It's a funny old game....

Trundled off to Pachesham again on Sunday...was my Mother's Day present to myself...happily it was a lovely day and both bears came along to support without too much moaning!

N23 (not done that in ages) and N38 (which we have done a number of times now)

I just don't know what the problem with the Small Brown one and Pachesham is...he loathes the warm up with a passion. Not sure if it is the mirrors in odd places, the surface, the bank, the mahooooosive muck heap??/ Either way he always has a melt down,chooses a horse to be terrified of and sticks to his guns! Having had a couple of more successful warm ups at Priory, I foolishly didn't leave enough time to work through his little tantrum which meant he was wound up like a spring and my time was coming closer without one single sensible transition to canter under our belts :(

Coupled with a bunch of screaming middle aged women with their flyball team outing, literally screaming their heads off, dogs barking....did not for a calm boy make.
Still, we went in, made a pigs ear of it....medium canters were flat out gallops with llama style handbreak stops at the end, after which he just sat on my leg and refused to go forward,which meant we broke a couple of times and I wasn't brave enough to give him a reminder of the job in hand!Felt awful, looked worse. Fully deserved 59% and last place...

At which point I blooming well decided we weren't wasting our entry fee, and he could blooming well get over it, and get off my leg and get going!! Took an executive decision to do 2nd warm up in field next to arena....and smacked that little brown bottom. We had a short and meaningful discussion about the need for forward, transitions and listening...at which point he knuckled down.
N38 was at least calm, submissive and accurate for a change...he suddenly felt tired, so the energy wasn't there, but he at least tried to get going when I asked for more. Last centre line was weak and woolly as by that point we were both adrenalined out...but chuffed to bits with 66.1%...no placing, but a squeak short of 6thplace....and tons to work on, so pleased we went back in and did better...

Fairoak Grange next outing with the Team Timson massive....looking forward to a group outing and a giggle....new venue for us, so will be a good test...

Trit trotting in the sunshine

What a difference a month makes!

February is better left in the history books...a combination of a prolapsed disc,a broken rib, crazy work schedule and family trauma left me in a poor mental  and physical state,and definitely not ready for the regionals....withdrawing was a very hard decision, but with little movement through my right side, it was just not fair on either of us...fingers crossed there will be another day...

God bless my trainer, who is an absolute saint, for keeping the wheels on the pony based wagon at least...without him, we would just be sobbing in the corner of a stable somewhere!

The last time we braved the Priory we had to retire. Apparently there are monsters in the hedge! Quite possibly, but I definitely needed to man up and ride...something we have been working on for a good couple of weeks now.

Novice 34 is a new test for me,but we are better with lots going on,so I think it suited us. Being small means short arena tests are generally a bit more doable...60m is a LONG way on a 15.2hh!!!

15 minutes warm up was plenty as the indoor was a veritable sauna!!! A real turning point is that today he managed to contain his distress at working in with strange horses coming at him left right and centre!

Off we popped to the arena of doom...spookety spook, but today I was proactive and bar the odd snakey,giraffe manouvre we managed to get through it ok. Me being me was convinced it would be sub 60%, so was pleasantly surprised with 65%...our first ever Regional qualifying score...chuffed to bits, so a placing not important at that moment.

Let him have a break and a quick graze between tests as it was by now, tropical. Back in for 5minute kick up the backside and back into work mode, before N38. He has been in this arena before, and not had any problems...bar an initial spook at the killer rug over the fence, he settled quickly, worked rhythmically and managed the counter canter...huge pats! I came out chuffed to bits, which is highly unusual for me!!!

You can't imagine my delight to discover we had an almost identical score in the 2nd test, which I felt was much better...but different judges so a different eye...

over the moon covered it...popped him in the trailer and took him home...couldn't wait until end of class today...tidying up at home and the phone rings, my lovely friend Stephanie was charged with the job of collecting sheets...squeals of delight to discover we had come 2nd in both tests, doubling our points tally in the process and getting our first sheets towards regional qualification...

Clever, clever pony!!! At rising 7 it has taken him a while to settle and become submissive in stressful test situations....today I felt he was with me,and I was able to ride rather than take part in damage limitation

Pictures here...

Plan is to keep working on his strength and suppleness, while building in some more of the lateral work...lotsof hard work ahead...and lots of fun!!!

A winning mindset....

Attended a fascinating training course this week in my day job!
We were discussing the ideal learning culture,setting and achieving Target for Success,establishing clear learning intentions and helping children be the best they can possibly be.
I always find it fascinating to apply some of the teaching principles I learn to my riding life...as it is the area of my world that I am constantly learning, reassessing, being challenged in and then learning some more.

