Winter Regionals - Novice Freestyle to Music

I have had such a great start to the year with Ceaser. Things really seemed to be going my way and I was looking forward to competing at the winter regionals and showcasing all of my hard work throughout winter. I apologise for how long it's taken me to get this out, things have been manic both at home, work and in general. When you think you've got half an hour to get a blog done you find actually you've got so much more to say and half an hour is no where near enough time.

Some might say I was absolutely mad to change my music the week before I was due to compete and others might call me crazy for not taking him for a test-run at Bishop Burton before going to such an atmospheric competition. For those who haven't ever been to a BD regionals; it's big, they 'dress' the arena with lots of spooky atire and the venues are always huge, albeit it's always a fantastic show! 

In the weeks leading up to the competition my instructor and I focused a lot on keeping Ceaser supple, through and using that hind end more to gain more marks. In my last lesson before regionals we worked on riding an accurate test, counter canter and getting him much more off my aids. She told me to stop letting my fear of warming up with bigger and (not necessarily) better horses. We all had a right to be in that warm up arena and were entitled to warm up the same. A encouraging text the night before worked a treat and I feel I warmed up the best I ever have. 

It helped that the arenas at Bishop Burton are HUGE, very spacious and simply lovely. But for the first time in my life, having now seen the results when I slow things down a lot, I kept cool and calm. Inside I wasn't neither, but on the outside I think I look generally okay. Ceaser felt great, infact he couldn't have felt better. He was lovely and forward and felt interested and up for what he was about to do. It was to be our first competition of the season and in roughly 3/4 months so I was rather excited too. Putting us together, we just seemed to be having one of those days where we clicked and were definitely on the same page. 

To warm up I focused on keeping a plan in my head. Work on lots of transitions, keeping steady and asking for flexion a both left and right on both reins. I wanted to ensure I rode a shoulder-fore slightly to keep that hind end engaged but not enough that the judge would see, but more for me. With the canter I made sure I pushed it more forward than what I usually do, allowing him to have more ground cover. 

Soon enough Mark had gone to take his position in the indoor arena and my name was being called. This was it, come on CP! 

Entering the big indoor arena I realised just how many people were watching. Quite honestly? I did a rather large gulp but tried to focus on Ceaser and enjoying our moment of glory in the ring. He felt so keen I wanted to relish and enjoy every second of the forwardness I was getting and the spring he seemed to have in his step. 

He had a little look at the judges table and the audience but nothing much. I had heard from various friends the big indoor audience and vibes were spooking a lot of horses and separating the class quite a lot. Honestly? I hadn't worried about that, Ceaser is never usually one for getting distracted and has always focussed on his job.

I tried to remain slow, but ensuring that I was still engaging the hind end so keeping the impulsion, but without the speed we usually get. He felt great entering the arena going up the centreline, so much so that I actually remembered to breathe for once and had a huge grin on my face. My instructor had installed into me that I needed to remember to riding an accurate test as that's where I could pick up any points where we might not be 100% in something.

Everything was going great, it felt like I had Ceaser right where I want him and couldn't have asked for more and then it all went wrong. Well, no, not wrong, but then he spotted the audience. I was coming across the diagonal and at H I had to walk. As we then turned along the short side Ceaser had chance to cast his eyes up and what did he see...? A rather large audience! That was it, I really struggled to get his attention back and because it was in the walk there was nothing I could do. Thankfully I then turn two half 10 metre circles to change the rein so managed to get him back a little but then I ask for a free walk across the diagonal to F and then canter. It was in the free walk that he just lost all concentration completely and almost tripped up through turning his neck to stare at the audience. I felt like he was going to freeze but in fact it did the polar opposite and suddenly he grew 5hands and wanted to get a move on. We had a nice walk to canter transition but it wasn't as connected as it had been prior to the walk, so unfortunately we then got several comments about being tense.

There was nothing I could do but smile and in all honesty the grin on my face showed I was having a fantastic time and enjoying this new and forward Ceaser that seemed to be loving what he was doing! We finished to a rather large round of applause and I couldn't have been any more happy or pleased with his efforts. To say we hadn't been out competing in a good few months I think he handled the situation well and in hindsight maybe I should have done what everyone else seemed to be doing like going for test runs etc, but I didn't think I needed to.

The plan now is go out and try to get some decent scores at novice that I'll be able to put forward for the senior inter-regionals team selections. I have everything crossed for getting on to the team again and then I'm off to South-Africa for a much needed holiday.

Thank you everyone for reading and to all those who supported me throughout the run up to Regionals and throughout the weekend. Whilst it wasn't meant to be for us that weekend, I still had a fantastic experience and came home with a happy and healthy pony, which is all that matters at the end of it all.
 

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Carr & Day and Martin Hoof Care 12 month Blog - Sponsored

Late last year when the powers that be at the iconic Carr & Day and Martin got in touch with me and asked if I would be interested in testing and reviewing their revolutionary Equimist 360 spray bottle filled with the old time favourite, Mane and Tail Conditioner and Canter Coat Shine I jumped at the chance. You can find out how I got on by clicking here. 

Ceaser and I had so much fun posing for photos and writing up the review that when the lovely Laura from Carr & Day and Martin got in touch again to ask if I would consider testing their Hoof Care Range for 12 months I immediately agreed. Who wouldn't jump at the opportunity to work with such an influential and much-loved company?

