Kyrewood

On boxing day we loaded up Amy and headed to Perfs for our trip to kyrewood for the weekend. Amy loaded really well on the float and truck and apart from skinning her nose a little on the trip up travelled really well with her brand new friend Neo and was a absolute angel all weekend, when yarded, tied to the truck, and when standing waiting for her turn in the ring.

We did some classes in the pleasure horse section on the saturday, in between riding Perfs Grace in the other classes. Amy and i dont normally do flat classes due to Amy just getting too tense and upset with other horses crowding and overtaking her.  This weekend though she was a little star and listened the whole time, not even fazed once by the other horses. We picked up a third in the rider classes (out of 3 hehe) and although we didnt pick up any placings i was super proud and happy to give it a go again, since Amy's behavior was awesome.

              

On the Sunday we did three ring 3 classes, 60, 70 and 80cm. It was our first time in a ring with white wings on the jumps and flowers etc round the ring and a decent amount of fillers, so i was very impressed that Amy didn't look twice at any of it!

In the 60cm she was a bit lazy and knocked a rail and she was fighting me quite a lot. The 70cm we had a clear round, but were not quite fast enough for a placing (although we wont tell Amy that!). And in the 80cm class we went clear in the first round but knocked a rail in the jump off (because i sort of threw her at the jump -- bad mummy).

         

So i was happy with how my weekend went both on Amy and Grace (who was a sweetie and was not fazed at all by the pretty rings and goings on - go Grace). Although looking at the pics i definitely need to improve my position especially my lower leg *sigh*.

Back to normal

Well just a quick update, Taani's leg went down within a couple of days, and her cough/cold seems to have disappeared yay!

The last couple of days we have gotten back into things; riding both, keeping Amy fit and working on removing the belly that has appeared on Taani.

This weekend is off to Kyrewood with Kerri yay. More helping and prob riding one from her gang in the pleasure classes, also got Amy entered in the pleasure classes and ring 3 jumping then off for some xcountry practice on the monday.

So a busy start to christmas, but should be fun! :)

Not again!

Well Taani's recent attempt at getting out of any kind of work has resulted in the pics above.

I'm not a happy mum, but grateful that amy's fine at least.

There are no new marks on her legs and they didn't go down after a good 10 mins in the river, so will rest her and if no improvement will let the vet know when i make the call about her cold recovery on friday.  

Taani update

Taani has now finished her medicine for her cold (1/2 a day early). I have already seen an improvement and managed a short ride today with only 1 cough, so am very happy with how she's improving so far.

Now we have to have a 5 day period off the meds then call the vets to let them know how she's getting on.

In the meantime (only a few weeks!) Taani has managed to grow a enormous  belly, there goes all our hard work out the window, cant wait to work it off and have my pony looking sort of like a arab again.

Improvements

Well Amy's leg has come right, yay! must've got nicked by the wire so we are now back in work and very happy with our small rest.

Had the vet to see taani today and she has a viral flu so now has some medicine. She was such a brave well behaved wee pony while being scoped, she just keeps making me proud.  

Taani is def one pony who just keeps getting better with age. :)

Now to get through xmas so we can get out and compete again!

sick pony and injured horse

It all started a couple of weeks ago, Taani got a small swelling on one of her tendons, she wasn't lame so i kept her on quiet gentle exercise and lots of bathing + cooling gel and it seems to have come right.  On sunday last week we went to have a ride and she now has a nasty cough! I gave her the week off but its still there whenever she does anything more than wondering around the paddock so i've called the vet in and he's hopefully coming out on wed.

Amy and i were supposed to be competing today but on thursday night i had to scratch due to her having developed some swelling on the lower part of her tendon on one of her front legs. :(

I have been bathing that and using the cooling gel also with some time off from riding, she's not lame at a walk so thankfully it doesn't look too serious.

I suspect she may have had a battle with the fence because the lower wire was broken when i went down on thursday night also. So Amy vs Fence = nil all.

