7th October 2011
The reason for the lack of updates is that both Baker and I have been ill. I was ill for several months and wasn't able to ride from March to late August. I am now so unfit that it is scary! Baker suffered a muscle pull that should have been quite simple to recover from but he then decided that he would jump out of fields etc and keep re-injuring himself. I'm convinced that he doesn't understand 'perspective'. So he is standing at the end of a field and looks at a little gate in the distance and thinks 'oh - that is easy to jump - I'll give it a go'. It's only when he gets really close to it that he then realises that it actually quite big and that he is not a Grand Prix show jumper, so the inevitible happens.
The good news is that we have now started cantering - just a few strides, but that is fine, it is progress. Seems I've forgotten the aids for canter though as I'm finding it hard to get him to canter after such a long time just walking and trotting. Fingers crossed he (and I) will improve and be able to start competing again soon.
5th March 2011
I have been very lazy about keeping this site up to date, mainly because I've been ill. Anyway, Baker and I competed at the Marlton Festival in September - we did ok but not anything spectacular. He then went out for 8 weeks rest, came back in and three weeks after that we had all the snow. So really he ended up with about 15 weeks off!! We did our first competition in February and scored 71.6% in Novice 20! I was so pleased but then he behaved like a lunatic in the second test. So I've been working on a different warmup routine for the second test and this seems to be working. Tomorrow we do our first Elementary level tests so we'll see how that goes. We have also been doing a bit of working hunter. I'll post up some pics. We've been placed each time and I know that we could do better if only I wasn't so scared about jumping.
I'll also try to be more consistent about updating this page.
18th June 2010
I've been very remiss of late. There are several reasons for this; firstly I've been ill and had to focus on just getting my work done, secondly I've had a lot of work to do and last but definately not least - I've had to have Ria put to sleep. I am really glad that I was at last able to do this as when she came in from the break advised by the vet she was in a much worse condition than she went out. It was clear that she was in agony and when my vet saw her he immediately filled in some forms and asked me to inform the insurance company that they had 48 hrs in which to respond or she would be destroyed. They didn't respond so I was glad to let her go and be free of pain. She couldn't even lie down in her stable as she would have been unable to get up again and when she walked it was with such tiny steps as she just couldn't take any weight on her back legs. It was pitiful to watch and I was in tears every time I looked at her. She was skin and bone even though she had access to as much haylage as she could eat. The other two horses she had been turned out with had put on weight during the winter but she was really skinny. I took some photos of her but I won't put them here are they are very upsetting to look at.
I know that I need to change the photo at the top of my pages but I'll leave it there for a little while longer. It was hard enough changing the background image on my mobile phone!
On a brighter note - Baker is getting on quite well. We did our first para test a few weeks ago and he got 57%. I was a bit disappointed at first but then I thought - well - he has just moved up to Novice level and the test was Elementary so actually that mark was ok. I also made the mistake of not riding through the test at home first and everything just happened so quickly that I was late in getting organised for transitions etc. We are doing the test again on Sunday so we will see how that goes.
We took part in a local unaffiliated league recently and did the Novice class. We came 2nd overall and I was really pleased. We got some good marks and nice comments from the judges. At home he is now starting to work really well (though he has his moments when the hedge is just toooooo scary!!!). He can now counter canter also the way around the school - in balance, on both reins and he has learned travers. I'm not very good at getting on the right rein but I think that it is something to do with my own balance as when someone else rides him he finds that side easier.
We've a few competitions coming up soon and I'll try to be more up-to-date with this site. I also have some good photos of Baker that I can upload. Better go now as I have to get to the airport for a flight home.
18th April 2010
We've been quite busy in last month or so. Baker has been learning to accept a half-halt so that he can collect his paces and then move forward again. In the Northern Ireland Winter Championships we came 4th in the Preliminary class and we've done our first Novice class and scored a very credible 65.4%. A lot of work has been going into training and even though I've been very busy with work I've managed to ride consistently. Sue Carson came over to our yard and I had a lesson with her. It was excellent and she is due to come back this week but I fear that the Icelandic ash cloud may put a stop to that. Am off competing tis afternoon so will update again when I get back.
