The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 10th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: "Pony Club Camp"






I had to share these three photos as they signal exhaustion, sleepless nights and 20 children....which can only mean one thing. Pony Club Camp 2014. It was our yards first ever Pony Club Camp and whilst we had a blast, we were also ready for camp to end! I don't think I can put into words how much carnage it is ordering 20 happy meals at Mc Donalds and ensuring everyone gets what they ordered. 

A heck of a lot of planning went into organising the first camp and I was so pleased I managed to pull it all off with no glitches. The week was yes, tiring but it was also a fabulous week and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves!

I believe that every child should have the chance to go to Pony Club Camp at least once in their life!


View Post

The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 9th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: "Taking time out"

August 2014 - Malta. My Favourite Place <3
This photo is another special one that I'll always keep. In August of 2014 Mark and I went on our annual holiday. The one week a year where we get to spend the week together with no hassle or bother from anyone else. I can't say its horse-free though as wherever we go I find the local trekking centre and drag Mark riding with me. It's also the one time a year he'll happily get on a horse!

I've always been to Malta since being a young child. My Grandma and Granddad used to take me every year, then Dad started and since I've become old enough to go alone I now take Mark. I'm sure in years to come I'll be dragging my kids along to show them a place that I learnt to love growing up.

Malta holds so many memories for me. It reminds me of the times I spent with my Grandma and Granddad and all the adventures we went on. One year Granddad gave me a map, told me he was lost and said he needed me to direct us back to the Hotel. I can tell you now I'm sure he wasn't lost but I got us back to the Hotel and I'm sure he had influenced my decisions on which turnings to make. But still, I always tell people I helped navigate us in a foreign country and Granddad helped create that memory.

Both Mark and I had wanted to swim with Dolphins for a few years however I have this awful phobia of deep water. Well, it's not a phobia, I'm just scared of putting my feet down in water or in some cases....lack of being able to put my feet down! Anyway Mark managed to convince me to do it as I'd regret it if I didn't. I managed to convince myself I'd be fine with the 'life vest' and I am so pleased I decided to join him.

This was one of the most special moments in my life that I'll always remember. You're always told as a child that swimming with dolphins is something you should do in your lifetime, but you never really grasp just how amazing it is until you've done it.

I don't often take a break from the horses and it's rare that Mark and I get moments to ourselves where we're horse-free, but whenever we do, we try to make the most of it and do something special. I think this moment counts as something special and I can't begin to describe how important it is to have time off your day-to-day duties.

Book something different for yourself in the new year, try something new and take a leap of faith. You never know, you might enjoy it! There shouldn't be such things as regrets.
View Post

The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 8th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: "Making a memory"

May 2014 - Taking my best friend to let Granddads balloon go <3
This photo will always be special to me. I had an idea back in May that I wanted to do something special to mark the 10 year anniversary of my Granddads death. I hate the word anniversary for describing that, because it's nothing to celebrate and I found the whole day very hard, but you get what I mean.

Granddad and I spent all our time with Sara. The three of us were always together doing something or other; whether it was mucking her out, grooming her, going on adventures or just simply watching her in her stable. We were always inseparable.

I don't believe Granddad's where we laid him to rest now. If you believe or not I am sure I constantly get signs that he's with me and he's around me all the time. There's been various moments where I honestly swear I can feel him, smell him and even hear his voice. I've been told by several mediums and physics that I've sought help through that he's with me wherever I go and doesn't often leave my side.

So, when May came around I didn't see the point in taking the 2 hour journey over to Nottingham to visit his grave. He's not there and I thoroughly believe that. I had the idea that I wanted to get some balloons and let them go from a place that Sara and I have enjoyed many happy memories over the years since he hasn't been there, and I wanted Sara with me.

My "happy place" as I call it, is about a 45 minute ride from the farm. It's a place I found when exploring out with Sara on my own and you can see for miles from there. If you stand just left of where I'm standing in the photo there's a large valley and on a sunny day it's the most breath-taking view I've ever seen. I've often been there with Sara and just stood for a while to take everything in and think about everything that's worried me that week. I've lost count of the number of times I've begged Granddad for help from that very spot and sobbed into Sara's mane that I need help or my life has hit a cross roads.