One particular piece of research by Carol Dweck struck me....when asked about their views of ability and potential to succeeed...BOYS were more likely to attribute success to ABILITY and failure to LACK OF EFFORT. GIRLS on the other hand attributed success to EFFORT and failure to LACK OF ABILITY.
Something I can totally relate to...if we do well we have worked really hard that week, if we are struggling those feelings of doubts creep in...maybe we just aren't good enough, what is the point in carrying on, maybe a need a better horse, shiny boots, more saddle cloths, a new trainer???

The truth might be closer to success is due to a combination of effort AND ability. No one is born being able to ride a dressage test  or jumping round Burghley are they? Some people have a 'feel' for a horse,most people work bloody hard to improve their skills, fitness, gain an understanding of what is required and practice, practice, practice!

The biggest barrier to success I guess for me has been my mindset...we learned this week there are 2 main types of people...those with a FIXED mindset and those with an OPEN or GROWTH one.

Do you know which one you are? Think about how you approach challenges with your ponies...

Research again has shown that people with a fixed mindset need to constantly prove their ability, whereas people with a growth mindset believe their success will be developed through learning...?
Do you believe you can only ever progress so far with your riding? Do you feel you are successful when things are easy and need that to success to feel positive about the next step? Do you find it hard when people point out errors you make? Do you feel that even when you are doing well you won't be able to cope with problems or obstacles that might arise? FIXED mindset....

Surely a more healthy way to approach your journey...horse based or otherwise is to accept
Success CAN be increased through hard, hard work....your OWN efforts. It is important to acknowledge that there are vast differences between people, how much they know and how quick they master things (so stop comparing yourself to the rider you always see at competitions...maybe they have been working for years, quietly behind the scenes...) Decide that you LOVE to learn NEW things and feel excited by new challenges...Find a trainer who praises your EFFORTS and every small achievement you make...love your horse for the efforts they make every day...after all, they would be just as happy in a field,munching grass....

Set your goals, plan your road to success and embrace the challenges(for there are bound to be many)

So which one are you? I know I am as guilty as anyone of having a closed mindset and a defeatist attitude...but if I can change.....

Happy Sunday everyone: enjoy your ponies whatever you are doing xx

My mantra...

in my day job is 'Hard Work Is Always Rewarded'
I use it to give my kids the confidence to excel, succeed and achieve their potential...and it is true, very true!

With 12 days to go, we regrouped and looked at the plan..

This weekend was key preparation time
Two tests and regional venue...
Lots of challenges: the weather (apocalyptic) the venue (indoors and spooky) the tests (Novice 24...very hard and Elementary 44) and me....

Instructions were to enter 2, ride one, if it felt great, then withdraw from 2nd and come home on a high..
the best laid plans and all!!!

I thought I knew the tests, but had a reader anyway...a lovely, calming influence! We warmed up in a howling gale, which was not conducive to relaxation...called in for test (bizarrely Ele first!)  and the roof sounded like it was going to take off. Small Brown was NOT impressed, cue silly skipping sideways a la giraffe...I kicked on but never really got him through or relaxed in the neck...some bits were ok, most of it was tense and then I did my usual and forgot to listen to reader...error of course! Rubbish! Completed with a sense of disappointment,mixed with achievement for actually doing our first Elementary without retirement!!!
So chuffed to get a 60+% from a judge I respect hugely.

Sigh....it did mean however, we were definitely going to have to do test number 2. Left him munching his haylage quite happily as an hour between tests, by which time The Wise One had arrived with his sensible and pragmatic approach...looked at video and declared I should be pleased with that at this stage in his training....

So helpful to have him there for the warm up as he never gets to see the 'moments of joy' we experience...and SmallBrown is a total angel at home!!
Luckily Small Brown was happy to show off his shenanigans..and as soon as another horse passed too close...off he went at a rate of knots!!!
'Don't pat him' ringing in my ears...not until he is going forward and soft and relaxed...oh yes!!!! Such a bad habit of mine...and all it is doing is confirming the sillliness is ok!!
'Find some space' 'Look up' 'Relax'
Second test, took it all on board. We had quite a long time in the arena before the bell rang,and luckily it was at the mirror end, so could sort me,him and ride him past every single terrifying marker :D

This time he felt soft and with me
This time I listened
This time I actually rode him
Couple of tense moments riding towards the door, but, but but we finished with a smile on our faces

Couldn't have been more chuffed when the news of 65+% arrived!!!
Our personal best score for straight dressage sans music
9th out of 29, so no disgrace at all...

