On the quest for Team selection I attended a selection day at Laura Fry's.

As I seem to be constantly mentioning the weather it was a nice day!

Sam went really well and I was really kicking myself that I was too tight to pay for 45 mins as I was really getting into it when our time was up.

Fingers crossed we did OK and the feedback to British Dressage will be positive.

Back to Yorkshire Dressage - back to been last - at least there is some consistancy somewhere just at the wrong end of the scale.

I was 10th out of 10 but mainly my fault - I had no idea how big 10 metres were - got 2 4's for cantering when I was supposed to be doing medium trot so another head in the hands finish!

Chin up - revise the test and try harder.

After my bruiseing at Yorkshire Dressage we had a much better score at Manor Grange - a pleasing 64%. I was in the training section again as I dont want to collect points but if I had been in the class I would have been 2nd overall and 1st Restricted.

Good day again though - nice weather and pleasing test.

Today I have been out competing to Yorkshire Dressage, Barnsley.

I have always said that I will post whatever the outcome so the outcome was I was last out of 4 - or 4th out of 4 - whichever you like.

I was in the training section, which is just as well as I clearly needed more - more so as I thought some parts of the test were good.

The pictures are in the gallery as I have no idea how to delete the already loaded ones!

Back to the drawing board.

So far this week we have been out training and to competition.

Monday evening in the fab weather Sam and I were hopefully making improvements during training.

Having this been our first lesson since coming back from the Team competition there was a big differance in his way of going. Sam is working much better now and able to work more over his back and keep his hindlegs with him more not out behind where they were put when he was made. I finds this hard but is getting much stronger and able to keep through right up to half pass.

After a good session Gary, Sam and I went for tea to the pub. Sam happily watching the activity in the beer garden.

(lesson pictures are in the photo gallery as pictures dont seem to want to load! )

Wednesday we went off to Arkenfield to do the qualifier for  the Summer Regionals.. and  we did.

We won the overall test with 70.32% and fab 3% in front of 2nd place. Really pleasing and good test.

Gary was impressed that I had won some money!

We are out again on Sunday in the hope of part qualifying the the Area Festivals so fingers crossed !!!!

(competition pictures are in the photo gallery due to the loading problems )

Keep you posted with the result.

My blog from the Senior Inter Regional Team competition is on the main website www.cedressage.com

With the news that I was on the Northern Team I thought that maybe I aught to have a little dummy run prior to going. This clearly proved not to be a good idea. Getting Sam ready the day before in the pouring down rain, thunder and lightening aught to have been taken as an omen not to bother going !

I didnt take the hint and proceeded to continue with the progress the mane pulled (too short as I found out when I started to roll up the plaits), head clipped and white bits looking whiteish Sam was put to bed and told to have an early night !!!!

I had a very dedicated client for a lesson at 8am before the competition Saturday morning ( - you know who you are !!!! ) Sam was ready to go at 8am plaits in the lot I was just left wondering if he would have returned to bed by the time I got back to him but thankfully he didnt. Sam, Gary and I set off to Manor Grange at 9:30am.

It always rains when we go to Manor Grange but right up to the poing when I entered at A it had been fine and then in the proceed down the centre line one rain drop lead to another and to another and to another, drizzly all through the test.

As I was riding around the test I was mentally scoring myself and I am always on the stingey side but not quite as stingey as the judge !!!!

I was 6's and 7's most of the way 5's for the medium canters as he wouldnt go and then a 4 as he almost stopped in the transition back from medium trot, dont know why but I smacked him and he bucked so you could say that cleary qualifed as insufficent !

Ha ha !!!!

As expected Sam had just been untacked and the heavens opened - coffee time - at least we had done our test.

I ended up 17th out of 23 - on a lovely round 60% - not one of my better days but its a long while since I was in the "teens" so a least it was a change and plenty of room for "the drawing board" but thats all part of it - this clearly wasnt the confidence giving outing prior to the team competition that I had planned.

I recieved the news today from the RDO for the  Northern Region of British Dressage with the conformation that Sam and I have been selected to compete for the Northern Team at the Senior Inter Regional Competition on  23rd and 24th May.

I was with Mum when I got the news due to my impatience as I didnt wait for the letter !!!

The selection process was a long process for those waiting I would imagine and I had been given news the results would be a week later than intended so even longer to wait. When I hadnt heard by the Friday I must admit I think we were all thinking that we hadnt got in and was planning other places to compete that weekend etc and Gary was counting the money we had saved. By Saturday I wanted to know one way or another as Mum, Carolyn and Mathew (Carolyn's partner) had booked holidays which the may not have needed so I text Chrissis (RDO) to find out  - needless to say I was over the moon at her reply!!

I have been to two selection days and camp to be viewed by different trainers and submitted score sheets achieving 65% or above. I must admit though I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the choices were made !