Now can somebody please tell me why when you finally get your horse into full work they injure themselves and there goes all the hard work? and why do they pick right before xmas to get sick and need a vet?

Lol oh well i still luffs them :)

Te Marua ODE

I took Amy and Taani out to do the one day event on sunday, taani was entered HC in Intro (her first ODE/jumping show in over 6yrs) and Amy and i were doing our second Pre Training.

Amy did a pretty bad dressage, a bit tense and rushed with head in the air lol, so we were last after the dressage. Taani did a ok dressage, was a bit tense and gawky but i was proud of them both all the same.

We got clear in SJ for both of them, Amy was very speedy and well behaved, it helped that i was determined not to get any refusals at fillers from either of them and rode at the jumps like my life depended on it. Taani did a very quick SJ round and didn't really mind the jumps and only had two jumps from a stand still. Her first clear round about 9 years of living with me. (can you tell i'm proud of her lol)

There was a few "upsets" with the xcountry and the heat was starting to make me feel really sick when i went out with Amy, so i decided to scratch taani and quit while i was ahead. Me and Amy had a awesome xcountry she didn't even pause at any of the ditchy jumps, and i was a good mum and actually 'rode' her at all the jumps so she didn't even have time to think about backing out.

So Amy and i got 4th overall. Despite the day, it was a goody for my lil team of wannabee eventors :P

vid of taani at the arena

She's soooo cute, i luff my ponykins

at the arena

Me and Nick took Taani and Amy for some SJ practice at the arena today, since we have our next ODE next sunday.

I rode Amy first and Perf came to give me some help and advise etc. We started off doing circle work to slow down Amy's jumping and get us working together, then we did a mixture of tricky jumps (corner, fake water, fillers) and a grid of a bounce and two one strides.

Amy started off jumping the fake water ok, but ended up deciding there was no way she was going back near it and i landed very ungracefully at times over her neck and once on the ground.

She jumped all the rest a few refusals here and there but by the looks of it a lot of our probs stem from bad rider LOL.

We got some vids of our work so i can see what needs improving.

And Taani had her debut in her many years off, fat belly and all we really have to work on that belly.

She jumped all the jumps really well, i was very happy. She always used to have a bad time jumping so

to see herself out enjoying it was the best.

Perf and Taani

We went to the arena today, perf was nice enough to çome along and be my eyes on the ground, i owe her so much.

i conned her into riding my pony too, (lucky for me cause she's crazy busy with all hers).

Here's a pic of taani and perf doing their thing, i think they make a cute couple. :)

  

Will update the rest later, once i organise myself better.

Battle Hill ODE

Well this season i decided i would be brave and try doing Pre Training ODE's instead of Intro.  

Today was our first for the season, we did quite well in our dressage although need to improve our suppleness and Amy's resisting. (which i new already lol)

Our showjumping was typical for us, a speedy round with miss no it all taking charge often, haha. But we made it round with a good time and only one rail.

We had a big break before xcountry and Amy had pretty much decided she was done for the day when i geared her back up. We had 2 refusals at the first (the little tart!), one refusal at the second, 4 at the water! (naughty pony) We were now eliminated but carried on and had one more refusal  at a gate and the rest of the course she jumped like a old pro.

Lesson learnt from today: Always carry a crop on xcountry and ride the first few fences like my life depends on it cause she obviously takes a little while to settle in.

Next weekend we have off then its off to Te Marua for another ODE, fingers crossed that goes better.

Western Hills Spring Show

Well what a awesome day (weather wise and the horses went great too).

Taani was looking beautiful as usual and all done up for her flat classes.

Her and Jessie ended up with a 3rd in Paced and Mannered, a 3rd in Unity and a 5th in Novice Rider. So for their first show out together we were very very proud of the two of them, and Jessie as come away with a few things to work on. :)

Amy got to watch the surroundings for the morning as our class didn't start till about 10.30am.

She was very speedy in all her jumping and in the first two classes (80cm & 90cm)we got one rail down on the same jump! And in the second class i got tired at the end so she skipped out the last cause it had a filler.