I don't want this blog post to be sad, I want it to be about a memory I created with Sara and something I do to still remember my Granddad. I went to that place on the 10 year anniversary of Granddads death and I let two balloons go. I attached a  message to him on each one telling him just how much I loved him and how much I need him here.

Tonight when you get in from work please think of this post and go and tell your parents, grandparents, friends, extended family.....everyone, how much you love them or appreciate them. Tell them something that makes them smile and capture that moment in your heart forever because before you know it that moment will have passed and you may never get the opportunity to again.
View Post

The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 7th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: "Light at the end of the tunnel!"

Ziggy jumping up the bank at Cross-Country. The beginning of Summer.

This photo means a heck of a lot to me. For some reason I had turned dare devil overnight and decided to take Ziggy out somewhere for the first time. Without much thought we decided to take him to a cross-country course, because that's where everyone takes their baby horses the first ever time they leave the yard. Right?

I was really looking forward to taking him out and showing him off but at the same time so nervous about how he would react in different surroundings and if it would all just upset him again. As we pulled him off the lorry he just stood like a little lamb that had been doing things like this all his life! Although the plan hadn't been to get on straight away, Ziggy was showing no signs of nervousness so I hopped on and off we went around the course!

Ziggy was an angel throughout the whole morning, he trotted through the water jump, popped small logs and even cantered up and down this bank quite happily. He quite literally took everything in his stride and I couldn't have been prouder of him.

Just remember, if things seems difficult or way out of your reach today, it doesn't mean they will be like that tomorrow or next week. Take a step back and a big deep breath, then plan how you're going to master your demons and make everything how you want it to be. Ziggy came to me a frightened pony that you couldn't get on, let alone sit on. He's now happily walk, trot and cantering under saddle and loves popping fences. I've done nothing more than keep reminding myself that it's all hard work and perseverance that has got us this far.

Just because you didn't achieve something this summer it doesn't mean you can't or won't be able to next summer. Make small changes to help you achieve your goals, it might only need to be something small but it can make a huge difference.

I never thought that after rescuing Ziggy in March we would be achieving something like this so soon, but it really does reiterate for me what a fabulous pony I have.
View Post

The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 6th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the Sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: "No you're not stupid!"

Firstly, I want to apologise for my lack of posts last week. Unfortunately I was hit with the flu bug and once again ended up in hospital with sinusitis. Anyway, I'm on the mend now thankfully and starting to feel more human again!

May - BD Senior Camp. Ceaser loving the posh life!
This photo signals lots of happy memories for me, but also some memories I'd rather not relive! It was the weekend of the British Dressage Northern Region Senior Camp and Mark and I had looked forward to taking our new lorry away for weeks. We had got a tent and were all ready for a weekend of camping.

The first night I was really apprehensive about meeting everyone and fitting in but everyone was super lovely and Mark ended up getting rather merry on too much wine with a friends Mum. On our way into the tent he fell over the guide-rope and didn't realise at the time he had pulled it out the ground.

That night we had some of the heaviest winds we had experienced all winter and spring, along with awful rain. Needless to say at 3am in the morning I was woken up by an almighty bang with what was the tent almost falling down one side. Mark blamed it on me, saying I hadn't put the tent up that side properly, but I can promise you now - that's the side he fell over! Anyway at 4am he was outside putting the guide ropes back in so we could get some sleep!

No one from camp still lets us forget our tent experience!

I had a fantastic weekend and Ceaser and I both learnt a lot. I went away feeling much more positive than I arrived. The test riding with Andrew Fletcher was brilliant and when he asked me my goals for the summer I felt stupid telling him, until he told me I needed to speak up because they were achievable - especially with ceaser! I don't think I had ever smiled so much as I did that day. We got almost 70% in the Novice test riding and I was thoroughly on cloud 9!

We went home with lots to work on and adamant our plans for 2014 were going to be fulfilled.