A great end to a long, long day
There is a video...but the soundtrack is my 8 year old singing 'We are the Champions' for a full 5minutes...fabulous if she actually knew more than the single line...sung at top volume...I will spare you....

So we have achieved what we set out to in the  of competing that January and February have turned out to be!!
We have spaces booked at Pachesham on Saturday, but The Wise One feels we are better at home doing last minute tweeks to floorplan and music desensitisation...happy with that

Chocolate Brown saddle cloth has been purchased...and we will be donning our Casco ensemble, with brown jacket and boots to hopefully wow those judges...

Lets hope Chris Malinchak, The Wanted and The Googoodolls are up the streets of the judges ;)
Little video of our practice here:

FSMNovice routine

We really really couldn't have thrown anything else at the preparation,so now all that remains is to go, have fun and do our best :)

A new regime

WE continue our quest to be better before the regionals..
19 days and counting....

So, after the last two 'challenging' outings we tried a new approach this weekend....2 tests..
I have never ridden 2 tests in one day before...mainly due to my utterly, utterly terrible memory coupled with an inability to listen and ride at the same, leaving a caller redundant :(

This was an exercise, however in desensitisation for the Small Brown one who remains spooky in a test situation and a relaxation exercise for me,who remains tense in a test situation!!!

The Wise One has been working very hard with us at home in dealing with the tense moments...relax, sit into the saddle, sit up, look up, ride him forward and into a contact, to an extent let him get on with it underneath you...above all DO NOT panic!!

Wise words indeed after the shenanigans this weekend.
Small Brown is feeling VERY well, limited turnout still due to the field now resembling Lake Windermere, lots of work done, but it was a cold, bright day and an outing to boot!!

We had to park a thousand miles away from the warm up arena, unfortunately right by the entrance gate, but he seemed happy enough...minimal spooking at the puddles/horse walker/bins/shadows...lulled into a false sense of security perhaps, we headed to warm up, where he proceeded to explode!!! I realise now, he had been smacked with someone else's schooling whip inadvertantly while they passed a bit close...but cue an excuse to be a very, very silly boy!!

15 minutes of explosions quickly followed by:

quite frankly, got a bit boring after a while!! 15minutes in and I finally manged to get my leg on enough to be able to ride him forward into a proper rhythm and get a semblance of flexion...sadly not enough to have him properly on side for the first test

However!! we got through it, with some nice moments...lost marks for inaccuracies that were totally my fault...sack the rider...AND we stayed in the arena...for the entire test!!! Hurrah!!!!

Back into warm up for a quick check of both our sanity, and in for the monumental moment of the second test...I know N38 very well, but have never managed to get over 61% for it...transitions are so important in this one and tension has rendered us well, tense..
Today was the first time I came out feeling we had completed a calm and controlled test, where tension was not an issue....the outside shoulder needs work (we are hitting that hard in lessons this week) but judge commented on his lovely active paces and his great potential so I was chuffed to pieces with 64.1% from a list 4 judge.

Test pictures

Lots to work on, but lots of positives too....sooooooooooooooo pleased with 2 4th places...not last for once!!!!!!!

So happy to go home with a smile on our faces!

Read with interest Dan Greenwood's article in Horse and Hound


Spooking isn’t an issue, connection is the issue,” Dan told H&H. “If a horse is connected it doesn’t spook.”

We asked Dan to share how he believes a rider should deal with a spooky horse, whether in the competition arena or while training.

1. Don’t worry if your horse’s head comes up — that’s fine, they’re allowed to take a look.

2. Keep a contact on both reins, that’s the main thing.

3. Try to keep your legs on, moving the horse towards that contact.

4. Think where you want your horse’s feet to go. From the point of view of a test, you want to keep going on your line.

5. Be realistic. If your horse is spooky, you don’t want this to become the focus of your test. Don’t confront the problem, think to yourself “I’ll get the horse through and on to the circle” or whatever.

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/dan-greenwoods-tips-dealing-spooky-horse/#osjzfzgzjATL2Jlx.99

Very useful advice to go with everything we have learned over the last few weeks....connection, connection,connection....

Merrist Wood next week for a Novice and an Elementary...really looking forward to it now.
Love my Small Brown...

Devotion and support...or utter madness...

