Well I wasn't aching after yesterday so was feeling a bit smug. Into the school to school and heart wasn't in it. T was perfectly behaved but lacking his normal sparkle.
After 10 mins or so, took my stirrups away and OW. Ow ow ow ow. Will ache now! Trot and canter with no stirrups. Wanted to work on the canter-trot transition but it felt good and everything.
Legs were screaming so figured if my heart wasn't in it, I doubt T's was.
He can have tomorrow off and I'm swimming :)
Still not found my folder of dressage tests. Am beginning to get a little worried TBH!
Monday, 30 March 2009
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Hackety hackety
Went for a hack today. Over 3 hours in GLORIOUS sunshine with J & A. Very proud of A as it was her first hack in a group and first long hack. Her mare was a credit to her though, she was fab.
Canter was a bit interesting. Two canters - steady for T-Jay but he still covers ground. Tried to let him go like N says but he was too busy doing star jumps left right and centre. Literally. There was a tree up in front which he clocked and I just KNEW he would stop at, but mis timed my boot in the ribs so we went fast canter to halt to fast canter again. Whiplash!
I have got far too used to sitting back and enjoying the scenery when it comes to T out hacking in canter and today I had to really really work. Hard. Was beetroot colour when we got to the end!! My knees are like jelly from all the shock absorbing I had to do as we shot sideways every other stride!
Was pleased though that on the last canter, J cantered without any warning, T launched himself into canter but not once did he buck or even THINK of bucking so am pleased with that.
Was planning on schooling tomorrow but might take him for a pootle up sheep fields to loosen any stiff muscles.
We went miles today. All on quiet lanes or bridle ways, couple of fields but I so love the hacking over there. Have been hacking over there almost 20 years and have never been round that bit. Was lovely over there.
Canter was a bit interesting. Two canters - steady for T-Jay but he still covers ground. Tried to let him go like N says but he was too busy doing star jumps left right and centre. Literally. There was a tree up in front which he clocked and I just KNEW he would stop at, but mis timed my boot in the ribs so we went fast canter to halt to fast canter again. Whiplash!
I have got far too used to sitting back and enjoying the scenery when it comes to T out hacking in canter and today I had to really really work. Hard. Was beetroot colour when we got to the end!! My knees are like jelly from all the shock absorbing I had to do as we shot sideways every other stride!
Was pleased though that on the last canter, J cantered without any warning, T launched himself into canter but not once did he buck or even THINK of bucking so am pleased with that.
Was planning on schooling tomorrow but might take him for a pootle up sheep fields to loosen any stiff muscles.
We went miles today. All on quiet lanes or bridle ways, couple of fields but I so love the hacking over there. Have been hacking over there almost 20 years and have never been round that bit. Was lovely over there.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Canter no stirrups!
Whooooo did it :)
H was shouting instructions at me to make sure my position stayed OK . Did some work without stirrups in trot then thought "what the hell - no audience and H is there to call the ambulance" so we did canter with no stirrups.
He is LOVELY. All I had to do was sit there. My position is stronger with no stirrups than it is without so I got a lovely canter. I did think I'd fall off in the downward transition but because the canter was so nice and because my position was right, it went without a hitch.
Could have cantered him allllllllllllll day but after 2 or 3 canters on each rein, I left it there as was grinning like a cheshire cat :)
Despite me owning him since he was 2, there aren't many things I was the first person to do on him. Riding no stirrups is one feather in my cap. He's actually only the 2nd ever horse I've EVER cantered no stirrups on (with maybe the exception of riding school 20 years ago). I am pretty sure I'd have ridden Ted with no stirrups in canter but dunno. His trot was lovely but his canter was a bit motorbikey so I may not have done which makes T the only horse I've cantered no stirrups :)
Love my pone....
Another comment off J over how well he's looking. He's got a serious arse on him and his top line is really really coming back. I know I'm biased but I'm thinking he's looking fab - muscled, toned and very shiney. Can't ask for more can I?
No fun ride tomorrow. It's supposed to be cold and wet, friend is at a party tonight but I can't do it later on so am going to go hackies instead :) It has at least prompted me to sort his mane out so he is back to looking super sexy :)
No work for S today. Mum is going to come down tomorrow as he hasn't seen her for a few days and he's in a grump. Take him for a walk too so should cheer him up no end.
Back to being confused about saddles. Awaiting an email from Society of Master Saddlers to clarify something about Master Saddlers and whether they're qualified to actually FIT a saddle. Answer to that will decide who I get saddles off I think!
H was shouting instructions at me to make sure my position stayed OK . Did some work without stirrups in trot then thought "what the hell - no audience and H is there to call the ambulance" so we did canter with no stirrups.
He is LOVELY. All I had to do was sit there. My position is stronger with no stirrups than it is without so I got a lovely canter. I did think I'd fall off in the downward transition but because the canter was so nice and because my position was right, it went without a hitch.
Could have cantered him allllllllllllll day but after 2 or 3 canters on each rein, I left it there as was grinning like a cheshire cat :)
Despite me owning him since he was 2, there aren't many things I was the first person to do on him. Riding no stirrups is one feather in my cap. He's actually only the 2nd ever horse I've EVER cantered no stirrups on (with maybe the exception of riding school 20 years ago). I am pretty sure I'd have ridden Ted with no stirrups in canter but dunno. His trot was lovely but his canter was a bit motorbikey so I may not have done which makes T the only horse I've cantered no stirrups :)
Love my pone....
Another comment off J over how well he's looking. He's got a serious arse on him and his top line is really really coming back. I know I'm biased but I'm thinking he's looking fab - muscled, toned and very shiney. Can't ask for more can I?
No fun ride tomorrow. It's supposed to be cold and wet, friend is at a party tonight but I can't do it later on so am going to go hackies instead :) It has at least prompted me to sort his mane out so he is back to looking super sexy :)
No work for S today. Mum is going to come down tomorrow as he hasn't seen her for a few days and he's in a grump. Take him for a walk too so should cheer him up no end.
Back to being confused about saddles. Awaiting an email from Society of Master Saddlers to clarify something about Master Saddlers and whether they're qualified to actually FIT a saddle. Answer to that will decide who I get saddles off I think!
Field Schooling
Thurs they both had the night off as I went swimming.
Last night, took S for a tootle with his spotty friend. Inhand round the roads. Was out, I think 8 mins, but it's a start on his return to work. Going to take it Oh So Very Slowly with him!
Need to take him out again today I think although may have to go on his own as spotty is doing school work but S doesn't much like going on his own. He will but he grumbles about it.
Rode a friend's ClydeX in the field last night to see if she played up with me. She didn't but not for want of trying. She's a lovely mare and it really did me good to ride her because T has stopped questioning me so much nowadays but G last night really did test me. "Are you SURE you've got your outside rein? Ha ... no! You've given it a milimetre, I'm off" and the like. Really had to sit on my arse and Ride her rather than just sit there and look good. If she knew I'd got her between hand and leg, she was golden, the minute I let something slip, she would be "ha... got ya". What N had said in my lesson about riding inside leg to outside rein stuck in my head and REALLY worked with her.
After just 40 mins, I got off with wobbly arms (I forget how light T-Jay is in my hand) and absolutely knackered. G on the other hand, had only just broken a sweat under her girth!
Onto T then. Riding in the school was aborted due to being dive bombed by pigeon trapped in there. Left the roller shutter doors open (which are big enough for HUGE tractors etc to get through) but nope, stupid pigeon was still dive bombing me.
So took him in the field too and am actually really pleased I did. The only flat-ish bit of land we have is that field and it is far from flat. It slopes every which way and the "camber" changes in corners so it's quite tricky to ride in there.
In 5 years I've never managed to canter a whole circle in there due to the above. Once warmed up, set off in trot and immediately could feel myself perched, weight in the stirrups and just awful. Was trying to get T to soften so I could ride better but then realised it was my riding stopping him from softening. Made a conscious decision to "kneel" and to take the weight out of my stirrups and et voila softer pony. Realised my shoulders were rounding again, thought "shoulders back" but that sent me out of kilter and sent me shooting my legs forward and weight into the stirrups again so remembered what Becky had told someone else about closing the back of the armpits. This had the effect of squaring my shoulders but also of widening my hands which again allowed T the room to drop his head and soften.
My thighs were absolutely screaming so I must have been doing something right! Also dabbled a little bit with leg yield but I'm not entirely sure I'm doing it right and whether my flexion has been overcooked into bend so hmmmmmmmmmm. Important thing I guess at this stage is that he went sideways and I could feel back legs REALLY crossing.