This is the third year I have been on the Inter Regional team so lets hope its third time lucky !!

Sam and I seem to have hit a bit of a weather problem every time we go out it rains.

The week didnt begin good.

We got an absolute drenching at Hannah's during exercise on Monday. Through the rain though Sam worked well but was pleased to get back inside the same as I was I imagine.

I now think it an insult anyone who calls me a fair weather rider !

(.... I also thought the talk was dressage horses were pampered ! )

Things didnt improve much on Tuesday as we got wet again.

Luckily the time we had got back to Hannah's for training on Wednesday I felt like it was possible to maybe risk parting with my coat.

again Sam went well and because Gary was too busy talking to take pictures he missed me riding without stirrups doing rising trot !

My legs tell me I did it - thats enough proof for me !

At the end - a well earned stretch.

I have been attending Pilates for a while now and thought I book myself in class on Thursday evening - as though I have nothing else I could be doing  - could I heckers like do it !

I was surrounded by blue rinses and the combined age of the whole class of  13 must have been at least 3,000 years old - I had time to sit and work out the possible ages and how much a month the gym made on membership from the OAP's (at half the rate I pay!) as I sat out most of the exersices. I thought that I was a bit fitter than this, I was sure I was fitter than OAP's.

Given in to the fact that I was naf I went my own way doing the excersises I knew how from other classes I did - they even give you evil eye if you cant do it - if I had been near the door I would have gone. What a long hour that was.

Friday afternoon I popped in again certain that the coast was clear as the OAP's would have done their morning exercise and gone home for the afternoon matinee and a sleep - I walked, briskly of course, on the treadmill for half a hour before off teaching. Not an OAP in sight !!!!!

I think a rethink may be in order - or a new jacket it may be less painful and cheaper in the end.

Much the normal stuff for the rest of the week and I have sent an entry to a competition next week so something to look forward to.

Sam is part qualified for the Summer Regionals so plan is that all will go well at the next competition and I can look to qualify at Music and the next level.

Keep you posted !

Sam has had a spoilt week, he has had a visit from Eva Slade his physio to check him out body wise.

Eva is really great with him and keeps him in good order for me. This visit he was tight in his right shoulder again so treatment was given there to free him off and encourage him to even up a bit in his work.

I am really happy with Eva's work and Sam's performance through her visits. Visit her website at

www.thera-vet.co.uk .

Steady day after Eva's visit as he will be a little sore through the treatment.

The a visit from the Dentist, Antony. It was October when Antony last visited so his routine check was due and it was just a routine wrasp and a quick catch up with Antony before Sam was back to a full clean bill of health until his next visit in October.

Just like Eva I am really happy with the work Antony does for me to visit his website at

www.progressive-horse-dentistry.co.uk

Sam is 100% now - or as much as hes going to be so fingers crossed for the future for him but to help him to also perform better I am doing regular Pilates classes to help with my posture and balance with my gym

www.totalfitness.co.uk  which helps Sam if I can sit better and helps me preseve my body better.

I have also had Physio myself - so has Gary !!!

My reasons behind physio is again to help my mobility and suppleness so I can work better for Sam. Rita, kills at times but she does also a fab job in keeping me supple and Garry Slade crippled my Gary but has cured him - dont really understand why the groom/driver needs to join in the physio package but anything for a quite life!

Fancy been crippled and cured by Rita or Garry visit www.thera-sport.co.uk

We are all in top shape so there are no excuses !!!!

It has been a pleasing week.

The "schedule" has had a small blip as I have had some teeth out and before then I didnt feel too good so he may have had an extra day off !

Our first trip out was to Training. At home the weather was really nice but when we arrived at the lesson it was really cold, hence all the clothes in the pictures and not much sweat either !

Sam in canter on the diagonal line in the approach for the counter canter.

Sam in "normal" canter

Sam in Leg Yield

I was really pleased with Sam in his lesson - his canter work is improving and his little short neck is developing into a more supple and stretched outline especially in the canter. His trot work is also on the up, he is sitting on his hindlegs more and this is improving the throughness and the overall quality of the paces. Well done Sam.

Hacking day between training and competition.

Sunday Gary, Mum, Sam and I travelled into Derbyshire to Hargate Equestrian Centre. This is a really nice venue, two test arenas and two warm up on fab surfaces and a good coffee. The weather was also very good the sun was shining allowing us to picnic on the grass at the side of the arenas while we waited for the result.

Having realised I had worked him in for too long at Bishop Burton I only did 40 minutes which seemed to pay off.

During the warming up.

I was really pleased to see that these lovely pictures are actually Gary's responsibility even though he nearly got his head bitten off by my Mum when he announced a very random question to me while I was working in !!!!!

He aught to know better than that now - clearly more training is needed there...

