his little trap.
The one before me didn’t turn up, so got to go in early. Trotted round the edge, and except for the obligatory spook at some white boards (sigh) he kept his feet on the ground!! Shocking. He definitely tenses up at this point, so I worked on me staying very relaxed and it does seem to give him confidence.
(I decided after Thursday’s showjumping that although he has all the talent in the world, he really does still need my support when HE thinks things are scary…. If I am exasperated by him being ridiculous it really doesn’t help him. So I have to feign confidence and relaxation to show him its fine…. Then he’ll do the best job he can. If he winds me up being ridiculous then it all spirals.)
Anyway, we went in, and unfortunately the 4 yr olds were doing their test next door, and the horse in at the same time as me was a stallion bellowing to all and sundry. Magic was STILL angelic! :-)
Trot work was nice, canter ok, obedient transitions up but a bit late to come back. He was a bit inconsistent in his head, but not too bad.
Came out happy enough, it was a pretty decent test on grass, especially as it had been pretty wet and slippy.
Back to change for SJ… to find they’d botched the times and were running really late. So had a wash off and a sit down and ate most of his hay (serve me right for not bringing much!)
SJ warm up was in middle school, absolutely packed. Horrible. We cantered each way (just), then jumped a few times. Fine. Well behaved. Then walking round, he started getting a bit stressed and bum wiggly (always a sign of ‘about to explode’) then with no further warning, he went up vertical…. Lots of ‘ooooooh, that’s some rear’ from the stewards etc. Got him to land, eventually. Then walked round trying to calm him down. Fortunately there was only 1 to go before me so I was able to stand in the slip between the two schools to wait my turn (phew!).
Went in, and jumped an IMMACULATE clear! He was a bit concerned about jumping 2 and 6 as they were heading for the judges box, but he was perfect, tried so hard for me and was so rideable!
The course had been causing carnage as well, so a clear was just brilliant! Proof that me working only on giving HIM confidence pays off as the talent comes out!!!
Quick change and straight onto the XC. No one waiting so jumped practice fence once then went to start. Got in the start box a bit early so we had to halt, but he did, and jumped off at the start too.
And he was GOING from the word go, none of that nappy cr*p like at Solihull. He flew the first, second and then had to divert past a lump of (scary) soil to three, jumped it on an angle, flew 4, onto the road, sharp left and over roll top. Galloped as fast as we dare along the drive, sharp right, galloped past the piles of soil (he’s much less spooky the faster you go!!) then flew 6, up and off the bank at 7 without missing a beat, over 8 (even though horrid camber!) and flew 9 into the wood….. galloped through and up wood and out over steps and hedge with only 1 stride to see it, bless him. Over ditch and log, back into park field and over 2 more, then the water and then flying for home! We miss hit one fence on the whole round, where we should have gone long and he put one in but was travelling a bit fast at the time. Otherwise he was SPOT on!!
Was sooooo chuffed. And it felt really fast…. But he is deceivingly slow, so it felt fast for HIM!!! :-)
Get back to find support crew ‘think’ my dressage score was 32.4…. (67.6%) which we all think MUST have been mis-heard….
Go down t look at scores and yep, dressage score WAS 32.4! So with a doule clear I’ll probably get a place…. Even if we did get loads of time faults XC….
So hang around for results to go up……. The optimum time was 4.09, and our time?? …………………………. 4.09!!!!!! Hey heee!!!!
And we’ve only bloomin well WON it!!!! :-))))))))))
We won some gift vouchers and a VERY fitting bright PINK rug for the big girls blouse himself!!
Chuffed to bits and still in shock to be honest!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I did it, I actually WENT SJ training!!!
I know! Shocker or what!
And the best bit? It was pee-ing it down. How bloomin typical.
Put jumps up to 95-1m. Jumped x pole a few times until not ridiculous.... Then upright and up etc. Not much room so cantered, jumped, halted on the straight line, turned, cantered, jumped back. He was fabby, felt like a real show jumper, at LAST!
He was also mega up for it and every time I shortened my reins I got squeak to canter.... even if I only wanted walk!
Then jumped the course (12 fences including two doubles, phew!) .... number two was black/white filler that we had 'hard stare - might stop' routine at, so came round and did it again properly.... I was lucky to get him over the first time..... Then scorched round the course well but a bit onward at times, not helped by slippy wet reins.... Jumping really well, and not ballooning too much either.... some of it was 100%!! I even still had plenty of breath at the end!!
Gave him a breather whilst I changed reins and gloves! Then jumped course again....
Insights so far:
*I have him beautifully soft into and away from fence as long as I don't have to RIDE the fence.... as soon as I have to get behind him then we zoom off on landing and I have a struggle to get him back before the next fence....
*Same applies if I see a long one (:cough:) so hence I have subconsciously worked out that I have better control if I shorten than if I lengthen... also he's less likely to run out or stop off a short one as I'm more behind him.
