I’ve spent the week concentrating a lot on Bob as I wanted him to be ready for the show, so we spent time doing pole work, around the clock practice and figure of 8 jumping, all which he did really well – we even attempted the practice for one of the intro dressage tests… err a bit more work needed here …let’s leave it at that for now haha!
Autumn had a fairly easy week although she did do some usual schooling work, working on her transitions and also her halts – as she really isn’t good at square halts. She’s still having the occasional mad moment coming in from the field which makes her a major handful, although one evening last week I was unlucky enough to have both her and Aria deciding to have a competition as to who could fly buck the highest whilst going down the walkway! It’s fair to say they both won an award from me – for being the biggest pain in the butts that evening – I think my arms have both stretched a good few inches!
Madam ratbag (Aria) has also had a fairly easy week, I’ve still done ground and lunge work with her but put off the ridden side for a while as the arena was very boggy and I didn’t want any strain on her legs – well the arena is dry now so we are getting back on with it again over the next few weeks – positive thoughts and body armour at the ready – I’m not fancying doing any cartwheels off her back that’s for sure!
I’m in the process of sweet talking the other half to agree for another SJ outing next week, he had planned to do some DIY in the house but I’m trying to convince him how much more fun it will be at the show with Bob (missing out the cold weather, wind and excitable horse haha) – I suppose I could bribe him with a bacon and egg roll followed by cake whilst he is there as a reward (well the best way to keep him sweet is his belly haha)! I’ve also booked Bob in for his first SJ lesson of the year in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait – we haven’t had any training with her since I first bought him so can’t wait for her to see our progress and help us improve😊
Keep up to date with news, and events by following our Facebook page.
Our insurance policies at a glance:
Once again I threw Arlo in at the deep end, affiliating him purely for the Arena UK second round show, and once again he pulled it out the bag. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful little horse? We haven’t really competed this year. I don’t really compete over the winter, and also my horsebox was away for repairs up until the beginning of June, so I had no transport even if I’d wanted to.
With the dry ground we don’t seem to be having much luck with shoes, as little madam managed to pull both her front shoes off within 12 hours the other day! We entered the arena with two shoes on for a schooling session and left it with one missing (took about an hour to find it). Then that afternoon, as I went to put some hoof ointment on, I looked down and had to double take, thinking I was looking at the wrong hoof. But, no, the other shoe was missing too.
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.