BRC Winter Dressage Championships Qualifier - Area 16



The past few weeks have really shown me just how much owning horses can take you from a high to a low and back to a high within days of each other. 

At the beginning of October we competed at the Area Festival with a fantastic set of results to add to our card. The following week I was so inspired by our success I had plenty in mind I wanted to go over in my lesson that day.

My lesson with Amy was fabulous and we paid special attention to working through some medium level moves and more lateral work. Once Ceaser was warmed up we tested him by going through a series of movements like trotting up the quarter line, half passing to the long side, walking, then walking a half pirouette, trotting, walking another half pirouette and then half passing in trot back down the other long side. 

Once we had this established we worked on counter canter which from the ground Amy saw really lifted Ceaser and gave him a much more uphill look in his correct canter lead. To finish off I went through some other more simple movements so Amy could watch how much the lateral work we had done with it had given him a lift and made him a lot more between my hands and legs and up in front. Ceaser rarely strikes off on the wrong canter lead but during my lesson he seemed to really struggle with picking up the correct canter lead immediately. Brushing it off we thought it was because he was overdue with his 6 weekly massage and was probably just feeling a little stiff due to being inside a bit more because of wet weather. However I had a slight niggling feeling in the back of my mind. 

To help cool him off I put his massage pad on for half an hour and made a mental note to book him in for a massage as soon as possible. 

The next day I was due to go away with Mark for his birthday after I had mucked out and sorted the ponies out. However upon pulling Ceaser out of his stable that morning I was horrified to find both of his front legs almost double the size and he was very reluctant to walk. At that moment everything went through my head. I went from sheer panic that he had pulled a tendon the night before during our intense lesson to instinct taking over and grabbing my clippers to get his legs clipped so I could check it wasn't mud fever before I panicked even more. 

Upon clipping one of his legs I was faced with three large scabs that were oozing puss, blood and all sorts. Phew - it wasn't as bad as I initially feared and at least I knew how to deal with this, however I couldn't help but feel that same sinking feeling that his mud fever was clearly back - and with a vengeance - and we weren't even into the proper winter yet. 

The next hour consisted of a frustrated phone call to my vet, more leg clipping and plenty of salt water bathing. Between us the vet and I decided it really was time to stop the daily washing of his leg and just start cleaning it when necessary. Instead I would wipe and brush the mud away and see how that faired us. I felt at a total loss as to what to do right and couldn't help but feel like it was something I was doing wrong. My vet assured me I was doing everything in Ceaser's best interests and we just needed to find something that worked for him - and until we did we would keep on going. The last time he had mud fever this bad we found the cream that our vet makes worked well. It consists of an antibiotic, steroid and mud barrier. So, I arranged pick up of this, gave him some bute and arranged for him to have a quick dose of antibiotics to zap the infection before it worsened. It makes it slightly more difficult that Ceaser cannot have intravenous antibiotics and refuses point blank to eat powdered antibiotics so we had to mix up a cocktail of feed to coax him to eat it. I think in the end we had apple, carrot, sugar beet, molasses and all sorts mixed in until he would (slowly) eat it. Fussy boy!

The plan for the next 7 days was to take Ceaser's grazing right back to being restricted, keep him in and walk him in hand for a few days. He was allowed an hour in the field and that was it. Joy - he isn't the easiest of horses to keep in a stable. Thankfully my Likit snac-a-ball keeps him entertained and calmer and I realised if he was playing with that in his stable he would keep mobile and walking around so it would also help his swelling. Likit you are a life saver, I don't know what Ceaser would do without your products! To keep his scabby areas clean we would just wipe them down with a dry tissue to get off any dirt and only clean with water if this wouldn't get off all the dirt.
 
My yard manager assured me it was safe to go away still as she would look after Ceaser and let me know if there was any problems, so a little behind schedule Mark and I set off to London for a few days to celebrate his 28th birthday by visiting the Harry Potter studios and more.

Upon returning I was pleased to see that the swelling had gone down on and continued the routine. I was conscious that the following weekend I had the Area 16 British Riding Club Winter Dressage Qualifier and couldn't let our team down so I wanted to see if Ceaser was still lame and whether I had to find another horse to borrow or if he would be ok to go. 

Trying to lunge him was fun to say the least. Not a fan of being lunged he managed a few laps in walk and then when I asked for trot he bolted off whilst bucking, got loose and ran around the arena a few times. Declaring him "no longer lame" I told him he could have a few more days off and that was it - he was clearly fine to do the dressage at the weekend. Cheeky boy! 

