So not the post I wanted to be writing today (or ever) and to be honest feeling a bit at a loss of where to go from here. I was really looking forward to Breckenbrough/Northallerton RC ODE as C went so well at Epworth BE and was great XC schooling a couple of weeks ago so I really thought we had cracked it. Unfortunately C thought otherwise. A green (but rideable) dressage and worked in nicely for the SJ but then 3 stops meant we didn't even make it XC. I am the first to look at the video below and recognise there are loads of things I could do better but on the day I don't think I could have done better. I am an amateur trying to balance a busy job with riding 2 horses and I just am not sure I can do anything different.
Posting this as it will be interesting to see in a year or two when it pops up in 'memories' how things change. For now we will take a few weeks to reflect and see what is best for Cuckoo and if he would be happier in a different home where he is the centre of attention.
After flying around Breckenbrough BE100 and feeling a bit flat at Bishop Burton I decided to increase Danny's 'go faster' nuts before Chillington Hall, unfortunately that didn't seem to do the trick - huge amount of penalties SJ and eliminated XC. *spoiler alert* turns out I was poisoning him!
We got the vets out to run routine bloods and they raised the possibility of PSSM. Reading the symptoms was like a checklist of Danny's quirks. So we suspect the poor lad has had PSSM all this time! Luckily the majority of cases can be managed with a low sugar diet - so Danny no more hobnobs!
Yesterday was our first competition since the new dietary regime and I am over the moon that my boy was back! A sneaky pole SJ but flew around the XC at the BRC Area 4 Combined Challenge qualiers. π (Actually flew a bit too well getting 1.2 reverse time penalties π
) And the cherry on top was that the team won - qualifying for the championships!
Not to be left out Cuckoo had a play at Carr Farm Equestrian today. Where he was foot perfect, hereβs hoping last weekends escapades were a blipβ¦ π€π€π€
It was my first time visiting the XC schooling field at Carr Farm - what a fab facility! Just wish it was a bit closerβ¦
Thank you Amy Harris and Jackie Snow for letting me tag along and videoing!
After practicing his jumping (using his mother as an obstacle! π³) this morning, this afternoon we moved on to speed work... π
Could not be happier with the first born today! π¦ He hasn't been eventing for over a year, hasn't seen water since last may and had a rider today who was definitely not helping him but came out game and willing in all 3 phases. π
The walk down to the dressage was a little exciting with C not being at all happy at having to walk pasr the barking dogs however we got down there and made it to the ring in one piece! π The test was unsettled in places (and in my cold induced haze I had learnt it slightly wrong meaning a 2 pen deduction) but lots of 7's and lovely comments.
SJ we took it a bit too steady resulting in 2 time penalties but I can't fault C's jumping. XC I didn't react quickly enough to a silly spook which put us off our line but other than that he absolutely flew! βοΈ I was not taking no for an answer at the water but tbf C said 'ok mum' and just got on with it. π A whole bunch of time penalties but I have this horrible cold that is going around and on top of the residual damage to my lungs from chemo means I am quite short of breath atm so was in 2 minds about going today but very glad I did!
When you can still get all the way over despite the baby belly... Growing every day now! ππ¦
We are going to gloss over the warm up and first jump in the 1m and focus on our 1.05m round today at Port Royal! π
Soo much fun XC at Breckenbrough yesterday. π Not sure who enjoyed it more - me or Cuckoo... π Thank you Will Murray Coaching for a great clinic. Can't wait for the event season to start! ποΈβ°
Danny went to the gallops today. We had a blast and he definitely felt full of beans!
#amatuereventer #oldoakhorses #gingerirish #eventingoffseason #canterwork #gallops
After a fun day yesterday doing Team Quest we returned to Port Royal today for their ACE competition...
The good, the bad and the ugly of day 2 at Port Royal (in reverse order!)
The ugly - after knocking fence 1 I was so busy internally criticising myself for how I rode it I missed my turn to fence 2 meaning a circle. π
The bad - my prep point for the pipe double was too late meaning Danny approached it fighting me and not seeing the fence, inevitably leading to a stop.
The good no. 1 - I was actually super pleased with Danny today. He came out wanting to do his job and I feel the problems are mainly rustiness given we haven't jumped since middle of November (and this is only the 2nd time we have jumped since the end of the event season), and he gave me a lovely feeling. (He also flew the rest of the course we no dramas despite the videographer giving up in disgust! π)
The good no. 2- it was lovely to see friends Rachael and Jackie - thank you for coming!
The good no. 3- he wasn't particularly out of breath and felt full of beans so hopefully his fitness is on track for the BE Arena Eventing Champs at ALW next month (and Epworth BE in March).
The good no. 4- despite the hiccups we still managed to qualify for the ACE Championships - so my Ginger Dude has qualified for both BE100 winter series championships. ππ¦
#honestpost #honestcompetitionreport
#amatuereventer #oldoakhorses #gingerirish #eventing #winterxc
Cuckoo keeping me humble this Christmas Eve! π
Mr Versitile added another string to his bow by winning a Working Hunter today! π I've not done workers since I was 11 so had to spend last night watching YouTube videos to remember what we were meant to be doing but Mr D took it all in his stride (including the humiliation of having Christmas bows plaited into his mane) winning the 85cm. π₯ (I think we were the only clear...! π
) He got a little over enthusiastic in the 95cm dropping us to 3rd out of 3 π€¦πΌββοΈ but felt so much fun to ride I couldn't help giggling! I think we can safely say I am not a showing rider but had a great time today thank you Blueberry Events for running such a friendly competition. π
Luckily(?) the mud survives under the snow so soft enough to turn out. River seemed to enjoy saying hello to his old pals and having a bit of a play! (Betty completely ignored her youngest son... π)
Unfortunately a situation at the day job meant we didn't get to a booked session on Tuesday so I was very pleased to make pole clinic with Level Up Performance last night. A couple of 'spicy' moments but we really enjoyed ourselves and have taken away lots to work on. Thank you The Cob Club for organising and Sheila Kuehnle for coming along and videoing.
So pleased with Mr C yesterday, doing 2 lovely relaxed tests at Thornton House Farm. Scoring a 69.78% in the intro and 73.16% in the prelim. (Including a whooping 9.5 for his free walk!) πππ
Thank you to the team at Thornton for another lovely, encouraging event, Andrea Brett for judging and your words of wisdom and as ever Sheila Kuehnle for all your support!
Danny's SJ round from yesterday. Really pleased with how he jumped - just a shame the XC didn't go to plan...!
Thank you Sheila Kuehnle for getting up rediculously early (it was still dark when we arrived) to come and support us!
Brilliant sessions yesterday with both gingers in the Will Murray Clinic organised by Ebor Vale Riding Club. Really pleased with both of them and took away lots to work on. π¦πͺ
Thank you Caroline Etherington for letting me ride Lovely Lilly, Sheila Kuehnle for all your help on the day and Zoe Godley for helping to organise. π
Fab day with the gingers yesterday. Lesson with Helen Bell with Danny, who doesn't pull her punches - but is probably what I needed! Then a fab session on Lovely Lilly who was very enthusiastic to be out and was a star! Thank you to the Cob Club for organising, Amanda Snowden for teaching and Caroline Etherington for letting me ride your amazing mare. π