Second time round I remembered to look for next fence and also to PULL UP if he runs me AFTER the fence. Was top dollar!! Most chuffed!
Not many fillers, so to finish I jumped one of them backwards to show the other side, then the double he'd been spooky about (rustic fillers under it), then really tight turn to a spread (past water tray at side he'd been spooking at) then back down an easy line to finish......
Approached the first..... and he took one look and said NNNNAAAAAHHH seeeeeee yooooouu.
So we stopped and circled.... he WOULDN'T soften... so we circled for about 20 til he did. (Bill said last time not to hit him now as he knows the score and I'm now using the circle to soften for OBEDIENCE, not to hit for DISCIPLINE). Then picked up canter, and he just took me to the fence and did it foot perfect!! Little TOE-RAG!!!
Good job well done though..... he's remembered that he WILL get discipline if he messes about.... I wouldn't mind but he pretended that filler was a killer, then once he remembered the big can of whoopass he'd get if he messed he was perfect. Honestly that boy tests the patience of a saint.
Went on to jump the rest foot perfect, with a WICKED turn to the spread.... proper jump off turn and made it perfectly.
Well chuffed with the boy, despite his borstal tendancies.
Of course it stopped raining when we got back to the trailer..... sigh.
And the best bit? It was pee-ing it down. How bloomin typical.
Put jumps up to 95-1m. Jumped x pole a few times until not ridiculous.... Then upright and up etc. Not much room so cantered, jumped, halted on the straight line, turned, cantered, jumped back. He was fabby, felt like a real show jumper, at LAST!
He was also mega up for it and every time I shortened my reins I got squeak to canter.... even if I only wanted walk!
Then jumped the course (12 fences including two doubles, phew!) .... number two was black/white filler that we had 'hard stare - might stop' routine at, so came round and did it again properly.... I was lucky to get him over the first time..... Then scorched round the course well but a bit onward at times, not helped by slippy wet reins.... Jumping really well, and not ballooning too much either.... some of it was 100%!! I even still had plenty of breath at the end!!
Gave him a breather whilst I changed reins and gloves! Then jumped course again....
Insights so far:
*I have him beautifully soft into and away from fence as long as I don't have to RIDE the fence.... as soon as I have to get behind him then we zoom off on landing and I have a struggle to get him back before the next fence....
*Same applies if I see a long one (:cough:) so hence I have subconsciously worked out that I have better control if I shorten than if I lengthen... also he's less likely to run out or stop off a short one as I'm more behind him.
Second time round I remembered to look for next fence and also to PULL UP if he runs me AFTER the fence. Was top dollar!! Most chuffed!
Not many fillers, so to finish I jumped one of them backwards to show the other side, then the double he'd been spooky about (rustic fillers under it), then really tight turn to a spread (past water tray at side he'd been spooking at) then back down an easy line to finish......
Approached the first..... and he took one look and said NNNNAAAAAHHH seeeeeee yooooouu.
So we stopped and circled.... he WOULDN'T soften... so we circled for about 20 til he did. (Bill said last time not to hit him now as he knows the score and I'm now using the circle to soften for OBEDIENCE, not to hit for DISCIPLINE). Then picked up canter, and he just took me to the fence and did it foot perfect!! Little TOE-RAG!!!
Good job well done though..... he's remembered that he WILL get discipline if he messes about.... I wouldn't mind but he pretended that filler was a killer, then once he remembered the big can of whoopass he'd get if he messed he was perfect. Honestly that boy tests the patience of a saint.
Went on to jump the rest foot perfect, with a WICKED turn to the spread.... proper jump off turn and made it perfectly.
Well chuffed with the boy, despite his borstal tendancies.
Of course it stopped raining when we got back to the trailer..... sigh.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
No, I take that back.....
He's far TOO fit!!
Dressage, warmed up ok, despite rutted horrid ground that had been the SJ warm up for the abandoned-due-to-rain horse trials there...... Until first canter, where he squealed and was very OTT. Did a few canter trans.... then remembered had to go give and retake in canter.... had quick practice - cue a good excuse for ponio to go pogo sticking across the field. Sigh.
Went in on not enough warm up due to ground. His trot had felt fabby though, I couldn't FEEL the ground was bad, could just see it....
Trotting round the edge before bell, we had our now obligatory 'WOOHOOOOO! I'm WILD' moment.... he didn't buck this time, just pogoed along swinging his head in a VERY obvious fashion!
Test - did nice trot work, mainly 7s and 8s. Then first canter threw teddies and went pogoing round with his fingers in his ears going 'lalalalalalalalala' at me..... Then I forgot the free walk, sigh. Second canter better. Still got 63% or 34 penalties.
SJ - INDOORS. Oh crikey.... Mr Spooky? Indoors?? Hahaha.
Actually, he was pretty good. No bronking in the warm up, and went in and apart from a VERY HARD STARE at fence two, he was obedient and good. Shame we went round all the corners on two wheels, but hey, no ones perfect!! Clear round!
