Anxious assessments

Yesterday we had our assessment session with Jamie Wright Equestrian for the sponsorship opportunity I blogged about last week. I was slightly nervous as its a big deal for us and I've never been particularly good at riding in front of strangers especially when I'm under pressure! 

Love this picture!

I made sure we had plenty of time to load (just in case, as it's been a while but the magic from Tarrsteps Services is still working) but Buddy walked straight on. The journey over was uneventful, Buds travels so much better now and was happily munching away on his hay all the way there. We got there with plenty of time to spare so I could get ready nice and calmly and ensure both of us were chilled out. Buds was thoroughly enjoying sunbathing by the lorry and it was lovely to watch Jamie ride whilst we were getting ready.

Enjoying the sunshine - photo courtesy of Jamie Wright Equestrian

It was soon time to hop on and away we went. After a quick warm up Jamie started to put us through our paces and we started off with keeping the rhythm on a 20m circle and ensuring he was engaging his hind end. We did this on both reins before working on his suppleness - spiralling into a small circle (12-15m), making sure that we kept the same rhythm and impulsion, and then leg yielding out. Buddy's favourite thing is to go sideways, at speed, and I always need to control the outside shoulder to stop him falling out. He got the better of me a couple of times but overall I was really pleased with his attitude.

Concentrating hard! Photo courtesy of Jamie Wright Equestrian

We then moved on to canter. As you know we have been working on this for such a long time and over the last few weeks things have started to come together but it can still be a bit hit and miss as I have so much to remember to keep myself in the right position and to help Buddy be in the right place. Jamie gave us a couple of handy hints and suggested that we didn't bother sitting into the transition and for me to over exaggerate my turning and leg aids to ensure we struck off on the right leg every time. 

I could not believe it but we had a fantastic, uphill canter first time on the right rein. I had a huge grin, I think Jamie was impressed and Buddy was totally nonchalant and was wondering when we were going to finish. We had three spot on transitions and then moved to our left rein. This has always been our weaker rein but Buddy proved me to be an idiot as he gave me a beautiful transition and then a lovely, balanced canter. Not as uphill as on the right but such a huge improvement. We fluffed up one transition which was totally my fault as I didn't move my outside leg back quick enough but when I sorted myself out it was perfect.

Uphill donkey - Photo courtesy of Jamie Wright Equestrian

At this point both Buddy and I were rather warm but I was so impressed with my lovely lad. I would so love to continue working with Jamie as his training builds nicely with the foundation we have set but there are some very talented riders (and lovely horses) on the short list so all I can do is hope and wait now. However, regardless of whether we are chosen or not, my amazing horse tried so hard for me and I feel that we are on the verge of something special and nothing can take that feeling away.

Come jump with me...

A couple of us from the yard hired a local arena on Saturday for a jumping session. As you know, the last time we went to that venue it was a bit of a disaster due to the saddle so it was a true, final test of our control.

We warmed up well, focusing on getting Buddy reacting to my aids and concentrating. Lots of on and back within the pace and upwards and downwards transitions. Every time I asked for a change in pace I expected an immediate response and he was really good and was concentrating on me. After popping over a small cross pole a few times it was clear I had my controlled pony back and we moved on to riding the course. I felt that the saddle put me in a much better position and I was able to be more effective over the fences and, when we weren't quite forward enough and had an awkward jump, I was able to recover my position much quicker.

I was really pleased with Buddy, he was rideable and I thoroughly enjoyed the session as he felt so good over the fences. We have things to work on - you'll hear at the beginning of the video that I'm singing nellie the elephant (!) this is an attempt to get me to breathe between my fences as I have a horrible habit of holding my breath when I'm show jumping. Oddly enough I don't do it XC but I have always done it when show jumping so I have to really concentrate on breathing!! I also need to make sure that I am riding forward enough as Buddy can fool me and he is such a large striding horse  so you feel like you are travelling forward but in reality you need just a fraction more. I'm definitely getting better at it but still lose it every now and then.