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Sunday loomed and I was rather apprehensive to say the least. I had sat on him to walk him round once in 9 days. He had barely been in a field and he ran onto the lorry like I have never seen him before. Clearly eager to get out and do something I hoped he would behave and not be too fresh. Unfortunately we were running late so I worked out on my journey to the competition that I would not have time to put his massage pad on, nor have a lengthy warm up like I had wanted to. So, we arrived and I got ready in record time, hopped on and went to warm up whilst Mark took my passport to show Ceaser was vaccinated and pay for my entry.

Mark has been watching my lessons so he can help me warm up at competitions and keep me calmer if things aren't going to plan by reminding me to breathe, use my corners and generally be a pair of eyes for me from the ground. He reminded me although I only had 15 minutes to warm up I needed to do some counter canter to pick him up, lots of flexing and half passes, leg yielding and so on to get him switched on. We found I had to warm up in the dreaded arena 3 so he told me to breathe and just get Ceaser listening as soon as I got on so he didn't have time to spook. Amy had told us she thinks he spooks when he is bored or isn't really listening so I wanted to pay special attention to get him focused straight away. 

My warm up went rather well considering the lack of time I had. There was a horse warming up with us that was flying around everywhere and Ceaser didn't bat an eyelid. He did everything I asked of him. Apart from feeling a little flat he felt good, but I couldn't blame him - he often goes like this with some time off, so I just dealt with what I had and attempted to ride the best I could with the team in mind. 

The wind was howling and things were blowing everywhere around us. When I was trotting around the arena I had to tell Mark he would really need to shout my test as all I could hear was the trees beside us blowing. I cannot believe how well Ceaser coped and looking back on reflection he really was a superstar. 

Focussing on our centreline which Amy and I had spent a lot of time on, I knew I had to ride a good test and just focussed on keeping the contact even rather than hurrying through. Amy's help of getting me to use my corners a lot more really seemed to help too as now I feel like I have more time to prepare my movements before they come, giving me time to take a deep breath and breathe, which in turn relaxes me and helps me ride a much calmer and relaxed test.

The constant rain we had had leading up to the competition had made the arena appear a little deep in places but Ceaser coped well. He resisted the contact in one canter transition and I knew even before getting my score sheet back that it was only worthy of a 6, but it couldn't be helped due to him not being ridden all week! Apart from that he seemed to do a decent test. I really was not sure what we would score though as I didn't recognise the judge and so really had no idea what she was looking for.

Once I had finished I cooled him off, took him back to the lorry and put his massage pad on to cool him down whilst I waited for my scores. Initially when they were posted I didn't think I had done too well as they weren't putting our percentages up, just the scores. However I noticed half of the class had been and I was leading in 1st place! I couldn't believe my eyes. Our team was also lying in 1st place, which meant we were hopeful of a qualification to the BRC finals at Harptury. 

I went to the show secretary to ask if I could have my percentage before I went home but they were reluctant to give them out, however with a bit of gentle persuasion they agreed and asked me my name. When I said Ceaser's name she said "Oh, you're the one on the top. We just want to say how much of a pleasure your score sheet was to add up and you got 70.5%". I could have fainted. I couldn't believe it! WOW! Just imagine what we could have got if I had been allowed the chance to ride and practice during the week! With a thank you, I walked away feeling pretty much on cloud 9 and Mark and I gave each other a secret high five. 

After some lunch the wind was really beginning to pick up so we decided to head home before it got any worse. Mark offered to pick up my score sheet as he was teaching in Boston for another hour, so I could get the ponies home. 

I just wanted to know where we had finished as a team as the winning team would qualify for Harptury in April. Unfortunately for the winter qualifiers you couldn't qualify as an individual. If you could I would have been in with a chance for that as well. However with roughly 26 people in my class and another 13 to go after I had left I was sure someone would just pip me to the post and get higher than 70.5%!

When Mark phoned an hour later I was thrilled to find out we had stayed in the lead and remained unbeaten in our class! I couldn't believe it, my little cob that hadn't even been ridden for a week had WON our class! Unfortunately as a team we were pushed back into second place, so no Harptury for us, but another team from our riding club won so obviously I am really happy for them. I was well and truly on cloud nine for the rest of the day as you can imagine and Ceaser got lots of treats as we got home. It is lovely that everytime we go somewhere all the riding school kids are eagerly awaiting our return and they always think he has been a superstar so spoil him rotten. 