XC - Warmed up, jumped practice fence once, then off we went.
He belted out of the start box, then saw fence one and napped like stink all the way up to it.... I don't know how I got him ANYWHERE near he was soooooooo bad. (Actually I do - spurs, stick, yelling blue murder!) but still he got there and wasn't budging, then got frightened of ME thank goodness and clambered through it like a heffalump. I lost both reins and then we are off going the wrong way back towards the warm up and I need to turn left (always dodgy) to fence two. Big naps ensue, then finally I win (yippeeee!) and we jump two..... then three which was palisade out of first field that I was EXPECTING him to hit the brakes at, he flew!!!
4, step up and down, perfect. 5, house, spooky and a bit nappy but knew he was in trouble by now and obliged. 6, water, fine. 7 and 8 two logs on angle, no worries except pedestrian in my approach line that we had to spook at. Good job he can think late and FAST. 9 ditch, straight over without ballooning or anything. He's absolutely flying along now, so much that I'm struggling with turning as he's going too fast! 10 little rail. Through gap in hedge and still galloping to 11, train, fine. 12, two steps to skinny - still galloping! Then 13, big sheep feeder into wood - still flying!! Went through the wood at a GALLOP - I NEVER do more than trot through that wood, but I didn't have an option! Flew 14, trakhener, and I got a really dodgy line to a skinny brush in the hedge, but he got me out of trouble, bless him. Then 15, caterpillar and bogged off for home..... I wouldn't let him nap to the right, so in trying to go left to pull up, we nearly went round again.
He was amazing, brilliant, a double handful, but landing and launching off after each.... I think we might get the time BE one day after all!!
So much for slow steady clear cos the grounds so hard...... what ground???? :-))))) Oh, and as most of it (all take offs and landings, plus the whole track through the wood) is all stone, erm... what stone??? Honestly, I've never been so fast through a wood in my life!!
We came 8th. Now if only I could have that fitness for XC, but not for dressage..... any chance of doing the dressage last?? Its just too much fun to go woooopeeeeeeee in it otherwise!
Photos:
Practice fence
Go pony go!! Look at that hind leg flexion! Shame about the face, he's already starting the nap to the right....
Falling over the first....
Dressage, warmed up ok, despite rutted horrid ground that had been the SJ warm up for the abandoned-due-to-rain horse trials there...... Until first canter, where he squealed and was very OTT. Did a few canter trans.... then remembered had to go give and retake in canter.... had quick practice - cue a good excuse for ponio to go pogo sticking across the field. Sigh.
Went in on not enough warm up due to ground. His trot had felt fabby though, I couldn't FEEL the ground was bad, could just see it....
Trotting round the edge before bell, we had our now obligatory 'WOOHOOOOO! I'm WILD' moment.... he didn't buck this time, just pogoed along swinging his head in a VERY obvious fashion!
Test - did nice trot work, mainly 7s and 8s. Then first canter threw teddies and went pogoing round with his fingers in his ears going 'lalalalalalalalala' at me..... Then I forgot the free walk, sigh. Second canter better. Still got 63% or 34 penalties.
SJ - INDOORS. Oh crikey.... Mr Spooky? Indoors?? Hahaha.
Actually, he was pretty good. No bronking in the warm up, and went in and apart from a VERY HARD STARE at fence two, he was obedient and good. Shame we went round all the corners on two wheels, but hey, no ones perfect!! Clear round!
XC - Warmed up, jumped practice fence once, then off we went.
He belted out of the start box, then saw fence one and napped like stink all the way up to it.... I don't know how I got him ANYWHERE near he was soooooooo bad. (Actually I do - spurs, stick, yelling blue murder!) but still he got there and wasn't budging, then got frightened of ME thank goodness and clambered through it like a heffalump. I lost both reins and then we are off going the wrong way back towards the warm up and I need to turn left (always dodgy) to fence two. Big naps ensue, then finally I win (yippeeee!) and we jump two..... then three which was palisade out of first field that I was EXPECTING him to hit the brakes at, he flew!!!
4, step up and down, perfect. 5, house, spooky and a bit nappy but knew he was in trouble by now and obliged. 6, water, fine. 7 and 8 two logs on angle, no worries except pedestrian in my approach line that we had to spook at. Good job he can think late and FAST. 9 ditch, straight over without ballooning or anything. He's absolutely flying along now, so much that I'm struggling with turning as he's going too fast! 10 little rail. Through gap in hedge and still galloping to 11, train, fine. 12, two steps to skinny - still galloping! Then 13, big sheep feeder into wood - still flying!! Went through the wood at a GALLOP - I NEVER do more than trot through that wood, but I didn't have an option! Flew 14, trakhener, and I got a really dodgy line to a skinny brush in the hedge, but he got me out of trouble, bless him. Then 15, caterpillar and bogged off for home..... I wouldn't let him nap to the right, so in trying to go left to pull up, we nearly went round again.