Headcam video

The overall verdict it is now time to crack on and get out there so we're on the hunt for a nice local venue for our debut!

Exciting news!!

We have had some very exciting news this week as Buddy and I have been shortlisted for a sponsorship package run by Jamie Wright Equestrian who is a local eventer and dressage rider. This is a huge opportunity for us as, if we are lucky enough to be the final pair chosen, it is 6 months of free training and support plus kit from Total Impact Equestrian and physio from LAW Animal Physiotherapy. We have to go to Jamie's yard for an assessment lesson and then should hear early April. I am just hoping that I do my gorgeous boy justice as it is a fantastic offer and would make sure we get our first season under our belts in style.

Sunbathing after his first bath of 2014

The rest of the week has been spent ensuring that the new saddle fits and trying to find a new dressage saddle. My lovely wow has gone off to a new home in Scotland and I hope the lady who bought it has as many happy hours in the saddle as I did.

Arty Pic

Buddy is much happier in his new saddle and is already starting to expand into it - I need to stop joking about him being like Valegro as he's going to be a tank if he carries on! We had our third Bowen session this week and Buddy really enjoyed it. We agreed that his topline has improved already and the good news was he was softer all over which was great news. The saddle also got the thumbs up (phew). But the search for a dressage saddle continues....

Sleepy donkey

I have also (finally) started using my head camera. It's finally dried up enough now that we can have a good canter so I thought I'd share today's effort - see if you can spot the couple of moments where pheasants thought they'd like to join in!!

Cantering in the field

We're off jumping tomorrow so will be using the headcam again - will upload the video and report on here.

Once you get one thing sorted....

What a change there has been in the weather - Buddy has been out in his fly rug and the ground is drying up - could Spring have sprung?! 

It has been a funny few weeks here which have reminded me that as soon as you get one thing right and you think you have got everything sussed with the ponies, something else always happens to educate you and change your perceptions. A few weeks ago I posted about Buddy being tricky and strong whilst we were jumping and something just didn't feel right but I couldn't put my finger on it. He was booked in for Bowen treatment which I thought would show any weaknesses or tight spots and I was right - they found a few. He was tight in his quads - which I would expect as he is using himself more behind now - but he was also quite sore around his saddle area. Long story cut short is that my wow saddle isn't the right set up for him anymore and unless I spend hundreds of pounds changing the panels and girthing set up (which won't guarantee a perfect fit) its useless for us. So I made the decision to sell it and so it is now advertised in a few places (if you want to know where then let me know and I'll point you in the right direction).

So we've been on the hunt for something that fits and nothing was quite right bar my YO's dressage saddle. Luckily I ordered a couple of saddles from Saddles Direct and one fits us both really well so the saddler is going to check it this week and as long as she gives it the thumbs up we are good to go again. I tried it today over some fences and I had my lovely, sane and rideable pony back so I was racked with guilt as he was trying to tell me something and I should have noticed things weren't totally right before. I should know better than to carry on regardless but, lesson learnt and luckily I've listened and sorted it for him (finally). I am hoping the bowen lady will find him to be freer on our next session.

Can't everyone do this?!

As well as this I've been working hard on me, strengthening my core and becoming more aware of how I use my body - particularly on the horse. I am hyper-mobile which means that I have a huge range of motion in my joints. What a lucky lady I hear you say - well unfortunately this isn't the case and it means that my body doesn't move in the same way as a 'normal' person. My muscles are weak as I use my bones to move as this is easier so I am having to learn how to engage certain muscles to counteract this. Its been really hard but I am finding it an incredibly interesting exercise and it is making a huge difference to my day to day posture as well as my riding. I am far straighter now but I am also learning to use my pelvis whilst keeping my upper body still which has been eye opening. There is a lot of work still to be done and its baby steps right now but this will make life easier for Buddy and means I won't be crippled by the time I'm 40 (hopefully)!