So guys, don't forget this week to live a lot, laugh a lot and love a lot. Focus on the good and forget the bad.
View Post

All About That Pace - Ceaser's debut Song!

The Hundleby Equestrian Centre Pony Clubbers were all singing a song on their annual presentation evening, so Mark and I decided to do something too.....and this song was born! 

It's taken weeks, if not months of planning, organising, film shooting, song writing; everything! I was a little apprehensive of whether we would be able to pull it off, but finally - it's done and we aired it last night to the children in a surprise presentation!

In case you're wondering, Ceaser is a 14.2h Dressage pony, and we're always told if he was just a hand bigger he'd be perfect. In our eyes he is perfect and we don't let his size cause any problems when dressaging! He can still do all the required moves for a medium test!

However, it was intended as no more as a bit of Christmas fun. 




Special thanks go to:
- Guy Garrett - vocals and Music
-Mark Ferguson - Video Editing
- Sian 

Of course, not forgetting the gorgeous Ceaser Pony, who this song describes down to a tee! 

So guys, thank you for watching and go ahead and share....BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S ALL ABOUT THAT PACE! 
View Post

"Do you ever have a massage?" "Erm.....no actually I don't."

Ceaser is currently having massages every 5 weeks after pulling himself being silly at camp in the Summer. It's been a long (and expensive) road to getting him right again, but I'm finally happy to say that Amy my lovely massage lady thinks we've got it cracked. There wasn't anything particularly wrong but I had just noticed he was sore in his back and began to be reluctant to go forward. After several chats later with Amy we arrived at the conclusion that the day he spent most of the time on two legs, rearing up at his door whilst at camp must have resulted in him pulling something. I know...he gets wound up, my bank balance takes the brunt. But hey, what's an attractive bank balance?

Since then we've been massaging him every 5 weeks, doing various stretches with him, putting the massage pad on daily and various other things. Amy finally thinks we're ready to go a little longer than 5 weeks now which is fabulous news.

I'm a big fan of equine massage therapy and believe that all horses should be checked on a regular basis, especially those on periods of box rest, competition horses and those with previous injuries.

Over 60% of horses body weight is muscle and I believe it's important to look after these. Small injuries can take up to 90 days to become apparent, by which time they may have caused more serious injury.

We put a lot of strain our equines muscles on a day-to-day basis, through road work, jumping, dressage and even working in the arena, so I find it important to help look after them. Equine sports massage can increase the rang of movement and increase and improve circulation as well as much more. It's proven that they can benefit the well being of the animal and aid mental relaxation.

When Ziggy first came to me he was very reluctant to pick his hind legs up and hated to have anywhere behind his saddle touched. It would have been very easy to put this down to being naughty, but upon investigation when I thought something wasn't quite right we found his hind hamstrings to be extremely tight and in constant spasm. After just one session he immediately allowed us to start picking up his hind legs and brush his bum.

Ziggy has now gone from having massages every 3/4 weeks to every 5 weeks, which is great. He now also allows all four feet to be picked up and loves being scratched anywhere.

Sara was also treated to a massage today, which was her first ever. I have noticed in the last month or so her neck had been clicking a lot as she moved and was keen to get it checked out. Thankfully Amy saw nothing immediately wrong and gave her a good check over. She thoroughly enjoyed it and will now have them regularly to keep her feeling fit and healthy. 

Which leads me to....well me! I was telling someone last week about how many massages the ponies get and why, when they abruptly stopped me and said "So, how many times a month do you get a massage?". To which I could reply "well none!". After getting in my car and reflecting back on that moment I thought about all the times I've questioned why Ceaser feels stiff on one rein and sometimes Ziggy is the same. Maybe it's me? So you'll be glad to know, I'm booked in for Monday! Let's hope I'm in as good shape as Ceaser, Sara and Ziggy! Now hang on, I need to move slowly so my back doesn't click when I get up!

If you're interested in having Amy out to your horse then follow the link on the right hand side of my blog. Just click her logo and it'll take you straight to her page! 