Onto canter and he gave me some fab transitions. Because the field is so big I took advantage of it to pick up canter, canter across a diagonal and then along the fence (or parallel to the fence the other edge of the "schooling area") and continue into counter canter and it gave me the opportunity to let the counter canter "settle" for want of a better word and there was enough space for me to think about what I was doing etc. It was so nice we almost got round the corner of the "area" in counter canter before I realised what was happening and asked for trot. Perhaps I should have let him do the corner in counter canter but didn't want to risk upsetting the counter canter and as you turn the corner (had been going slightly uphill) the camber changes to slightly downhill and slightly off to the left so wouldn't have been nice for him.
Tried to remember what N had said in my lesson about letting him go in canter and not restricting his head/neck and to let him find his own balance round corners so thought "hmmm I wonder" and off we set to do a circle. Almost almost almost got it which surprised me. I think the only reason we didn't get the circle that time was because he must have thought "shit, where's mum? why isn't she trying to balance me?". Second time it was just fab, absolutely no bother to canter a circle - about a 20m circle - with the slope constantly changing. In fact, it was so nice we actually did TWO CIRCLES lol. AND no falling out through the shoulder. By jove, I think I've got the outside rein!!!
Same on the other rein - whooooo. I suspect too that cracking the canter thing will also help my jumping confidence because I hate jumping inside as feel that the surface will give way under him, he'll slip/skid round corners. In fact, it's the same outside. I prefer to jump in the middle of a field with no fenced off area because he can just go straight after the jumps whereas if it's fenced off, at some point we have to turn. So hopefully some more work in the field in canter and I'll see the benefits in more than just his dressage tests!
Called it a day then to be honest, I was so pleased with him.
Off down to ride in a mo. Not sure what to do. I had planned on going for a hack but I think I'm doing a fun ride tomorrow so think that that may be sufficient a break from schooling for him. Meaning I can school again today.
I'm turning into the sort of person I've always rolled my eyes at - schooling lots and analysing everything. Need to remember I've ALWAYS analysed things, I've just always usually talked it through with mum but now I do it by typing. Not much different I guess.
Think it's paying off though. J said last night how fab T was looking. I should think so too with the work he's getting! and N said in my lesson he was lookign really well and that I was riding better than I ever have. She also said we need to crack on this year as T is capable, apparently, of so much more. Quite excited by that because for perhaps the first time, it's real to me and I'm trying, really am trying, to improve myself so that I don't hold him back anymore.
Think I'm going to school in the school today, fun ride tomorrow, tootle up the sheep fields to walk off the fun ride on Monday and then he can have Tues off while I swim then back into school/field on Wed :)
Last night, took S for a tootle with his spotty friend. Inhand round the roads. Was out, I think 8 mins, but it's a start on his return to work. Going to take it Oh So Very Slowly with him!
Need to take him out again today I think although may have to go on his own as spotty is doing school work but S doesn't much like going on his own. He will but he grumbles about it.
Rode a friend's ClydeX in the field last night to see if she played up with me. She didn't but not for want of trying. She's a lovely mare and it really did me good to ride her because T has stopped questioning me so much nowadays but G last night really did test me. "Are you SURE you've got your outside rein? Ha ... no! You've given it a milimetre, I'm off" and the like. Really had to sit on my arse and Ride her rather than just sit there and look good. If she knew I'd got her between hand and leg, she was golden, the minute I let something slip, she would be "ha... got ya". What N had said in my lesson about riding inside leg to outside rein stuck in my head and REALLY worked with her.
After just 40 mins, I got off with wobbly arms (I forget how light T-Jay is in my hand) and absolutely knackered. G on the other hand, had only just broken a sweat under her girth!
Onto T then. Riding in the school was aborted due to being dive bombed by pigeon trapped in there. Left the roller shutter doors open (which are big enough for HUGE tractors etc to get through) but nope, stupid pigeon was still dive bombing me.
So took him in the field too and am actually really pleased I did. The only flat-ish bit of land we have is that field and it is far from flat. It slopes every which way and the "camber" changes in corners so it's quite tricky to ride in there.
In 5 years I've never managed to canter a whole circle in there due to the above. Once warmed up, set off in trot and immediately could feel myself perched, weight in the stirrups and just awful. Was trying to get T to soften so I could ride better but then realised it was my riding stopping him from softening. Made a conscious decision to "kneel" and to take the weight out of my stirrups and et voila softer pony. Realised my shoulders were rounding again, thought "shoulders back" but that sent me out of kilter and sent me shooting my legs forward and weight into the stirrups again so remembered what Becky had told someone else about closing the back of the armpits. This had the effect of squaring my shoulders but also of widening my hands which again allowed T the room to drop his head and soften.
My thighs were absolutely screaming so I must have been doing something right! Also dabbled a little bit with leg yield but I'm not entirely sure I'm doing it right and whether my flexion has been overcooked into bend so hmmmmmmmmmm. Important thing I guess at this stage is that he went sideways and I could feel back legs REALLY crossing.
Onto canter and he gave me some fab transitions. Because the field is so big I took advantage of it to pick up canter, canter across a diagonal and then along the fence (or parallel to the fence the other edge of the "schooling area") and continue into counter canter and it gave me the opportunity to let the counter canter "settle" for want of a better word and there was enough space for me to think about what I was doing etc. It was so nice we almost got round the corner of the "area" in counter canter before I realised what was happening and asked for trot. Perhaps I should have let him do the corner in counter canter but didn't want to risk upsetting the counter canter and as you turn the corner (had been going slightly uphill) the camber changes to slightly downhill and slightly off to the left so wouldn't have been nice for him.
Tried to remember what N had said in my lesson about letting him go in canter and not restricting his head/neck and to let him find his own balance round corners so thought "hmmm I wonder" and off we set to do a circle. Almost almost almost got it which surprised me. I think the only reason we didn't get the circle that time was because he must have thought "shit, where's mum? why isn't she trying to balance me?". Second time it was just fab, absolutely no bother to canter a circle - about a 20m circle - with the slope constantly changing. In fact, it was so nice we actually did TWO CIRCLES lol. AND no falling out through the shoulder. By jove, I think I've got the outside rein!!!
Same on the other rein - whooooo. I suspect too that cracking the canter thing will also help my jumping confidence because I hate jumping inside as feel that the surface will give way under him, he'll slip/skid round corners. In fact, it's the same outside. I prefer to jump in the middle of a field with no fenced off area because he can just go straight after the jumps whereas if it's fenced off, at some point we have to turn. So hopefully some more work in the field in canter and I'll see the benefits in more than just his dressage tests!
Called it a day then to be honest, I was so pleased with him.
Off down to ride in a mo. Not sure what to do. I had planned on going for a hack but I think I'm doing a fun ride tomorrow so think that that may be sufficient a break from schooling for him. Meaning I can school again today.
I'm turning into the sort of person I've always rolled my eyes at - schooling lots and analysing everything. Need to remember I've ALWAYS analysed things, I've just always usually talked it through with mum but now I do it by typing. Not much different I guess.
Think it's paying off though. J said last night how fab T was looking. I should think so too with the work he's getting! and N said in my lesson he was lookign really well and that I was riding better than I ever have. She also said we need to crack on this year as T is capable, apparently, of so much more. Quite excited by that because for perhaps the first time, it's real to me and I'm trying, really am trying, to improve myself so that I don't hold him back anymore.
Think I'm going to school in the school today, fun ride tomorrow, tootle up the sheep fields to walk off the fun ride on Monday and then he can have Tues off while I swim then back into school/field on Wed :)
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Walkies
Took T for a plod up sheep fields. Had a nice canter and walked the rest of the way. 25 mins from tacking up to untacked so not long but thought he deserved a break from the school.
Contemplated giving him a night off but he has tomorrow off and I'm glad I took him for a pootle, we both enjoyed it.
Then took S for a tootle too in hand. Going to start bringing him back into work Oh So Very Slowly. Did 12 min walk today and will do it again tomorrow. Will do this walk pretty much every day for either a week or two weeks, will see how it goes before increasing it.
Very lovely friend has offered us her saddle to try on him. It should fit but we'll just need to get a bigger gullet for it. It won't be perfect but will hopefully buy us some time :)
Need to put both saddles on ebay ASAP, get them gone and get another one ordered for S.