I am hoping to get out to some local show jumping now Buddy is no longer kamikazing his way around a course so we should have some more exciting pictures soon.

Rain, rain go away

The sun is finally shining, the nights are getting lighter and I hear it is going to be a balmy 18 degrees at the weekend. All this can only mean one thing... The event season is finally upon us! It all kicked off last weekend but only one of the scheduled events actually ran due to the ground being too wet or course designers actually unable to get the courses ready. As a result we have pushed our debut back as we haven't been able to get any of the practise in that we have needed. So we now have more time to get ready which is good and should (hopefully) mean that we can be competitive.

Hacking in the sunshine

I am still continuing with my physio treatment which I have to say has made a dramatic improvement to my riding and Buddy's way of going. I went back last Friday for a follow up and everything is getting stronger but my muscles are also getting tight on my shorter side due to all the adjustments that are being made to my way of going so our last session was focused on loosening these off which was incredibly painful - I have a high pain threshold but had to get her to stop halfway through - but felt a million times better once it was done although I had some cracking bruises to show for it! In-between now and my next session I am just focusing on increasing the strength in my glutes and my range of movement as well as ensuring that I keep straight at all times!

Our stableselfie

Buddy has also been working hard and is showing a huge improvement as well. As work has been busy and I've been jetting off out of the country and all round the UK my YO has been doing some strengthening work with him during the week and he is finally starting to 'get' what we are asking of him and his canter is rapidly improving. We also had our first jumping session in what seems like ages and the big take away was that Buddy has missed it and secondly that we are super rusty when it comes to riding a course!

Get off Rubus!

The session was really hard work for me and showed up the weakness in Buddy's canter and when I don't control his shoulders round a turn. I also struggled to control his exuberance (!) and then that turned into a vicious circle with me getting tense because I had no control and then that wound Buddy up more. When I relaxed and let him go he did chill a bit and was more rideable but I still didn't have enough and so we have decided that we will look at his bitting so I can relax knowing that I can check him when necessary and he will actually come back to me!! I hope we will be able to come back to the snaffle once the excitement of being back jumping has reduced a bit ;o)

We're off competing for the first time this year at the weekend so it will be interesting to see what impact our winters training has had on our scores. Hopefully Buddy won't be too wild!

Working with what you've got

There will be double posts this weekend as I meant to post this two weeks ago and forgot!!

This week has been a bit of a housekeeping week, I've been busy with work and Buddy had his vaccs and teeth done at the end of the week so ended up having a few more days off than I would have liked. I also had my first physio session with a new lady that works with my YO.

She works with a lot of top riders and is also a veterinary physio so understands how biomechanics affect the horse. I am very wonky and I have been for a long time but no one has been able to fix me, or help me retain straightness, in between visits. I suffered with back pain for around a year and ended up having cortisone into my facet joints as well as a physio plan. It was determined then that I had one leg longer than the other and so I wore a heel raise (or little wedgie) at all times when I'm on my feet. A few years ago I started seeing a new Chiro who said my issues weren't that I had a leg length difference but that my pelvis is so rotated it makes it look like I have a shorter leg as I'm always twisted which made total sense so it was adios little wedgie and freedom... until Friday.

I was telling my story and C (the physio) just looked at me in that way that makes you want to stop talking as you obviously aren't telling the story in the right way for them but I'd started so it was time to finish. With a shake of her head I was told to get my kit off and stand in front of the mirror. She laughed. This is becoming a regular occurence when this profession looks at me for the first time so I try not to get too paranoid... But the basics are, I'm super wonky but if you put a wedge under my left heel I'm pretty much straight. She told me of all the riding issues I will be having because of this (canter, circles and naughty hands to name a few) so its good to know I was on the right lines with my diagnosis!