Sam worked in really well. His programme at the moment is really suiting him and the warming up went well. All the usuall transitions, stretching, suppling and engaging exercises were run through. Boots off, coat on and in for the test. Gary had a stick issue and always wants to take it off me since my friend rode at a championship with a stick and got eliminated - tug of war over and off we went to the test.

I had learned the test so I was prepared with the correct dance. The overall test was sweet, he bent when he was meant to bend, went straight in the right places and stopped when asked, I faced the ears throughout but we had a slight blip in the walk which was just one of those things so he got a four for his Medium walk B-K which is a shame as he is usually 7's for his walk his free walk he got a 7 and an 8 for his trot walk trot transition on the diagonal so I was pleased with the overall test. I thought the test was 65% the judge thought 64.10% - its all opinion - the winner was on 65% so it was an  only just but still 2nd. The main was I enjoyed it and Sam is becoming more consistent.  His score may not have been as good as I thought but the whole class wasnt marked high so it was a fair result overall.

After the test Sam was cooled off and we enjoyed our picnic.

Then back home to enter the next competition !!!

Hi Everyone...

I havent posted in the last week or so as nothing much has happened other than the routine stuff that happens to us all and you dont need boring to death with the details.

All I really need to say is that Sam is well, he is continuing his work schedule as normal. had the blacksmith Friday  and I have training and competitions planned in the next week as well as a visit from the dentist.

Fingers crossed there will be some pictures !

Will keep you updated with the results.

Monday....

Today is the first day of Sam's busy week. He was taken to the arena today to have a loose school before the paddock then the salon in preperation for the first of his trips out this week.

Tuesday...

First job this morning was to get the plaits in, not something we seem to have done for ages and the mane has grown !! Maybe it is something I should have checked on before this late stage but too late now - plaits like balls - sort of. Then theres the fetching "hair loss" caused by the rug rubbing his mane away lower down giving us a real good look!

Not to worry once plaiting done and then loaded up to set off to Cumbria. Gary, Sam and I were going to Blackdyke Equestrian Centre, about 4 mile north of Carlise  - nearly in SCOTLAND!

It took 3 hours to get there, which was fine as all fast roads and Sam travelled well.

The A66 to Penrith was really picturesque with old farms, ruins and CAMELS !!!!!!!!!

When we got there there wasnt any food and Gary went off to McDonalds - there was no chance we were going to make it all the way home without a meal. Or that was our excuse.

I was at Blackdyke to be a guinea pig for the Judge Training session commencing at 1pm. I wasnt due to ride until 3pm so Sam had a good rest and then we got ourself  together to go and warm up for the session.

On my time I rode the test and the Trainees and Jo Graham who was taking the session marked and commented on my test. Sadly the session had run over time and I only got to ride the test instead of the 30 minutes I had worked him in for which caused the weak moment in the test but thats just how it was and he came out with a 65+% score anyhow so pleased.

After the test which was really informative and as good as any lesson most of the judge trainers agreed with Jo and I was especially pleased with the walk marks as this used to be our worst pace and they all were happy to give a 7 for the walk mark in the new 2009 tests, now the trot and canter to get better !

Everyone gave me 7 for my riding but I thought that it aught to be a 6 as I messed around that much with the Medium Canter and then it all went wrong in the transition so for that I had myself on a 6!

Travel gear back on and the 3 hour journey back home. We stopped at the services as I was lacking in coffee ! The coffee from where ever it was we stopped at was FAB worth all the £3 it cost and I had help with all the different types of coffee from a very helpful wagon driver on his way to Manchester.

We pulled in the yard at 8pm and sorted Sam out think he was amazed to pop up at home after all that travelling!

Oh yep Gary and I found this camel on the way to Penrith. When I called Mum to let her know we had arrived as she couldnt come with us for working,  she didnt believe us so on the way home we thought we would have photographic evidence for this one !

I had had it on good authority that Jo Graham can train camels to do dressage - such a shame we couldnt get Sam to shove up and us fit it in!

Wednesday....

After the long day yesterday a steady days exercise was on the cards. Sam went off onto the arena for a lunge in walk and trot - I am still determind to get the walker but for the time been I will have to be the "engine".

We managed to get wet through too - the heavens opened and it seemed to rain forever on Sam and I. Just as we finished it stopped, typical.

The sun came out and he was dry by the time he was walked off and ready for the paddock. Washed again this evening for second trip out tomorrow.

Poor Chap!

Thursday...

Gary took Sam and I to Hannah's for training. According to this weeks Horse and Hound it is not the "in" thing to have a trainer - I have never been "with it" so I am excempt from this rule and off we went.

For some reason I thought the lesson was half an hour earlier than what it was and we were there too early - we watched the girl in the lesson before me get and absolute drenching! Thankfully the weather must have remembered we got soaked yesterday and missed me today - thank goodness.

Tacked up and working in - no rain but blowing a gale!

Hannah hasnt seen Sam in a while with me doing the Team training stuff so it was interesting to hear what she thought.