He was amazing, brilliant, a double handful, but landing and launching off after each.... I think we might get the time BE one day after all!!
So much for slow steady clear cos the grounds so hard...... what ground???? :-))))) Oh, and as most of it (all take offs and landings, plus the whole track through the wood) is all stone, erm... what stone??? Honestly, I've never been so fast through a wood in my life!!
We came 8th. Now if only I could have that fitness for XC, but not for dressage..... any chance of doing the dressage last?? Its just too much fun to go woooopeeeeeeee in it otherwise!
Photos:
Practice fence
Go pony go!! Look at that hind leg flexion! Shame about the face, he's already starting the nap to the right....Falling over the first....
Saturday, September 15, 2007
We'll he's fit enough at least!!
Bowen went well, he was a bit tight loins and quarters but she said totally to be expected after his excertions last week. Was very pleased with how good he felt overall!
So quiet hack on Thurs, although he had other ideas.... honestly, the cows AREN'T frightening, they've lived there forever and you PROVED you weren't scared of cows on holiday...... apparently, so very different!!
Yesterday went schooling. He was lovely! Amazing trot straight away. Medium (as opposed to endurance!) trot first time of asking. Which is good given that I've been teaching him endurance trot (fastest, longest and least bouncy trot possible!) for the last few weeks, I was expecting him to attempt that in the school.... but he didn't :-))
Canter great, in fact it was like we've BEEN going twice a week for the last month, even though we haven't! Result!! At least he doesn't forget his schooling like he does 'scary' things out hacking!
Really, really pleased with him.
Today, went for a gallop, met a horse on the bridleway, cue ministry of silly walks! Sigh. Then big spook at a plough. Then really REALLY up for it up the bridleway and again up the stubble. He felt lovely... strong in my hand and really going for it, but not dead and leaning in my hand..... really, a 'double handful'!!! And when I asked to pull up direct to walk he was perfect!!
Has he turned over a new leaf or something??
Solihull tomorrow, ground like rock apparently.... another softly softly round coming up I think!!
So quiet hack on Thurs, although he had other ideas.... honestly, the cows AREN'T frightening, they've lived there forever and you PROVED you weren't scared of cows on holiday...... apparently, so very different!!
Yesterday went schooling. He was lovely! Amazing trot straight away. Medium (as opposed to endurance!) trot first time of asking. Which is good given that I've been teaching him endurance trot (fastest, longest and least bouncy trot possible!) for the last few weeks, I was expecting him to attempt that in the school.... but he didn't :-))
Canter great, in fact it was like we've BEEN going twice a week for the last month, even though we haven't! Result!! At least he doesn't forget his schooling like he does 'scary' things out hacking!
Really, really pleased with him.
Today, went for a gallop, met a horse on the bridleway, cue ministry of silly walks! Sigh. Then big spook at a plough. Then really REALLY up for it up the bridleway and again up the stubble. He felt lovely... strong in my hand and really going for it, but not dead and leaning in my hand..... really, a 'double handful'!!! And when I asked to pull up direct to walk he was perfect!!
Has he turned over a new leaf or something??
Solihull tomorrow, ground like rock apparently.... another softly softly round coming up I think!!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday 9th September
I hummed and harred about riding, but by the time we'd packed up, walked dogs and leg stretched and grazed ponies it was a bit academic and time to go home. I put him out in the paddock to 'warm up' for his journey, and we came home in a record 3hrs 40mins!
He got back and went and had a snuggle with Molly straight away (after 10mins on the front grass!). I spent the afternoon slaving away over my electric fencing and have given them a new track round the bottom field now the sheep have eaten most of it off.
He's got Bowen on Tuesday, so I'll probably take him for a leg stretch Tues am, then Wednes off and gentle womble on Thurs. Canter Fri before Solihull ODE on Sun, and Moreton Morrell next Saturday.... no rest for the wicked.
Oh and got home and entered Holdenby (7th Oct) and Broadway (13th) so we may actually get to more than one event this season after all!!!
He got back and went and had a snuggle with Molly straight away (after 10mins on the front grass!). I spent the afternoon slaving away over my electric fencing and have given them a new track round the bottom field now the sheep have eaten most of it off.
He's got Bowen on Tuesday, so I'll probably take him for a leg stretch Tues am, then Wednes off and gentle womble on Thurs. Canter Fri before Solihull ODE on Sun, and Moreton Morrell next Saturday.... no rest for the wicked.
Oh and got home and entered Holdenby (7th Oct) and Broadway (13th) so we may actually get to more than one event this season after all!!!
Saturday 8th September
Last full day!
Mum and I went for an exploration.... although she didn't want to go for more than 2 hours and it was well over 3 when we got home.... but it was a much shorter ride than Magic and I did alone on Thurs so I did suggest that it WOULD have been a 2hour ride if she'd have kept up!!
We gave up with sharing gate duty as her steed was young and not very clued up with them, it was easier to do them ourselves - although poor Magic did cotton on to the fact that she was able to stand grazing whilst we WORKED!!