We have a weekend off from doing anything now and then the following weekend we have a regional training day with the BD Northern Region which counts towards one of the selection days for the teams, which is something I really want to get involved in. I am loving focusing purely on dressage now and wish it was a move I had made a long time ago.
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Charles James Fox - Born & Bred clothing renews sponsorship deal for 2014

I was absolutely thrilled last week when I was poorly to receive the news from Patrick James, owner and creator of Born & Bred clothing that he would like to renew my sponsorship deal for another year taking us into 2014.

Born and Bred aims to support young riders with their ambition of reaching the top of their equestrian discipline. This is done with the help of a mentor and supported in part by Born and Bred Equestrian Clothing. In 2013 the scheme proved successful with many of the young riders gaining excellent placings at both national and regional competitions. Alongside this Born and Bred received extensive news coverage of the scheme in all forms of media. 

Patrick has very kindly renewed my mentoring spot with the company and I am looking forward to seeing what 2014 has to offer. It was news that I was hoping I would receive after having had my fingers crossed for quite some time since putting my name forward earlier this year.

Not only does this mean I receive clothing from the Born & Bred range to wear out at competitions, around the yard and on days out but it also means I can help those young riders with their dressage as much as they wish to use me.

I cannot wait to put my order in for clothing as it is all fantastic and I really am stuck for choice on what to decide to have! My baselayer, gillet and hoody proved very popular last year and I barely wanted to take them off.

Ceaser and I have a profile page on the Charles James Fox website that you can view. It will provide you with all the information you need about me and how to get in contact. My unique rider number for the company is 9.

Charles James Fox (Born & Bred) website

I am so lucky to have been given this chance to be a dressage mentor and hope to share my tips and competition experience I have gained over the years with riders who need it. One thing I hope to show is that everyone has their bad days with horses, but not everyday is the same. You always need to be prepared to pick yourself back up, get back on and go try your best; in any sphere. 

The creator of Born & Bred, Patrick has created some fantastic products that really emphasise the brilliant sport that we are all lucky enough to be involved in. You can purchase anything from wall planners, greetings cards and artwork, to clothing designed to wear around the yard or in the comfort of your very own home.

The hard work, thoughts and passion of equestrianism is evident in each and everyone of these products available, so if you have time please check them out.

Born & Bred offer both casual and competition country and equestrian clothing that does not come with a hefty price tag like most, so if you're stuck for a birthday or Christmas present idea for your loved one, then head over to the website - you never know, you could do all of your Christmas shopping on there!

Clothing
Wall Planner
Art work

They are just a few examples of what Charles James Fox has to offer.

If you are interested in the scheme then please take a look at the website, there are options for everyone to get involved.

Entry Level
Level Riders are offered a discount off Born and Bred Equestrian clothing, with a view to increasing the level of support after the first year.

Young Rider Level
The Young Riders receive a 40% discount off the Born and Bred Equestrian clothing range which can all be personalised carrying their unique rider number initials & website if so wished. There is no obligation for the riders to buy/wear Born and Bred clothing. In addition the riders receive the help of a mentor rider, who they can go to for help with questions about their horse, their chosen discipline, they can meet up and chat over a performance with their mentor at a show or event and even book private one-to-one or small group sessions with their mentor on their yard. We are looking to run several clinics with the help of some of our mentors in 2013, and all young riders will be invited to attend if they wish. Charles James Fox  also offers the opportunity to help young riders increase their profile through the social media as well as helping to set up web sites, blog sites as well as giving further exposure through the Charles James Fox web site and Facebook and Twitter pages. The programme is relaxed and Young Rider driven. It is they who should approach their mentor for help and advice or for booking private lessons.

Mentor Level
The Mentors are fully sponsored and receive a designated amount of Born and Bred Equestrian clothing to wear at home as well as well as pre, during and post competition. Each mentor will have two or three young riders designated to them to help, support and look out for at events. The mentors have experienced the difficulties, heartache and been through the hard work, long hours as well as the many highs and lows en route to where they have got to in the equestrian world. The idea is that these riders, wh are also busy working hard to reach their goals are maybe two or three years ahead of where the Young Riders are currently. It is hoped that they are able to pass on the advice and tips which got them through a difficult time, managing success as well as failure and also being a friendly ear when you think it has all gone wrong and you just need to hear a positive voice. We feel that they are perfectly placed to offer their young riders the advice, help and guidance needed to negotiate the hard as well as the good times as they work to reach their goals in their chosen discipline.
There is a natural progression through the levels with Enrty Level Riders having the opportunity to move up to Young Riders and in turn the Young Riders can follow their mentors' lead and look to take on their own group of mentees if this is something that they show an interest or talent for.

