21st August 2010
Back in the lorry and off up the M40! With Argentinus and All 4 fun.
Argentinus did a pleasing test although certainly not one of his best, with a few mistakes and not as soft as he has been - despite this he still scored a respectable mark of 32.
Last event of the season for All 4 fun and a good one to finish one. She was very relaxed in her test and tried really hard, just a couple of mistakes and she got 36. and she got her first ever 9 for the halt during the test!!
The show jumping was indoors and i was not sure how they would both cope particularly All 4 fun having not jumped in doors for ages.
Argentinus jumped a lovely clear round and All 4 Fun just added 4 penalties to her score.
Both horses went well cross country and coped well with the wet ground, Argentinus a little slow to get going but soon picked up speed to finish inside the time. All 4 Fun just added a few time faults in the competitive 5 yo class.
Sadly Argentinus missed out this time of qualifying for the 5yo championships - all though we were pleased he finished 5th.
22nd August 2010
Back again with the novice horses Creeslough, Uberto and Tell me about it II.
Uberto was first to do his test at the ridiculous time of 8.10! so a nice early one for us again! Obviously likeing his early start he went beautifully and scored 28 - Even the judge got out of her car and commented - She had also judged the 5 yo's yesterday and was impressed with the way the horses were going.
Creeslough did another calm test and an accurate one, scoring 35 - now we are just working on getting some more bounce into his movement for the higher marks!
Tell me about it II also scoring 35.
Into the show jumping Uberto kept his good score going clear and adding nothing.
Creeslough added just a rail, getting a little flat into the double he took the first part.
Tell me about it II jumped brilliantly and also just had the one down, a slight lack of concentration for him at the 2nd fence but so much improved from previous rounds.
The cross country was rather eventful in more of a negative way than a positive one!
Uberto i sadly retired after some issues in steering and brakes.
Creeslough had just the one run out - this time not at a house but a skinny angled brush so he was slightly forgiven as this had caught many of the greener horses out.
Tell me about it II was having a fantastic round going so well up until the 3 from home, where he slipped on the corner and lost his footing and sadly fell. soon springing to his feet he galloped off! thankfully absolutely fine we had to call it a day. Goring for him next though.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
HARTPURY WITH THE BIG PONIES!
12th -15th Aug
Well what a weekend! and What two super stars do i have?!
Bonne Amie was first to do her test on Thursday afternoon. In the international indoor arena for her with the chance of winning a car to keep! although the idea of driving a new Mitsubishi truck home would be amazing, i would be happy just to have them both round safely with a good clear!
She did a lovely test and is improving every single time she goes out. Still not fully established with her half pass i was pleased with how it all went - She stayed calm and performed every other movement well - very disappointingly the mark we were given was a little on the high, after much praise from other riders everyone was shocked with the score!
I was not the only one to be rather upset with their mark that day. Scoring 61 it was just outside the half way mark.
Friday morning and Friday the 13th! great! what was in store for Divilabit?!
The answer was nothing - he behaved well and came away with a respectable mark of 57, one that i was pleased with after he made just a couple of mistakes and like Bonne Amie not entirely established in his half pass either - plenty to work on over the winter!
After walking the cross country for the first time i think it might be right to say i was a shade of white! On two first timers that only had the one advanced run under their belt! It was big and wide and asked serious questions for the newly upgraded horses.
But first things first was the Show jumping to contend with.
In true Hartpury fashion it was of course up to height!
Bonne Amie show jumped just after 3pm, she had one down and added 4 time faults to he score - a time that was already tight but with her shear exuberance and style over a fence she ran over the time allowed. something that can easily be solved been my main aim was to leave the fences up! Especially on the first 3 star track!
The show jumping continued until late with Divilabit jumping a just after 7pm on Saturday evening.
He was on good form and a little to feisty at times. He had 3 fences down and added 8 time faults to that, i had to take my time to set him up on the corners before the big wide spreads to give him full chance at the combinations.