We went up over Court Farm - which has been proven to be one of only two ways out of the darn place without spending hours on roads (the other is up our lane towards Dunkery). Over Room Hill to the road, then left onto Ash lane (before Winsford). Left onto first bridleway and down lovely combe to the same ford at the bottom of Curr Cleeve. Magic had a lovely splash in the river.... he does big splash with one front leg, and leaves it out in front of him, then does same with the other and leaves that out too.... then thinks I won't notice when he sinks his elbows into the river!!! Bless him!
Then right and along the nice permissive path by the river, and up the path to Bye Common - a canter up a fairly steep hill, then right again at the crossroads of bridleways and another canter along the ridge before dropping back to the road. Magic had a mega scary gate which had green stuff (looked like carpet) stuck to it to stop sheep getting through. It went from utterly terrifying to being 'do-able' in only a few minutes though, so was well impressed!
Then back up Ash Lane to the Moor and home.
It took longer than planned, but mainly due to slowmo followers, although I admit I again mis-judged how much harder work it is going up and down.... next year I'll be prepared pony, I promise!!
Splashing spot!
The nice cantery permissive route at Nethercote
Friday 7th September
Well, as he deserved a day off today, we went for a quiet one. I made sure he got a good leg stretch first thing. I have to say this stabling thing is pants. I can't abide the idea that he has to stand still or swivel on the spot for 20 hours a day. I know mine spend a lot of the day asleep in the barn, but then the spend from 4pm-8am wandering the track all night, so its hardly the same thing.
He wasn't stiff this morning, but he ambled out through the town to his grazing patch, rather than striding out as usual. I did give him a quick walk on the lunge both ways to check and he was absolutely fine and he offered me a squeal/leap/buck/trot combo unaided, so I guess he feels ok? Haha!
All three of us rode, and I wanted to try the shortest route - up our lane, onto stoney bridleway, left onto bridleway, down combe to farm and back out onto Mill Lane. We got hampered by cows AGAIN. They were all clustered round our gate, with babies and another huge bull, gulp.
Now I'm not cowist, but honestly these bulls are a bit big and I didn't fancy my chances of leaning down to re-latch gate with a bull literally inches from Magic's bum. Gail saved the day by shoo-ing them away whilst I did gate and Mum stood guard. They were perfectly peacable and just wanted to be in the shade, but I was still glad to have back up!!
Hacked back down the lane and home. A nice leg stretch!
He had the rest of the day off and a long graze in the evening.
He wasn't stiff this morning, but he ambled out through the town to his grazing patch, rather than striding out as usual. I did give him a quick walk on the lunge both ways to check and he was absolutely fine and he offered me a squeal/leap/buck/trot combo unaided, so I guess he feels ok? Haha!
All three of us rode, and I wanted to try the shortest route - up our lane, onto stoney bridleway, left onto bridleway, down combe to farm and back out onto Mill Lane. We got hampered by cows AGAIN. They were all clustered round our gate, with babies and another huge bull, gulp.
Now I'm not cowist, but honestly these bulls are a bit big and I didn't fancy my chances of leaning down to re-latch gate with a bull literally inches from Magic's bum. Gail saved the day by shoo-ing them away whilst I did gate and Mum stood guard. They were perfectly peacable and just wanted to be in the shade, but I was still glad to have back up!!
Hacked back down the lane and home. A nice leg stretch!
He had the rest of the day off and a long graze in the evening.
Thursday 6th September
Finally a proper ride at a decent speed!
Magic and I set out solo today, and had a fabby, if somewhat tiring and hilly day! I took the camera, so be prepared for photo-tour!
We went out via Court Farm and up onto Room Hill. Down road to Winsford, up Winsford Hill and over to the punchbowl. Down the hill into the valley and through a massive field with steep drop and a herd of cows on the track (gulp). Fortunately we crept past them without too much trouble, and got level with the last ones (still lying down) to come face to face with an ENORMOUS bull!! Glad I didn't see him first or I might have chickened out ..... steep hill/bull/magic interface might not have been pretty, but the boy was a star!
Through farm at Withycombe, then right along Ash Lane to bridleway over Bye Common and down to Nethercote. Lovely permissive route here along river bank on lovely springy turf (cue for a canter!) then back to the ford from the other day and back UP the very steep rocky track..... cue one very hot horse... was obviously hard work!! I got off for him to have a breather, and when I got back on and picked up the reins he set off at a brisk canter - not much wrong with his fitness then!
Back over Room Hill and down to Court Farm and home. Took over three hours, but we did stop for photos often, and a breather after the steep climb up the last combe!
I did under-estimate how tiring going up and down the combes for three hours is - much harder than three hours on the moors!! Poor lad will sleep well tonight!
Top of Court Farm bridleway
Our bit of moor
View from Winsford
Them killer cows!
The Punchbowl - so aptly named!
My poor hot, sweaty beast!