04th February 2010
The heavy snow has played havoc with our plans but we did manage to get some riding done and I think that Baker is learning that he can trot at various speeds and length of stride. We haven't cracked a relaxed medium trot yet but we are getting there. I even had a jumping lesson on him on Tuesday! I would have been happy to get over a small cross pole but Joan had us building up to a three fence grid and it was really fun. Baker enjoys his jumping but he didn't get out of control and when I got the turn into the grid correct it was easy to keep him steady and relaxed. It made a nice change to doing flat work, but it has also had the benefit of improving our walk/canter transitions and holding a steady canter round a corner so I'll definiely be doing it again.
I've been using the Organic Horse 'Ring craft' drops to help him with his concentration and I really do think they have helped, he isn't as easily distracted but I think we still have a bit of a way to go on that front. I also spray on 'clean limbs' after we have worked to help his joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles etc to adjust to his new job as a dressage horse. He really objected to the spray at the start and danced about all over the place trying to avoid it but then Joan suggested that I hold up one leg at a time and spray like that - it worked like magic!
We are also adding 'coat power' and 'joint power' to his feed, he's not thrilled about the taste but he is getting used to it. Apparently the first time it was given to him he looked at it in disgust, but then his natural Irish greediness took over.
We managed to get through the snow to a show on 31st Jan and did two prelim tests. We scored 60% and 60.4% in these. The good thing was that I was able to speak to both jusdges and they both said the same things - he has fabulous presence and paces but needs to get his chin off his chest. We are working hard on that, but it was good to hear that they both thought he has great potential. Hope you enjoy seeing the photos - at last!
05th January 2010
Happy New Year to everyone! We had a lovely Christmas and New Year - except of course for the weather! The sand school was frozen, the roads were frozen - it has been really bad. Fortunately the sand school has a lot of rubber in it so on most days there was enough of a thaw that the horses could get turned out for a little while to stretch their legs, but it wasn't possible to ride until 31st Dec - just in time for a competition on 3rd Jan. Also got a lesson on 2nd Jan - that was good but really hard work! apparently my legs are wobblying about all over the place! Anyway - although the competition was just around the corner from the yard it was still touch and go as to whether we would be able to get the trailer to the venue. We kept our fingers crossed and managed to get to LaurelView for the Charity Dressage Extravaganza. Entries where down from last year but still £900 was raised from the Children's Hospice.
I had entered for two classes; the individual Dressage to Music and a Preliminary class. The music class was first and we got Baker all 'dickied up' for the occasion with a garland in his mane, Christmassy bows on his bridle and stirrups but he was not having any of the spray glitter on his rump! He really objected so we decided not to press him about it. We competed to a melody of Christmas tunes and did some medium trot and half 10m circles to counter canter and he coped really well! There was a panel of four judges and we ended up with a score of 71.25% for 2nd place. The winner was a horse and rider who compete at Elementary level so we were very pleased with Baker and he behaved himself really well. We've been using the Organic Horse 'Ring Craft' drops which help with his concentration and they do appear to be helping him.
We then had to remove all the 'bling' and compete in an affiliated prelim class, we were first to go and scored 60.83% to get 6th place and our first DI point! Hurray. Then it was home, plaits out, rugs on and a big hug for him and carry out pizza for us. It was a tiring day as it was so cold but I really enjoyed it and it was great that Joan came round to warm us up for the dressage to music - it really helped.
26th November
The good news is that I now have a new horse. He is called Patch Mills Bakers Bridge (Baker to his friends) and is a very handsome bay gelding. He seems to be a bit of a character and is very green as far as dressage is concerned but I think that he has a lot of potential. I'm going to do a preliminary test on Sunday with him so we will see how that goes. It's really just a chance for me to see how he behaves in the 'test' environment so that we know how to proceed with the training, so I'm not expecting a wonderful performance. Hopefully I'll get some photos on Sunday and will then be able to update this site but I have put a few pics on the gallery page. I've blocked out the rider as it isn't me on him in these photos.
29th October
I've been having a difficult time recently. Ria has been very lame and the vet has now told me that she won't be able to return to the level of dressage that I need to do. It is very sad but I am now going through the process of claiming loss of use on my insurance. She is currently out in a field and so far she is ok but I am really worried that she won't cope with conditions when it gets really cold and wet as she really doesn't like to be outside in bad weather.
