Tag: horse

Gold star

Back home after a brilliant training camp with T&N Equestrian at Blackwater. It was bloody brilliant!!

Even the weather couldn’t stop me smiling. Buddy was a superstar all weekend. Yesterday we both got soaked in our two lessons (poles and SJ course riding).

Today the sun shone on us for XC. Buddy was definitely up for it. Especially when I remembered to keep my leg on. 🤦🏻‍♀️ So I’ve now got a new mantra ‘look up, leg on’.

Sadly the rain returned for the last lesson (grids) but only at the end. And got a little wet packing up.

All in all I couldn’t fault Buddy. He definitely deserved a huge Gold Star!

We shall both sleep well tonight.

Be prepared

First training camp of the year and in typical fashion, it tips it down!! Learning from previous experience, I packed extra clothes this time.

Good job too! Soaked through after the first lesson. Second set of clothes on – including a different coat for the second lesson. Seems the one I have isn’t waterproof. But then, there was a lot of rain!!

Ever resourceful, I made a washing line out of a lunge line so I can hang everything up to dry. My Dad was a scout leader when I was growing up so I was practically raised with the motto ‘be prepared’.

Pleased to report that both lessons went brilliantly. We have definitely improved since the last camp. I even got a ‘good’ from the instructor. That rarely happens. 😝

Be prepared

First training camp of the year and in typical fashion, it tips it down!! Learning from previous experience, I packed extra clothes this time.

Good job too! Soaked through after the first lesson. Second set of clothes on – including a different coat for the second lesson. Seems the one I have isn’t waterproof. But then, there was a lot of rain!!

Ever resourceful, I made a washing line out of a lunge line so I can hang everything up to dry. My Dad was a scout leader when I was growing up so I was practically raised with the motto ‘be prepared’.

Pleased to report that both lessons went brilliantly. We have definitely improved since the last camp. I even got a ‘good’ from the instructor. That rarely happens. 😝

Back to Eventing

First One Day Event of 2021.

Not our best day. But far from our worst. 35.25 for dressage. Which is our best score at an ODE.

Buddy was super relaxed and so was I. Got 7 x 7’s and nothing less than a 6. So really happy with that!

SJ I wasn’t sure how he was going to be but he was up for it. Flew round clear! There were 2 doubles so absolutely thrilled.

Then on to XC. He was like Tigger on acid in the warm up. Jogging everywhere and not listening. Took him to the start box and he turned into Eeyore. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Run out at no 2 and a few interesting lines. Then another stop on the smallest fence on the course. Still we completed. We came home with a cricket score but I don’t care.

It’s been a long time since we did an ODE. I’m chuffed with us today.

Feisty

We have a new resident at the yard. Meet Feisty the Pheasant. He decided to join us today for our ride.

Buddy wasn’t bothered in the least.

If only he was the same when we meet them out on the tracks. 😝

Nom nom

Buddy is definitely a Labrador in horse guise. He loves his dinner. In fact he practically inhales it.

I love sitting him his stable, just watching him eat. He looks so contented. The irony being that I don’t like being watched when I eat. 😝

Redemption

Well Buddy excelled himself today! And not just in the mud stakes. He happily jumped through a double without hesitation or running out.

We nearly didn’t do anything as I left my saddle and bridle at home. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I took them home to clean after the show on Sunday and totally forgot to pick them up.

Luckily it’s a 3 min drive back to mine from the yard. A quick round trip sorted that one out.

Then I saw the mud. Buddy seemed rather pleased with himself. Don’t blame him. It was a glorious day and wonderful he can go out naked.