Hannah thought he was going well and I would have happily given her the ride on him today as I had a banging headache but I rode the whole lesson and was really pleased with the work. We worked through some suppling and stretching exercises, leg yielding and shoulder in and then the on and back in the paces then the stretching to finish.

Survived the weather, surivived the headache and had a really good lesson - another day when I love owning him!

A bit tense !!!

D

Better now !

Poor Hannah wrapped up in the shed.

Friday ...

Yesterday I had a great lesson but on the way home I still had headache which over the evening progressed to what I thought was toothache and I was in absolute agony. Emergancy dentist phoned and 16 hours of suffering later Gary was taking me to the dentist. X Ray later and of course the bill - I hadnt got toothache! Just the thought of the pain returning and five days of antibiotics. Oh well, rule toothache out and put it down to cold in my head. Just dont want it again. Sam got the day off through my suffering so at least someone benifited from it.

Saturday...

I spent this morning - well till 10am in bed. Gary fed round and then got me up to ride. I hadnt been to bed Thursday night  with the whatever ache it was I had so I thing he gave me a little bit of sympathy and let me have a lye in!

I have hacked Sam today but it was very windy so I had my headband underneath my skull cap and my scarf wrapped round my face in the hope that it would keep the pains away! Sam was sweet - probally knackered !

Back at home he was put out in the paddock and tack cleaned etc etc etc for competition he was brought back into the yard this evening for another wash. If he isnt the most photographed horse he must be getting close to been the cleanest!

Early start in the morning and the clocks go forward today so its an early finish for me today and Sam too !

Sunday...

Up at 6am today and foolishly I thought that it would be daylight - how shocked was I when I opened the curtains ! !

Lights were in order.

Sam was amazed to see me so early - we stopped doing 6am starts when we had too many points to do Preliminary but today there were no Prelims on the schedule so early start for us.

Plaited, brushed and booted up ready for setting off at 7:15am to travel to Bishop Burton College, near Beverley. Compaired to Tuesday's travelling it wouldnt be that far. Mum turned up with the butty bag and we left at half past, so almost to schedule.

Good time was made and we arrived for 9:15am. I wanted to get on for 10am and the cafe was so slow at boiling the kettle. We gave up on the fact there wasnt going to be any drink before riding and at the price we would have all been sharing if we were to have had two!!

Tacked up and on for 10am with 54 minutes to work in.

Working in was good, boots taken off and the test ridden.

Test good on the whole just some "jump" issues in the canter was the main but his poor walk is getting him 8's so thats something.

We were 3rd in the end with 66.75% which I was pleased about as it helps towards Team selection ( you need to be consistaly scoring 65% or above) and it was just combinations were better than us today which put us into 3rd place.

Mum has decided that she wants a trolley to cart the boots and coats and drinks and stuff around in - if you have one spare we will definalty find a home for it !

The facilites at Bishop Burton are fantastic, other than the cafe - in fact that is too but £1.20 for a paper cup the size of a thimble is a bit too much and a twix 70p nearly tipped Mum over the edge!!!

Sam had a little walk around after with Gary as he was rather wet and then stood eating his hay with the sun on his back for a change.

All in all a pleasing day and he is now in his paddock enjoying the evening.

Its been a very normal week this week and I have been really busy so not that much to say this week.

Normal training has been undertaken without much problems and it has been a very nice week weather wise which puts everyone in good spirits.

Next week however it will be a little different - Sam has three outings so there will be something to say there for sure.

Monday.......

Yesterday Sam was kept "locked in" his stable with the competition at Middleton Park and he was as I suspected a little "fresh".

This week he has a busy time planned and he will end up been exercised every day so no doubt he will think I am cruel !

I led him to the arena as it was going to be a loose schooling day - didnt think it would be fair to sit on him for 7 days exercise especially as been a bit full of it it may not be that productive.

He was jogging in the yard and went round like a lunatic on the arena for a little while - after a while been mad he did a bit of transition work and then put back in the paddock - day one completed successfully.

........ And the entry has gone for Thursday?s competition.

Tuesday .......

Arena beckoned again today for Sam's exercise. After his lunacy yesterday he was pleasingly quiet and went sweetly.

Working on just transitions as we had an enthusiasm discussion which didnt please him much but he came round to the idea of me not kicking him and stepped up a gear and the whole thing was over painlessly.

Wednesday .......

Well today he had remembered the "enthusiasm" discussion that we had yesterday and today has been a day where you get the feeling you are glad you own the horse your riding.

Working on transitions in the warm up work and the stretching of the neck moving onto canter and counter canter still working on the suppleness and then returning to the trot work to ride shapes like serpentines and 10m circles and half 10 metre circles.

He was really pleasing today however a little warm when we finished and walked around with his head up like a camel to cool off!

Thursday .....

