We had a lovely time at Somerford Park Farm Ride today. The weather was amazing and the ride is super. It's all weather surface (sand) is ideal for this time of year when the ground can be unpredictable.There is a great choice of inviting fences from 2'3" to 3', including steps, water and a ditch. It was perfect for a whizz round on Florence, to get her blood up ready for the coming season, which is only weeks away!!! A friend of mine from work, Nikee Hudson, came on her 4 year old that has only been Xc a handful of times and the outing was perfect for giving her mare confidence.
Been to Lloyd Farm for my first dressage lesson with Zoe Cappaert today. I took Frankie as he has his first event next weekend and I want to start asking a bit more of him in perpetration for the next level. I can safely say that both of us are shattered, in fact I don't think I will be able to move tomorrow....lol. It was a very educational lesson and interesting that Zoe's approach was quite different from others who I had lessons with in the past. But it seemed to work and she got results and I'm keen to go again next week. The main aim of the lesson was to get Frankie using himself better behind, taking more weight behind and picking him up from his longer, relaxed frame into a more uphill frame. (Well I think that's how you would describe it - I'm not to clued up on all the dressage terms!!!).
Florence and I have got a picture in another British Eventing advert, this time in Rider magazine. BE must like that picture!!! :-)
Had a very successful day at Lloyd Farm, Hales, Market Drayton. It's a new venue to me and one I intend to use a lot. It's a really friendly place with lovely arenas. And get this....the hot drinks are free. How cool is that and on a day like today they were very much appreciated. I took both babies, Florence and Percy. Percy did Prelim 1, behaved like a little pro with no buckaroo moments for 70.25% and first place. Florence was slightly confused, thinking it was a singing and dancing competition, but despite her running commentary she gained 72.08% in the Prelim 14 and we won that one to. All in all a very good day out. (Video's to follow on my video page) Check out the babies having a good roll to celebrate their wins!!!! Percy and I went off on Kelsall Hill Farm Ride yesterday with some friends from work (Twemlows Hall Stud). He hadn't seen xc fences since the end of September but was very brave and jumped everything I put him at. We did have one stop but he jumped that second time. He had his first experience of jumping quite a big step in and out of water and once he got the hang of that he was perfect. Roll on our first event!!!
My newbie was being a good boy having his first trot and canter round the field today and just as I'd decided he'd done enough and could finish on a good note, he fell in a heap, planting me nicely into the ground. Poor boy. There was two nice craters left in the field where we fell. He was a good boy and let me get back on after a little run round. Apart from a bit of mud, stiff neck, sore shoulder and wrist all is fine. It's been nearly two years since I last fell off, lets hope it's another two years til I come off again!!!!
Percy and Florence have been to South View today for combined training. Percy is definately getting a bit big for his boots, far too excited for dressage today and was desperate for a buck!!! He did do some good bits but also had some very cheeky moments for 62%. Was rather excitable jumping to but was clear. He wasn't in the top 6, bad boy!!! Florence was much more laid back and did her first ever novice test, getting lots of 7's for 66.9%. She then jumped an awesome clear round round the 3' for 5th place. Such a good girl.
Here are some pictures of the new kid on the block....watch this space for his progress. He is quite shy and has only just been broken.
Late home tonight after jumping lessons with Sue Barrett at South View. Took Percy and Florence. Percy reminded me he can still have bronco moments but all in a nice way. He was very good over his fences. Florence was awesome, like riding a whizzy pony. So careful. Put a big smile on my face.
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Bonnie FishburnAmateur event rider Archives
August 2022
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