Monday 4th November
In our first 'proper' jumping lesson I will admit it was 'one of those days' where I know that I didn't ride my best - but I tried! I rode Sadie again, who was more off the leg than the previous time I rode her (possibly because I was able to wrap my leg round her sides more, keeping her slightly more motivated), but nevertheless next time I ride her I will try even harder, so that I am pleased with the way I get her to work.
Tuesday 5th November
On Tuesday, I rode Rhubarb on the flat, in this particular session we continued to ride straight lines, corners and circles with and without stirrups. I found him to be quite
pony-like in his way of going, which really helped me to feel & achieve clean transitions between paces.
Lunging
I lunged and rode Harry on Wednesday, in our normal lunge session.
On Friday, I was asked to lunge for a friend, while she rode as part of her Showjumping Academy training.
The aim of this was for me to coach her; improving her light seat and jumping position, while riding without reins. She improved significantly during the session, and I too benefited from the lunging and coaching experience.
Saturday 9th November
On Wednesday evening after college I was asked if I would like to go to Your Horse Live to help on the college stand there, obviously I said yes! Before I knew it on Saturday morning me & one of my friends were on route to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
We had such a good day looking round possibly the biggest shopping village ever! Before going off to meet Olympic gold dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin!
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| Us & Charlotte Dujardin! |
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| Signed by Charlotte! |
Later we went to another signing, this time with show jumper, Geoff Billington and evener, Oliver Townend. I saw their 'Edge of Glory Tour' last Christmas, so knew how funny they are!
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| When I met Oliver Townend & Geoff Billington |
We then rushed off to watch a demo with the Eilberg family, which for someone who doesn't normally watch dressage, I quite enjoyed! It was interesting to see that even highly schooled horses have their quirks. Also the progression from a warm up through to a complex dressage movement, including techniques for training a horse throughout - especially as one of the horses had previously jumped round fox hunter classes prior to it's dressage career.
It was honestly such a nice surprise to be asked to go and we did spend some time on the college stand… Honest!
Sunday 10th November
I spent my Sunday once again helping the course builder at a British Showjumping progressive competition held at college. It was a busy day, with classes running from British Novice through to Newcomers/1.10m open; so there was every type of competitor, from unregistered amateurs through to professional producers and riders. Tim Stockdale even made an appearance, training some young riders that competed in the later classes! If I don't have the opportunity to compete I like to help out at shows, as I find it interesting to see how each type of fence should be ridden (which should hopefully help me at my own competitions.)
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