View Post

The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 5th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Falling in love all over again! 

March 30th. The moment I allowed myself to love again. Ziggy. 
It's not necessarily this photo that brings back memories for me, because memories with Ziggy are still being created as we haven't been together that long, but it's the day the photo was taken. Ziggy had arrived a few days previously; the same day but just a year later that I had my Dougie put to sleep. 

I honestly thought I'd never get another pony so soon. I told myself I was going to throw all my time into Ceaser and Sara, whom were both already very spoilt, but I wanted to spoil them more. Then, whilst sat at work one day having a flick through Facebook I found an advert for Ziggy and on the spur of the moment I messaged the seller saying I'd transfer the money into his account, when could he deliver. 

The road from there wasn't an easy one. Ziggy wasn't easy and practically unrideable. But, if this photo reminds me of anything its perseverance.  Ziggy taught me that sometimes in life you have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture rather than what's right in front of you at that moment. 

I've got so caught up in trying to make Ziggy perfect too quickly instead of enjoying the here and now with him. I wanted him to be this dressage superstar straight away, when in reality he needed time and I needed it too. I didn't realise in the beginning how poignant Ziggy would be in my life, but he entered it with a bang and the date he arrived meant so much to me. I never thought I could love another pony other than my gang, so soon after Dougie being put to sleep, and I especially didn't want a dapple grey anymore if Granddad wasn't here to share it with me. His favourite colour had always been dapple grey. But, Ziggy came and he's taught me so much in just a short space of time. 

Tonight when you're feeling angry, mad or upset at something then just take a deep breath, take a step back and look at what you've got in life to be grateful for. I'm sure that will be much more significant than what you're upset about.
View Post

The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 4th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Saying good-bye. 

Originally 2013 - Dougie. 

I posted this photo at the beginning of 2014 after finding it on my computer and broke down instantly. It's hard to think that Dougie looked so happy, so content and so...well, yet it was a mere few days later I found him collapsed in the snow unable to get up and breathing heavy. As soon as I walked outside and found him in the snow I knew that very moment signalled the end and it was the beginning of a very long few days. 

I'll always wish I'd done more, I'll always regret some decisions I made and I'll always wish I'd done the inevitable sooner so that it didn't have to end like that, but I believe life takes us on certain journeys on purpose and I believe I was taken along that certain road to pave the way for something else. 

March will always be a hard month for me. It's the month I had to say good-bye to my Dougie after so many months of him being poorly, fighting to make him better, only for him to then get poorly again. I knew that day when I found him on the floor I wasn't going to ask him to get better again for me, it wasn't fair. I looked in his eyes and I knew he wanted to go, he was ready. I'll always be so grateful to Mark for sitting with me for 48 hours solid whilst we sat with Dougie, fed him carrots, stroked his gorgeous head and brushed him so he looked every inch of perfect. But most of all I'll always be grateful to him for allowing me to say good-bye and then allowing me to walk outside, whilst he held Dougie as he took his last breath. It sounds selfish but I couldn't stay, I wanted to remember him breathing and there. 

This photo signals so many happy memories for me. I was off work and I hadn't gone to university because the snow was so bad. I'd decided to take my camera to the yard and turn the horses out so I could capture them playing in the snow. I got so many pretty photos that day, of all the horses. It was the last set of photos I took of Dougie where he looked 'there', and looked like he was enjoying life. I remember him running around so much that day and flicking the snow up as he did. 

Cherish those that you love, because you never know what day will be your last. Kiss those that mean the most to you, hug that special someone or special pet for just that bit longer today. Cherish every moment that makes you smile and capture it all with a camera. Love life. 
View Post

The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 3rd day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Quitting your job! 

Spring - Celebrating with my main boy!

These photos go hand-in-hand. Celebrating here with the 2nd boy! Sometimes in life you've just got grasp what's out there and take chances. 
Let me explain. I've never been adventurous. Well, hang on, let me rephrase that - I'm adventurous when I'm on a horse and I want to try a new jump, or go down a bridle path I've never been down before, but when it comes to real life I quite like routine. That means taking chances is a new thing for me. I hate change. 