Wednesday 5th September
Have now got routine going where we go for leg stretch/graze in hand morning and evening, and ride 10ish for however many hours.
All three of us rode today, and Mum didn't want to go far, so we went out Edgcott way and up past Wellshead onto steep uphill climb. Magic left the others for dead, especially when he decided he needed to trot up it :shrugs: If I tell you I was having to hold onto neck strap and cling with my thighs to stay off his back as he surged up the hill, you'll get an idea of how steep it was.... and it was at least half a mile long!!
We get to the top and can hear horses behind me (helpful having shod mates!!), wow they've caught up quick, I thought.... only to see it was the hunters from the same yard.... and they'd struggled to catch us up. Magic got all excited that life might get interesting but we let them go off along the bridleway whilst I waited for the others.... probably the wrong decision as he was REALLY up for following (although perfectly behaved) and got very :BIGSIGH: about having to wait for the slow coaches.
Am more and more impressed with his fitness!
Onto bridleway and back to bottom road and back through Edgcott and home, at their pace over 2 hours, at mine probably hour and half if mainly walking.
All three of us rode today, and Mum didn't want to go far, so we went out Edgcott way and up past Wellshead onto steep uphill climb. Magic left the others for dead, especially when he decided he needed to trot up it :shrugs: If I tell you I was having to hold onto neck strap and cling with my thighs to stay off his back as he surged up the hill, you'll get an idea of how steep it was.... and it was at least half a mile long!!
We get to the top and can hear horses behind me (helpful having shod mates!!), wow they've caught up quick, I thought.... only to see it was the hunters from the same yard.... and they'd struggled to catch us up. Magic got all excited that life might get interesting but we let them go off along the bridleway whilst I waited for the others.... probably the wrong decision as he was REALLY up for following (although perfectly behaved) and got very :BIGSIGH: about having to wait for the slow coaches.
Am more and more impressed with his fitness!
Onto bridleway and back to bottom road and back through Edgcott and home, at their pace over 2 hours, at mine probably hour and half if mainly walking.
Tuesday 4th September
Got up, took him for a graze in hand to stretch his legs before breakfast, then rode later in the am.
We rode to Dunkery Beacon, Mum and I. Up the lane from the house and up stoney bridleway up onto moor road, then bridleway (stoney, sigh!) across and up moor to Dunkery. It was a lovely day, sunny and good views, could see Wales much more easily than usual....
"Watcha got there then mum? Is it food for me?"
We came home the same way as mum didn't want to be out too long. Lovely views. And if one more person says 'don't go that way with no shoes - its stoney tracks' I think I will SCREAM! He's a HORSE he has evolved over years and years to be ABLE to cope with stoney tracks... its only OUR influence that 'stops' them being capable.... grrrrr. Rant over.
Four days in and he's CHOOSING the stoniest bits to walk on, which meant I had a lovely time looking at nice views and not looking where his feet are going!!! Result!
We rode to Dunkery Beacon, Mum and I. Up the lane from the house and up stoney bridleway up onto moor road, then bridleway (stoney, sigh!) across and up moor to Dunkery. It was a lovely day, sunny and good views, could see Wales much more easily than usual....
"Watcha got there then mum? Is it food for me?"
We came home the same way as mum didn't want to be out too long. Lovely views. And if one more person says 'don't go that way with no shoes - its stoney tracks' I think I will SCREAM! He's a HORSE he has evolved over years and years to be ABLE to cope with stoney tracks... its only OUR influence that 'stops' them being capable.... grrrrr. Rant over.
Four days in and he's CHOOSING the stoniest bits to walk on, which meant I had a lovely time looking at nice views and not looking where his feet are going!!! Result!
Monday 3rd September
Eeeeeuuuuuck. Poo slippers.
All I needed was a quick reminder why I won't stable my horse. Poo slippers are disgusting. I'm not surprised stabled horses struggle more with barefoot, its just as much the living in dung as it is the lack of movement! And he's a really clean boy, pooed all in one place.... but STILL had poo slippers and horrid soggy feet in the morning. Yuck.
We rode in the morning, all three of us and went out through the village (Magic at the back and with eyes firmly on the end of stalks as not only is it practically a town, but there are roadworks on the bridge.... so generators, diggers, dumper trucks, you name it!) up to Court Farm and onto the bridleway onto Room Hill and towards Winsford Hill. Up very stoney track, with Magic stomping up in the lead..... so far in front of the others that we had time for 5 minutes grazing at the top!
(This was to be the story of the holiday..... having spent the first few days keeping up with fit-ish horses that live on Exmoor, he now had to wait for the rest of our little party to catch up, over and over again.)
Anyway, out onto the moor round Curr Cleeve.... down a very steep stone track to the ford at the bottom. Again, wait for ages for the others to pick their way down. Honestly its so easy leaving stone tracks to the boy - he knows exactly where his feet are, feels if the scree moves and he needs to change positioning, and just stomps his way over! The shod horses behind us were very slow in comparison!
