The last week has been hectic as the horses' work is stepped up in preparation for eventing season which is now only weeks away. Firstly Fling and Millie did a show jumping clinic with Eric Smiley last Thursday. I love Eric's simple, but effective teaching style which focuses on the premis that it is the rider's job to present the horse to the fence correctly; ie straight with a good canter between leg and hand and it it the horse's job to jump the fence. In particular his idea that the rider should have a constant comverstion with the horses at all times helped me get my leg on Fling who is quite fiery to jump. I actually rode her in a hackamore as the dentist had found her lower bars slightly sore a few days before. Although she was a little strong and opinionated during the pole work she did settle when the jumps went a little higher and ended up jumpinmg a few fences with no fighting at all and waiting for the fence with my leg on and so I was very pleased. Millie behaved impeccably in her lesson although the fences stayed quite small. I concentrated  in keeping constantly in front of the leg, but not running on her fore hand and also in getting the right leg on landing.

This was followed by unaffiliated dressage on Saturday where I had Archie, Fling and Millie entered. I started on Archie going early as he can be rather difficult warming up with other horses by spooking and bucking if anyone dares to approach him! A quick warm up with only a couple of horses and straight in, he did an accurate and obedient test with only one tense moment when he slightly spooked at a horse walking up the track alongside the arena. To be critical he didn't quite have enough connection form my leg and was a little stiff to the left, but I was pleased for a first attempt of the year which in the past has incorporated airs above the ground! Nevertheless I was surprised to find we won the class on 69%, let just hope we can repeat this at the events on grass when it is all much more exciting.

Next was Fling. When I entered the warm up it was quiet and I was amazed she felt relaxed, soft and obedient. Unfortunately as the warm up got busier,she got very worried about horses coming too close and I had to abandon any work. The wind was bitter as we waited for our turn and it was a very cold horse and rider that finally went in to do their test. As soon as she spied the white boards the penny dropped that this was a competition and I literally felt her heart beat increase! With this her back and quarters tensed up and she lost the softness and straightness I had earlier. On the plus side we got through the test without any major mistakes for a score of 63.5%, but there is potentila for much more if I can keep her relaxed. She is a very athletic horse capable of lovely work, but the challenge is going to be to get her brain on side.

Fling just before she started her test.

Finally it was Millie's turn and as the arena was running late and I had no intention of getting that cold again waiting I left it a bit late before taking her up. As a result  just had a rather rushed 5 minute warm up and she went in to trot round the boards spooking violently at invisible monsters lurking omn the other side of the fence. She settled to to an accurate and forward test, but just did bear down on her forehand slightly which was a pity as this has been improving so much in out schooling sessions. She scored 65% to finish 5th which both Fiona and I were pleased with. Video of dressage test here

After the dressage finished it was time to say good bye to Aragon as his new owner Pauline Parker came to pick him up. Pauline was the first person to come and view him the weekend before and decided he was the right one straight away. He is such a joy to ride being so genuine and easy going, as well as has incredible potential in both dressage and jumping. I would have loved to have kept him a bit longer and taken him eventing again, but it wasn't to be and I wish Pauline every success with him in the future. I will miss him.

However with 3 new horses in over the next few days there was no time for tears. More on them next time!

Today the snow finally started to thaw although still too much in the arena to ride yet and a rather bitter wind made it feel pretty cold.

The horses are still going out for a few hours although the fields have got slightly slippery now the snow is rather wet. They are also rather bored of the walker now, as illustrated by Millie who has a couple of times stopped it dead by planting her bottom against it, ignoring all vocal attempts to get her to move. However a quick flick of the electric fencing button shows how quickly Millie can accelerate when she puts her mind to it and normality returns! The only exception is Sadie who was only introduced to this idea of going round in circles this week. As yet, the novelty hasn't worn off and she still marches on very keenly. I think she sees it more of a social occassion with her mates than a way of excercising.

Anyway, tonight we have more snow forecast, but it is warmer and there is a chance it could be more sleet and rain at the coast where we are. So please let it rain and we can wake up to see green outside with all snow melted so I can get back riding. Wishful thinking maybe, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed all night....

I know that it is everywhere, but we are really not use to so much white stuff in the balmy West Country: Frozen taps, icy tracks and the arenas covered in snow means hard work, but no riding just when I was ready to crack on with all the horses to prepare for the coming event season .

Archie and Ben are still at home ready to return as soon as the weather improves whilst Aragon  and Fling were just ready to start some serious schooling and a bit of jumping. Millie who had been in light/medium work all winter is raring to go out BSJA again and Sadie is getting bored a bit although I definitely wasn't planning on doing much with her until the weather is a bit better. Instead lessons with my trainer Sue Edwards were obviously cancelled today and I won't be risking taking the lorry out down the lanes until they have melted. Thank heavens for the horse walker situated right next to the yard and I am still turning everyone out for a few hours as the snow is powder and not balling up in their feet. With big pile of hay each they are behaving remarkably well although Sadie did have some acrobatics at first and even got her Mum to join in briefly!

Video taken on  mobile so not the best quality and some photos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv-b99c7Avk

 Aragon and Fling

 Aragon and Millie

 Mum and daughter Roodi (behind) and Sadie; not always easy to see which is which!

Sadie looking very furry and glossy who was very interested in Fiona's son Ben who came to visit the horses this weekend