Thank you again to Patrick for picking Ceaser and I to be one of your examples of someone to follow and I hope 2014 is going to be as successful as 2013 and with good partnerships.
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Clipping for the winter - Do I or don't I. You decide.

That time of year is upon us again and most horse owners will be thinking about what clip to give their horse(s) for the winter months.

Clipping can be very beneficial, both to horse owners and horses. If your horse gets hot during exercise, becomes damp and then goes cold whilst waiting to dry you definitely need to consider clipping. On the other hand, if your horse grows a heavy, thick coat and sweats even after a small amount of exercise then it is advisable to clip to the welfare of your equine.

By clipping, your horse will not sweat as much during exercise and will dry much quicker because there's not as much coat to dry off. As well as this his condition will be maintained much easier as his coat will not be dull from endless sweating.

Also, you will find that your horse maintains a much healthier and better looking coat once clipped.

Why should I clip my horse? 

Clipping your horse isn't cruel and you aren't necessary taking away his natural ability to keep warm if you do clip. In fact in most cases you are doing your horse a favour.

You're right in thinking that nature intended for horses to live outdoors all year round, and that is why they grow a thick winter coat; to protect them from the harsh winter weather elements like snow, wind, rain and hail. 

However, if you're still riding your horse throughout the winter then a coat that is too thick can cause unnecessary distress whilst exercising and potentially loss of condition. Your horse will find it difficult to maintain a good, substantial level of fitness and also will take too long to dry after exercising which leaves him at a risk of a chill. For those of us who are riding after work in the dark evenings then the horse doesn't have much chance to cool off before being put to bed.

Clipping isn't an accessory icon for most owners, but a way of enabling your horse to work on a regular basis during the winter months and stay comfortable, without undue sweating.

Good stabling and a selection of rugs are essential if your horse is clipped though.

Here is a small list of the benefits of clipping your horse:

- Faster drying after exercise
- Easier to groom
- If you're continuing to compete throughout the winter he will look smarter
- He will conserve energy by reduced sweating
- Will help him to maintain a better level of fitness

Just because you have clipped your horse though it doesn't mean you need to pile the rugs on and make him a walking robot. A neck cover for those with full or hunter clips is always recommended but adequate, warm rugs should be suffice for any clipped equine.

What clips do I have to consider?

(The red areas show where the hair is left and the white areas show where your horse has been clipped)

The under belly and neck clip which is often referred to as a "bib" clip is suitable for those horses that are only used for light work during the winter. Often those with bib clips will still live out (with adequate rugging) as the head, topside of the neck, body and legs are still left on.


The low trace clip is another clip reccomended for horses in light work. It will ensure that he does not get too hot and sweaty when exercised but also is another clip that is used when horses are turned out still. However, your horse will need more rugs if you intend to leave him out all the time with this clip. Under the belly area is left on, as is the legs to enable protection and warm during winter.






The high trace clip is suitable for horses in light to medium work and is very similiar to that of the low trace - more of the coat is just removed though.
With a trace clip like this one you can chose to leave the head un-clipped or chose to clip it. Like the clips shown above, the legs are left on for warmth and extra protection during the harsh, cold winter. 





One of my favorites is the blanket clip. It is for horses in regular work as you can exercise thoroughly, without him losing condition through excessive sweating. The coat is removed completely from the head, neck and flanks, leaving only the legs and an area over the back that looks like a small rug. I find this clip is ideal for working ponies.








This caption is different - the orange shows the clipped area.
Another popular clip is a chaser clip, which originates from them being used on steeplechaser horses. It is a clip for those which are active in competition work or racing. It is pretty much the same as the blanket clip expect that you do not remove hair from the upper part of the neck and clipping stops just behind the ears. This will help keep warmth in the muscles of this area. This is a good clip for those horses that lack topline.




Another one of my favourites is the hunter clip. This is suited for horses in hard, regular work such as hunting. It is a very smart looking clip that involves taking most of the coat off apart from the legs, saddle patch and an inverted V above the tail. Please be aware that when you are clipping the outline of the saddle patch please take extra care and remember to outline your saddle, not the numnah as this will look better when your horse is under saddle. You may need to put an exercise sheet on with a clip like this when exercising your horse in the menage to ensure he does not get warm. However if you're competing or hunting this wouldn't be needed.



