Lots of riding whilst the Sun Shines

The yard is now literally over flowing with horses, although thankfully the recent gorgeous weather has made the daily task of caring for and riding 10 horses everyday a joy rather than a chore. New equine arrivals  over the last couple of weeks include Ronnie and rising 7 year old Arab ex-racehorse who has come for 2 months schooling, Ted a stunning  6year competition pony in for sale, Louis a feisty welsh cob back for a repeat of 4 weeks training he had last spring and Tilly, a gorgeous 9 year old warmblood mare who he with me to event for the season whilst her owner Sarah has a baby. Tilly is already established at Novice level and has some points and I am very excited to be eventing her. Fortunately I have also found a lovely new groom, Amy to help cope with all the new arrivals and she is settling in quickly and will soon be working full time. Her next task will be to become photographer and get some photos of all the horses as their training progresses.

In the meantime Millie and Ben competed at the unaffiliated ODE at Stockland Lovell last Saturday. Millie produced a good, accurate dressage and probably the most active one I have ever managed without a whip! It was only marred slightly with her beinga little uncomfortable in the mouth which has prompted an investigation into finding a bit she is happier in. She scored 34 which was good in her section.

Video of dressage

I then jumped her in a hackamore  and without a bit she felt wonderful, flying round giving them feet to spare.. However I chickened out taking her cross country without a bit and opted for the rubber pelham I used last year and found once I was on the course that I had no steering to the right! Coupled with her being very spooky we unfortunately had a little altercation when she refused to turn right to the small wall before the first water which gave us 20 penalties which cost us a rossette, but after that flew round.

Video of Show Jumping

Video of Cross Country

In the BE100 class Ben was very tense to warm up for the dressage, but did keep a lid on any antics in the ring to score 39.5.

Dressage Test Video

He then was beside himself with excitement to jump a lovely show jump round.

Show Jumping Video

I then made the hard, but sensible decision to not run cross country as he is not yet fully fit and had not had any cross country schooling as yet due to the course being closed. Whilst I am sure his adrenalin would have seen him flying round, it was not worth the risk with such a sharp sensitive horse.

Instead on Monday he did the cross country clinic with Jeanette Brakewell when I tried out a new bit called the nathe Tamden which is a combination of a nathe straight bar and hackamore. Ben has a very sensitive mouth which splits easily when he becomes onward bound jumping, but doesn't need a very strong bit as such as he is horse that goes better when he thinks he is in charge! He started the clinic on his best behaviour and was so happy to be jumping cross country again, just desperate to jump as many fences as possible and not backing off anything! As the clinic went on he did unfortunately get rather wound up with the stopping and starting which prompted a couple of bronco displays, one of which was captured by the photographer; Click Here for the evidence! Luckily I did stay on and despite these antics I was pleased with his jumping and boldness and he seemed to like the bit. Click Here and here and here and here and here for more!