Today would have been "competition" day but the entry hadn?t arrived in time and even though I had been kindly lent the use of the test so I could learn the right dance and work through some of the movements as home we

wont be going.

My entry had been received by the centre early enough so I missed out.

Today I have sent my entry - and it has even gone to the post box not just been written out - for our next competition on the 29th. No excuses now. I have entered two on the same day - just to be on the safe side!

Back to the original schedule for Sam's training then with hacking for today. I was busy in the morning as I had to go to Hannah's (my trainer) so it was 4pm ish by the time I got him out.

He had been put in the paddock this morning and he wasnt too keen on coming in and I was up to my ankles in mud trying to get to catch him - he didn?t run off but he usually comes to the gate.

Having brought him in and began grooming him I gave up and just did the important bits - bridle, saddle, girth, elbows and between hind legs - the rest stayed MUD !

It doesnt effect his exercise so off we went, muddy.

One hour - a long way for me - later we returned, after a few new spooky moments.

Friday ...........

Today it was the morning when I came down the yard with the tack - more like the usual routine.

Sam has had some transition work on the lunge today for 40 minutes.

The enthusiasm issue reared itself again today only it was too much instead of not enough!

Trimmed up and given a swill over his tail and legs ready for training with Northern Regional Team Development Programme at Senior Camp this weekend.

This camp and the two test training days I went on are compulsory to be in the running for the Team selection for 2009 for the Senior Inter Regional Squad Competition and the Home International - fingers crossed.

Saturday ...

Today is the first day of the Senior Camp - which really wasnt camp for us as we slept in our own bed !

We travelled to Willerby to take part in the Team selection process which for me was my reason behind attending.

Options were available to suit many riders over the weekend but I chose to have one training session and one theory session both days as Sam only has little legs ! didnt think that a training session twice in one day would please him.

Emma and I were in a training session together at 12:30 with Jo Graham, I had it on good authority that Jo could teach camels to do dressage so I was sure she would be able to make Sam and I resemble something like OK.

The pictures arent that great as we rode in the far end of the small arean both days so we cant totally blame Gary for the pictures!

(left - Emma and Frazer, front - Tracey Woodhead, centre- Jo Graham, Right - Me and Sam! )

left - Me and Sam, Jo Graham, Tracey Woodhead, Emma and Frazer

Jo worked with Sam and I on the contact and the suppleness not effecting the rhythm and freedom of the paces.

I was really pleased with Sam in this session as he was very quick to understand the work and begun to work more loosley though his body whilst moving his neck from left to right in trot and canter.

Good work.

Emma and I are both having a training session with Laura Fry tomorrow so we watched a couple of riders work with her - they all had no stirrups !!!!

In the afternoon it was the theory session - looking at Goal Setting and Visualisation. This was very interesting - I will use this method should the stirrups have to be removed tomorrow.

Willerby provided a lovely buffett in the evening and we ate plenty!

The riders were presented with certificates for riding on the Teams in 2008 and Alister Parkin also gave a presentation for riders who hadnt had the Home International experiance!

Sunday...

Gary had taken Sam home yesterday afternoon and had returned with Mum for the evening do so we missed the theory session at 9:15 this morning as I thought it was too long for Sam to hang around until after training at lunch time.

Sam thought it was really too much for him today and tried to make us think the same!!!

We didnt!

He managed to delay the tack through having a drink but any further thoughts of working were far too much for him and he had to resort to the "guilt trip"!

It didnt work and he was tacked up and taken into the training session with Laura Fry.

I had done a bit of research and knew that Laura competes a Highland so fingers crossed we can appeal to her "native" side and she may have some insight as to what to do with us.

She did !

Both horses went really well for Laura.

... and yes we both rode without stirrups - this was much better for the feel for me and after a second or two I felt more secure in my postition and really got on with riding him. Laura understood what he rode like and said that it was all about his "bum" ! He had to do more with it! It was probably due to the stretching work we had done with Jo yesterday which made him able to collect up a little bit more today and get the more active hind legs and Mum was pleased that she had forfieted her sleep in this morning to see him.

 Selection is out of my hands now - I have done the training side of the criteria so I now need to compete a couple more times so I am able to send my competitive results as I need to have been consistanly scoring 65% or more - I have competed twice and scored 65% and 69% but after asking they arent enough so off has gone the entry for 29th March. I will struggle to get many more competitions in before the Team is decieded around 24th April - we'll see what happens, providing he is well and continuing to improve in his work I am happy.

We have already been on the Inter Regional Team twice and the Home International once so dont suppose I could ask for more really !!!!

Monday ....

The start of a new week and the little rest Sam had doesn't appeared to have effected his freshness any which is good I suppose. The tack turned up and we set off on our way to the arena for the lunging session that fit's the Monday schedule.

Sam was really sweet - just went round minding his own business which is always nice.