Our last class was a 80cm Table C and Amy decided to pack a tanty and decide she's had enough for the day, but we got through that and started our round, we knocked a rail on the first jump and then floored it round the rest of the coarse (advise from perf ;) and we ended up getting first with seconds to spare despite the pole down. So we are a very happy pair even though she's a crazy speedy redhead. LOL

Blondies impromptu spring makeover

Well Blondie was taken for his usual visit up to the house for the kids (gandkids of landowner) to ride and love.

Well we have now had to take him back with a new hair cut............ Everywhere!

They have chopped his mane at different lengths (dont know if they were trying to make it look natural or what, his forelock has been blunt chopped quite short and his big beautiful thick tail is now just above his hocks! :(

We were all quite mortified when we found out, and their grandparents were very apologetic.

We had all the horses feet done today and while blondie was getting his pedicure i noticed they had taken to his rump with the scissors as there are a couple of very small chops out of his winter coat! 

Apparently he has also picked up some bad manners, Jessie found him a little bossy when bridling and doing up his girth so he is now staying with us for a while to sort him out.

We have combed out his mane and thinned it a little, but you can still tell its been cut with scissors. Mind you from what their grandmother has told me her poor horse came out worse off with her tail now only about 10 inches long and stepped in length. Will try get photos soon.

The tail bag

Because Taani is a grey *sigh*, and because she will only be doing flat classes i decided to invest in a tail bag.  I went shopping and came home with a black rustly synthetic one. Hehehehe.

A little history Taani hates rustly noisy things attached to her or her rider, so i knew this was gonna be interesting.

She actually allowed me to put her tail in it, shock horror!

Then we went for a walk, she was walking ok till it hit her legs, so she started kicking it, (hehehehe) then she tried to run from it, luckily i had her on the lead so was able to calm her down quick smart.

We took her back tied her up and chopped the end so it wasn't too long, then took her for a walk and a trot and it no longer was worrying her so off to bed she went with a nice dinner.

She doesn't like the thing i can tell you that :P but she is putting up with it for us, just shows what a good girl she is. :)

QEII training day

Yesterday was our second QEII training day, we picked up a friends daughter and her horse on the way and me up with perf there. I also got to meet Skrippy and Kaycee so good to finally put some faces to names.

Me and Amy had a blast, got over a few tricky jumps and Perf made me go over a few scary jumps luckily my wee horse is a star and pulled us through. :D

We still couldn't get over the BIG ditch, although we wont be competing that level for a while and so i'm hoping we can get used to ditches at a smaller size for a while, she now jumps the 'other' ditch without too much of a problem so im very happy with how we're progressing.

Next outing will be Western Hills which will be Taani's first outing

Float Practice

Well today after Nicks hangover wore off we picked up the float and headed down for float training with Taani.

Taani hasn't left the farm (by way of floating) in about 5 years. She has a show in two weeks, so we thought we better see how she is considering she was always trouble to get on in the past.

I bought her and Amy out of the paddock cause i wanted to see how they float together, since Amy can get a bit bossy.  We tied Amy up and led Taani up to the float, after a few hesitant steps she wandered in no problem!  So we kept her there for a few seconds then backed her off and booted her up with her floating boots.

Then we tried to put her back on. Well she was giving us one chance and that was it! It must've taken us about a hour to get her back on we tried guiding ropes, a tickly dressage whip, and a tasty bucket of feed. In the end she went on without any props just me at the front and nick straightening her up from behind. So 2 to us, 0 to Taani. :)

We then put Amy on beside her, she decided to fluff around today the little tart and wouldn't go on without some coaxing from Nick behind her.

We took them for a drive around the valley and they both behaved beautifully and stood nice and patiently to back off and did that like proper ladies, so all in all a successful day and they got to relax in their paddock afterwards with a nice bucket of feed each.

Next weekend is the last QEII training day, which looks to be a mini boardie get together, and the saturday after that Taani and Amy will be heading out to Western Hills Spring Show for Taani's first Show in ages her and Jessie will be doing some flat classes while me and Amy do a nice ring two day of showjumping for the start of the season.

