Ziggy makes his entrance to the big wide world of Dressage..

You all know who Ziggy is by now. The little 14.2, 3 year old, nervous, difficult, unrideable pony. No! He's the 15h, 4-year-old, confident, little superstar which has been in my life a year now!

It's commonly known between all my friends, both dressage and none dressage, that I mother Ziggy quite a lot. If there's scary situations I'll almost carry him through it and I've been apprehensive of pushing him to do bigger and better things through fear of ending up back at square one with him. 

Our lessons have been going superb and I haven't been able to fault him home at all. A couple of weeks ago we took him to a local Equestrian Centre for some Riding Club Flatwork training and despite being a little tense he never put a hoof out of line. 

My instructor has been pestering me for weeks to start stepping him up in the training and begin to concentrate on him more than I have been, but in all honesty I haven't wanted to. No, let me rephrase that...I have wanted to but have been too apprehensive for what's 'on the other side'. 

After a few really good weeks with Ziggy I realised I can't keep him locked away at home forever and it was time to get him out into the big bad wide world. And so, I booked him into a local competition to do two Intro tests. 

I tried not to think about what was approaching in the week leading up to the competition, I had so much other stuff going on though that I didn't have time to even think about it and before I knew it, Saturday was upon us and it was time to get Ziggy out there.

It's been so easy keeping him locked away at home. I've been able to just show the good mostly and in all honesty I've also shared the bad, but there's been times when it's been particularly hard and everyone's thought it's been rosy. He's such an amazing pony when he gets it, but he's so nervous that sometimes the smallest of things makes him shoot across the arena. At first he had me off, but slowly I'm learning to sit to it and recognise the warning signs that's he's spotted something he doesn't like. However, it was time to show everyone my work. It was time to show everyone what I had done with him and just how far we had come in just 10 months. In all honesty I didn't care what others thought and I still don't, but those on the outside won't know what he was like when I got him and how long it's taken me just to get here. I can say he was nervous when I got him, I can tell the story of just how jumpy he was, but people believing me is a different story. 

Anyway, we arrived at the venue in plenty of time to make use of the Arena free time before the competition started. This is something so new to me, something I've never had to do with Ceaser and often wondered why others have to do it. Like I said though, Ziggy teaches me new things every day and whilst it's a journey of learning for him, it's the very same for me.

He went into the indoor arena at about 17 hands high and when I got on felt very tense and almost ready to explode. The key with him is to sit quietly and reward the good, but simply ignore the bad - which can sometimes be hard to do when you know he's not scared of something but insists on being. So, we set off around the arena, doing lots of transitions and circles, changes of reins and basically everything to try and take his mind off what was going on around him. The cafe door was slamming, there were people running in and out around the arena, but my little superstar didn't bat an eyelid, he just focused on me.

Soon enough he relaxed and we picked up the trot when my instructor arrived. She said I'm still not pushing him forward enough into the contact and told me to try opening my hands and for now to over exaggerate the inside hand opening to try and encourage him to come round a little more, albeit the outline is coming.

After 10 minutes he really started to produce some fantastic work so we decided to stop whilst we were ahead, give him a break and then warm up normally closer to our start time. He's not 100% fit yet and does tire quite easily, so I needed to be careful not to push too much too soon and burn all the energy we did have.

Fiona, a lovely friend of mine that has supported both Ziggy and me from the moment he walked off the lorry ramp also arrived to come and support us. She has always been the one to tell me that I'd be stupid to give up on Ziggy when things get a bit tough and right from the day he arrived told me he was something special. She noticed before I did, so I owe her such a lot for making me see it when I was blinded by blinkers that he "wasn't Ceaser".

Both my mum and step-dad had decided to come and support us too which was lovely. I didn't honestly realise I have so many people behind both mine and Ziggy's journey. It's quite easy to go through all the tough stuff alone and forget that if you asked for help you would realise people are there for you to help support. When Ziggy first arrived Mum told me I wasn't keeping him and I had merely got him out of a situation to find him home, however she soon fell in love with him declaring it "was just his eyes" and now can't wait to see just how far we can go together.

Soon enough it was time to get back on board and warm up outside. It was a very different atmosphere outside to what it had been inside. There were ponies trotting around the car park, people mucking out the stables which runs parallel to the outdoor arena and various other exciting but potentially scary things to catch Ziggy's eye. By this point he was a little more tense and Mum noticed he was looking everywhere and anywhere ensuring he had his eye on what was going on around him all the time. I suppose this was to be expected though with it being his first competition and we were allowing any baby behaviour.

My instructor reiterated to reward the good but ignore the spookiness and simply just push on if he did spook and act like nothing had happened. He warmed up super and finally we were called into the arena to strut our stuff.

The indoor arena was quite busy by now, with people everywhere but surprisingly Ziggy didn't seem phased and entered the arena like he'd been doing this all his life. In places things got a little tense and I had to quickly push him on and just remind him down the rein that it was time to listen and concentrate but in all honesty I couldn't fault him. He was forward, engaged, off my leg and surprisingly taking it all into his stride which I really didn't expect. I honestly thought we would have some spooking but maybe this just proves that I need to trust him more and allow myself to ask more of him and be confident in realising that he can do it rather than thinking he can't or things are too scary for him to deal with.