The last clip is a full clip. This is usually given to high level competition horses that work very hard during the winter months. The whole coat, including legs is taken off apart from the inverted V above the tail. This clip is one that looks very smart but that required careful stable management. The horse should be rugged up at all times and when very cold bandages may even be required - especially overnight when temperatures drop. 




So, I've decided to clip, what now?


If you've made the decision of what clip to give your horse then you're half way there. I've now put together a list of important things to remember when clipping.

Wear appropriate clothing

- Wear suitable, sturdy footwear that will protect your feet. Some horses do not like being clipped and may stand on your toes. In cold weather this can be very painful.
- Try and avoid wearing fleecy clothes. The hair will stick to it and you'll find its a pain to get out! Overalls are a better idea as you can throw them away after clipping should you wish.
- Remember horses are unpredictable. Always tie your hair up and wear a riding hat just in case the horse you're clipping becomes spooked.

Where you clip is important too!

- Clipping indoors when the weather is wet is best.
- Most importantly, pick a place where your horse is relaxed.

Make sure your horse has a clean, dry coat in order to avoid blunting your blades.

Ensure the wires from the clippers are out of the way and the horse cannot stand or chew them.

Before you clip you need to think of the following:

- The clippers are safe to use
- The blades are in good, working order. Ensure they aren't blunt.
- Make sure the tension is correct. This is different for all clipper brands. Often you will need to turn the tension down until it is tight, and then turn it back one and a half turns.
- Always oil your blades. This is a must!!

If your horse is scared by the clippers then ensure you introduce them slowly to avoid frightening him.

- Rub the clippers on his shoulder to show they wont harm him.
- Take the clippers away, turn them off and on a few times - let him listen to the change in noises.
- When turned on, take the clippers and place them on your horses shoulder so he can feel the sensation of the vibrating. 
 
Whilst clipping you need to ensure you're doing it correctly.

- Use long, smooth strokes against the hair, the way it lies.
- Stop every 10 minutes or so to ensure your clippers are well oiled. Use this time to remove any hair from the blades.
- If the blades feel hot then stop and allow them to cool for a while. Do NOT put your blades in water to cool.
- Use a tail bandage to keep your horses tail out of the way.
- Ask someone to help. This will save time and your helper will be able to do things like lift your horses legs up when you need to reach those difficult areas. 
- Most importantly enjoy clipping and take your time!!

Many believe once they have clipped that is it. The amount of times I have seen children just rush to ride their pony once it is clipped is one too many! 

- Once you have finished, wipe your horse down with a warm, damp cloth or sponge. This will remove any loose hair.
- I often turn my pony out for 10 minutes and allow him to roll. Clipping can not only be itchy for us but also them too - this allows him to get rid of any itches!
- Rug up according to the clip you have given your horse. 

Don't forget once you're finished your clippers will need a good clean to ensure all the hair is out of the blades. You may also need to oil your blades to keep them in a good, working condition. You will need to give extra attention to your horse, but if you intend to clip throughout the winter, then your clippers will need looking after too! Once you've clipped it's a good idea to send your blades to be sharpened.

I think I've got it - anything else I need to consider?

Young horses will not need clipping, nor those that aren't exercised during the winter. Don't clip if you do not intend to ride or exercise your horse through the winter. If you don't intend to then you may as well leave his coat on.

I always ensure I hot cloth my pony at least a few days a week if he is clipped. By doing this you remove any sweat that is lying on top of his short coat and is another good way to remove dirt and scurf. To do this I just get some luke warm water and add either a small amount of shampoo.

Don't expect to get on your horse as soon as its clipped. Often horses will feel very fresh once they are clipped and it is advisable to turn them out for a few hours to allow them to feel the wind on their skin before you get on!

Don't forget....

Clipping is not a chore, it can be fun and a way to spend time with your horse during those dark and miserable days. During the winter when I'm not competing or just jumping or competing in dressage I like to make my ponies clip a little fun. In the past we have put hearts on his bum, his initials, my initials and lightning strikes. For children this is a novelty and something they look forward to!
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Polo lesson take 2 - "You've killed the pony!"

If you have been following my blog for some time now you will know that last year Mark got me a Polo experience day for my 21st Birthday. I had a fantastic day and since then have been dying to get back on and try it again. You can read how it went last year by clicking this link.