I am now looking for a horse to loan until I am in a position to buy, so if anyone knows of a nice horse that would suit me then please get in touch. I have still been riding two or three times a week as my yard owner/trainer has been letting me ride her horses in the yard. They are all top class competition horses so I'm getting a real education coping with different types of horse. I have a lesson at least once a week and then can ride in the school or hack out on the other two days.
So - not a good period for me, but hopefully one of you will know of the perfect horse and will let me know!
5th October
Got my copy of RSC News the other day - and they printed this bit about me in it. Bet you can't wait to rush out and buy a copy but I'm afraid that it is only available to members of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Actually - this months issue is all about the chemistry of food since Chemistry Week is 7-15 November and 'A Feast of activities are being planned' across the country. Some of the highlights are;
The Chemistry of Curry at Newcastle University,
Chemical Engineering of Creme Eggs in Birmingham (wonder if there are any free samples?),
Can Chemistry Keep feeding the World at Aberystwyth and
Food Colourful Food at Burlington House in London.
If you would like to find out more about any of these events then do contact me. Hmmm.....its a bit difficult to read isn't it. I'll attach the bit again so that you can read it.
30th September
This morning I took part in 'the Worlds Biggest Riding Lesson'. It was a world record attempt by the RDA to have as many people as possible having a riding lesson at the same time - groups are taking part from all over the UK and it all went very smoothly at Birr House. I rode a little horse called Barney and he behaved really well. We all got a rossette as a momento and I hope htat we will hear soon that we are 'Record Holders'. I also took my cups up to let the Newtownards RDA group see them and they were delighted with our success in July.
I'm about to be up to my eyes with marking OU Level 3 projects, each is 5000 words and they take quite a while to mark. Then I'll need to attend the moderation meeting in Walton Hall so I'll be busy with that. Also - on Saturday two of the courses that I tutor will begin, I have 25 on one course and 39 on the other, so I'll be trying to keep on top of that as well. Oh - and a horse I rode about 10 days about dumped me in the middle of the sand school - no harm done, just my pride injured but I'm happy to ride her again as it was all a bit of an accident after she spooked at some magpies playing in a ditch!
21st September
I'm afraid that I haven't been able to update recently as I've been very busy at home getting some decorating done - I couldn't find anything for several weeks, but all is reasonably tidy now! Then I bought a new laptop and, of course, things never transfer simply - do they?
Eventually things returned to normal and I reckoned that maybe I could get back into a more normal routine.......well.........that was the plan! I have good news and bad news;
The good, and exciting, news is that I have been selected to be a member of the 'Organic Horse Performance Squad'.
Organic Horse produces a range of natural supplements and made announcements in several equestrian magazines for riders to put themselves forward for selection to its recently developed "Organic Horse Performance Squad". The company offers its squad riders sponsorship in the form of products, discounts and support in return for feedback and testimonials about their products, and exposure where possible.
I'm delighted to have been chosen and look forward to using the products. I've put a link to their site on my 'sponsors' page.
The bad news is that I have hurt my knee....drat......it is sufficiently painful that I've not been able to enter the National Championships in Cavan. I'm very disappointed and more than a little peeved. I worked so hard all winter and now can't reap the rewards - I suppose this type of thing happens and I'll just have to get over it. The Dr says it is a bursitis (housemaids knee) and I assume that is flared up due to the moving of stuff whilst the decorating was being done.
I have been able to keep riding occasionally while being careful not to put too much pressure on my knee and I've been having a bit of fun riding other horses in the yard just to see how I get on with horses other than Ria. It's been very enlightening and interesting to do this. fingers crossed I'll be able to get back to riding 'properly' soon.
Good luck to all who are going to Cavan this weekend - I'm very jealous!
1st September
Things have been a bit quiet since Hartpury as both Ria and I have been having a rest. I did some more judging at LaurelView on 23rd August, I judged the Walk/Trot test and the Newcomers Preliminary. I really enjoyed it and think that I managed OK.
On Saturday 29th I competed in the Northern Ireland Winter Finals. We just did the Preliminary test as Ria has not been working much recently. We managed to gain 60% (the winner got 67%) and came 9th. I'm thinking that I may sell Ria as I have my eye on a very nice 4 year old but can't afford to have two horses. I really don't know if it's a good idea to sell her or not so will see how she goes at Cavan at teh end of Septemeber. In the meantime - if you are interesed in her then please do get in touch with me. You can see all the photos and info on this website so you will know that she is a real sweetie.