Sunday morning - Cross country day! after two very good course walks with William F-P and Lucinda Green on Saturday i was much happier with the track and new exactly which lines to be taking!
Bonne Amie and i had a class round! taking just the one long route where it was almost impossible to turn after a large role top on the side of the hill to a skinny brush.
We were copy book through the corners which proved to be the bogey fence of the day catching many people out! Although a steady round she was clear and had no freights and that was the main thing.
Divilabit had grown up all of a sudden - he took on the track as if he'd been at that level for years just like Bonne Amie. Again taking the long route to the narrow hedge after he took a stride out to the roll top. And i also chose to take the long route at the corners this time after much trouble through out the morning - at just the age of 8 i wanted to give him every chance. He too going clear but a rather steady one at that.
I felt it was important for them both to have a good first experience to set us up for the future and for Blenheim in September.
Busy Busy busy! West Wilts to Hartpury back home then back to Hartpury!
Tuesday the 10th Aug - West Wilts with the Novice horses
Nice early start once again for mum and I, along with Creeslough and Uberto.
After 4 very intense dressage lessons yesterday with Justine Sole i was out and about again.
First on was Uberto, he worked in really nicely and was putting in to practise all we'd done yesterday. the test was going well but there was one mistake which he got a little uptight about but then relaxed and continued nicely.
He then jumped a lovely clear in the troublesome show jumping course renowned at West Wilts, followed by a steady XC going all the direct routes.
After a disappointing dressage mark i chose to take him round slowly.
Creeslough did a great dressage and scored 33, followed by yet another clear in the Show Jumping but sadly his 'House' phobia caught him out once again - just at fence three a simple house, he put in a naughty run out - something that has occurred twice now so off for some XC schooling next week. So rather disappointing there but he continue around the course taking all the direct routes and making nothing of them!
HARTPURY BOUND WITH ARGENTINUS! 11th Aug.
Thankfully a more leisurely start today we headed off to Hartpury BYEH, Mum, myself and Jordan Daniells my working pupil.
Argentinus did a lovely dressage in the spooky main arena the did a foot perfect round in the show jumping being the only horse to score full marks - 40 out of 40 in the jumping phase. Something that is not often seen in these classes. HE was in the top 10 and lying in 2nd place so we went through to the 'Gallop' phase.
Much better behaved today thankfully and alot less hanging around for him. He galloped well and was drawn into 4th place which secured our place for the final at Burghly horse trials on the 3rd September.For the second time running we are going back!
HARTPURY to be continued...................
Nice early start once again for mum and I, along with Creeslough and Uberto.
After 4 very intense dressage lessons yesterday with Justine Sole i was out and about again.
First on was Uberto, he worked in really nicely and was putting in to practise all we'd done yesterday. the test was going well but there was one mistake which he got a little uptight about but then relaxed and continued nicely.
He then jumped a lovely clear in the troublesome show jumping course renowned at West Wilts, followed by a steady XC going all the direct routes.
After a disappointing dressage mark i chose to take him round slowly.
Creeslough did a great dressage and scored 33, followed by yet another clear in the Show Jumping but sadly his 'House' phobia caught him out once again - just at fence three a simple house, he put in a naughty run out - something that has occurred twice now so off for some XC schooling next week. So rather disappointing there but he continue around the course taking all the direct routes and making nothing of them!
HARTPURY BOUND WITH ARGENTINUS! 11th Aug.
Thankfully a more leisurely start today we headed off to Hartpury BYEH, Mum, myself and Jordan Daniells my working pupil.
Argentinus did a lovely dressage in the spooky main arena the did a foot perfect round in the show jumping being the only horse to score full marks - 40 out of 40 in the jumping phase. Something that is not often seen in these classes. HE was in the top 10 and lying in 2nd place so we went through to the 'Gallop' phase.
Much better behaved today thankfully and alot less hanging around for him. He galloped well and was drawn into 4th place which secured our place for the final at Burghly horse trials on the 3rd September.For the second time running we are going back!