QEII training day

Well i took amy along to the training day at QEII, it was a beautiful sunny day and the ground was very nice for jumping.

I went along by myself, absolutely shitting myself aswell. Not long after we arrived i met up with some friends who i was able to ride with yay!

I started looking for the smallest most basic jumps and after getting over a couple i was jumping the big jumps and the others were using us as a lead over the scary jumps cause amy was pretty much point and shoot all day.

I was sooo proud of my little girl and everyone around me said dont sell! Little did they know it was going to be my deciding day on wether i kept her or not, so since it all went well, my little firecracker will now be staying with me.

We will be starting the season doing pre-training aaaah! at perfs instruction and are hoping to be at training by the end of the season.  I think ill be growing some balls fast and we gonna need to work on Amys flat work.

This season's plans

Yes i know i have actually made plans!

Blondie will be shown as a lead rein pony at a few local pc shows.  

Jessie and Taani will hopefully do some pc level flat classes

Now i have had a few people come see Amy and as each one ends up not really being suitable for whatever reason, and the show season quickly approaches i get the urge to keep her and grow some balls to do some more jumping.

I do actually enjoy jumping but the big jumps scare me, and i've been thinking if the horse can jump the bigger ones happily why change?

Then we come to a slight dilemma, i will have 3 competition horses and 1 double float. Well ODE's put Blondie and Taani out so that will be easy, and ill have to carefully plan the others and take either Taani and Blondie, or Amy by herself cause i don't think Taani will handle floating with amy as she can be a little bossy to those below her and taani's quite a girly girl so would prob get her knickers in a twist. lol 

Well as this all progresses i will update in the meantime the first outing for me and Amy will be the xcountry training day at QE2 on the 31st of August (as long as the weather is nice).

Now these will be a minimum of pre-training level and i've only ever jumped intro xcountry, so this will be the start of my ball growing experience, wether it continues is another story.

Crap weather

Well i have hardly ridden in the last 3-4 weeks and starting to get withdrawal symptoms!

I had last friday off but only managed to get all four's feet done, managed a small ride on the sunday and its been raining or i've been working the rest of the time. :(

This sunday is supposed to be fine yippee, i've got someone coming to see Amy (she better be on her best behavior) and ill be worming, and starting the dreaded job of grooming out winter coats and trimming/pulling manes, tails etc.  I must get brave and try the clipping thing sometime in my life. lol

As for today i'm going to brave the freezing cold and showers to move my horses from their hill paddock to back across the road, because they're getting bitchy all being together and Amy's still far to light for my liking so needs more grass.

Then i have to repair winter covers and swap back to synthetic rugs for blondie and taani to stop anymore cover rub because they're supposed to be going out to shows this season.

Gray's road arena 06/07/08

Today i met up with Perf at the arena for some sale pics, it was freezing cold, windy, a completely new environment, we had kids riding around on what looked like a ride on mower screaming and Amy couldn't have cared less.  I'm such a proud mummy. :)

We started off with me warming Amy up, let her get used to her surroundings nice and relaxed with a familiar rider.

Once Amy was nicely warmed up and settled Perf jumped on and took her over some jumps, i was so proud of my wee horse, she was such a good girl, and had a blast jumping the big jumps.

I am extremely thankful to Perf for helping me out and i owe her a HUGE choc fudge slice :)

Well i've started Amy on mag about a week ago, and this weekend was the first ride since.  Wow she was a different horse (i'm hoping it wasn't just a good day and continues).  We did flat work, went cruising round the farm jumping random logs, and then walked home on the buckle.  Amy didn't put a foot wrong, she was happy doing her work and if there was something she wasn't too keen on she didn't make a fuss.  Also normally after a fast exciting ride she normally jig jogs and there was NONE of that or the headshaking that sometimes happens.  I'm so happy i was almost tempted to keep her for myself but i just don't have the time or money :(

This is a really exciting, she may be able to find a nice rider who can go out and have a blast.  We are taking her up to Grey's road tomorrow and Perf is going to help me get some decent photos and i'm hoping Perf can see how high Amy can really jump since i'm such a wuss.  Hopefully will be able to add some photos too.