After a quick break it was time to hop on and do it all again. As I was wandering into the indoor arena my friend Fiona stopped me with a huge smile on her face and said "YOU WON the first class!". I couldn't believe it! I didn't know how much by, but honestly I'd commented there was some lovely horses in the previous class so I didn't expect that and it was well subscribed.

The second test was also lovely and Ziggy felt much more relaxed this time round, however also a little tired and this reflected in the test. I do have to remember he's only young and will use all of his energy up at the beginning finding various bits and bobs to look and react at. Despite this it was a huge learning curve as I always found Ceaser goes much better if I just do one test, so this may be the case with Ziggy too.

Finally it was time to put him away and check out the scores. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw he had won the first class on 68.27%, a clear margin above 2nd place and the rosette for best youngster; I was gobsmacked! We also finished 2nd in his second test on just short of 68% with the comment "beginning to tire" which is a fair and reasonable comment to make I think! The judge came up to me afterwards and asked if he was mine and commented that he's going to have a very bright future ahead of him. I was speechless and emotional, all rolled in to one. I honestly couldn't believe how well he did for his first competition, and to think this time last year we couldn't even get on him. We may not be pushing him to go out and compete as often as other 5 year olds and I might not be pushing him up through the levels quickly, but I'd rather take my time and get it right as I'm positive it'll pay off more in the long run.

We all had a fabulous day and the support team around us was fantastic, however I hate to end this blog on a low, but I do want to say something. There were a couple of people watching both Ziggy and I warm up and then sat next to my Mum and watched our test, without realising it was my Mum and step-dad they were sat next to. Several comments were made and although we ignored all of them as clearly to some it's hard to grasp that I have two such fantastic boys to compete in 2015, but I will say, the comments that were made about Ziggy chomping on his bit......he's a youngster. I know the roller coaster journey we've been on to get Ziggy where he is today and all that shall ever matter to me is that he's happy, healthy, knows he is loved and the rest is a bonus along our journey.


The plan with Ziggy is to now start working towards Prelim and hopefully attend the championships we have qualified for as a result of his 1st place! I asked my instructor if she thought he would cope in a championship situation and she said I should go just to give it a bash and anything else is an added extra. I can't wait to get him back out again - watch this space!

Enjoy your week folks!

P.s: Thank you Fiona for the photos! =)

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Fuji Film Pop Book Photobook - the perfect app for photo lovers! (sponsored post)

Did you know the first mobile phone to have a camera on it was released in June of 2000 in South Korea? It's camera was capable of taking 20 photos at 0.35 megapixels. No I didn't know that either! How times have changed since then!

I take a lot of photos. Not just the odd one or two; hundreds! I was bad enough when I just had my iPhone in my pocket and often found myself pulling it out to take a quick snap here and there. Now I've finally invested in a decent DSLR I'm finding myself snap-happy more than ever.

If you're like me and take a lot of photos but never actually get round to printing them then Fuji Film Pop Book App is just what you need in your life. 

Why let special memories and occasions sit in your Camera Roll when they could be beautifully displayed on your dinning table at home? Why let precious moments go unnoticed when you could share them with your friends and family? 

So many of us nowadays take hundreds and thousands of photos with our cameras and mobiles that we don't even realise we're doing it. Think about it, can you recall how many times a day you pull your mobile out of your pocket to capture something that's caught your eye and then upload it to social media? 

With over 1,393 billion monthly active users on Facebook and 300 million on Instagram it's no wonder as soon as we take a photo we upload it to our favourite social media site and wait for the thumbs up and love heart to get clicked on our preferred social media channel. 

Over 300 million photos get uploaded to Facebook each day and I bet you the majority of them stay there rather than get put up around the family home for all to see. 

Fuji Film took all this into account and the Pop Book was created.

Not only an innovative app that allows you to create a book full of photo memories, Fuji Film Pop Book allows you to edit, crop and basically play with your photos until your happy with the finished project; giving you complete control of what your snaps look like.

Freedom to do what you like with your book allows you to move the pages around, add text, add filters and so much more.

What's better you can pick and play with the overall finish on your book; making it as versitile as the sites you upload your photos to. Choose from matt or gloss finish and give your Pop Book that unique look by deciding on a white or black boarder - the choice really is all yours! 

Pop Book photobooks come in two sizes that fit just perfectly into your handbag or into an envelope to post to your friends and family. Being able to order mine came just at the right time as sadly 2 weeks ago I had to have my 18-year-old best friend, Sweep put to sleep. I was wondering how I could create something that allowed me to remember him and smile over his pictures throughout the day and then Pop Book photobooks quite literally popped up! Now I have the one you can see in the photos placed on my desk at work - allowing me to reminisce and flick through whenever I please.

The variety of sizes allows you to pick from 10cm x 10cm or a slightly bigger size of 13cm x 13cm - giving you freedom to create one to put on your desk, or your table at home!

The app is free for all iPhone users and fear not Android users, an app for you is on its way!