I do a lot of thinking...
Mainly in the car....mostly a lot of nonsense
The last 2 weeks have been crazy busy...I have hardly seen the Small Brown one, but this morning as I drove to work (yes, on a Saturday) at 8am in the sunshine, it occurred to me how bloody lucky I actually am.

Outsiders, I think, believe this to be a bit of a crazy obsession
True, I work 3 jobs to keep everything going...cars, family, dogs, cats, pony, training,competitions
We make a lot of sacrifices as a family...this summer will be our first holiday for 8 years and although there is the odd grumble, I could not wish for a more supportive family

The Grumpy Bear met me with a horse in tow (knocked him over on their first meeting..) He should have run for the hills...now 10 years and *cough* a few horse later, he is still here, taking photographs, filming tests, handing out tissues, keeping a low profile when it goes wrong, never asking how much things costs(he would weep)doing stable jobs,babysitting, celebrating the high points....he loves Small Brown really...

T

The Little Bear is rather more vocal in her feelings about all things horse related. Having been wheeled out to yards in her pram since birth,you would have thought she loved it....sunny days are good...sometimes she grumbles...

Sometimes she is very honest...

Just a couple of thoughts...

.sometimes she creates her own little movies....

Home movies

And then there is The Wise One...who has endless patience with us both, listens quietly, offers advice, laughs at our stupid moments, has utter faith in the fact that we 'will' get there,never rushes us, never over analyses, never ever complicates anything and definitely has no concept of bullshit...ask a straight question and there will be a straight answer, has trained me to believe in myself, mean it when I ask for something and never to waste a single second of our precious time together...he has without a doubt changed my entire outlook on the world of dressage...I no longer look to anyone or anything else apart from myself if things are going wrong...it is always a privilege to have such an inspiration in your life

So, yes, I am lucky...I have love, support, patience, and inspiration surrounding me...now we have to make the most of it and be the best we can be...

If Carlsberg made dressage outings....

today's would be a 4 pack of Tesco Value Lager...entertaining if you are 15 and possibly best that no one witnesses you with it.....

However, in a perverse way today was the best outing we have had in our short and inauspicious dressage career...

Thank heavens trainer worked us hard in our lesson yesterday...heaven knows what fate might have befallen us had he been fresher...

The first,first this time was the falling off in the warm up. In my head it was graceful, balletic even and definitely definitely not witnessed by anyone...in reality the little toad waiting until I had one foot in the stirrup and was at that point of no return where you have taken your weight off the mounting block and begun to swing it over the back before he charged off like a llama released from the gates of Hades. He didn't even look sorry! We regrouped after a quick 'discussion' about manners proceeded to clear the warm up in a very fine' passage' complete with arab tail and snorting....kill me now, I begged!!

Last week, I would have cried and gone home...what could I possibly do? My warm up involves 10 minutes of walk and lateral work..clearly not today!...There were banners!! Horror of horrors!!! Students turning out horses!!! And cows, oh killer cows!!! Somehow I found my inner dressage diva, thought on my feet and got firm...cue cantering sideways every time I shifted my weight...and paroxysms of indignant plunging...until I smacked his bottom, said absolutely NOT today...where upon he grumbled under his beard that this just wasn't fair and settled to do some work. We trotted and trotted and trotted. Then trotted some more...in for a penny I thought....death or glory...canter transition...no plunging, no running...hurrah...I had him back!!!

Today I thought on my feet, didn't give in, braved the tantrums and came out the other side...in the warm up at least!

Smugness is not an attractive trait...luckily it only fleetingly made an appearance :/

THE arena had markers!! Clearly never seen those before...lovely judge gave us a chance to trot round the entire 20 x 60 3 times, which must have felt like an eternity to her as we inspected everything at a 90 degree angle with obligatory snorting...at this point the photographer beat a hasty retreat!!

Could bore you with a blow by blow....potted version...a few 7's, 6.5's (thank the lord for half marks!!) A couple of  very justifiable 3's where we exited the arena stage right :O
The old me would have retired at the first arena exit...today through gritted teeth we battled on, some really nice moments between the madness at the C end...and no one more surprised that me to have scraped 58%...as to be honest I rather thought it might have been another sub 50 for the archives :)

So, what did I learn?

I didn't give in at any of the rather substantial hurdles today!
I got back on!!
I worked him until he was calm and submissive (or at least holding it together)
I didn't retire when it went wrong
I actually came out smiling with a sense of achievement!

And more than that: How much does a frilly cheer you up when you are about to leave without collecting your sheet ;)????!!!!!!