HARTPURY to be continued...................
Sunday, 1 August 2010
A month since my last post! whoops!
Even I must say myself that i have been pretty rubbish lately for updates of the goings on at Four Winds and various destinations around the country!
Failing to update my blog from my shiny new Blackberry here i am sat at my laptop!
So much has happened since my last post... Creeslough upgrades to Novice, Bonne Amie another competitive round, Divilabit makes an appearance at Express Eventing, Trip to Spain and a fantastic result as two horses clear round their first Advanced!
Argentinus and Creeslough both finished in the prizes at the Hovis sponsored BE100 at Ascot - u- wychwood, which was an exciting result at our local event.
Divilabit and Bonne Amie took pretty much everything in their stride at Aston le walls the weekend of the 24th July - Both competing at that level for the first time. Bonne Amie Show jumped brilliantly, Divilabit a few more mistakes and a little greener at that height but both took the XC in their stride. Going clear round the testing but fair track with few time faults. Bonne Amie finished 9th - a pretty impressive score in her first advanced.
Divilabit's Show jump score put him out of the placings in the competitive 8/9yo class.
30th July off to Little Mattingly with the 5year olds - Argentinus and All 4 fun.
Argentinus did a nice test and was competitive going into the next phase. All 4 fun- a much improved and always improving test from her, still very green and plenty to work on but she went well.
Into the show jumping which had some what of an atmosphere and seemed to be causing plenty of problems over a course that didn't seem too technical or up to height.
Argentinus rather cheeky this day and went back to being a complete baby again was rather green and had 2 show jumps down. All 4 fun rather onward today and a little careless adding rather alot of penalties to her dressage.
The cross country was fair and asked plenty of questions on the young horses. Argentinus still in rather a cheeky mood and trying it on somewhat added 20 penalties and All 4 fun - still on a bit of a mission but coped well with the fences went clear!
Next we went down to Wiltshire for the lovely event at Wilton - New ride this season Uberto had his first outing of 2010 aswell as Creeslough and Tell me about it II also in the Novice sections.
All three horses did nice tests. Tell me about it II his best yet, scoring 33 put him in a competitive position.
The show jumping had been causing many problems and sadly caught Tell me about it out, having 2 rails down. Creeslough and Uberto both jumped clear.
Creeslough let the side down sadly today on the xc being caught out once again by scary blue fences with roofs! yes a house - he has taken a dislike to these so plenty of xc "house" practise for him. Both other horses went clear xc to finish in the placings, Uberto 3rd and Tell me about it II in 9th!
After a busy week teaching a Heythrop Junior camp followed by Wilton no rest for the wick and out show jumping for us to Weston Lawns with 3 horses. Divilabit was getting in some last minute practise before Hartpury CIC***, Uberto and I were getting some form together and Five Alive was hoping to add to her experience.
Five Alive jumped the only clear round of the horses and was in the prizes although in the smaller classes she is still fairly inexperienced in show jumping so i was very pleased with the progress she seems to be making. She finished 4th in her class.
Uberto came 6th in the 1.05m just having the last fence down.
Divilabit went well but we went rather slowly for the jump offs and he admittedly had a few naughty moments!
Next Gatcombe BYEH with Argentinus and All 4 fun, a place where i don't have the happiest memories but i wasn't going to let this hold me back. Argentinus went beautifully going through to the main arena lying in 2nd. All 4 fun a little exuberant for the jumping after doing a calm accurate dressage test, sadly she didn't qualify to go to the main arena.
Fun and games in the main arena for Argentinus - after alot of standing around queuing to go in he became a little fed up and decided to create his own fun , something the judge didn't completely agree with. After standing on his 2 hind legs for much of this and refusing to walk he was pulled in last but placed 8th overall.