Going to go swimming tomorrow again. Must get fit. Must get thin. Entered both novice tests on 4th after all. Now..... where is my folder of dressage tests?!? Hmmmmm......
Contemplated giving him a night off but he has tomorrow off and I'm glad I took him for a pootle, we both enjoyed it.
Then took S for a tootle too in hand. Going to start bringing him back into work Oh So Very Slowly. Did 12 min walk today and will do it again tomorrow. Will do this walk pretty much every day for either a week or two weeks, will see how it goes before increasing it.
Very lovely friend has offered us her saddle to try on him. It should fit but we'll just need to get a bigger gullet for it. It won't be perfect but will hopefully buy us some time :)
Need to put both saddles on ebay ASAP, get them gone and get another one ordered for S.
Going to go swimming tomorrow again. Must get fit. Must get thin. Entered both novice tests on 4th after all. Now..... where is my folder of dressage tests?!? Hmmmmm......
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Mammoth Lesson
Lesson tonight SHOULD have been a 21st Century lesson with instructor coming early to watch, on the lap top, my videos of my dressage tests, go through my test sheets, watch strider and go through strider print outs.
In typical 21st Century fashion though, laptop wouldn't work, pffffffffft.
Instructor was really interested in Strider course and thought the print outs were really interesting. She watched a couple of videos on my phone too.
Off into the school then. Started with stirrups.
Trot
Need to get him really swinging in his trot. His trot is "nice" at the moment but apparently there is so much more that I just need to tap into. Need to keep his neck longer and softer. Think shoulder fore on the long sides. Needs to be a lot more powerful. Not faster but powerful. Need to ride more inside leg to outside rein. Use calves to "kick" rather than allowing heel to creep up. Shoulders back but meaning slight shift backwards on the vertical to keep straight. Push hands forward and ride him into the space I've created. Don't move hands vertically (either up or down) nor do I need to physically push my arms forward, just think about moving hands slightly forward to encourage him to work forward into the contact. What feels "messy" at the moment is a really swinging, working trot.
Walk
Don't let him flop back into walk. Ride the transition forwards. Result is a marching walk without him hollowing in the transition. We've done this before but I've let it slip. Naughty me.
Canter
Need to trust him to balance himself. He WILL slip/slide/motorbike/break the canter if I don't let him go forwards. Need to forget his "up/down" canter and maintain the forwards canter. Think seat bones connected to hind legs. Ride inside leg to outside rein. Half halt with outside rein as use inside leg. Result is that he stays with head/neck soft and round, he balances himself, I don't block him and he can't take a hold because I'm not restricting him. Downwards transition is also nice. Contrary to what was happening on Strider, I don't need to come forwards on T, N kept saying "back, back" - it felt like I was tipping right back behind the vertical but apparently I was no where near being behind the vertical.
Then onto no stirrups. Need to avoid letting the trot get too comfy for me. Comfy for me means he's not going foward enough. He's a big horse, altering his trot to fit my balance is naughty. My balance is actually fine even when he's working properly. Need to remember to keep lower leg relaxed. My shoulder round with no stirrups so need to remember Becky's description of "close armpits at the rear" to keep them square. Must not let his rhythm alter when coming off the track and changing the rein/circle. No sucking back. Legs legs legs legs to build on that swing. Not after speed, need to think about dancing with him, really get his arse swinging under me.
Didn't canter with no stirrups, still feel a bit unsure about that one. I don't want to do it and balls it all up.
Overall, have had a fab lesson with 50 mins in the school, poor pony. Finished with a couple of mins chat about next stressage. N really pleased me when she said I am riding a LOT better and that I really need to start thinking further ahead and of pushing ourselves because T is 11 this year and is capable of so much. Bless him. Discussed next stressage and which tests. I don't know why but I had ti in my head N would be a bit funny about me having done N37 and N38 because of them being so hard but instead, she was "funnier" about me planning on doing a prelim and N22 next outing. Asked me if I thought there was really much point in doing that? She said there is nothing in N37 that we can't do nor that we can't do to a perfectly acceptable standard, that the 60m tests and "busier" tests are a lot better for both me and T as they don't give us so much time to "think" so that's now REALLY confused me as to which to enter!
If I enter N22 and N35, or N22 and N37 I'm going to have hours wait in between them. Tempted to just go and do N37 - would save me having to learn another test? lol
After my lesson, mum also had a lesson on T. Only about 20 mins as I'd gone over. Poor pony was tired and he made mum work a bit more tonight. Wasn't quite so forgiving if she didn't do things right which meant him thinking up of his own entertainment ie looking for monsters but she did really well nonetheless and pony has gone out tonight very tired.
Think I may take him up the sheep fields tomorrow as a break from the school.
N rarely "pushes" someone/something on me, in fact I don't think I can ever think of her doing so, other than way of riding etc but tonight she was very very VERY much pushing me to go to Kay Humphries for a saddle. So unsure what to do. My only experience of her wasn't very good - a friend's saddle and there seems to be a real divide of people's opinions of her - either love or loathe. I don't think I can afford one of hers anyway but I really respect N's opinion. But then the sheer number of people who have had bad experiences with her means I'm more inclined to go with the "no".
Bah .... saddles are so complicated!
Next stressage ... one novice class or two ... hmmmm.....
Yard t-shirts are beginning to look amazing. Am very lucky to have a graphic designer for an OH. Once the designs are finalised, will no doubt be sharing it via facebook. Am excited! Also want T's cartoon on one too.
In typical 21st Century fashion though, laptop wouldn't work, pffffffffft.
Instructor was really interested in Strider course and thought the print outs were really interesting. She watched a couple of videos on my phone too.
Off into the school then. Started with stirrups.
Trot
Need to get him really swinging in his trot. His trot is "nice" at the moment but apparently there is so much more that I just need to tap into. Need to keep his neck longer and softer. Think shoulder fore on the long sides. Needs to be a lot more powerful. Not faster but powerful. Need to ride more inside leg to outside rein. Use calves to "kick" rather than allowing heel to creep up. Shoulders back but meaning slight shift backwards on the vertical to keep straight. Push hands forward and ride him into the space I've created. Don't move hands vertically (either up or down) nor do I need to physically push my arms forward, just think about moving hands slightly forward to encourage him to work forward into the contact. What feels "messy" at the moment is a really swinging, working trot.
Walk
Don't let him flop back into walk. Ride the transition forwards. Result is a marching walk without him hollowing in the transition. We've done this before but I've let it slip. Naughty me.
Canter
Need to trust him to balance himself. He WILL slip/slide/motorbike/break the canter if I don't let him go forwards. Need to forget his "up/down" canter and maintain the forwards canter. Think seat bones connected to hind legs. Ride inside leg to outside rein. Half halt with outside rein as use inside leg. Result is that he stays with head/neck soft and round, he balances himself, I don't block him and he can't take a hold because I'm not restricting him. Downwards transition is also nice. Contrary to what was happening on Strider, I don't need to come forwards on T, N kept saying "back, back" - it felt like I was tipping right back behind the vertical but apparently I was no where near being behind the vertical.
Then onto no stirrups. Need to avoid letting the trot get too comfy for me. Comfy for me means he's not going foward enough. He's a big horse, altering his trot to fit my balance is naughty. My balance is actually fine even when he's working properly. Need to remember to keep lower leg relaxed. My shoulder round with no stirrups so need to remember Becky's description of "close armpits at the rear" to keep them square. Must not let his rhythm alter when coming off the track and changing the rein/circle. No sucking back. Legs legs legs legs to build on that swing. Not after speed, need to think about dancing with him, really get his arse swinging under me.
Didn't canter with no stirrups, still feel a bit unsure about that one. I don't want to do it and balls it all up.
Overall, have had a fab lesson with 50 mins in the school, poor pony. Finished with a couple of mins chat about next stressage. N really pleased me when she said I am riding a LOT better and that I really need to start thinking further ahead and of pushing ourselves because T is 11 this year and is capable of so much. Bless him. Discussed next stressage and which tests. I don't know why but I had ti in my head N would be a bit funny about me having done N37 and N38 because of them being so hard but instead, she was "funnier" about me planning on doing a prelim and N22 next outing. Asked me if I thought there was really much point in doing that? She said there is nothing in N37 that we can't do nor that we can't do to a perfectly acceptable standard, that the 60m tests and "busier" tests are a lot better for both me and T as they don't give us so much time to "think" so that's now REALLY confused me as to which to enter!
