June 2011
28 June
Rosie is seriously ill! For the third day running yesterday she went really well, I don't know what has got into her! Yesterday we had a dressage lesson with Robert Pickles, being honest dressage hasn't been focused on much with Rosie recently so it was a surprise to me that she went as well as she did. Robert very much liked her and the way she moved. We worked at getting her in a deep and longer outline so she really started to use her back, the outline isn't what we will want in the arena but at the moment it will allow her to develop correctly. We did a lot of work bringing the circles in and leg yielding out in the trot to start to get her to use her hind leg correctly. We also did a little very gentle leg yielding in from the track in both trot and canter which helped her straighten up.
On the Sarnie front I can confirm she is continuing to improve and look very well in herself. She is having her back shoes off tomorrow while she is resting (will stop the temptation of me starting work too soon) and I am still planning that she will be back starting work at the end of July after she has been MOTed by the vet.
26 June -
Thought it was about time Rosie got the idea she is meant to be an eventer, all this show jumping success is fantastic but she was bought to be an event horse! There was a local hunter trial at Chyverton, a course we have schooled over but when walking it I found it to have enough questions and fences we haven't jumped before to offer a good test.
We were the 5th class and expecting to wander over mid afternoon, however at 12 a friend rang to say they were half way through class 4 and get your skates on! Luckily although we were at home she was in and clean so we just had to go over and pop her in the lorry. Arrived as they were changing courses so tacked up and warmed up. Kept the warm up to a minimum as the ground was firm enough on the warm up and it was hot. Toddled along to the start box and was called over, the starter said he would count from 5 and then went 5, 4 , 3...... at this point I was madly gathering up reins as I had expected a bit more warning! We started off over some simple fences.
Fences 5-
She was quite puffed when we finished as I had moved her forward where I could as I need to bring her fitness on particularly with riding club areas coming up next weekend. Washed her off and popped in back in lorry where she just slept soundly while we waited 2 hours for the results. Knew I wouldn't be the fastest but results were based on optimum time with a speed of 450m a minute. Eventually the results came up and miss consistency had brought home the rosette again winning the class. I would like to say it was due to my internal clock and good judgment as we were 8/100th of a second under the optimum time but I have to say it was just luck!!
Poor Rosie is expecting a week off to recover so I haven't told her yet she is having a lesson with Robert Pickles tomorrow!
25 June -
Now I am in the swing of things another day show jumping. First time ever on grass for Pippa (led a sheltered life) and first time for a while for Rosie. I have to say with the recent rain the going was perfect.
Rosie just did one class today as we are hoping to take her to a hunter trial tomorrow so thought best not to totally knacker her out. She is becoming quite proficient at British Novice now and jumped a good clear round. However in a big class so did a lot of other people meaning there was 19 in the jump off! I'm not a great one for worrying about double clears and with a horse like Rosie who benefits from being pushed on a bit decided not to hang around. Now don't get me wrong she was never going to be in a chance of winning and we were 4 seconds off the winner but she really started to turn a bit and move on whilst staying very careful. We were quick enough for 5th place which was brilliant, so more money on her card.
Pippa I entered in the Newcomers and she jumped a nice round but just fought me to
the last combination having a rail down. Having entered the Foxhunter at Stithians
in 2 weeks I thought I had better try one here. Have to admit it looked quite big
with a fairly meaty treble and some testing related distances. Well Pip made it feel
small, don't get me wrong we have a long way to go as she still fights any steadying
hand and throws her head up but when she meets it right she has immense power and
scope -
So another enjoyable day show jumping. Back to the real thing with a hunter trial
for Rosie tomorrow and then riding club team horse trials next weekend -
24 June
More good news in that we have gone over a 1,000 followers on Facebook! Can't believe how Shoestring Eventing has grown over the last 2 years, in fact today is Shoestring Eventing's 2nd anniversary. It is also not uncommon to have a 1,000 people log onto this website on a daily basis!
Last night we had a lesson with Caroline Creighton at Colraine, I took Pippa. We started off with some grid work. Anyway we moved on to do some technical exercises turning tight to a corner from the short side and then jumping from the corner to skinnies. I thought she would really struggle with this but she really focused on the fences and adapted to the exercises well. On some of the turns she hollowed a bit giving a hollow jump. I need to try some different bits and see if I can find anything that she hollows less in. Caroline thinks we are more than ready for Novice so the entry will be going in for Dauntsey Novice.
22 June -
I am not sure the this piece of news is so good or not! I have been asked to be involved in a piece for Eventing Magazine with fitness expert Matt Luxton looking at whether I am fit to ride (probably not!). I will then be following an 8 week program using Matt's Equestrian Athlete Plan tailored to getting people riding fit. There will be two features in Eventing Magazine the first looking at how the plan works and what we will be doing, the second a follow up looking at the difference it has made. I have been saying for a while I need to get fitter so time to put my money where my mouth is!