Okay, so lets go through the products and what i'll be looking out for over the next 12 months. 
Step 1: Cornucrescine Daily Supplement

To begin with Laura and I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone discussing where my blog was heading for 2015, what my plans were and why Ceaser was the "face of it all". We discussed the option of testing all of the products on him, but apart from losing the odd shoe here and there his feet have always been rock solid and quite good. As a baby he would often get sand cracks but since being permanently shod on all four feet that hasn't been a problem. Of course this then got me talking about Ziggy. When he arrived with me back in March 2014 he was shod in front but his feet were in a shocking state. They were long, cracked and how he hadn't lost a shoe I really don't know! Since then my fantastic farrier Paul Scott (Google him if you're in Lincolnshire, he's great with all types of horses and very knowledgeable) has worked tirelessly to get Ziggy's feet in better shape. We took his front shoes off (I'm not a big believer in 4-year-olds needing shoes) and he's just been trimmed regularly ever since. 

 

Although his feet looks ten times better than what they did they still crack when he's due a trim and get quite brittle, so Laura suggested trying the Hoof Care Range with him and seeing what results we get. 

I'm already an avid user of the ye' olde' Carr & Day & Martin Hoof Oil in the instantly recognisable red tin, so although Ziggy will be having the supplement to go alongside the ointments and oil, Ceaser will also be using these but without the supplement. 

The plan going forward is to photograph both ponies feet fortnightly and see what difference we notice and if there are any noticeable changes. Although signs of improvement may not be noticeable immediately, we are hoping to see some difference by capturing regular photographs and videos over a significant period of time. 

You should all know by now too that I don't do things by halves and for some time now I've been toying with the idea of Vlogging, so the plan is to not just blog fortnightly but also Vlog and add some fun into all this. I'm not good in front of a video camera and to practice for this Mark and I have been filming silly clips when we've been out and about. If I could put all the out takes together I would, but I don't think either of us would live it down. 

Filming the first scene couldn't have gotten off to a better start as Ceaser almost knocked me flying because standing still to look pretty for a video was just too much hassle! Anyway more on that later, it's product introduction time! 

After our chat Laura asked me what my fields were like and how much time Ceaser and Ziggy spent indoors in their stable. Both spend probably on average 3 out of 7 days outside at the moment, but as soon as the lighter nights and warmer days make an appearance this will increase a significant amount. However, for now we decided to protect against wet, muddy fields and deep littered beds. There really is a product for everything in the CDM range! 

Carr & Day & Martins 3 Step Hoof Care System

At Carr & Day & Martin they have developed a 3-step, individually tailored approach to create healthy hoof growth and then protect and maintain that growth. Individual horse-owners wanting to follow this regime will like me need to pick the Daily Supplement and Hoof Ointment, but then will pick their third step from a variety of daily routine products varying from Tea Tree Hoof Oil to Daily Hoof Moisturiser and so on. There are four daily products in the range and each focus on a different speciality area including an oil for dry conditions and one containing anti-bacterial agents. If you're unsure which one to go for I would really recommend contacting Laura or one of the other CDM team members who will be able to help you. 

Their optimum strength supplement will help to combat nutritional deficiencies and support hoof growth, strength and condition. Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Supplement is a highly palatable pelleted formula that is ideal for all horses. It contains numerous proven ingredients to encourage and help the body to produce healthy and strong hoof growth. You can feed the supplement daily, by hand as a treat or by adding to the ration. New healthy hoof growth should be evident within as little as 3 months so I'm really keen get started on using this supplement.  It will just be Ziggy using this as he's the one needing the most help with his hooves!

Step 2: Cornucrescine Hoof Ointment

Massaging the famous Carr & Day & Martin Ointment into the coronary band provides essential nutrients and will stimulate new, quicker, healthier growth. This process encourages the production of keratin by increasing blood flow to the coronary band and providing the nutrients to assist new growth. This is especially important for those who have existing hoof problems such as cracks that need growing out. Cornucrescine Hoof Ointment has been used and trusted since 1896 to promote healthy hoof at the coronary source. When used weekly the ointment maintains healthy hoof growth, when used daily it helps accelerate this growth and improve hoof quality. Both Ceaser and Ziggy (more than likely Sara too!) will be having this on three times a week. 

Step 3 The Cornucrescine Daily Range

Finally Carr & Day & Martin are keen to promote managing the environmental conditions that affect the hoof wall, ensuring it can maintain its’ strength and durability, all year round. The Cornucrescine Daily Range gives horse owners the ability to tailor their hoof care routine to their horses’ requirements. Choose from Hoof Dressing to nourish the hoof; Hoof Moisturiser to combat dry and brittle hooves; Hoof Barrier to prevent waterlogging; or Tea Tree Hoof Oil to protect from infection and give a long lasting shine. This flexibility allows hoof care regimes to be tailored to suit every individual horse and the environment in which it lives.

For now Laura has sent me the Barrier as our step 3 product, as it is perfect at this time of year. It creates a one way barrier that prevents the hoof from absorbing excessive moisture, ammonia and urea.  The advanced formulation waterproofs but still remains breathable, allowing any excess moisture to be expelled. This helps to strengthen, support and improve shoe retention. It also contains an antibacterial agent to protect the horn. So if your horse, like Ziggy, Ceaser and Sara, is out in muddy, wet conditions it keeps the hoof strong and equally, if your horse is in on bedding a lot it stops the ammonia in the urine from eating the sole.

Initially I was worried about giving Ziggy the Hoof Supplement as he can be a fussy eater, but thankfully rather than being a power formula like other supplements they're small pellets that both look and smell like feed, making them very palatable and tasty! 

From now on every fortnight i'll be updating this blog taking you through a series of pictures and videos showing just how both boys feet are getting on using the Carr & Day & Martin range.

To find out more about the Carr & Day & Martin range and their sister site Day Son & Hewitt visit their website now!

Week Commencing 23rd February - 2 weeks after starting the Hoof Care Range

Both Ceaser and Ziggy had a trim and in Ceaser's case a new set of shoes the previous week. I'll be posting pictures and an update in the next few days, keep an eye out for it going live!

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