If I enter N22 and N35, or N22 and N37 I'm going to have hours wait in between them. Tempted to just go and do N37 - would save me having to learn another test? lol
After my lesson, mum also had a lesson on T. Only about 20 mins as I'd gone over. Poor pony was tired and he made mum work a bit more tonight. Wasn't quite so forgiving if she didn't do things right which meant him thinking up of his own entertainment ie looking for monsters but she did really well nonetheless and pony has gone out tonight very tired.
Think I may take him up the sheep fields tomorrow as a break from the school.
N rarely "pushes" someone/something on me, in fact I don't think I can ever think of her doing so, other than way of riding etc but tonight she was very very VERY much pushing me to go to Kay Humphries for a saddle. So unsure what to do. My only experience of her wasn't very good - a friend's saddle and there seems to be a real divide of people's opinions of her - either love or loathe. I don't think I can afford one of hers anyway but I really respect N's opinion. But then the sheer number of people who have had bad experiences with her means I'm more inclined to go with the "no".
Bah .... saddles are so complicated!
Next stressage ... one novice class or two ... hmmmm.....
Yard t-shirts are beginning to look amazing. Am very lucky to have a graphic designer for an OH. Once the designs are finalised, will no doubt be sharing it via facebook. Am excited! Also want T's cartoon on one too.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Putting it into practise
Hmmmm ....
Well ....
Mum rode first, heart my horse. Two days off and up gets mum and he looks after her, bless him.
Think I'm going to have trouble, even once her pony is back in work, of reclaiming my horse!!
Stirrups seem the right length. Trotting round, I was mostly successful in avoiding tipping forward. In canter, I over did the slight forwardness I need. Having said that though, I got pretty much "that" canter first transition and for whole lap of the school, then I'd start fiddling and I'd lose it.
Stirrups, I thought, were foot heavy until I remembered Becky saying to imagine her fingers between my feet and the stirrup and not squashing them and realised I'd overdone the foot light into "foot weightless" and that actually my foot WAS light in the stirrup.
Did some no stirrups. Concentrated, or tried to, on weight into right seat bone but not sure whether I was successful or not. Felt like I was leaning back but mum said absolutely was not and was poker straight. Experimented with rising trot with no stirrups to see if my feet/legs did the same as on Strider ie toes out and straighten legs. They don't which I was pleased about! I also don't take the weight into my foot to rise either.
Lesson tomorrow .... T-Jay has an hour with me and half an hour with mum. Poor soul!!
Ventured back onto a certain forum today, read just a couple of blogs where most of them related to many comments about bitchiness, touchiness etc so ventured onto forums instead and :shiver: something seems to have taken over that website. Are we due a full moon or something? Hopefully it'll revert back to its usual supportive self soon!
Well ....
Mum rode first, heart my horse. Two days off and up gets mum and he looks after her, bless him.
Think I'm going to have trouble, even once her pony is back in work, of reclaiming my horse!!
Stirrups seem the right length. Trotting round, I was mostly successful in avoiding tipping forward. In canter, I over did the slight forwardness I need. Having said that though, I got pretty much "that" canter first transition and for whole lap of the school, then I'd start fiddling and I'd lose it.
Stirrups, I thought, were foot heavy until I remembered Becky saying to imagine her fingers between my feet and the stirrup and not squashing them and realised I'd overdone the foot light into "foot weightless" and that actually my foot WAS light in the stirrup.
Did some no stirrups. Concentrated, or tried to, on weight into right seat bone but not sure whether I was successful or not. Felt like I was leaning back but mum said absolutely was not and was poker straight. Experimented with rising trot with no stirrups to see if my feet/legs did the same as on Strider ie toes out and straighten legs. They don't which I was pleased about! I also don't take the weight into my foot to rise either.
Lesson tomorrow .... T-Jay has an hour with me and half an hour with mum. Poor soul!!
Ventured back onto a certain forum today, read just a couple of blogs where most of them related to many comments about bitchiness, touchiness etc so ventured onto forums instead and :shiver: something seems to have taken over that website. Are we due a full moon or something? Hopefully it'll revert back to its usual supportive self soon!
Strider - WARNING, it's a big un
My brain aches is a good summary of the weekend.
This blog will most likely be very mixed up while I work through what I have taken away from it all.
For those reading this who have no idea what Strider is, he is a mechanical horse who measures the weight in the saddle (bounce rate), whether you're weight is in front or behind the horse's centre of gravity (ie whether you're tipping forwards or backwards), whether your weight is to the left or to the right, the physical amount of contact you have on the rein (ie should be 600g/1lb per hand) and whether they're even and also the drive you have on the horse (can be forcing ie pushing horse forward or stopping ie hindering the horse from moving forward).
Strider lives in a classroom where, once on, you have a very large mirror to your right, another large mirror in front of you and also a computer screen in front of you so you can see real time what Strider is feeling from you.
He's not perfect, there are little things he can't replicate like the head movement of the horse which ultimately does affect the rein contact line but he does a damned good job though. He allows you to think 100% about yourself - you don't have to worry about the canter breaking, you don't have to worry about steering, you can focus entirely on yourself and better still, Becky can be there next to you, physically helping you keep whatever changes you need to so that you can see/feel the difference it makes.
One of the big things I've taken away is that I am incredibly lucky to have the instructor I have, and to have had her for the last 8 years. Some of the tales being told were shocking but what I liked the most is that everything Becky was saying, was either the same (almost word for word) or just using a different analogy to what my instructor says.
I don't THINK my instructor is a RWYM instructor, she's "just" an instructor but obviously one who has her head screwed on lol.
My first and really ONLY thing that didn't quite tally with my instructor was the position of my legs, especially my lower legs as she tells me to put them on the girth. However, thinking back, I'm not entirely sure she does because when she says "legs forward" in all honesty, I shuffle forwards in the saddle, tuck bum under me and my thighs go forwards. I've interpreted what she's saying as putting lower leg on girth but maybe I'm not ACTUALLY doing that?
Methinks I need a video of my lesson!! Just looking back at photos of me riding T over the last few years and not once is my leg on the girth, my thigh is pretty much 45 degree angle to the ground and my lower leg is just behind the girth with base of my feet flat. (For those on facebook, look at the "T at work" album in my photos) Not sure whether my feet are "heavy" or "light" in the stirrups.
In summary, I need to:
No doubt there will be some long blog entries to come... sorry!
This blog will most likely be very mixed up while I work through what I have taken away from it all.
For those reading this who have no idea what Strider is, he is a mechanical horse who measures the weight in the saddle (bounce rate), whether you're weight is in front or behind the horse's centre of gravity (ie whether you're tipping forwards or backwards), whether your weight is to the left or to the right, the physical amount of contact you have on the rein (ie should be 600g/1lb per hand) and whether they're even and also the drive you have on the horse (can be forcing ie pushing horse forward or stopping ie hindering the horse from moving forward).
Strider lives in a classroom where, once on, you have a very large mirror to your right, another large mirror in front of you and also a computer screen in front of you so you can see real time what Strider is feeling from you.
He's not perfect, there are little things he can't replicate like the head movement of the horse which ultimately does affect the rein contact line but he does a damned good job though. He allows you to think 100% about yourself - you don't have to worry about the canter breaking, you don't have to worry about steering, you can focus entirely on yourself and better still, Becky can be there next to you, physically helping you keep whatever changes you need to so that you can see/feel the difference it makes.
One of the big things I've taken away is that I am incredibly lucky to have the instructor I have, and to have had her for the last 8 years. Some of the tales being told were shocking but what I liked the most is that everything Becky was saying, was either the same (almost word for word) or just using a different analogy to what my instructor says.
I don't THINK my instructor is a RWYM instructor, she's "just" an instructor but obviously one who has her head screwed on lol.
My first and really ONLY thing that didn't quite tally with my instructor was the position of my legs, especially my lower legs as she tells me to put them on the girth. However, thinking back, I'm not entirely sure she does because when she says "legs forward" in all honesty, I shuffle forwards in the saddle, tuck bum under me and my thighs go forwards. I've interpreted what she's saying as putting lower leg on girth but maybe I'm not ACTUALLY doing that?
Methinks I need a video of my lesson!! Just looking back at photos of me riding T over the last few years and not once is my leg on the girth, my thigh is pretty much 45 degree angle to the ground and my lower leg is just behind the girth with base of my feet flat. (For those on facebook, look at the "T at work" album in my photos) Not sure whether my feet are "heavy" or "light" in the stirrups.