Finally I am pleased to report Sarnie is behaving like a lunatic, not good for my
blood pressure but she is certainly feeling more like her old self. Instead of having
the older horse calming influence she is winding everyone else up with her behaviour.
I can certainly vouch she is sound and today she came in plastered in mud -
19 June
Sarnie was deserted to her continuing pig nightmares and the Pipsqueaks were taken show jumping. The initial plan had been to go to Penzance show which has a nice big grass ring but that became a problem when I broke the tap in Rosie's stud hole! There are advantages of being at livery with a farrier and it was easily removed, however, the lack of a spare meant I couldn't tap the rest so we rerouted to Tall Trees arena who were running a BS show on a surface.
We missed the 90cm but entered the 95cm and 1m classes with Rosie. The 95cm she just
went a little green on me in a new arena and spent longer looking at the surroundings
than the fences! There was a spread along the short side and she was underneath it
before she saw it and took the back rail off. Shame really although that was the
bogey fence, there were only 2 clears and I am getting greedy for ribbons and money!
She improved in the 1m class and jumped a nice clear really pinging off the ground.
The jump off she decided she knew where she was going and was slightly argumentative
however we still finished 4th even though we had a pole down. So placings for Rosie
in her last 4 shows -
Pippa was entered in the Newcomers and seeing she has found that well within her capabilities the 1.15. I have put an entry in for our big one day agricultual show at Stithians in the Foxhunter (July 11th) so trying to get her ready for that. She is still not always easy to jump and will fight the hand and throw her head in the air. The Newcomers she found the tighter ring more difficult and we had two fences down, the first was my fault as I fired and stood her off a spread the second was the result of making too much ground up in a double. So still a work in progress.
I nearly had a fit when I saw the 1.15, I hadn't realised it was run under table A10 which means the second half of the course is bigger, in this case 1.20. I nearly chickened out but decided to give it go. It might not have been the neatest round and there was the odd hairy moment but she jumped a clear which I was delighted about, then I had a moment of panic, as the though of a raised jump off may have been a step too far (today). Luckily I was saved that problem as there were only 4 of us and I was the sole clear so won the class.
Off to get two taps for the stud holes before next weekend where I am hoping we can jump on grass.
18 June
Some of you may have noticed I have started to add a Course Pictures section to the website containing pictures I have taken of BE courses and links to pictures on other sites. Please if you can take any course pictures at BE events email them to me for inclusion as would be good to make a useful resource for all.
Sarnie last night moved to the new yard to join Rosie and Pippa. Not only was she fairly upset to find the Pipsqueaks had beaten her to the new pad but nobody told her there were pigs living there!! Eyes were out on stalks when she heard the grunting. Led her out past them this morning to the field ok but this evening as she came in they rushed to the fence grunting and squealing, well that was certainly too much and we pranced and leapt the rest of the way in. She certainly seems to be feeling quite well in herself.
17 June
Had the vet out to Sarnie yesterday, Graham was really pleased with how she was looking.
Sarnie on the other hand was less than pleased to see him and another needle for
a blood test, she did try and bite him but I didn't let her as didn't think it was
really appropriate when he was trying to help! The even better news is the blood
showed her red blood cells back in a normal range which means the internal bleed
has mended. So she will now be moving to the new yard to be reunited with the pipsqueaks
-
14 June -
After our successful defection to show jumping it was back to the real thing and eventing at West Wilts. As is always the way when coming from Cornwall it was necessary to travel up the night before so as not to make the day too long. We were very lucky to have good friends living close so we were whisked off for a lovely home cooked meal, although the need to walk it off saw me walking the course by moonlight at 10.30 that night!
Dressage wasn't until 1.30 so a leisurely start to the day and another course walk in good light! The course was nice and quite straightforward, the show jumping was more tricky being quite tight in the indoor school. It was hoped to be in the new outdoor school which wasn't quite finished but looks like it will be lovely.
Our dressage is going through that stage where I am asking a bit more and actually it is a bit more tense than it was and that showed in the test where we were given a 36.5, I actually thought in comparison to some of the other tests I saw this was a little harsh.
3 hours to kill before the jumping started, it gave me a bit of time to look round some of my favourite trade stands including Kate Negus and the lovely bridles and leatherwork. Walked the show jumping course which was a bit tricky with some quite sharp turns off the walls. Generally it didn't jump that easily with less than half the class going clear. Warm up was not easy as the school was crowded and people were stood holding horses in there which used up valuable space, you certainly needed eyes in the back of your head! Once in the arena Pippa jumped a nice round, we had a bit of a hollow moment to 7 but I managed to soften my hands just before the fence and she made a nice shape and we had a lucky rub at the penultimate fence but I think all in all we deserved a clear.