At just under £5, these robust books are great for those that want to hold on to photos forever. My sister got married last year and we've struggled to find something to combine a few photos as a keep sake but on a budget - these will be perfect and I can't wait to share them with her. 

For more information check out the Pop Book website and let your imagination run wild.

In loving memory of Sweep - my best friend and so much more than just my dog. We had 18 wonderful years together to create memories that will last forever.  You'll always be in my heart. 

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own. 

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Sian and Ceaser's road to.....

Last year I was so keen to take Ceaser out competing at every opportunity, I wanted to relish the high scores, the red rosettes and quite frankly the endless hours of lost sleep. However, something made me do a complete 360 a few weeks ago and I realised it's not about how many likes you have on a Facebook post where you tell the world you "won your class", nor is it about how many red rosettes you have pinned to your wall. It's about enjoying those few minutes of freedom where you put your all into performing movements to the best of your ability, and showcasing your hard work that no one else sees behind closed gates.

Ceaser had a break from competing over winter before the Music Regionals and quite honestly although he was a little tense, I think he went all the more better for having a break and it made me think. I'll openly admit last year I chased scores, chased a place on the team and overworked both me and him. When I realised just how much he enjoyed his outing to Bishop Burton for the regionals I decided that was it - we weren't going to be the percentage chasers anymore, we weren't going to work our butts off to get on the team. We still wanted the red rosettes and the chance to represent our County at Senior Inter-Regionals, but I wasn't going to run both Ceaser and myself into the ground to get either.

Last weekend saw us take a trip over to our local venue for a Novice test. He needed a run and I'd been working so hard on making changes to everything that I wanted to see how we faired. Unfortunately I realised we'd drawn the judge that although marks us fairly, never really puts us above 66%. However, it wasn't about that and I had to keep reminding myself it was more about doing something for us - to see if I felt we had improved, and to see if the photos showed improvement.

Ceaser warmed up lovely. He started a little sluggish and not really wanting to bend round my right inside leg and I felt I knew what was coming. How right could I be. I gave him a little nudge and up he went into a rear, shot forward and then did some gorgeous work. It's almost as if he has to try it, just to prove he hasn't changed from that opinionated youngster we once knew. Amy, Ceaser's lovely back lady had made the trip to come and watch us and then massage Ceaser afterwards, so it was great to get her feedback as we were warming up.

Amy noticed that before his 'strop' he didn't seem to be trying so hard, and then instantly switched and the work came. I have to be so careful that his hind right leg doesn't swing out in the trot, so I rode lots of shoulder-fore and leg yield, which my instructor feels helps to warm us up. Then I'll do a canter on each rein, which riding a couple of circuits of counter-canter, ensuring he isn't running along but rather keeping the bounce. To change the rein I'll ask for a medium, then working trot again and then pick up canter and do the same on the other rein. I really feel we've cracked the warm up routine now a short, sharp 20 to 25 minutes works wonders, rather than going on and on for over half an hour.

My test was in the dreaded arena 3 which has caused us quite a few problems in the past with spooking and scary monsters jumping out the trees, so I was very conscious to catch Ceaser's attention as soon as we rode into the arena. I do find bending him slightly too much to the inside so he's focussing on the inside of the arena rather than the out whilst I'm going around the edge works wonders.

Overall my test went rather well I thought. I was so focussed on keeping him steady but ensuring the hind end stayed active and through. I also needed to make sure I did as Tracey had said the previous week during a lesson and ensure I don't coil his neck in too much, but rather let him stretch over the base of his neck and back. We found that I tend to hold too much, rather than letting Ceaser do some of the work himself, which includes balancing and coming into the natural outline, rather than relying on me.

I was rather pleased with how the canter felt in the test as this is something we've been working such a great deal on. Ceaser had a tendency to go into the canter nice and collected, then run and run as the canter went on which just gave it a 'flat' look. We've worked so hard in my lessons to keep him up, using those hinds, but also keeping the forwardness.

Upon finishing the test Amy said from an outsiders point of view it looked like a 68/69% test, but unfortunately we still ended on 66% and 3rd, which wasn't bad considering the competition in our class. However, after looking after the photos both Mark and the professional photographer took and going through each movement on my score sheet with Amy we felt there had been such an improvement and we would take the positives away rather than the score. At the end of the day, Ceaser is a coloured cob cross and not every judge sat in the box is going to love how he moves, or think he belongs in that dressage arena, but one thing is for sure, he always tries his heart out. His mediums may not be perfect and he might not have the paces of a warmblood but I am getting such fantastic feedback from all those that have followed our journey over the last 12 months, both my instructors; Julie and Tracey and Amy has commented several times Ceaser has never felt so great in his massage sessions.

So, that brings us to this week. He's had a steady week with some basic schooling and yesterday I let one of the Pony Clubbers on the yard take him over a few jumps - which he thoroughly enjoyed!

Of course I want to get a place on the teams this year and red rosettes would be an added bonus, but quite frankly I do all this as a hobby and whilst I may have lost sight of that a little last year trying to achieve certain things, I think we can still get to where we want to be, but without the pressure!

Have a lovely week everyone!

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