Always think positive

 

It seems Socks has run out of good behaviour and obviously has been keeping her alter ego bottled up but she definitely released some tension at Summerhouse on Friday!

 

After lots of training recently we have been going really well and Socks is starting to use her back end and come up a little in front.  This is always an issue as she is built downhill so requires extra effort and although she is getting better she still struggles to maintain a good frame for long periods of time therefore becomes inconsistent but it is an area we are working on and needs to be developed slowly as she is not a horse you can rush as gets easily upset and stops trying.

 

I thought it was time to get out to a competition and see where we are at so booked in at Summerhouse for one prelim and thought we'd have a go at an easy novice test.  Well, let's start with the good news, the first test went OK and we achieved our last percentage to allow us to qualify for the area festivals.  The best news of the day was that I think I may have solved Socks' game of climbing on the tack locker when travelling, result! 

 

Now for the not so good news...  The disobedience's have returned!!!   Considering how hot the weather was and the fact Socks had already completed one test, I think I don't need to worry about her stamina any longer.  The warm up was very tense and Socks was a bit spooky so I spent time trying to relax her which I thought went well, however coming down the centre line I felt like I was sat on an unexploded bomb, she was however not on her forehand, so I kept positive thoughts as I continued the test.  The first canter she kicked out against my leg and then continued to threaten humping as we went round our 20m circle, having managed to contain her we got to the walk and she stretched down very relaxed with regular steps, thankful she'd started to settle I prepared for the upwards transition to trot followed by canter, it then went a bit wrong!  The walk was obviously the lull before the storm and the bottled up energy I felt earlier all exploded as she leaped into the air showing off her acrobatics, thankfully remaining a passenger we got back under control and redeemed ourselves with some good canter work and a beautiful square halt to finish!

 

So it seems we have a little more arena practise to do but I think I might start including some jumping outings soon to mix things up a bit and hope that helps her concentration and consistency and reduce those costly disobedience's!!!  I am however still feeling very positive as in the grand scheme of things we have come a really long way from the days when we couldn't even stay on the same rein or complete a 20m circle without disappearing down the opposite end or at worst out the arena!  It might take us a little longer to achieve our goals and I might need to keep tweaking them as things don't go to plan but we are on the right track and thoroughly enjoying ourselves in the process.

Here's a few photos of our progress from the good to the bad 😀

Test riding, brain training and balancing on balls

Just returned from another great weekend away with Socks, this time it was intense training at Hartpury for the South West region Senior camp.  It involved three days of riding, balancing on balls, brain training among other activities including a little wine!

Last year Socks had a little meltdown at working in the main Hartpury arena, it was all a bit much for her and we seemed to go in every direction but the right one with varying levels of hooves in contact with the ground at any one time. So, this year I have prepared her by getting out to as many venues as possible but it's difficult to find any quite like Hartpury so I was just hoping for the best really.  I am pleased to say that this time hard work and patience paid off as Socks went through the tunnel into the main arena and worked her own little socks off!  First session of the weekend was a success, I just hoped we hadn't peaked too early.

The next couple of days were packed with plenty to do.  There were really interesting sports psychology sessions (just for me this time not Socks) which I found very useful and full of helpful tips on how to optimise your performance and train your brain.  The fitball classes were lots of fun (again Socks was left munching hay for this one) although in the sweltering heat we've been experiencing recently this was hard going and I found stomach muscles I didn't know existed.  But I'm proud to say I managed to sit, kneel and balance all over that ball!  (I felt I might have worked harder over the weekend than my horse)

On the Saturday it was time for Socks to do something but I don't think standing on a weighbridge, looking pretty and being complimented a lot counts.  Thankfully she was at an ideal weight and I seem to be feeding her all the right things and quantities so gold star for us.

Then the real work started with lessons and test riding, both sessions Socks remained cool, calm and rideable in the main arena and although a bit tired completed our first attempt at some higher novice tests which (a) I remembered and (b) no disobedience's (aka bucking!)

It's so exciting to finally be out progressing in our training, Socks is looking and feeling so much more grown up, I just need to get myself back in training to keep up with my horse as my fitness could definitely do with a bit of work.  

Next step is to qualify for the Petplan area festivals so let's hope we can put all this training into practise next week out competing!