So.... June....

Been a bit of a quiet month really so far.

Haven't competed yet :( and in fact, have had a bit of a "bleurgh" couple of weeks since my last lesson. I got really frustrated that I just didn't understand what I needed to do. I didn't realise I rode T crooked and I didn't "get" one iota what I needed to do. Well. I did. The brain registered it, the brain just wouldn't communicate with the body.

Instructor, God bless her, was very patient, tried a thousand ways of explaining it but it didn't work. Have tried a couple of times to practise but I just don't get it. So until next lesson (supposed to be Friday but has been cancelled) I'm going to bury head in the sand and do other stuff.

Had a LOVELY hack on Sunday, really enjoyed myself, as did T. Went over the gallops as a 4 some. Was just a really nice, easy hack with no problems or anything.

Squirt has lost about 34kg in just over 2 weeks so we're getting there. Obviously a long way to go but he's doing better than I am LOL.

Equissage seems to be working well too and Squirt's lumps are greatly reduced.

Went to a showing demo last night. Was interesting even though I couldn't hear the majority of what was being said and have very little interest in showing. I almost got brainwashed - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I text instructor about double bridle (or reins at least) for IDHS on T but it came back with "no! stick with ur snaffle!" so that I am. Phew. I LIKE being able to ride my big horse in a snaffle. It makes me PROUD. I don't WANT to put him in a double bridle or pelham so she gave me the answer I wanted. I'll probably get told again, by someone in the line up not even the judge(!) that I look "wholly unprofessional" in a snaffle but ya boooo sucks. Hopefully I'll beat said woman again, like I did last year.

I think I'd like showing, if it weren't for the fact that it's so faffy with hanging around for classes and faffing with turnout. Mind you, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I got a comment on a dressage sheet a couple of months ago of "very well turned out". Eh? Me? When did that happen? lol

I did take something back with me from last night though, and that's the gallop bits. I always knew it was important but it was good to hear exactly what the judge is looking for. Practised a bit today and I think we got a good couple of gallops.

Rode in the field today. Well, it IS a field but it's not strictly just a field cos we've now got the 60m arena marked out in there. Really enjoyed it. Had company today which meant I actually stuck stuff out.

Wanted to start to work towards some flying changes. He's given me some fabulous ones in the field lately but unfortunately, they've been through napping DOH so want to try and start getting some of these on purpose. However, the canter was a bit stuffy today. I think it was because it was so warm and muggy and we were both being terrorised by one horsefly. I tried on numerous occasions to commit horsefly murder but sadly, it wasn't to be.

Wanted canter-trot 2 or 3 strides - canter transitions which he CAN do, very easily. Unfortunately, he was in the mood for counter canter. Medium trot didn't happen. Note to self - use stabby things tomorrow. Anyway, we worked on the gallop instead which meant we got a much nicer, happier, pingier canter. Even managed a 20m circle in canter on his current "bad rein" and then to prove it wasn't a fluke, did another 10 mins later and then called it a day.

For some reason (actually that reason is most likely my poo-y riding lately) we've not been able to get 20m circles in canter on the right rein in the field. There IS a slight slope to the school area so it was always going to be hard for him but chucking in random flying changes and tootling off the other way is a bit tooooooo naughty. However, if I actually ride, we CAN do circles - whoo!

Need to do some no stirrup work in there tomorrow. Need to get legs aching.

Also need to get back on the wagon with fatclub. Not going tomorrow so I have a week to try and undo some damage.

Have soooooooooooooooooo much planned for the next couple of months - lots mounted, lots dismounted and got some ideas for yard events too.

I also need a new blog title, it was supposed to document my journey to Afflicted and then we went out Afflicted within days of starting the blog doh. Thinking cap needs to go on....