A couple of months ago we saw a voucher pop up on Groupon for the Vale of York Polo Club which allowed you to have a 2 hour lesson at a drastic cut of the price. Eagerly Mark got me the lesson and we declared we would go in the summer again.

Time flew and before we knew it we had an email from Groupon saying we had a matter of weeks left to redeem our voucher. After putting our heads together we decided seeing as we were going to watch HOYS on Friday we would then travel to Doncaster, stay in a hotel on the Friday night and then go for my lesson on the Saturday morning.

The Monday before my lesson and HOYS I came down with the flu and a chest infection which made me awfully sick, so it was touch and go whether I could go or not. However, it was the last day I could redeem my voucher, I had to go!
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On Saturday morning when I woke up I had been hoping and praying for some sunnier weather to what we had been getting for the past week but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be and it well and truly was throwing it down. 

After a quick Hotel breakfast Mark and I set out on the ten minute journey to the Vale of York Polo Club. A warning for anyone going; it isn't signposted very well and our sat nav tried to take us down a back road which was clearly private. We think it was the back entrance! 

Upon arrival we were greeted by very friendly staff which seemed to be trying to make our experience as best as they could despite the rather wet weather.

We were put into teams of 3 and 4 and in total around 10 people turned up to play. I was put on a team with people that had never ridden before. Well, they had sat on a horse, but never done anything more than a walk. For me this was a little disappointing as Mark had explained on the phone the previous week that I was a competent rider and had played a little polo before, so wanted to get the chance to 'do a little more'. However, my group was friendly and together we had a laugh.

The lesson started off with us on the ground learning how to hold the mallet and hit the ball in the correct way. As soon as I was given the mallet it all started coming back to me and I remembered just how bad I am at hand, eye, ball coordination. I have a total of zero! 

We were required to practise hitting the ball into the goal from half way across the indoor school and amazingly my team won this challenge twice! The other members may not have been able to ride but they could sure hit the ball. Even I scored! 

The instructor spent a lot of time going over the history of Polo and showing us that if we used the mallet wrong it could potentially cause severe damage to a pony - so it was important to get it all right.

After an hour of doing this we then went to fetch the ponies out so we could do some riding. I would have liked to have spent more than an hour riding but I think the wet weather made plans for the club awkward. 

Our team were told we would be going second so we watched the other teams jump on and go through some simple exercises of using and holding the mallet whilst mounted. The instructor used a lot of techniques we use when teaching the children at the yard to ride so I was confident in what I was doing. 

It amazes me how well behaved the ponies are. There was 7 horses in the small indoor arena and not once did one kick out or get grumpy that another was too close behind. I can't imagine Ceaser being that patient with lots of excited people. At times it was a little hectic as you had a mix of beginners and experienced riders together, which to me should have been split up in abilities. 

When it was our groups turn to hop on I ran (well, walked fast) to get the horse I'd had my eye on for the last 20 minutes. A lovely black mare that seemed quite forward and responsive. She was just as nice to ride as she was to look at. With a slight squeeze she set off forward and gave me a very nice ride. 

To start with we did some practice standing up in our stirrups and turning our bodies to warm us up for when we had the mallets and balls to use. The mare I was riding was lovely and had a nice even stride in both walk and trot. I wish I had gotten the chance to take her outside onto the field and have a canter, but I am sure if we go back again I could have a chance. 

Next we did some weaving in and out of obstacles to allow us to get the feel of the different way of riding. Once accomplished in walk we moved to trot and were told to do it all again. After this we were given our mallets and balls and had a few games of weaving our balls in and out of the obstacles against the other teams. I'm not sure whether it was the competitiveness coming out but I wanted to win each race - and I did! However, I soon learnt winning wasn't always good and was made to do everything twice after that because I was so fast. 

It really was a shame we didn't get to play a proper game like in my lesson last year but I do feel I learnt a bit more technique this time and when it does come to playing another game my hand/eye/ball coordination may be a little better than before. 

I think to make the experience better the instructors could have spent more attention to splitting up the rider abilities and maybe ensuring those who could ride didn't get put with the people who couldn't and visa versa. To be quite honest though, I think having been poorly in the week leading up to my lesson I needed something a little calmer than my previous lesson so it worked out okay in the end.

I honestly think I am hooked on Polo now, once I get a little bit of money saved up I will be buying myself another voucher. It really is something that everyone must give a go!

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