For sale

Amy is now up for sale, her add can be seen on trade me #169366544.

She will be missed dearly and i truly hope she goes to a nice forever home. Amy has taught me a lot and given me heaps of confidence.

Intorduction

Well thats the intro for the start of this little blog and now that i've introduced my horses, ill continue to update on our goings on.

Most of the updates will be about Bert though as he is my first greeny.

Bertie

Bert

Born: 21/10/1999

Dark bay, approx 17hh, Thoroughbred Gelding

Sire: Strike Diamonds

Dam: Alexandra

I often ride horses for a friend, who takes on unwanted, problem and neglected horses. Or where owners cant afford to keep them anymore, and Bert is one of their horses.

He is rising nine and has done nothing except be an occasional hack for the bigger part of his life.

Bert has a bit of a attitude nothing nasty or naughty just enough to let you know what he's thinking. Everytime he learns something new or accomplishes something he stores it and remembers it for next time wether he wants to do it or not ;)

So far Bert is learning to accept the bit and do schooling on a circle and learning how to bend. We have done some small jumps and so far he has a nice easy going jump which i hope will continue to improve as he builds muscle and knowledge. We have gone through the river which was a mission first time but easy as the second time. We have also done two rides up the hills and he is a real star and listens the whole way.

Bert and i went for our first gallop yesterday and although it was a short one he was a star even with a horse racing him in the paddock alongside.

I might eventually have the chance to buy bert if all goes well, but will compete him next season, which will be very exciting.

Blondie

Blondie

approx 20yrs, Palomino and approx 14.1hh.

Blondie was bought as a learners pony for the kids in my mums house as she does foster care. My cousin has caught the equine bug and Blondie has taught her how to ride and fall off, but most importantly he's taught her not to take any nonsense from horses.

He will take any rider from 2yrs to adults and has no problem carrying them as he's a very stocky boy.

Jessie and Blondie have done some pony club level competitions and next season will be their last before she has to move onto hack's. They do everything from ode's to gymkhanas to CTR rides and he's always a gem.

A true one in a million pony.

Katrina

Katrina

approx 14.3 hh Appaloosa Mare

Katrina was living on the farm where we graze and was about 7 years old. She had been abandond there since she was about 2 years old.

She has permanent injury's to her front knees, which has resulted in a permanent limp. She is prone to getting colic and founder, and is queen at escaping from taped off paddocks.

Crazily my mum fell in love with her and bought her off the owner of the land for $100.

She is the biggest pain in the bum and enjoys letting all the horses out of the paddock, although mum thinks she's just lovely ;)

Amy

Amy (aka: County Cache)

15hh Chestnut Thoroughbred Mare

Born: 29/09/1992

Sire: Cache of Gold

Dam: Classic Move

Amy was bought as my first hack after trying out bigger horses but finding them too unnerving. She has a very goey strong nature, but a real sweet heart at the same time. She taught me that jumping could be fun and we manage to get clear rounds up to 95 cm, (not much help from the rider tho) .

She is a very speedy bold jump and beautiful paces although finds flat work a chore. She is very herd bound and hates being left alone, but loves to travel and go new places.

Amy is now up for sale because it is time to move onwards and upwards, but she will be missed when the time comes.

Silver Taani

14.2hh Grey Arab Mare

Sire: IBN Naadel

Dam: Silver Flame

Taani was bought as my second pony. We really should've bought a hack but she was so pretty we couldn't say no.

We went to pony club, she enjoyed dressage, but hated jumping despite her talent for it. Her worst enemy was Games, with all the noisy things being carried around on her back. She would often bolt off until i dropped whatever i was carrying.

Taani is now my pet/baby who has a promised forever home with me, we still hack out, go to the local riding club and do the odd CTR ride when we can.