So, when I walked in a meeting one day with a job and walked out without one you can imagine my heart was beating ten to the dozen and part of me thought what the hell have you just done. (My Mum was fuming by the way...!)

I'd been in a job I really disliked for 6 months. I was fed up and wanted a change, I wanted to embrace new beginnings and after endless talks with people I realised my job wasn't going to take me anywhere. You see, I have this plan. In a few years time I want my own house, the cockapoo (or spoodle) dog, I want a bigger horse lorry, I don't just want to be 'another person', I want to be successful, I want to be someone people look up to for advice, I want to leave a stamp on this earth, whether it be through getting some books published, or simply by motivating people to follow their heart. 

Anyway, the moment I realised I wasn't going to get anywhere where I was and I'd had enough, I went into a meeting with a job and came out about to work my months notice. 

I didn't want this blog feature just to be about the ponies, because whilst they're such a huge part of my life, I do enjoy working and I get joy from seeing a project completed. The top photo is a very poignant photo for me as it was my last day in the job. I don't think I'd been that happy in weeks, possibly months. My friend met me at the yard with some champagne and we sat there for hours talking about our plans for life and enjoying listening to the horses munch their hay. It's the day I vowed I wasn't going to sit on my bum anymore and allow opportunities to come to me, I was going to go out there, find opportunities for myself and embrace any fantastic offers that came my way. I was going to make use of my mantra "Dream, Believe, Achieve" and be as successful as I'd always wanted to be. It was almost like that photo signalled the start of the rest of my life. 

The second photo is a mere month later; Mark and I are in Prezzo's celebrating the news that I'd just been offered a new job! From that photo onwards I've freelanced for Horse & Hound, I now blog for Carr, Day & Martin, I've had numerous wins with Ceaser, I've got more time for him than I had in my previous job and I've been involved in workshops on behalf of BD....but most of all, I love my job and I love waking up in the morning. 

So you see, sometimes it's good to take chances in life. 

(Disclaimer: I'm not telling everyone to quit their job. For the record I woke up the day after the top photo was taken not just with a sore head but wondering what the hell I had been thinking and whether it'd be possible to beg for my job back. hehe)
View Post

Dressage to Music - a whopping score!

When this year started I set myself a couple of goals in my head. I didn't want to share them because ultimately I was too scared to, too embarrassed at what people might think and I honestly thought they would be laughed at. I kept them in my head and I told a very select few people throughout the year. A few times I lost sight of the dreams and just when I thought they were possibly getting closer they then seemed as far out of reach as they could ever be. But, as long as I had the dreams no one could take them away from me and one day I just got out of bed and told myself I'd reach them - whether it was alone or with the support of others, so I began to share them more and confided in others I never had before.



My goals included:

- Compete at the regionals at Prelim level
- Compete at the Area Festival at Novice level
- Compete in the Northern Region teams
- Qualify for the Freestyle to Music Novice regionals
- Get in Horse & Hound with Ceaser

Honestly? I thought of that list a few months back and couldn't believe how far out of reach they seemed, but then everything seemed to start going my way.

More on that another time.

*

I decided to take last Friday off work as a local venue were having a 3-day affiliated BD competition and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try and get the Freestyle to Music regional qualification I had wanted for so long. The last time we had tried to get it the judge told me our music didn't suit Ceaser and our floor plan wasn't the best. However I wasn't prepared to change my music because it means so much to me, so I worked on everything else in our lessons and getting Ceaser working in a better frame and more uphill.

I was slightly apprehensive about whether I had done the right thing by booking in for two novice classes as I was away with work Tuesday-Thursday so it would mean Ceaser would have a couple of days off and then have to go straight out competing. The day before the competition whilst on my last day away with work I found out I had passed my Masters in Sports Journalism so needless to say by the Friday I was walking round on cloud 9 and nothing was going to ruin my good mood!