(And its so comfy, he glides over the ground, on rough moors you just sit atop and the legs sort out the ground so it feels like you are just floating above it.... although when he gets tired he loses this ability and its a bit more obvious what the grounds like.... which is a useful way of finding out that he's tired!!)
Had a splash in the ford and then up the other side and left along the bottom of the combe and through some lovely woody bits. Back up to Lyncombe farm and up another very stoney hardcore track to the road. Then back along main road for ages and dropped down into the village the other way.
Not much moor and rather too much main road for my liking - I don't go to exmoor to ride on roads, I can do that at home!! So set about finding better riding for the rest of the week!
Got them home, was lucky to be able to let him go out for a roll in the little paddock behind the stables (surrounded by houses!)
Then got him back in as there's 20 odd stables on the yard and one paddock to go round! Oh, and he wanted to......!!
In the evening we took them in hand through the main village to graze.... Again eyes were on stalks and he nearly landed on me on a few occasions, but it has certainly done him a great deal of good in terms of civilisation not being scary.... by the end of the week he was taking me to graze like a pro, despite tractors, rattling trailers, you name it!
All I needed was a quick reminder why I won't stable my horse. Poo slippers are disgusting. I'm not surprised stabled horses struggle more with barefoot, its just as much the living in dung as it is the lack of movement! And he's a really clean boy, pooed all in one place.... but STILL had poo slippers and horrid soggy feet in the morning. Yuck.
We rode in the morning, all three of us and went out through the village (Magic at the back and with eyes firmly on the end of stalks as not only is it practically a town, but there are roadworks on the bridge.... so generators, diggers, dumper trucks, you name it!) up to Court Farm and onto the bridleway onto Room Hill and towards Winsford Hill. Up very stoney track, with Magic stomping up in the lead..... so far in front of the others that we had time for 5 minutes grazing at the top!
(This was to be the story of the holiday..... having spent the first few days keeping up with fit-ish horses that live on Exmoor, he now had to wait for the rest of our little party to catch up, over and over again.)
Anyway, out onto the moor round Curr Cleeve.... down a very steep stone track to the ford at the bottom. Again, wait for ages for the others to pick their way down. Honestly its so easy leaving stone tracks to the boy - he knows exactly where his feet are, feels if the scree moves and he needs to change positioning, and just stomps his way over! The shod horses behind us were very slow in comparison!
(And its so comfy, he glides over the ground, on rough moors you just sit atop and the legs sort out the ground so it feels like you are just floating above it.... although when he gets tired he loses this ability and its a bit more obvious what the grounds like.... which is a useful way of finding out that he's tired!!)
Had a splash in the ford and then up the other side and left along the bottom of the combe and through some lovely woody bits. Back up to Lyncombe farm and up another very stoney hardcore track to the road. Then back along main road for ages and dropped down into the village the other way.
Not much moor and rather too much main road for my liking - I don't go to exmoor to ride on roads, I can do that at home!! So set about finding better riding for the rest of the week!
Got them home, was lucky to be able to let him go out for a roll in the little paddock behind the stables (surrounded by houses!)
Then got him back in as there's 20 odd stables on the yard and one paddock to go round! Oh, and he wanted to......!!
In the evening we took them in hand through the main village to graze.... Again eyes were on stalks and he nearly landed on me on a few occasions, but it has certainly done him a great deal of good in terms of civilisation not being scary.... by the end of the week he was taking me to graze like a pro, despite tractors, rattling trailers, you name it!
Sunday 2nd September
Last day before moving to Exford. Lovely hack up road to same bridleway, then different route to Challacombe before back across fields to the drive. Again some lovely canters and a good gallop up a really steep field.... I sent them on ahead and said don't be surprised if you don't see us at the top... we'll get there in time....
Well he stormed up it!! Got nearly to the brow before hitching a breath, and was keeping up with a much fitter/leaner horse as well. Was pretty impressed.... no more miss nice guy xc riding from now on.... he's MUCH fitter than he lets on!!
Best bit was he was fine on all the stoney tracks, and at the end of the bridleway we got to a brook, which had the TINIEST stone bridge over it... obviously a foot bridge, but just wide enough for a horse...... we were both a bit 'gulp' but we did it and he was really brave!!
Boxed up lunchtime for move to Exford. Arrived in yard in middle of village behind the pub, to a week of living in! It was quite a relief to start, he got a good kip..... until the hounds started baying at 5am which must have sent him stircrazy the first night as his bed was a MESS by the time I mucked out!
Well he stormed up it!! Got nearly to the brow before hitching a breath, and was keeping up with a much fitter/leaner horse as well. Was pretty impressed.... no more miss nice guy xc riding from now on.... he's MUCH fitter than he lets on!!
Best bit was he was fine on all the stoney tracks, and at the end of the bridleway we got to a brook, which had the TINIEST stone bridge over it... obviously a foot bridge, but just wide enough for a horse...... we were both a bit 'gulp' but we did it and he was really brave!!
