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.