Ceaser initially warmed up well and looking back on it I think I was very fortunate my music class was first. The warm up was busy with the bigger horses because it was a weekday show, but I tried to keep a focus on what we were there to do and ensure we utilised all of our 40-minute warm up time.

I tried to remember and put into practice what my instructor had said about collecting Ceaser up, doing lots of transitions and circles, changes of reins and mixing things up to keep him focused. Once he's warmed up, then tapping behind my leg a few time to ask hind legs to engage to help create the impulsion. It worked well and he felt great.

I had a slight meltdown before my test, couldn't remember if I was supposed to salute in the first halt so asked a fellow competitor I really didn't want to have to. Then Ceaser wanted the toilet as my music started so I had to push him on! Anyway, managed to catch up quickly and slow myself down, which I found difficult as that then made me behind my music by a few strides, which was odd - we've always been in front by quite a bit! 

Everything felt much better for being slower and I was pleased, but mad with myself that we had ended up behind my music and was adamant we would be penalised for it!

The test felt nice, we finally had some power in the medium trots and I focused a lot on getting my halts perfect, without Ceaser stepping back. We had been working a lot on getting a little more bounce and activity in the canter in lessons, so I concentrated on imagining I was trying to get his knees up more whilst keeping everything together, ensuring the hind was engaged and active. Ultimately it felt like an 'ok' test, but I'm always critical and I'm constantly finding things I could do or could have done better.

I took Ceaser to cool off and was in a bit of a down mood that my music really needed changing and I had allowed the hectic warm up to get to me a little. I put Ceaser away, walked off to get my score and didn't expect too much.

As I was approaching the board I saw someone had won with 72.50% - blimey I thought, we would be very far behind that.....until I followed our name and saw IT WAS US!!! I could not believe it, I had to stand and stare at the sheet for a good few minutes AND find our sheet until I was convinced I hadn't made a mistake and we had WON with 72.50%. I'm slightly embarrassed to say I ran back to the horse lorry to Mark, whom just stared at my sheet and then swore a little. I won't repeat what he said, but put it this way, we were both extremely shocked! I couldn't believe it...!

We had achieved ANOTHER of our goals; we were going to the Novice Freestyle to Music Regionals.......and then Horse & Hound phoned..............


Dreams can come true - if you want them to <3 

View Post

Help Ziggy win a set of goodys for Christmas from Neue Schule!

This is Ziggy's first Christmas in a loving home where he'll be adored and loved to every inch of his life.

Currently Neue Schule are running a competition called "Second Chance Horses" where the public have been urged to nominate a pony they think deserves to win the goodys because of their past.

If you haven't read Ziggy's tale of turning from a duckling to a beautiful swan then head over to my blog post by clicking this link.

Once you have then please head over to the Neue Schule Facebook page and "like" his photo, then share and ask your friends to do the same!


Ziggy said: "Thank you for voting everyone!"
View Post

The 12 days of Christmas....2014 memories. The 2nd day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Going to the beach! 


April 14th - Sara and I on Theddlethorpe beach, Lincolnshire.

This photo has been one of my favourite photos from 2014 since the moment I saw it. It was an absolute freezing cold day (despite it looking warm), but the day couldn't have been any more perfect if we had tried to make it. Mark and I hadn't had our lorry long and I had been wanting to take Sara to the beach for a while. On our first day off together in a long time we decided what better way to spend it than galloping up the beach whilst Mark takes photos.

Sara loves the beach and is a big fan of going through the water. It's not often she gets away from the yard as I'm too big to compete her now, so she loves nothing more than going off to the local beach and having a good leg stretch. If you could see how mad she goes once there you would never believe she's 19. I love nothing more than going for a good gallop with my best childhood friend and forgetting all the trouble of that day. 

Personally I think Mark captured this photo perfectly. It couldn't have been better. It'll be a photo I cherish for many years to come and makes me realise how lucky I am to have Sara, and have been able to share all these years with her. 

We're so lucky to live in Lincolnshire, where we're blessed with miles and miles of sandy beaches which offer fantastic galloping surfaces for when we're with our equine friends. It's so peaceful and you can go for miles without meeting any other people. I urge anyone wanting to take their equines to the beach to have a look at those on offer in Lincolnshire, you won't be disappointed.