In summary, I need to:
- Really sort out my weight distribution as I am sat to the left in all gaits and quite significantly too. It's not so much about rearranging my physical self but about rearranging my weight. Need to constantly be thinking about feeling that right seat bone.
- Thighs at 45 degree angle to the floor
- Lower leg will fall just behind the girth
- Stirrups on the ball of my feet, not my toes. It makes a shocking difference to the weight in my stirrups and also means my foot is less "heel down"
- In order to keep my spine in neutral in walk, need to think about sitting back. I need to remember that little pendulum line on the strider screen.
- In order to keep that neutrality in canter, need to tip the pendulum forwards slightly.
- Bounce more in canter and especially in sitting trot.
I know most people probably think this but I really do think I can ride T better than I rode Strider lol. Or rather, T compensates for me a heck of a lot. Picking up on what was said to other people, I could relate to various blogs over the last few weeks:
- Riding the downwards motion as well as the up in canter - the canter from the other day felt very "down" and that all my weight was in my middle. I'm thinking that maybe, just MAYBE I had it and that I was holding my own weight, wasn't blocking T from going forwards and that as a result we had that lovely floaty canter that went on and on. Maybe.
- Working from the thigh rather than the lower leg. On Strider, I really struggled to get my weight out of my stirrups. Rising trot needs to come from the thigh to stop the knee straightening and pointing downwards. I blogged the other day about when I have no stirrups I seem to be riding off my thigh rather than my lower leg.
I'm by no means saying I've got it but I THINK that I've had a few glimpses of what i need to achieve. Need to think, as Becky says, about what I can do to get those glimpses WITH stirrups as well as without. Will talk lots to instructor tomorrow. I think I may ring her tonight to extend the lesson from half hour to an hour to process it all lol.
By being a (significantly) heavier person, the "little" bits about my position, my weight etc were a whole lot more magnified I think and it's all made me realise just how subtle changes really do have a MASSIVE impact on what the horse is feeling.
I hope I never "yank" my saddle over to the right again after seeing what it did to poor Strider! I really don't think I NEED to do that, just sorting myself out and shifting my own weight will have more than enough of an impact.
But with that in mind, I really do have to stop worrying quite so much about my weight and I need to actually USE it in order to not have it HINDER T. I really hindered Strider in trot because I was flapping so much over keeping my weight off him. I have the dubious honour of having made a mechanical horse LAME in trot *bawls* by being so tense. As soon as Becky gave me a little pep talk about not being too heavy for him, to sit down in the saddle and actually grab my waistband to keep me in place, meant we got a two time beat to the trot.
Although it puts me in fear of over analysing, I couldn't help but think back to when I'm hacking and I frequently think T is lame so push him on and he's not. I've always thought it was just T slopping along and not working properly but now I think it's more to do with me blocking him so much!
My rein contact improved over the weekend too once I figured out what Strider was measuring. It really does make you *think* about just what you're doing wiggling about on top. Whilst we didn't work on that, it was still useful to see those lines jumping all over the place.
My brain is turning to mush now. There is so much more I got out of the weekend and I can't wait to play with T today and test out some stuff.
No doubt there will be some long blog entries to come... sorry!
Friday, 20 March 2009
Successful Day
Car cleaned and tidied. Half packed. Have decided against taking my own saddle now because it's so heavy and I'm paranoid about my weight as it is.
There's also the added worry of security and where to put it. I can't be faffed with keeping it in the B&B room with me but equally so I don't want to leave it in the car so it can stay at home instead.
Had a lovely hack in the sunshine. Grassy tracks round huge fields, happy clappy pony bounding along.
He's a superstar he is :) Never batted an eyelid at our companion taking it upon himself to trot off or anything. I really don't give him the credit he deserves sometimes. He's such a pleasure to ride and be around :)
There's also the added worry of security and where to put it. I can't be faffed with keeping it in the B&B room with me but equally so I don't want to leave it in the car so it can stay at home instead.
Had a lovely hack in the sunshine. Grassy tracks round huge fields, happy clappy pony bounding along.
He's a superstar he is :) Never batted an eyelid at our companion taking it upon himself to trot off or anything. I really don't give him the credit he deserves sometimes. He's such a pleasure to ride and be around :)
Lots to do today!
- Clean car
- fill up of petrol
- check oil and water (have had the car 4 months, driven over 5K miles and not yet checked either. ooops)
- do lots of washing
- clean GP
- ride
- clean dressage saddle and stick it on ebay
- clean boots
- pack my bags
- go to party
Have failed at the first hurdle tho and can't do washing as have no washing powder. Ya boo. May clean car first then can go get petrol and pick up washing powder at the same time.
Another sunny day, yeyyyyy :) Am hacking with H and showing her the fields. Spotted that the first field now has a grassy track all the way around and it's a huge field. I am spying a nice canter so will go tootling round that field first too!
Dressage saddle on ebay, similar to mine but mine is brown whereas the one on ebay is black. £770 last night and bids still rising!!!!
Methinks it's a good time to get my saddle up on there so that whoever DOESN'T get that one, can bid on mine LOL
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Hacky/Schooly/Hacky
What a lovely day!
Went down the yard in the sunshine, hacked out in a t-shirt. Life is good today!
Took him out for a solo hack, first one in MONTHS. Not sure if he's been out solo since the beginning of the winter? Anyway, didn't matter naturally to my boy :wub:
Tootled up the fields, took a short cut into a field we don't normally go up but the fence/stile was down so took advantage and of course had to canter up that one didn't we LOL
Round fields and into the big flat one. Did 10/15 mins of schooly stuff. Loads of circles, concentrating on outside rein. I love the outside rein! Means I can do a circle in the middle of a big open field without losing him through his outside shoulder.
Lots of playing with that so changes of rein, serpentines, shoulder in, circles, figures of 8s. Then took up sitting trot and did a reasonable leg yield too in both directions. Need to work on that one still though because he bends rather than stays straight but I was happy enough with feeling his legs crossing and his ears flicking back in concentration.
He felt strong through today. Not quite as relaxed as last night. He felt strong because my upper arms were starting to ache but not sure if that's related to my dodgy shoulder and keeping elbow jammed into my side to think about outside rein rather than him being strong?
Canter was lovely. Did quite a bit of canter in there and absolutely no grumps, no ears back, no tail swishing, no bucks - ears forwards and go but politely. Not quite as soft and floaty as last night but he was waiting for me to give him an inch so he could go WHEEEEEEEEEEEE across the field LOL Proper schooling canter though rather than hacking canter so I was happy.
Then the mini motorbikes started round. He didn't/doesn't bother with them and they did actually turn around when they saw me but the sound of them is irritating and he had broken a sweat (!) so headed back.
Little walk for a bit then a really fab canter up the last field. Started off in a schooling canter then he went "can I go mum?" so said "yep!" - kicked on and felt the turbo kick in .
LOVE that turbo! He flies does my pony! Came back to trot perfectly too.
I THINK that's the first time I've actually cantered him out solo!!
I really am very lucky *passes the sick bucket*
Hackety hack tomorrow, won't do a scrap of schooling, he deserves a proper chill out hack. Am planning to go round a field I've never ridden round before. Is huge but the farmer has left a really wide grass track the whole way round and it's just crying out to be cantered on!
Oooh and worm count results came back. Fabby set of results with no one needing wormers. Go us!
Went down the yard in the sunshine, hacked out in a t-shirt. Life is good today!
Took him out for a solo hack, first one in MONTHS. Not sure if he's been out solo since the beginning of the winter? Anyway, didn't matter naturally to my boy :wub:
Tootled up the fields, took a short cut into a field we don't normally go up but the fence/stile was down so took advantage and of course had to canter up that one didn't we LOL
Round fields and into the big flat one. Did 10/15 mins of schooly stuff. Loads of circles, concentrating on outside rein. I love the outside rein! Means I can do a circle in the middle of a big open field without losing him through his outside shoulder.
Lots of playing with that so changes of rein, serpentines, shoulder in, circles, figures of 8s. Then took up sitting trot and did a reasonable leg yield too in both directions. Need to work on that one still though because he bends rather than stays straight but I was happy enough with feeling his legs crossing and his ears flicking back in concentration.
He felt strong through today. Not quite as relaxed as last night. He felt strong because my upper arms were starting to ache but not sure if that's related to my dodgy shoulder and keeping elbow jammed into my side to think about outside rein rather than him being strong?