The weekend off for me preparing for an extremely busy week ahead and remembering my beloved Cavort as this was a year ago i lost him. Still deeply saddened after i lost him, but now after completing a massive book of his life i have so so many memories to look back at of the times we had and amazing experiences he gave me.
Failing to update my blog from my shiny new Blackberry here i am sat at my laptop!
So much has happened since my last post... Creeslough upgrades to Novice, Bonne Amie another competitive round, Divilabit makes an appearance at Express Eventing, Trip to Spain and a fantastic result as two horses clear round their first Advanced!
Argentinus and Creeslough both finished in the prizes at the Hovis sponsored BE100 at Ascot - u- wychwood, which was an exciting result at our local event.
Divilabit and Bonne Amie took pretty much everything in their stride at Aston le walls the weekend of the 24th July - Both competing at that level for the first time. Bonne Amie Show jumped brilliantly, Divilabit a few more mistakes and a little greener at that height but both took the XC in their stride. Going clear round the testing but fair track with few time faults. Bonne Amie finished 9th - a pretty impressive score in her first advanced.
Divilabit's Show jump score put him out of the placings in the competitive 8/9yo class.
30th July off to Little Mattingly with the 5year olds - Argentinus and All 4 fun.
Argentinus did a nice test and was competitive going into the next phase. All 4 fun- a much improved and always improving test from her, still very green and plenty to work on but she went well.
Into the show jumping which had some what of an atmosphere and seemed to be causing plenty of problems over a course that didn't seem too technical or up to height.
Argentinus rather cheeky this day and went back to being a complete baby again was rather green and had 2 show jumps down. All 4 fun rather onward today and a little careless adding rather alot of penalties to her dressage.
The cross country was fair and asked plenty of questions on the young horses. Argentinus still in rather a cheeky mood and trying it on somewhat added 20 penalties and All 4 fun - still on a bit of a mission but coped well with the fences went clear!
Next we went down to Wiltshire for the lovely event at Wilton - New ride this season Uberto had his first outing of 2010 aswell as Creeslough and Tell me about it II also in the Novice sections.
All three horses did nice tests. Tell me about it II his best yet, scoring 33 put him in a competitive position.
The show jumping had been causing many problems and sadly caught Tell me about it out, having 2 rails down. Creeslough and Uberto both jumped clear.
Creeslough let the side down sadly today on the xc being caught out once again by scary blue fences with roofs! yes a house - he has taken a dislike to these so plenty of xc "house" practise for him. Both other horses went clear xc to finish in the placings, Uberto 3rd and Tell me about it II in 9th!
After a busy week teaching a Heythrop Junior camp followed by Wilton no rest for the wick and out show jumping for us to Weston Lawns with 3 horses. Divilabit was getting in some last minute practise before Hartpury CIC***, Uberto and I were getting some form together and Five Alive was hoping to add to her experience.
Five Alive jumped the only clear round of the horses and was in the prizes although in the smaller classes she is still fairly inexperienced in show jumping so i was very pleased with the progress she seems to be making. She finished 4th in her class.
Uberto came 6th in the 1.05m just having the last fence down.
Divilabit went well but we went rather slowly for the jump offs and he admittedly had a few naughty moments!
Next Gatcombe BYEH with Argentinus and All 4 fun, a place where i don't have the happiest memories but i wasn't going to let this hold me back. Argentinus went beautifully going through to the main arena lying in 2nd. All 4 fun a little exuberant for the jumping after doing a calm accurate dressage test, sadly she didn't qualify to go to the main arena.
Fun and games in the main arena for Argentinus - after alot of standing around queuing to go in he became a little fed up and decided to create his own fun , something the judge didn't completely agree with. After standing on his 2 hind legs for much of this and refusing to walk he was pulled in last but placed 8th overall.
The weekend off for me preparing for an extremely busy week ahead and remembering my beloved Cavort as this was a year ago i lost him. Still deeply saddened after i lost him, but now after completing a massive book of his life i have so so many memories to look back at of the times we had and amazing experiences he gave me.
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