View Post

The 12 days of Christmas.....2014 memories. The 1st day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

To start the 2014 Christmas feature off, we have: Gaining new wheels!

January 16th. A few days after picking the lorry up.
Ceaser shows he loves his new set of wheels!
I had wanted a lorry of my own since the moment I passed my driving test, however the time had never been right to invest in one and quite frankly I didn't have the money. In September of last year I got a full-time job in Marketing and finally I realised I had enough money to be able to afford to keep a small, low maintenance lorry on the road, and so we set off on the search for that perfect lorry.

To be honest the search took us up and down the country, put me in hospital (I had a bad sinus infection, yet still decided to go and pick up a lorry on a cold winters night, only for it to not start when we got there which resulted in us stood in the pouring rain for 4 hours, which then resulted in me being admitted to hospital very poorly) and various others things. Finally we found one closer to home whilst I was laid on the sofa poorly and I sent Mark to go and view it. A few hours later he came home with a deposit securely placed and once better I accompanied him to go and pick it up!

The feeling of having something to call my own that could take me wherever I wanted was great. I had always relied on someone driving my dads 7.5t lorry, and now I didn't need to! It was nerve-wracking seeing if Ceaser would load or not as we had always had loading issues with him, however like it was meant to be he walked straight on and always does to this day.

This lorry has cost Mark and I an arm and a leg in repairs, but it's worth its weight in gold and we love our little run-around. It might not be the prettiest, nor the quietest, but it doesn't matter what you turn up in,  it's what horse you unload that matters.
View Post

Lesson with Ceaser and Ziggy 22/11

It absolutely threw it down for my lesson on Sunday. I don't just mean it rained a little....it rained buckets. Then it rained some more. I don't think I have ever been so chilled to the bone! But, commitment isn't shown by just riding in the fair weather. I'm in this for the long haul and I believe that if you want to succeed you have to take whatever life throws at you. (Including soggy underwear from sitting on a saddle that resembles a puddle!)

Anyway, moving on swiftly from the topic of my underwear.... 

I was looking forward to this lesson. We were beginning to actually get somewhere with Ceaser and I had seen a huge improvement in Ziggy from the previous week, so upon waking up I had a spring in my step. Which probably also had something to do with getting 12 hours sleep the night before, but you never know! 

As usual we started with Ceaser. The plan was to work on walk to canter transitions this week now that we had started to get some clean trot to canter transitions that we're getting us 7.5's in our tests (BOOM!). 

To start with we worked on some nice long and low steps to help warm him up, whilst gradually picking him up and asking him to bend more through. The left rein is always a particular struggle for Ceaser so we tried something different this week. We worked him on a circle at B and slowly asked him to work into the contact, by lifting my inside rein for a few steps and then dropping back down, then lifting, then dropping back down. It really seemed to work much better than instantly asking for the bend, and in asking in stages we didn't have any tantrums from him to show that he was struggling - so that's good, i'm going to keep using this when working at home and warming up at competitions. 

For the trot work we asked for some shoulder fore to begin with. This is really good to help the suppleness of a young or stiff horse, and seems to work well for Ceaser when warming up. Since adding this into my warm up plan I've noticed a huge difference in him when it comes to the later work. 

Anyway, as before we flip between riding shoulder-fore and shoulder-in. We'll ride shoulder-fore along the short side and shoulder-in down the short side. Not only does this help to get everything supple with Ceaser, but I really feel it helps get the connection and him listening to my aids. Especially when we then add a bit of change and go across the short diagonal, then across the next short diagonal with some leg-yield. Sometimes when I come out I find him to be quite stuffy and resistant to my aids, so this exercise wakes him up and gets him thinking whilst connecting the hind legs to the front so to speak! 

We've been working a lot on slowing the trot down, but opening and speeding up the canter. I'm not sure if you remember me saying but my instructor described our canter in my first lesson as always collected. We've been working on opening this up, moving forward and creating more lift from the front to create that impulsion and uphill look. 