Canter was lovely. Did quite a bit of canter in there and absolutely no grumps, no ears back, no tail swishing, no bucks - ears forwards and go but politely. Not quite as soft and floaty as last night but he was waiting for me to give him an inch so he could go WHEEEEEEEEEEEE across the field LOL Proper schooling canter though rather than hacking canter so I was happy.
Then the mini motorbikes started round. He didn't/doesn't bother with them and they did actually turn around when they saw me but the sound of them is irritating and he had broken a sweat (!) so headed back.
Little walk for a bit then a really fab canter up the last field. Started off in a schooling canter then he went "can I go mum?" so said "yep!" - kicked on and felt the turbo kick in .
LOVE that turbo! He flies does my pony! Came back to trot perfectly too.
I THINK that's the first time I've actually cantered him out solo!!
I really am very lucky *passes the sick bucket*
Hackety hack tomorrow, won't do a scrap of schooling, he deserves a proper chill out hack. Am planning to go round a field I've never ridden round before. Is huge but the farmer has left a really wide grass track the whole way round and it's just crying out to be cantered on!
Oooh and worm count results came back. Fabby set of results with no one needing wormers. Go us!
What to do, what to do ....
Glorious day ... pony is in ready
I think I shall take him out over the fields and school in one of them - two birds, one stone :)
Really is just way way too nice to ride in an indoor school!
I think I shall take him out over the fields and school in one of them - two birds, one stone :)
Really is just way way too nice to ride in an indoor school!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Hmmm... canter
Schooled I did ... *pat on back* and actually, really enjoyed him.
He was LOVELY tonight. Every now and again, head shot up and he tried to spook but the more I concentrated on outside rein, the more successful I was in preventing it. We didn't have a single spook anyway tonight, just an ATTEMPT to.
Got a nice trot established first, little bit of shoulder in, one or two attempts at medium trot (didn't really happen as he wasn't quite warmed up/focussed enough) and then canter on both reins.
Our canter is where we're really struggling at the moment. In dressage tests, it's truly atrocious. If he's not relaxed, he won't work over his back. Most likely not helped by having a not-very-well-fitting saddle for a few months. Since getting his GP sorted and using that again, his top line is coming back loads and his back is building back up.
So anyway, I think I've been way over analysing the canter thing and I've convinced myself he has a bad back, his GP doesn't fit and he's trying to tell me he's in agony rather than just him being a bit grumpy about having to work and me being the bit of a tit of a rider that I am.
I think that's also been partly why I was a bit reluctant to ride tonight, because I'd convinced myself of the saddle and bad back etc etc etc.
Anyway, so tonight I asked for canter and it got ignored. Whether it was because I'd done my usual trick of chucking reins at him or whether it was him just trundling round in trot, not ACTUALLY listening to me, I don't know. Anyway, big pony club kick and we got canter albeit ears back and tail swished canter. Was a horrid canter so let it break after a few strides and then re established a nice trot, asked again .... et voila .... bit gung ho and strung out but a nice canter none the less. No ears back, no tail swishing, no head up, nothing.
Got half way round the school before I could feel him start to lose his balance so back down to trot. Established trot. Canter a bit further and on 3rd attempt, cantered the whole way round the school. That's not a lot of canter seeing as he's so big and the school is so small BUT to do so he has to be really balanced to get round so I was pleased.
Curiously though, it felt totally and utterly strange. I THINK it's me and my position that was different. I block T-Jay in canter. I don't let him go forwards, or keep a consistent enough contact to allow him to do so. Tonight kinda felt that we were cantering downhill almost. We weren't and he was NOT on the forehand. He wasn't heavy in my hands, he just kept cantering without the speed changing or anything. I felt like I was collapsing through my stomach but the Ashen lady at YHL said I needed to relax my stomach and stop tensing through my shoulders/back.
I THINK (hope, pray) that I wasn't tipping forward, I wasn't blocking him and I had a consistent rein contact, specifically in my outside rein because it felt bloody LOVELY and he was just so soft and nice and and and ... I heart my horse!
Sorry, digressed rather a lot there.... wondered if it was a fluke so changed rein and this time on just the 2nd canter transition we got the same floaty, soft canter a circuit and a half round the school.
On both attempts, the downwards transition was lovely too. Surely it was RIGHT if it all felt that good?!?!
Took my stirrups away then for 10 mins or so. Lots of trotting. Concentrated on making my back strong but flexible, keeping legs forward and keeping that outside rein. Not sure we got IT tonight like we did last lesson but it felt good none the less and it was at this point that he started threatening to spook but no problemo, he didn't actually ever manage to cos I stopped them before he'd even finished thinking "ooh i might spook".
Curiously, when I put my stirrups back, the first thing he did was head shot up and threatened to spook and I was no where near as quick in stopping it as when I had no stirrups. Hmmm. Mental note to mention that one to instructor too.
Also, I don't seem to need to use my legs with no stirrups. What's that all about? I use my upper leg rather than lower leg to stop him falling out through the outside on circles etc. Whereas with stirrups, it all comes from my calves. Actually, probably explains why my heels creep up and back if I'm using my calves.... hmmm....
Couldn't resist and just wondered if we could get THAT canter again so off we toddled. Trot large, trot circle, shoulder in up "long" side, canter at A/C and a circuit and a half on each rein in that canter. Both reins too. I am struggling to describe that canter because I don't really know what felt so different about it.
Logically, he must have been more relaxed and working properly through his back. He must have been straight. He must, most importantly, have been in a good mood!
From that, I must have not been tipping forwards, my legs must have been in the right place, I must have had a consistent rein contact and I must have had that outside rein.
Lots of mental notes to go through with instructor next week. I want more no stirrup work I think!!!
My rosette has also come from dressage. Lurid green, pink and white one. Not quite sure on that colour scheme but a nice rosette none the less LOL
He was LOVELY tonight. Every now and again, head shot up and he tried to spook but the more I concentrated on outside rein, the more successful I was in preventing it. We didn't have a single spook anyway tonight, just an ATTEMPT to.
Got a nice trot established first, little bit of shoulder in, one or two attempts at medium trot (didn't really happen as he wasn't quite warmed up/focussed enough) and then canter on both reins.
Our canter is where we're really struggling at the moment. In dressage tests, it's truly atrocious. If he's not relaxed, he won't work over his back. Most likely not helped by having a not-very-well-fitting saddle for a few months. Since getting his GP sorted and using that again, his top line is coming back loads and his back is building back up.
So anyway, I think I've been way over analysing the canter thing and I've convinced myself he has a bad back, his GP doesn't fit and he's trying to tell me he's in agony rather than just him being a bit grumpy about having to work and me being the bit of a tit of a rider that I am.
I think that's also been partly why I was a bit reluctant to ride tonight, because I'd convinced myself of the saddle and bad back etc etc etc.
Anyway, so tonight I asked for canter and it got ignored. Whether it was because I'd done my usual trick of chucking reins at him or whether it was him just trundling round in trot, not ACTUALLY listening to me, I don't know. Anyway, big pony club kick and we got canter albeit ears back and tail swished canter. Was a horrid canter so let it break after a few strides and then re established a nice trot, asked again .... et voila .... bit gung ho and strung out but a nice canter none the less. No ears back, no tail swishing, no head up, nothing.
Got half way round the school before I could feel him start to lose his balance so back down to trot. Established trot. Canter a bit further and on 3rd attempt, cantered the whole way round the school. That's not a lot of canter seeing as he's so big and the school is so small BUT to do so he has to be really balanced to get round so I was pleased.
Curiously though, it felt totally and utterly strange. I THINK it's me and my position that was different. I block T-Jay in canter. I don't let him go forwards, or keep a consistent enough contact to allow him to do so. Tonight kinda felt that we were cantering downhill almost. We weren't and he was NOT on the forehand. He wasn't heavy in my hands, he just kept cantering without the speed changing or anything. I felt like I was collapsing through my stomach but the Ashen lady at YHL said I needed to relax my stomach and stop tensing through my shoulders/back.
I THINK (hope, pray) that I wasn't tipping forward, I wasn't blocking him and I had a consistent rein contact, specifically in my outside rein because it felt bloody LOVELY and he was just so soft and nice and and and ... I heart my horse!
Sorry, digressed rather a lot there.... wondered if it was a fluke so changed rein and this time on just the 2nd canter transition we got the same floaty, soft canter a circuit and a half round the school.