Boxed up lunchtime for move to Exford. Arrived in yard in middle of village behind the pub, to a week of living in! It was quite a relief to start, he got a good kip..... until the hounds started baying at 5am which must have sent him stircrazy the first night as his bed was a MESS by the time I mucked out!
Saturday 1st September
Rode out on another horse in the morning, and had a lovely ride where we could keep looking back across the valley to where we'd come from!
Took Magic out in the afternoon. Hacked up the road, up serious hill and then onto bridleway. Nice canter field on hill, then through to next one where both the horses we were with behaved like loons! Magic was ambling along at the back watching them as if to say ' are you MAD??? On hills like this do you really think I'm going to expend more energy than is absolutely required??'
Had a few good canters on nice turf.... so much better than even the permanent pasture at home, it has such a spring to it.
That night he spent in the back yard, on rocky track, so he could see the horses turned out next door.... he had access to a paddock but chose to eat hay and watch the others over eating grass.
Took Magic out in the afternoon. Hacked up the road, up serious hill and then onto bridleway. Nice canter field on hill, then through to next one where both the horses we were with behaved like loons! Magic was ambling along at the back watching them as if to say ' are you MAD??? On hills like this do you really think I'm going to expend more energy than is absolutely required??'
Had a few good canters on nice turf.... so much better than even the permanent pasture at home, it has such a spring to it.
That night he spent in the back yard, on rocky track, so he could see the horses turned out next door.... he had access to a paddock but chose to eat hay and watch the others over eating grass.
Friday 31st Aug
Travelled down, took nearly bang on 4 hours, even though was further along the A361 than usual.
Arrived and settled pony in his temporary home of pea gravel yard next to the other horses in the barn. Came back half hour later to find all the boys wedged in corner of yard together.... whoops! No damage done thank goodness - a few hoof marks but thank god for no shoes (and that the mares weren't around!)
Rode round the farm in the evening and in the first field we had a squealy bucking bronko moment.... I think he was soooo surprised that he wasn't at Brimblecombe that he got all excited. Took him down a few big hills to canter back up and take the edge off him. On the second hill the other horse got in front and set off, and Magic and I were left at the bottom as I completely lost forward gear.... canter on spot or bronk were fine..... nothing else worked!! They'd got to the top and STOPPED before we'd got started..... tres embarrassing. He hasn't done that for YEARS!
I'd walked some of the cross country fences when I took Echo a walk, and was convinced Magic wouldn't have enough puff to gallop up hill AND jump fences at the top... he proved me well and truly wrong! Although after about an hours ride he was the sweatiest he's been in years, so I think that does say something! Nice though that now he won't just give up when the going gets tough but digs in and tries harder.
Had to do one particularly steep bank (like almost can't see the path as you look down!) which he mountain-goated down like a total pro.... and managed to gallop all the way back up without a saddle moving an iota!
Got back and washed him off etc and he spent the night in the pea gravel yard munching hay.
Went to the pub for yummy supper!
Arrived and settled pony in his temporary home of pea gravel yard next to the other horses in the barn. Came back half hour later to find all the boys wedged in corner of yard together.... whoops! No damage done thank goodness - a few hoof marks but thank god for no shoes (and that the mares weren't around!)
Rode round the farm in the evening and in the first field we had a squealy bucking bronko moment.... I think he was soooo surprised that he wasn't at Brimblecombe that he got all excited. Took him down a few big hills to canter back up and take the edge off him. On the second hill the other horse got in front and set off, and Magic and I were left at the bottom as I completely lost forward gear.... canter on spot or bronk were fine..... nothing else worked!! They'd got to the top and STOPPED before we'd got started..... tres embarrassing. He hasn't done that for YEARS!
I'd walked some of the cross country fences when I took Echo a walk, and was convinced Magic wouldn't have enough puff to gallop up hill AND jump fences at the top... he proved me well and truly wrong! Although after about an hours ride he was the sweatiest he's been in years, so I think that does say something! Nice though that now he won't just give up when the going gets tough but digs in and tries harder.
Had to do one particularly steep bank (like almost can't see the path as you look down!) which he mountain-goated down like a total pro.... and managed to gallop all the way back up without a saddle moving an iota!
Got back and washed him off etc and he spent the night in the pea gravel yard munching hay.
Went to the pub for yummy supper!
Holiday blog!
Well, we're back!!
And its good because I could do with the rest. It was MUCH harder work than being at Brimblecombe, sob! But it was nice to do some new rides.... and so I don't forget where I've been I'll post each day on a new post.
Magic is tired, but was pretty darn fit.... he coped with most things admirably.
And its good because I could do with the rest. It was MUCH harder work than being at Brimblecombe, sob! But it was nice to do some new rides.... and so I don't forget where I've been I'll post each day on a new post.
Magic is tired, but was pretty darn fit.... he coped with most things admirably.
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