Walked back and with the sun shining it looked like a good day to part him from his winter rug. He was out in the neck free rug and he took great advantage to it and rolled for ages ! Lots of mud to remove from the mane now . ..

Folk that have visited me at Birch Laithes Farm will have seen, Bonnie, the bay horse who made an assessment over the arena fence of all the horses who visited for lessons, it would have been interesting to read her mind when she looked on. Bonnie sadly died yesterday peacefully in the paddock. She was 34 years old. Bonnie had hunted for many years Side Saddle and had spent a restful retirement and enjoyed the entertainment watching over the fence.

Tuesday ....

Sam has been hacking today.

It had been a lovely start to the morning and I set off hacking with dry weather tack and accessories !

They quickly weren't needed and I got soaked !!

Gary took his picture on return - during the soaking, I have just realised that you can see the marks on his neck where he has had a drenching !

He will be good at competition when we have rain, snow, sun !  Sam missed out on the paddock today - I felt a bit sorry for him !

Wednesday .........

Again another shock to the system and at 9am Gary put him in the paddock - I sure he thinks we have gone mad or lost our calendar and have got the day off days mixed up! Life has effected today's decision - unfortunately but he can be sure tomorrow the calendar will be returning to normal.

I have entered a competition though, well that's a bit presumptuous, not quite entering more filled in the entry form ! ! !

Tomorrow it WILL be posted. Maybe it should have stayed a secret as I will have to explain the result good or bad but thats how it is so wait until next week and I will announce the result. More fool me eh ?!

Thursday ...

This morning the sun was shining so whats better than a bit of rays to put you in a good mood for the day!

I certainly did me - I am like a horse - do well for a bit of sun on my back put the tack on Sam, the brushing boots, the over reach boots, the knee boots etc etc and took myself off for a hack, well it was Thursday our hacking day.

Sam can get back up to date on his calendar now - he will read that its the arena tomorrow - poor chap.

We had a pleasant ride - took us one and a half hours so it cant have been that bad - I hate hacking, its the sun effecting me I am sure. We had been gone for about 20 minutes when our "demon of the highway" turned up - one of "our" tractors with a muck spreader behind - these scare Sam or so I thought, he was that busy looking into a yard at some cows in a shed he didnt really notice it going past. Amazing - they do make you laugh - off we continued. I had come up with the conclusion that it was the day for "muck" I became convinced that every tractor and its relation was out with the muck spreaders and we met 'em all !

We had an enjoyable potter around Newmillerdam woods and a little canter on the railway line - sweet.

Popped in the paddock to stock up on sunshine - after the other day scrubbing his neck - I wasnt prepared for him to bare it again n has his full rug on.

I know I said I was posting my entry form yesterday but it still hasnt been done - job for Mum I think!

Friday..

Another day of sunshine even though it was a bit cool in the shade I managed not to use a rug for riding - I didnt yesterday either but I have an obsession with rugs and tend to use them all the time - in case he gets cold!

Sam's calendar hadn't deceived him and it was an arena day.

He is sure it is Friday now we are back on the schedule. The schooling session went fairly well as far as he behaved himself and walked, trotted and cantered looking in the right direction - what more can you hope for?

The entry still isnt posted for next weeks dressage competition - but I have lost the test I need to ride so the entry isnt going anywhere until I can find "the dance" otherwise it would be pointless.

I am also busy with stuff for the competition this Sunday. Times are sorted - fingers crossed and have gone onto the website. Odd jobs are still to finish with the paper work side of things and a few membership packs that need to be sent to the new members but failing that we are on the right tracks.

Saturday ....

I have had a busy morning organising the bits and bobs still lingering for tomorrows competition but over lunch Sam was ridden on the arena.

Today Liz came to ride him, I think he was pleased and would probably like to retire at her house as she wasn’t as hard on him as I am!

I rode him first as he can be a little amusing when you first start out especially on the right rein for some reason so he was worked a bit in the canter and counter canter to chill him out as I didn’t want to frighten Liz so early on in the session.

He was really sweet for me and after half and hour Liz got on and had a feel of him in walk, trot and canter with some interesting “sharp” moments toward the end before getting a feel of the medium trots - the medium canters will be saved for another day!

Pleased with his performance Sam trundled around the arena on a long rein - thinking about what his notes for his jotter will be !!!!

Turned out in the paddock on return and by his calendar he will have noticed no doubt that tomorrow is his day off !

Sunday ……

He hadn’t read the days wrong and he has had the day off with the competition. By the time we got finished Sam had been confined to his stable for the day - eating!

Monday .....

Eva gave Sam the all clear yesterday for his back so he was taken on the arena this morning for lunging. This first day of the week we are to the schedule.

He was really good, no explosions or anything major and he was a pleasure to watch working away on the lunge today.

Tuesday.....

The Northern Winter Regional Championships begun today and I was to be there for lunch time to attend a Judge Training Session for 2 hours with Laura Fry.