On both attempts, the downwards transition was lovely too. Surely it was RIGHT if it all felt that good?!?!
Took my stirrups away then for 10 mins or so. Lots of trotting. Concentrated on making my back strong but flexible, keeping legs forward and keeping that outside rein. Not sure we got IT tonight like we did last lesson but it felt good none the less and it was at this point that he started threatening to spook but no problemo, he didn't actually ever manage to cos I stopped them before he'd even finished thinking "ooh i might spook".
Curiously, when I put my stirrups back, the first thing he did was head shot up and threatened to spook and I was no where near as quick in stopping it as when I had no stirrups. Hmmm. Mental note to mention that one to instructor too.
Also, I don't seem to need to use my legs with no stirrups. What's that all about? I use my upper leg rather than lower leg to stop him falling out through the outside on circles etc. Whereas with stirrups, it all comes from my calves. Actually, probably explains why my heels creep up and back if I'm using my calves.... hmmm....
Couldn't resist and just wondered if we could get THAT canter again so off we toddled. Trot large, trot circle, shoulder in up "long" side, canter at A/C and a circuit and a half on each rein in that canter. Both reins too. I am struggling to describe that canter because I don't really know what felt so different about it.
Logically, he must have been more relaxed and working properly through his back. He must have been straight. He must, most importantly, have been in a good mood!
From that, I must have not been tipping forwards, my legs must have been in the right place, I must have had a consistent rein contact and I must have had that outside rein.
Lots of mental notes to go through with instructor next week. I want more no stirrup work I think!!!
My rosette has also come from dressage. Lurid green, pink and white one. Not quite sure on that colour scheme but a nice rosette none the less LOL
Hmmmmmmm
In all honesty we did pretty crap in dressage the other week. The comments aren't very inspiring at all and I came pretty much (although NOT) last.
I know the tests were hard and I shouldn't have entered them but even the good areas weren't as good as I thought they were. Although in the first test, we started with a string of 6s and a 7 despite that being the worst test.
Anyhow, take it on the chin and do it again. Except the next 4 shows I could go to locally, have the SAME damned tests. Looked through the BD mag and it's the same throughout April and May - all pretty much the same tests at all shows at all venues in my local area... and I'm one of the luckier people, I think, in that there are 6 afflicted centres I can ride at all within an hour's journey. And yet, they're all doing the same tests - pah.
Mum's friend rode him for me last night whilst I was away on that course. Am home now so need to ride tonight. Problem is that without having had a lesson for a few weeks (instructor injured and then in a car accident) means I'm like a little lost soul again.
I know what I need to work on but it just seems without regular lessons, I let everything go to pot.
So tempting to go galloppy gallopy wheee instead of schooling. Need to school. Must school. Will school.
Ashen this weekend. Should be fun. If the horse doesn't break underneath me *rolls eyes*
Cheesel, am going to take my own saddle as I think it'll give a fairer reflection of what pony is experiencing? If it's majorly horrific, then I'll ask to try one of their saddles to make sure my saddle isn't wonky. It shouldn't be as was reflocked only a couple of months ago but I know I've had problems and also that pony has had some muscle wastage so whether it needs reflocking again... will be interesting.
Entered the Your Horse photo comp, action shots and looking through the pics, my friend is right ... her Spotty seems to get into EVERY shot somewhere. You can almost guarantee he's there ... and I thought MY horse was camera-loving!
Poo samples were sent off Monday, was expecting results today but I guess I'm just impatient LOL Mum's pony will be a wormy little bugger, no doubt, he always is!
I know the tests were hard and I shouldn't have entered them but even the good areas weren't as good as I thought they were. Although in the first test, we started with a string of 6s and a 7 despite that being the worst test.
Anyhow, take it on the chin and do it again. Except the next 4 shows I could go to locally, have the SAME damned tests. Looked through the BD mag and it's the same throughout April and May - all pretty much the same tests at all shows at all venues in my local area... and I'm one of the luckier people, I think, in that there are 6 afflicted centres I can ride at all within an hour's journey. And yet, they're all doing the same tests - pah.
Mum's friend rode him for me last night whilst I was away on that course. Am home now so need to ride tonight. Problem is that without having had a lesson for a few weeks (instructor injured and then in a car accident) means I'm like a little lost soul again.
I know what I need to work on but it just seems without regular lessons, I let everything go to pot.
So tempting to go galloppy gallopy wheee instead of schooling. Need to school. Must school. Will school.
Ashen this weekend. Should be fun. If the horse doesn't break underneath me *rolls eyes*
Cheesel, am going to take my own saddle as I think it'll give a fairer reflection of what pony is experiencing? If it's majorly horrific, then I'll ask to try one of their saddles to make sure my saddle isn't wonky. It shouldn't be as was reflocked only a couple of months ago but I know I've had problems and also that pony has had some muscle wastage so whether it needs reflocking again... will be interesting.
Entered the Your Horse photo comp, action shots and looking through the pics, my friend is right ... her Spotty seems to get into EVERY shot somewhere. You can almost guarantee he's there ... and I thought MY horse was camera-loving!
Poo samples were sent off Monday, was expecting results today but I guess I'm just impatient LOL Mum's pony will be a wormy little bugger, no doubt, he always is!
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Hackety Hackety Tootle
No mucking out today - whooo hooo!
Had cheese toasties at the yard, yum yum.
Helped with spotty training and he was a Very Very Good Boy!
Then finally went for a tootle with H&L. Just round roads and back via fields, all in walk as H hasn't been out in company/over fields for a long time but he did very well to keep a lid on it.
T hadn't been ridden since Debut but did he care? Did he hell ... he just plodded along quiet as anything, long rein and for some strange reason today liked to smell the tarmac?! Bit disconcerting when his nose disappears to the floor, not least because he's 17h and his reins don't reach that far so I have to go down with him LOL
Debating what we need to take next week for Strider course. Hmmmm... need to find some jods unless I take show ones?
And boots? Shall I take my show gaiters cos they're the ones I struggle to ride in or my normal boots cos they're the ones I usually ride in or go for comfort and take non riding shoes? Hmmmm
Oh and mental note to clean saddle!
Really want to organise another Easter Egg Hunt for the yard this year but last time I did it, everyone had a rideable horse. We have a couple of people on the yard who have youngsters now so don't really know how to do an Easter Egg Hunt for both mounted and unmounted people? Would need to involve the youngster horses too ... need to think on it I think!
Had cheese toasties at the yard, yum yum.
Helped with spotty training and he was a Very Very Good Boy!
Then finally went for a tootle with H&L. Just round roads and back via fields, all in walk as H hasn't been out in company/over fields for a long time but he did very well to keep a lid on it.
T hadn't been ridden since Debut but did he care? Did he hell ... he just plodded along quiet as anything, long rein and for some strange reason today liked to smell the tarmac?! Bit disconcerting when his nose disappears to the floor, not least because he's 17h and his reins don't reach that far so I have to go down with him LOL
Debating what we need to take next week for Strider course. Hmmmm... need to find some jods unless I take show ones?
And boots? Shall I take my show gaiters cos they're the ones I struggle to ride in or my normal boots cos they're the ones I usually ride in or go for comfort and take non riding shoes? Hmmmm
Oh and mental note to clean saddle!
Really want to organise another Easter Egg Hunt for the yard this year but last time I did it, everyone had a rideable horse. We have a couple of people on the yard who have youngsters now so don't really know how to do an Easter Egg Hunt for both mounted and unmounted people? Would need to involve the youngster horses too ... need to think on it I think!
Saturday, 14 March 2009
And they're OUT!!!
Whooooooooooooo ........ they're out overnight. No more mucking out, even though I've only been doing weekends anyway!
My two went out with the herd again today. S seemed sound and seems to still be sound despite T making a VERY big deal about everything. I don't think they've stopped cantering circles all day.
Dragged them in for their tea about 2.30pm, fed them and chucked back out and they cantered off so definitely the right thing to do, chucking them out.
Mean owner here didn't allow them a few hours of eating haylage today because it means they'll want to come in tomorrow. They can have some tomorrow and set the routine for the summer of coming in for a few hours each day.
Gutted I couldn't take advantage of the GLORIOUS weather today and join L & J on a hack but mucking out, shifting pallets and trekking across the field to catch T for his tea have just about finished me off. Bugger off lurgy!!