C started around my pelvis and showed me how 'out' I was (my hip bones were probably an inch apart in height) and where I was twisting across my whole body to compensate. As a result my spine is curved, my muscles down one side of my spine are rock hard, some ribs are a bit dodgy and my upper back is tight as a drum. Hmmm. Then it was time for some capability exercises and, overall, I was shockingly awful! As my pelvis is so twisted, tilted and generally all wrong my muscles have shortened to compensate. I cant tip my pelvis up and so have a bit of a duck bottom (which I have been working on for years to try and sort) and my defacto answer to the questions C was asking was to push my bum out and rotate my pelvis back.

Then it was time to try and fix it. I am not going to lie.. it really hurt. I consider myself to have a very high pain threshold but the stretching of muscles waaaay out of their comfort zone really smarts! At first I was thinking it just pulled a bit and I could cope with that.. then she kept going... and going. I got up and could barely put one leg in front of the other as my coping mechanism had been removed completely.

I've been prescribed a few exercises to stretch out key muscle groups and I must not be without my little wedgie so I have put in an order and have 10 on the way. In the meantime I've got my own little wedgie that I've made to keep me going!!

I will never have perfect legs so I need to make sure I can be as straight as I am physically able to be and this is the start of yet another journey.

So an update: I went back after a week of doing lots of exercise and there was a huge improvement. I'd already noticed it riding but it was great to know C agreed. I've been given a two week reprieve, more exercises and hopefully we will see more improvement next time!!

Making progress

We’re well into Operation Get Eventing which started with the kick up the bottom from my YO. The plan is only being scuppered by long days at work which mean I don’t have as much time or energy to ride during the week. I am making sure we get at least two sessions in Monday-Friday for a few reason, one we need to keep his feet working, two he needs to stay fit and three I need to practise my homework from my weekend lesson!

Since my last blog we have had two more lessons and we are making progress! Its not going to be a quick fix (I’d be worried if it was) but it’s great to see the changes so quickly. I’ve been taking lessons with my YO who is the right combination of not taking any rubbish but building confidence and pushing you out of that comfort zone.

Buddy's new look

Our main issue is… Canter. Particularly on the left rein where I am weak and have an outside hand with a mind of its own so Buddy takes full advantage of that and we end up in a wall of death / fall out of the shoulder nightmare. Part of this problem is that Buddy uses his power to just propel himself along and get out of trouble rather than sitting and engaging his hind end. Engagement has then been our main focus.

Inspiration from Charlotte and Valegro.. I'm sure we're nearly there ;o)

To do this we have been using a few exercises:

1.Spiralling in and out of 20m circles in walk and trot - making sure he doesn’t fall out of his shoulder

2.20m circles at B/E then into a 10m circle at each end – this really gets Buddy stepping underneath himself

3.Lengthening his stride down the long sides (careful not to rush and keep the same rhythm)and 10m circles in each corner to back him off and sit

They are really simple exercises but have made a huge difference in his way of going in a short timeframe. We have also used leg yield out of a 20m circle and going into canter to ensure he is stepping from behind and not just charging off into the transition. We tweaked this today by using a fraction of outside bend, then straightening him up and asking for canter and we got some beautiful uphill transitions.

For my issues I am booked in to see a new physio next week to see if we can try and keep my left hip in place which will help keep my seat bones and body straight as that doesn’t make either of our jobs any easier. I am also working hard on my errant right hand that likes to go a bit crazy when it is the outside hand and has a tendency to cross the neck which doesn’t help our issues in canter! So I’ve been really focused on keeping that hand steady and I wasn’t shouted out as much today so I just need to carry on thinking about it and hopefully soon it will become second nature. Off the horse I am doing lots of strengthening work on my core and have started a new diet so I can lose a few pounds (or a stone or two) before the event season starts as we will both find it much easier if I’m on the lighter side.

Hacking in the sunshine

The plan for the next couple of weeks is to carry on with what we are doing and we’ve got a couple of XC sessions in the diary so, as long as the weather holds out and we don’t get any crazy snow, ice or more rain we are still all systems go!