14 June 2010 - Update Kaiapoi ODE

Well we arrived, good start to day, easy drive. Lace was beautiful outside the arena, listening, transitions were good, but once we got in arena, I think I was sooo worried I was going to forget it, I just got tense. She was up and down with her head at canter, but all in all was okay. Only got about 8th, but considering she's only been ridden 3 times in 3 weeks thats okay. SJ was rather scary for me to walk, mainly cause I've not ridden her much recently and no jumping practice. However she was a dream, and I learnt when she reached out for some jumps to just give her her rein and stretch those legs down of mine and just sit there. No rails down and the turns I was worrried about weren't an issue. XC started great, flew through all the water, but got to the big corner near the end of the course and there were two sacks on it, I looked straight at them thinking they werent' there before, so needless to say she stopped. I did the same thing again, wasn't till I took the corner from a differnet line and I WASN"T LOOKING at the sacks did she fly over, so all my fault. But I was soo happy with the ride, no pulling, it was lovely. I came off even though I'd stuffed up, really really happy with her. However she has started pulling back at the float, did it 3 times and if it hadn't been for a lovely woman beside us I couldn't have left her to walk the XC. Helen also tied foxy up to my float and she seemed to settle after that, helped Helen was riding immediatley after me. So that helped a great deal too. Thank you Helen!!!!

8 June 2010

Well we didn't even bother going to Rangiora to compete on Monday, definately made the right decision. Grounds were very boggie for SJ but XC was fine. But after having done this event 3 years in a row, they never cancel even though the SJ and dressage areas have been apalling, we've decided not enter that event again. With a drive of over 75 minutes its not worth getting out there and then turning around and going home again. I'd rather flag the money than risk injury to my horse or myself. My friend went, shes closer than us and said they had 6 people turn up in our class, so I wasn't the only wise one it turns out. I'm totally sick of this wet weather, and the inability to get on the horses and do some riding. Hence I've been rather depressed about it all.

I've still got Kaiapoi and Springston events, if I can't get on Lace at least a couple of times this week will probably flag Kaiapoi and hope for some better weather with Springston, thats only 5 minutes down the road however, so no big deal if it all turns to custard.

Oh and I clipped Lace on Saturday, she was in fact worse than G, who knew that would be possible. Every part of that horse is ticklish, her neck, her flank, her belly (okay fair enough there), we had a bit of cow kicking, not trying to get me but warning shots, so unfortunately her belly is very patchy. Roly was holding her as we needed her down by the house to get power, thats another thing on the to do list for the barn. But just decided prettiness wasn't a necessity, so rather than wind her up to much, we just got it done as best we could and let her back out beside the boys.

Shannon isn't taking part in Collier now, date has been moved to end of June, which means she and another rider are unavailable. Shannon who has gotten into the Selwyn Development Squad for netball has games every Sunday now, so we'll be travelling down to Timaru, Ashburton, North Canterbury and one in Chch.

Upcoming

With long weekend coming, I've taken Friday off work to try and get horses all tied up, catch up on mucking out that hasnt' been done due to rain, and get some work into Lace before Rangiora ODE on Monday. I also anticipate I'll be clipping her on Saturday. So lets hope the weather on Monday isn't as nasty as they're predicting, I'd appreciate a bit more sunlight, since I can some today for the first time in weeks. Also brother inlaw has his 40th B/day party this Saturday, so will be another outing for us. I've also entered Kaiapoi ODE and Springston which will be our last, but yet again will be weather dependent. I'm not the young fool I once was, and refuse to get cold and wet all at the same time.

2 June 2010 - Update

Well its been a while between posts, so time to let you know what's happening.

Still no subdivision so no fencing, which is a blow as with the amount of rain we've had our electric standards are struggling to stay upright. We have however gotten access to our barn, as Kaye's has been progressed enough to get her four horses inside. So Sunday was spent moving the sawdust from one bay to the others so we can lay pallets and be ready to lay concrete in at least the one bay. What a job though, for the rest we will definately get in a little mini digger.

Haven't ridden in a few weeks other than the occasional potter because of weather and ground conditions. Luckily Collier was postponed, we've got such well draining soil, I just couldn't see how they couldn't be water logged, we are greasy and slippery, so much so I don't want to risk riding. We did get enough of a break yesterday with some more sun, to chuck Lace on the lunge, she was soo pleased to be out of her paddock and doing something, she kept dropping her bottom lip while she was trotting round, then wanted cuddles every time I asked her to halt. Okay she might look depressed (who can blame her with all this rain), not unlike myself but what a sweetie.

We're supposed to be doing Rangiora this weekend, Shannons last event for the season, but will play it by ear with weather, not risking her or either of the horses if the ground conditions are dangerous, I'd rather just flag the money.

Shannon got into the Selwyn 15 and under development squad (netball) so she's over the moon. Means more training and more netball - arh!

Thats it from me, pretty boring I admit but with all this rain not a lot we can do, and yes yet again its raining today, we had 2 days without, 1 with sun and we're back to rain. I hate winter!