Well done to Lydia and Mabel.

Sam was taken to the arena on good time this morning and again has had a good session and put into the paddock until this evening when Gary taked over looking after him.

Wednesday ....

Day two of the Regionals, Sam was schooled on the arena before I set off the the Regionals for a Judge Training session with Trisha Garnder and writing for Jane Bartle- Wilson.

I have also had a lot of feedback today from riders who competed with C.E Dressage when we ran the affiliated competitions who are disapointed that they no longer have C.E as a venue to compete at, I was left to wonder driving home if maybe we aught to begin running British Dressage Competitions again.......

Another busy day and Gary left in charge of Sam.

Thursday...

Today  was the Music tests at the Regionals and another early start. Sam was exercised on the arena very much the same as yesterday.

Friday ....

Final day - the last trip to Willerby for the last few classes for this year. The competition finished a little earlier today than the other days and I was able to take Sam for a gentle hack when I got back. No excitement - thank goodness !

Saturday ....

Sam has been spoilt today and has had a rest day. He has been out in the paddock all day today.

He really enjoys these days I am sure !

Sunday....

Again Sam couldn't believe his luck when he was put out in the paddock for yet another day off. I was sure he was even looking around for the snow !!!

Today was Max's (my other nephews) first motorbike trial so Max and full entourage trunddled around a wood in Barnsley to support him and he was fantastic - at 6 years old he managed to complete the whole course. 

It was very much a change from horses and thankfully Gary didnt get the urge to have a "come back" and next weekend  will return to normal - horses !!

Its good news also to hear that C.E Dressage is no longer a "virtual" dressage group and we are back in action for next Sunday's competition which should be great fun.

See you all then !

Monday… start of another week.

Due to commitments in my life aside from horses there has been a slight deviation from the usual plan. Having deviated so early on in the week I did wonder if the week had begun on the right foot. It was not optional for me today and I was restricted for time so Sam was taken out hacking.

Hacking I know how long each route takes so he had a trip around the block for 40 minutes.

He was fine but felt quite tired, he wasn’t naughty or anything just felt like he was a bit steadier than normal but thankfully not a trip was had and we made it back into the yard on schedule. Sam was turned out until the evening when he was brought in to be met by the “salon”.

Sam is going out tomorrow so he had his mane pulled and his legs and tail washed. He likes the pampering just not too sure about the work I think!

Tuesday…

today Sam, Gary and I travelled to Horseworld Equestrian Centre in Osgodby in Lincolnshire as part of the Northern Region Team Development Programme for a training session with Steph Cooper.

My time wasn’t until 12 noon but we left at 8:30pm thinking that it gave us good time to get there steadily and give him a little rest before our turn. I also wanted to look in on some of the other training sessions before me but over 2 hours into the journey Google said would take 1 hour 36 minutes we still hadn’t arrived. Thankfully the day was running a little late and I had a bit of breathing space. This had pleased Gary greatly as I was left to find directions and the 30mph route I had chosen “wont be the way we go home!”

We got there. Sam had a short time to have a drink, look around and get his legs back before the tack went on and I was riding him.

He felt tired again when I first got on him - he was been a little bit like he was when we walked last Wednesday on the arena - having too much of his input wasn’t really necessary at this time. He had a bit of a canter around the warm up arena to try and gee him up a bit before we went into the session with Steph.

I had met Steph before when I have written for her at shows and she is lovely - I thought she was a little fierce but after the session clearly saw that her bark was worse than her bite and I had had quite a good time - all be it not sticking to the plan.. whoops!

Steph had also seen Sam a few times when she has judged him at Elementary and once in a Medium but those few times wouldn’t be enough even by an elephants memory standard to totally know how he went.

She was quick to identify his problems and we spent a short while discussing where the grey areas are in a test. In short all the areas where we are weak are in connection with his thoroughness and the response he has to the leg. Steph soon started to work through exercises to get him more supple and through and in front of the leg, through leg yielding, shoulder in and medium / collected / medium trot transitions.

After a break and discussion about the feelings and the improvement in the work we had just done the plan was to go through a test. I had a “gobby” moment - of course not something I do often - and said I would rather stay working him like this.

Steph agreed but as this was a viewing day to count toward team selection I did ask if this would effect my status for selection. It wouldn’t. So we carried on to train Sam more intensely than before.

Now we had worked on him going forward when asked and using seat aids to assist the transitions down ward Steph wanted to see him “jiggy jog!” this is the steps toward piaffe. Beginning at walk Steph took the stick and touched his hind legs while I made a couple of naf attempts to control the front!

Time to get a grip!

He was reacting with his hind legs but I was letting him come hollow through the movement - once I got framing myself and rode the neck lower and out of the movement quicker it was getting better!

This improved as he was worked around the arena doing his “jiggy jog” every now and then between the shoulder in and medium trots.