Hacking tomorrow with H for a little tootle which shouldn't kill me :crossfingers:
I love summer :)
My two went out with the herd again today. S seemed sound and seems to still be sound despite T making a VERY big deal about everything. I don't think they've stopped cantering circles all day.
Dragged them in for their tea about 2.30pm, fed them and chucked back out and they cantered off so definitely the right thing to do, chucking them out.
Mean owner here didn't allow them a few hours of eating haylage today because it means they'll want to come in tomorrow. They can have some tomorrow and set the routine for the summer of coming in for a few hours each day.
Gutted I couldn't take advantage of the GLORIOUS weather today and join L & J on a hack but mucking out, shifting pallets and trekking across the field to catch T for his tea have just about finished me off. Bugger off lurgy!!
Hacking tomorrow with H for a little tootle which shouldn't kill me :crossfingers:
I love summer :)
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Bored Bored Bored
Am on a training course miles away from home. Weather is lovely. I want to be riding!!
April 4th looks set to be our next outing :)
Going on a simulator course next week and am really really looking forwards to it. Hopefully a few more pennies will drop with me as I am acutely aware that what is holding T back is me and my riding abilities (or lack thereof)
Am really looking forward to seeing the printouts and hopefully how they change over the weekend.
I had planned on losing a load of weight by now but have instead put some on :'( but that's anotehr blog....!
April 4th looks set to be our next outing :)
Going on a simulator course next week and am really really looking forwards to it. Hopefully a few more pennies will drop with me as I am acutely aware that what is holding T back is me and my riding abilities (or lack thereof)
Am really looking forward to seeing the printouts and hopefully how they change over the weekend.
I had planned on losing a load of weight by now but have instead put some on :'( but that's anotehr blog....!
Sunday, 8 March 2009
2nd result
Wasn't quite as good as I was hoping for but I have no doubt was realistic. 58.06% and 10th place (rossies to 10th I think so another rossies for me - yey)
No points for us on our debut but am still pleased. Those tests are hard IMO. If you don't know what's in them - they're both 60m tests, N37 has 2 x medium trots, 2 x trot-halt-trot transitions, rein back, medium canter on one rein, canter across the short diagonal with give and retake the reins over the centre line then into 30m of counter canter on each rein. As well as rein back.
Not the most ideal afflicted debut?
N38 is better but has 15m half circles which previously we've struggled with.
Although the scores weren't great, I'm actually feeling really positive - in the first test especially, despite it being atrocious in the second half, we started with 6s and 7s. We got, throughout the test 7 x6s and 4 x7s which I'm really pleased about. To me, it's showing that we will be able to do it.... we just need to work more on the canter.
Next time, I won't have the "first time" heebie jeebies and I'll be a little more sensible and ask what the tests are BEFORE I enter the classes LOL.
He has a week off now, lesson on Friday and I'm just about to go on the search of our next outing.
Fun Ride on April 19th, maybe a fun ride at the end of March so am sure we'll fit in some more stressage between them :)
No points for us on our debut but am still pleased. Those tests are hard IMO. If you don't know what's in them - they're both 60m tests, N37 has 2 x medium trots, 2 x trot-halt-trot transitions, rein back, medium canter on one rein, canter across the short diagonal with give and retake the reins over the centre line then into 30m of counter canter on each rein. As well as rein back.
Not the most ideal afflicted debut?
N38 is better but has 15m half circles which previously we've struggled with.
Although the scores weren't great, I'm actually feeling really positive - in the first test especially, despite it being atrocious in the second half, we started with 6s and 7s. We got, throughout the test 7 x6s and 4 x7s which I'm really pleased about. To me, it's showing that we will be able to do it.... we just need to work more on the canter.
Next time, I won't have the "first time" heebie jeebies and I'll be a little more sensible and ask what the tests are BEFORE I enter the classes LOL.
He has a week off now, lesson on Friday and I'm just about to go on the search of our next outing.
Fun Ride on April 19th, maybe a fun ride at the end of March so am sure we'll fit in some more stressage between them :)
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Did It!!
Whooo... well it can't get any worse than that and we did OK so I'm a happy bunny tonight.
N37 is one of the nastiest tests I've ever ridden, although it rides OK it's really a test where you have to ride it.
We lost marks where I thought we would and we kept marks where I thought we would. Started brilliantly with a line of 6s and a couple of 7s until we got to the canter work. The canter, in all honesty was fairly atrocious and worse than I expected. Amazingly, the counter canter went off without a hitch at all so I was well chuffed with that.
However, we did the test in some semblance of what we should have done and walked away with 55% and 8th place and a very snazzy rosette.
Fell off in the warm up for N38, doh which upset him and in N38 he wasn't quite as relaxed as he was prior to me falling off.
However, couldn't have asked for more from him. Canter work was still a bit grumpy but he did absolutely everything I asked for. He thought about stopping for a poo across the short diagonal to F but a well timed nudge with spurs meant we got a snappy transition into canter.
I don't yet know how we got on N38 but I'm hopeful for a much better score, especially as the judge called me over at the end to say how lovely he was. When I explained it was our first affiliated, she said I just needed to get him a little more in front of the leg and we'd be well away.
I'm taking it that if the judge liked him enough to call me over to tell me that we did OK LOL. She also said he was "just a little cheeky in canter" but then he's cheeky all over.
Very pleased with him. Rossie for my first affiliated and it's never ever going to get any worse than it was today - little preparation, horrid tests, first ever affiliated.
Only way is up and I'm really looking forward to the next one! :)
N37 is one of the nastiest tests I've ever ridden, although it rides OK it's really a test where you have to ride it.
We lost marks where I thought we would and we kept marks where I thought we would. Started brilliantly with a line of 6s and a couple of 7s until we got to the canter work. The canter, in all honesty was fairly atrocious and worse than I expected. Amazingly, the counter canter went off without a hitch at all so I was well chuffed with that.
However, we did the test in some semblance of what we should have done and walked away with 55% and 8th place and a very snazzy rosette.
Fell off in the warm up for N38, doh which upset him and in N38 he wasn't quite as relaxed as he was prior to me falling off.
However, couldn't have asked for more from him. Canter work was still a bit grumpy but he did absolutely everything I asked for. He thought about stopping for a poo across the short diagonal to F but a well timed nudge with spurs meant we got a snappy transition into canter.
I don't yet know how we got on N38 but I'm hopeful for a much better score, especially as the judge called me over at the end to say how lovely he was. When I explained it was our first affiliated, she said I just needed to get him a little more in front of the leg and we'd be well away.
I'm taking it that if the judge liked him enough to call me over to tell me that we did OK LOL. She also said he was "just a little cheeky in canter" but then he's cheeky all over.
Very pleased with him. Rossie for my first affiliated and it's never ever going to get any worse than it was today - little preparation, horrid tests, first ever affiliated.
Only way is up and I'm really looking forward to the next one! :)
Friday, 6 March 2009
Almost ready
- Horse plaited - check
- Tail pulled - check
- Tail brushed - check
- Socks brushed - check
- Tack cleaned - check
- Riding clobber sorted - almost a check
- Bridle number found - ummmmm.....
- Tests learnt - haha ... no...
This time tomorrow it'll all be over and I'll either have BD points or will be looking at a new horsey career :)
Thursday, 5 March 2009
In the beginning.....
I fear I have done something rather stupid....
After riding just 7 dressage tests (unaffiliated) in 2 years, our affiliated debut is on Saturday. I entered two Novice classes, thinking the times would be closer together than 1 x prelim and 1 x novice. I didn't look at what classes they were.
N37 and N38 :'(
Both are 60m tests, both classes are huge, I have a 2hr wait between tests. I've only ever ridden one 60m test and all I can remember is the line of expletives that popped into my head as I turned down that first centre line!My horse hasn't done counter canter for pretty much 2 years and even then it wasn't perfect.
I haven't ridden him since Tues and won't get chance to ride before Saturday now.I have a list of excuses the length of my arm. Why have I done this? I really am a sandwich short of a picnic sometimes :(
On the up side though is that there is just about NOTHING in place for a nice, easy, inviting welcome into the world of affiliated (afflicted) so I'm surprisingly not nervous as I'm not expecting to do very well at all.If we do well, it'll be entirely down to my wonderful horse and the patience my lovely instructor has had with us over the years rather than the muppet riding him (ie me).
Now .... does anyone have a spare consistent outside rein contact going that I could borrow for Saturday to give ourselves half a chance?! Oh and a spare hour or two to actually learn the tests?
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