A quick change around for cross country, it was at this point that Houghton rather came back to haunt me as gloves, back protector, medical card and hat silk had been forgotten and were still covered in Houghton mud and sand. Brushed and sponged it off best we could (note to remember to clean properly before next event!) Hopped onto Pippa who had been sponged down by my very capable support team (did I mention how hot it was?) and wandered down to the start. 4 horses to go before me which was ideal, popped the warm up fences a couple of times using angles to get her focused and listening. We were soon off and over the first 2
The water was early at 5 although straightforward it was very twisty as you jumped fence 4 turned back 180 degrees to the water and then 180 degree turn back to the fence away, Pip managed this very neatly and carried on over the
next few straightforward fences, the far field she just got a bit free and then hollowed when I tried to sit her up so I just came down a gear and got her jumping out of a steadier stride. The fences she just made nothing of, she has amazing scope. Offset logs at 14 she kept very straight but struggled with the distance as she makes everything short. Probably the most tricky fence was was the final combination a simple brush upright on a turn to a decent box skinny, this was made more difficult as it was by the finish and lorry park so plenty of distractions.
So a double clear, we did have 2.4 time probably due to having to balance her and make her listen in the middle. Very happy with the result and the way she went although me being me I was a little frustrated to be 5 marks away from a placing (we were 14th ). Saying that I am seriously considering upgrading her to Novice next time as the jump is all there and the fences at this level are almost too small for her. She may not be competitive in the first few but it will help speed her education up.
By the time we had packed up we arrived back at the yard at 11pm -
A few pictures thanks to Nick Perry and also big thanks to Jane for the excellent grooming (more on my Facebook page).
12th June -
How does Shoestring Show Jumping sound? Doesn't have quite the same ring I guess!
Whilst I am not hanging up my eventing boots yet I had rather a good day at the BS
show. We nearly didn't go, whilst I don't consider myself a fair weather rider it
has been pretty miserable today and it was raining cats and dogs when we set out.
The thought was it's not always the best weather when eventing and they must get
used to going in any weather -
Rosie was in the British Novice and jumped a clear round, she is getting quite consistent at this height and her canter is really starting to sit a bit more. Following recent success I decided to have a crack in the jump off and promptly had the first fence down, kept moving on and also had second part of the double. I think we were fortunate to still end up 3rd and in the money (no video as too wet).
We then did the 1m Amateur class and she jumped a super clear round, starting to get the measure of this slightly bigger class. She is quite scopey and certainly starting to listen more.
The jump off would be the biggest track she has jumped to date and I didn't make the mistake of the British Novice and try and go too fast. I was delighted with another clear, not fast enough for a prize but she has qualified for the Amateur second round as well as the 90cm she qualified in last week.
Pippa was only entered in one class as we leave for West Wilts tomorrow. As she jumped the 1.10 well last week I put her in the Newcomers, not a big entry but she jumped one of only 2 clear rounds. Much better round although still the odd communication issue, when I actually get the hang of riding her she will be awesome.
The less said about the jump off the better!! I was second and the first horse did
a quick 8 faults so I only had to have less than 2 down to win, I was keen not to
get over defensive and promptly fired her at everything having 2 poles down in a
slower time. Luckily the rain was throwing it down by this point so no video evidence
available. So although a slightly frustrating end I was actually very pleased with
my efforts. Even better I won £2 more than I paid out in entry fees, so in profit
-
Sarnie meanwhile had been sulking in her stable as the rain meant she had to stay in. When I popped her out for an hour in the evening she had a good buck of displeasure which gave me a smile. Off to West Wilts tomorrow and competing Tuesday although don't go xc until 5pm so another late day back. Will update as soon as I can.
10th June
Dogs who would have them?! Dearest Rebel decided to jump over a hedge on the farm tonight after a rabbit, he didn't realise the other side was thick with nettles and brambles and couldn't possibly get back again! So who had to climb the hedge wade through the nettle and brambles rescue him and lift him over the offending foliage whilst getting stung themselves? Not my favourite dog tonight!
Pleased to say Rosie and Pippa seemed to have settled well at the new yard. Hoping Sarnie will join them in a week, she will be in for a shock to discover the pipsqueaks haven't been sold but in actual fact have settled in before her! I have been mainly hacking them as still not sorted out a school to use and both actually are benefiting from road work and general fittening work. I did have a flat lesson with Pippa yesterday which was really useful in identifying what I need to work on. Primarily I am looking to improve her contact and get her head and neck out and forward a bit, also on the right rein need to think shoulder fore as she can curl this way.
We are taking both jumping on Sunday although just one class for Pippa as we leave for West Wilts on Monday. Hearing they have had some rain up there so hoping that the going is better, show jumping anyway is on an all weather arena which is great.