After a rest and a pat Sam was picked up in canter - he thought that he was a bit fed up so galloped off down the arena but soon gave it up as a bad job, he had perfected been a plank in a 40 meter arena through practising at home, but the 60 meter one is just far too far to be silly in and he gives up just after X !

Back to the plan which was the same principle in the canter as it was in the trot. To get his hind legs more underneath and working for him and coming back to a collected canter then forward to medium without hollowing and the more he was ridden the more he could keep his balance and rhythm and the more genuinely through he became.

He had done really well and was given a big pat, walked off and a sweet.

Loaded up to come home with a drink and hay net. We were going home Gary’s route which would take 90 minutes ish - yeah right of course it was 5:30pm when we got back into the yard. Sam unloaded and off into his stable for a jimmy and his hay net. Then food.

Another good day…..

Wednesday...

it seems that I have taken pity on him and given him the day off. I am sure he is pleased. With him travelling yesterday and also working hard he was let out into the paddock for the day.

Thursday...

Not feeling sorry for him that much he was back out on the arena for a training session. He was a little bit "fresh" at the start so he was lunged for 20 minutes before I rode him. He seemed to have run off all his excitement before I got on him but sadly how wrong could I have been...

He has been a little bit full of himself recently and I have put it down to the weather and not getting on top of him again since the bad weather and he's just feeling well.

He gave a very fancy display of his well being and shot off down the arena, loping around squeeling. At one point - goodness knows how - I managed to put my hand on the arena fence !!!

Once he had exploded he worked really well and was taken home steaming, allowed to cool off and then let out into the paddock to rest until tomorrow.

Friday....

Last night I had been chatting to a friend about Sam's sudden burst of spirit and I had got it into my head that I may have annoyed him a bit with all the arena work so I was going to try a change and hack him again today.

Kitted up we set off for a little ride. I may have had a enjoyable ride the other week and got lost in a moment of entertaining hacking but I still dont like it and was planning 20 minutes out and 20 minutes returning was plenty long enough. I had been out for a while and just as we were riding down a hill Sam exploded....again !

We were the beautiful elegant picture of a disunted canter joined with a hollow outline with a very "eager" to brake rider!

It must have looked fantastic - I often wonder what good I am doing C,E Dressage at those sort of moments - maybe I aught to ride without wearing advertising things !!

Got home safely but couldnt help thinking that if we saw a tractor we would have had it. Back to the paddock for Sam to make a note in his jotter - "I have had a exciting hack - will try that again next time !"

Saturday ...

Today was the second of the N.R.T.D.P training days. This was the second test training day and a viewing day for team selection.

It was foolish not to go as it was only a 10 minute drive from home and if need be he could have been hacked there!

He had been turned in the paddock for a couple of hours in the morning whilst I was busy teaching and then caught just after lunch to be washed again.

I wasnt due to ride until 5:15pm but had left home a little earlier as I wanted to see my friends test riding session and catch up before it was my turn to ride.

Due to the previous few days of explosions I had tacked him up a little earlier than my time and taken him on the lunge in the outdoor arena for him to have a private explosion if need be......but he didnt.

On my time I got on him and went into my session with Barbara Harrision - Bland. I had only met Barbara on one occasion prior to this as I had booked her to judge at one of my affiliated competitions and I had also ridden Sam there as well so she had seen him too and remembered him which was nice.

After a short discussion as to where we loose marks in a test I rode through one and Barbara made notes on the areas she thought could have improvement.

...............the rein back

...............the free walk

...............the medium canter

...............the medium trot

...............10m circles

I was facing the ears so that was a good start !

It really wasnt that bad - she liked his paces and his attitude - little does she know eh !

She made some really lovely remarks and comments but I had gone to be critised to be able to improve so I wanted to know where I could get thoses 7's into 8's.

I only had 45 minutes with Barbara so we had to bash on.

The rein back was sorted just be steadying everything down a little more and relaxing, same in the free walk - he needs more relaxation and I got a great free walk tip - but I shall save it for a lesson or demo or something, sorry !

The medium canter he needed to lenghten his frame more and cover more ground which he improved on.

The medium trot came better through suppling exercises and working him more through and using yet another "top tip"

The 10 metre circles .......... well ........ came right in the end. Again Barbara gave me a good tip on the preperation for them for extra marks.

At the end of the session I had learned lots and also lots of little hints and tips I am able to pass on in my teaching - so be warned !

Sam had gone really well and the whole session was explosion free which was really great.

It was 8pm when we got home and settled Sam into his stable for the night.

A really pleasing day.

Sunday ......

I have been really busy with teaching today so poor Sam has been abandoned in the paddock for the day.

His only change came was when Eva Slade came to check out his back from his previous treatments.

He is fine - 100% fit for now and he has shown us through his explosions just how well he is feeling.

At least thats one less thing and it has been a possitive end to a good week.