In all honesty the canter has felt much better since I've allowed Ceaser to go forward more. To help get some clean transitions we've found that if I just open my inside hand and rein slightly then he canters much easier and without dropping the poll, which we were getting a lot previously. Once cantering my instructor told me to move the canter forward immediately, and change between the counter and correct bend, just to get him moving around a little. Once we did that we added some counter-canter and then came across the diagonal again onto the correct lead, and then trotted, straight away focusing on getting the same rhythm in the trot we had previous to cantering. 

Once we had warmed up it was time to start and ask for the harder work; the walk to canters. My instructor told me to focus on 10metre circles off the track and then upon hitting the track ask for a canter immediately. The first time not a lot happened in the first three strides, but we still had the forwardness which was good and he did pick up canter afterwards. She noticed I tend to flop into the canter and 'give everything away', so told me to sit up more, help Ceaser's balance with my rein, leg and seat and try again. This time he popped into canter immediately like a doll and did some fantastic transitions. I liked that because she didn't know which is our worst rein for walk to canter transitions she just picked a rein and told me to try it. It just so happens it was my worst rein which I struggle with, but it just goes to show that actually when I put my mind to it, it can happen on both reins despite me thinking it can't.

After doing this on both reins we both felt we had possibly the strongest trot we'd had in all the few weeks I had been having lessons there, so decided to be brave and ask for some medium trot work. Again, after watching some videos of my previous tests, my instructor thinks I have a tendency to get into the medium work, throw the reins at Ceaser and expect him to do some fantastic medium strides - which as we all know isn't going to happen. So to begin with we started with my shortening my reins and creating the feeling I had him between my legs, hands and seat perfectly. Afterwards we gently asked for a few medium strides, then collected him back and then along the long side asked for more. At first I did what I always seem to do and threw the reins at him whilst expecting him to do all the work. Immediately I realised where I had been going wrong all this time now it was explained and focused on keeping him balanced whilst asking for the medium trot down the long side.

Honestly, I think my face said it all at that moment - I couldn't believe what I was feeling. We had power!!! At last! I'll upload the photo Mark took during the trot work, but it doesn't show what we felt, nor what we had. Fingers crossed I can keep that feeling in my test on Friday. So, that was it for Ceaser - he had been a complete star as usual!

*

Next up was Ziggy, that had been an angel all week, up until the previous night when I decided to ride with some kids from the yard and once again we had a spooky pony.

We started by changing his bit into a Neue Schule loose ring snaffle to see if he relaxed more into the contact and stopped the constant chomping. Without jinxing it, he seems to be going much better for now which is good.

At the moment I'm getting really hung up on getting Ziggy into a constant contact and because he can be such a star, it's hard to remember he's only 4 at the end of the day. This week we focused on keeping my hands wide to offer a foundation for the contact and to ensure I had him at the end of my rein all the time, but without pulling him in the mouth. It's so different to how we're now expecting Ceaser to work, so to come off one pony where you're trying to do the complete polar opposite and then get on one you need to its quite confusing.

My instructor told me to focus a lot on my position and keeping ziggy moving forward, forgetting the contact and how pretty everything looked, as well as his spooking - if there was any!

From the beginning he was much easier as he had been the previous week and felt a lot more willing, with much less spooks. Whilst before I've been making an issue of spooks, my instructor wanted me to just ride forward and positive - even if we had spooks. It's really difficult for me not to get hung up on the spooks as I feel like we're never getting over the monsters outside the arena and so on, but actually when I make less fuss of a spook, he doesn't bother again - so maybe it doesn't have something to do with trying it on? Who knows.

It is safe to say I was considerably exhausted after both lessons but am really looking forward to putting all we worked on into practice! I'm enjoying varying Ziggy's work to ensure he doesn't become stuffy, but it's scary just how big he can jump!

 
View Post
Next PostNewer Posts Previous PostOlder Posts Home
BLOGGER TEMPLATES BY pipdig