8th June
Pleased to report Sarnie's continuing improvement, she is quite bright in herself and on Monday the soft part of the hematoma started to disperse. This however brought fresh concerns as the fluid seemed to travel down her legs and on Tuesday they were like tree trunks, tonight however they have returned to normal. Whilst she still has some solid swelling between her legs and back along her belly she is otherwise looking pretty good.
5th June -
Time to turn the focus onto the pipsqueaks and ensure they start pulling their weight
in Sarnie’s absence. Rosie and Pippa both need more rounds under their belt so we
made use of the all weather surface at Colraine. I am sore still but can't sit around
as it is not in my nature so just had to get on with it, I did find when I came to
ride that sitting in the saddle to canter still sent spasms through my back (note
I am getting me excuses in early!) so generally kept by bottom out the saddle in
canter -
Rosie was in the 90cm Amateur and showed her continued improvement with a nice double clear. I pushed forward in the jump off and was delighted with 2nd place, even more delighted with the £20!!
She also jumped the discovery and if I ignore the first fence she jumped another super round. She came into the first fence looking at who was watching her and not even looking at the fence,the result was a pole flying and someone realising she really can't do two things at once!
Pippa jumped a nice round in the meter class although she is the first horse I have had for a long time that makes all the distances seem so short, she just tipped a rail coming out the double. We then entered her in the 1.10 class which is her biggest class to date. I didn't ride this round as well as I would like and I guess our partnership is still forming as I just hold her back sometimes when I should be allowing her forward and on. I don't want her too onward bound and long but I can ride her too defensive and I did that twice in the 1.10 the second time resulting in us having a rail of the double going in. Then again just a fence wasn't bad for her first attempt and the size is nothing to her.
I was late getting Sarnie in as the show jumping was fairly late to finish. She was cross and even had a prance around when I fetched her in which shows she must be feeling better, I am trying to ignore the dry cough the prancing set off! Her hematoma has dispersed quite a bit today and interestingly the swelling is going down one leg. Not sure if this should worry me or not but as there is no pain or heat will monitor and have a word with the vet tomorrow if I am at all concerned. Needless to say Sarnie was not impressed when she heard of the pipsqueaks efforts!
4th June
The vet came again yesterday and was very pleased with Sarnie's progress, it certainly appears the initial panic is over although there are still some concerns. Her swelling under her chest is still very large but even if she has cracked her sternum it should heal on its own, she has not lain down since she has been home so must be uncomfortable to do so. However she is out in the field grazing, eating a little haylage and hard food so going in the right direction. Her red blood cell levels have increased slightly although it could take several weeks to return to normal meaning she will tire very easily. With this in mind she won't move to join the 'pipsqueaks' at the new yard for another couple of weeks. Don't like to tell her they are getting settled in and she will be the newcomer when she arrives! The vet is due in 2 weeks and providing bloods are more normal she will be moved then and hopefully we can also plan a trip to Lucy's yard for a thorough check over by Spike.
Rosie is starting to settle quite well at the new yard although Pippa is still a bit stressed, however it is a bigger change for her. I have managed to box them to Colraine this week for a bit of a jump and hoping tomorrow to take them to the BS show at Colraine. Have provisionally entered Rosie in 90cm and 1m and Pippa in 1m and 1.10 although I will play it by ear tomorrow as I am still quite sore in neck and back. I went to the chiropractor on Thursday who shook his head at me a bit and manipulated my back, have to say by the time I left I felt like I had been run over by a steam roller!
2nd June
Things have been flat out since my return looking after Sarnie and moving Pippa and Rosie. On our return from Houghton we had planned to move all the horses to the new yard, with Sarnie so poorly she has remained where she is but Rosie and Pippa have moved in meaning I am going between two yards at the moment. Pip and Rosie are not settling as easily as I hoped but I have had less time to dedicate to them than I wanted and they are probably picking up on my stress levels.
Sarnie I am pleased to say is finally turning the corner. Tuesday I was pretty worried as she still wasn't eating or drinking so my local vet came out and put her on a drip for 12 hours to get fluids into her. He also checked her blood and found low red blood cells which indicated she was internally bleeding. He scanned and found blood around (not on) the lungs. It is possible she has cracked a rib which has caused this or there may be some other reason, if the bleed was serious it would have caused problems earlier so just needs monitoring. Graham from Rosevean vets has been excellent and is taking another blood test tomorrow to check the blood levels are no worse.
I have now got the pictures of the fall which are not pleasant but do show why we are both so sore.
I have made a sad decision which in a way is the end of some big dreams with Sarnie. She is unlikely to be ever asked to run at advanced / 3 star level again. She does not find the width of the fences easy and she does not have the attack and ability to jump across the fences an advanced horse needs. I am very hopeful she will make a full recovery and continue competing in 2 star and OI competitions as well as show jumping, it would also be nice to do a few eventer grand prix classes as she could be very good at these. My main focus now is getting her back to full fitness.
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