Wet Weekend Weather

Well Saturday was horrid, I got drenched three times just feeding out, however because of it Shan's pony Jim got a new rug out of me (his old rug was just too heavy and I didn't like the way it fit).  Let's hope he appreciates it.

Sunday came round eventually and the rain was gone, just like that!  So we went down to Melton Park for some jumping.  My lesson with Fergus Spain had done me the world of good, and although I trotted into the jumps first time, I managed to do a course canteirng and I dictated the pace and kept it, we both came out really happy. Normally this is only done on the day of competition.   Ridiculous when you think of what I used to jump but I felt a change in my confidence levels and I'm loving it!  So trying to organise another lesson with Fergus for next Sunday.

Shan and Jim jumped beautifully as per usual, however Shan has developed really hard hands, I think its being a teenager, everything is rough, so there was a bit of yelling from me, to make sure she left his head alone.  He is such a super star that horse, she's very very lucky to have him.

We've decided that with limited time due to Shan making Canterbury Country U17 netball (non travelling reserve) and having to attend practices on Sunday and then club netball on Wednesday and Saturday and Motivations on Monday and then if she makes it into Selwyn Reps again this year, theres another two days, there just isn't the time for pony club, so we've decided to leave pony club and let her concentrate on her netball.  We're lucky since we now have the house and land, she still has the time to get home and ride before trainings, so its not like Jim will miss out, and we can pick our days for going to the beach or forest and since Melton Park is just down the road, we will make more use of that.

I was going to ride Rat on Sunday, however I'd taken off their rugs before we headed out on Sunday, when I came back he was filthy, as I continued to debate how long it would take to get him clean, he lay down and rolled in the mud, so my motivation went just like that.  I'm sure he knew too! 

It's overcast today, and cold (well cold to me) so I cant' be bothered riding, however am probably going to take Friday off to go riding at a local Pony Club with a mate, so will need to get out there this week.  I'm aiming to take Rat once a week to Melton Park and might even attempt to jump Mr Unco a few times.  Watch this space.

So far

Well with the earthquakes and continued after shocks I'm losing motivation, I've done the Belfast ODE, we got a 6th in dressage and clear XC, albeit slow, felt fast to me, well fast enough, but apparently my sister said was a nice dressage canter, hmm I'm not improving there then.  We had one stop in the SJ at the planks, same thing Shan had a stop at on Jim - flaming horses, must have been talking.  I was lucky to stay on but was my own fault, I trotted into the jump prior, due to a tight turn and her being a big girl, she did it at a trot, but I threw my reins at her, so was still gathering them by the time we were coming to the planks.  You live and learn.  But she did the rest of the course beautifully, however that dropped us out of the placings.

I haven't entered anything else yet, still making up my mind - lack of movitation.

I took Rat on his first outing in for ever in the new float, and tottled off to Melton Park, he settled really well, and even though we didn't get a big trot, he didn't put a foot wrong, so will do the same again next week.  He's been seen by Joy White, and now gets the right canter lead without me on his back, so will continue to use a small jump when I'm riding to get it till he finds it easy enough without. 

Lace has also seen Joy White and is moving a lot more freely, she was definatley sore after our trek, but has bounced back.  We went out for a ride at the forest which she enjoyed then had a jumping lesson with Fergus Spain on Jessie's recomendation, and I enjoyed it, felt I got a lot out of it, and I'm not as bad as I think, but its all about between the jump, its a trust thing and getting the pace I want, not what she wants.  Once I feel I can get the slow, medium and big canter and happily have her come back to me I think we'll be away.  But I've decided to try to have weekly lessons with Fergus for a while to get on top of things then take them to fortnightly, just to keep my confidence levels up. 

Got the new float, and I love it, travels beautifully, the horses love it, however Lace continues to pooh in it, almost as soon as she gets in, so I'm yet again cleaning it out after every trip, twice, once on the way there, once at home.  You'd think she saves it up, but no she'll have several before getting on!  Anyway, really happy with the float.