We're going to the PetPlan Championships at Hartpury - a dream come true!

Here it is.... Our Area Festival Finals write up! 🦄

My dressage journey this year has been so up and down. We finished 4th at the Senior Inter Regionals and then 2nd in the Sheepgate Tack and Togs Championships and have had some other super results too, but then it went downhill. 

I went off somewhere to get some Regional points and Zig spooked at B, jumped in the air and carried on. I laughed, because that’s Zig - so full of surprises and character. But then I walked into the cafe and as I walked up to the scoreboard I heard two people having a good bitch about how I “claimed” to have sorted Zigs spooking, and how hilarious it was he still did such stupid things. At that point I turned on my heels and left. I know in hindsight I should’ve said something but I didn’t. I wanted to be the bigger person. 

At that moment I vowed I was giving up BD, because it was too bitchy and selective. I wrote a post on here about taking some time out of dressage and maybe one day the love for it would come back. 

Now my partner isn’t horsey but he said he would support my decision, provided I thought about it and meant it, and it was what I truly wanted. When I couldn’t say I truly wanted to give BD up, but I needed help to overcome this fear of riding infront of people, he suggested finding a new instructor away from home. And that’s when he said about my now current instructor. He’d met her once for a photo shoot I was involved in last year and said how I just seemed to get on with her, so maybe I should try her.. 

And that’s when I sent an SOS text to Vicki, kind of detailing everything I felt, everything id experienced lately and no pressure but I was leaving it up to her to help find my mojo again!

Cor blimey she did - she installed this confidence in me that I’d struggled to find. When I told her I felt worthless riding in the warm up arena and how I hated riding down that centreline she said things like “trot down that centreline like you’re about to win the class. Ride at the judge the most positive you’ve ever ridden”. And not once has she ever laughed that I have these silly dreams with my little Irish pony. She always finds the positives and if I say something negative, turns it into a “....yes but look how different that was” or “... look how much more effective that became” and things like that.

I was determined to go into the warm up on Saturday feeling like I had every right to be there. I’m usually THAT rider that stops for everyone, apologises for getting in the way, despite them being the ones walking on the track or not going left to left. I was determined to stop that. 

* 

So Friday afternoon I took a half day from work and Ziggy and I trucked to Manor Grange. I wanted to bed him down then school him for 20 mins in the warm up arena. The hectic warm up arena last year had really got him (more likely me) in a muddle and I wanted a positive session in there.

He was ace; I just worked on moving him around, leg yielding as Vicki had said and having a play without asking too much as I don’t like to on the eve of a competition. 

Two girls started to watch me ride and focused on my every move. My anxiety was screaming “they’re looking at you” and my new found confidence shouted even louder “they’re just admiring Ziggy!”. Of course it helped he was going like a lamb. I love this pony!

I did 25 mins and then put him away and went off to set my own bed up. My air bed in the back of the lorry. Ugh. Meanwhile zig is tucked up, in a £60 a night stable eating haylage. How the other half live eh?! 🙄

I looked at all the big pop out lorries next to me with their misty windows from their lovely warm heating and created this idea in my head that I was DEFINITELY adopted and my real parents were some millionaires that could’ve provided me with all this.... haha! I joke! 

Anyway, then I had a quick couple of drinks with two ladies I befriended who were just normal like me! They had dreams, but not the typical dressage horse we see so much of. We sat dreaming of being in the big horse boxes with heating as we sat outside our little van conversions with our horses thermatexes over our legs! Then it was bed time. 

In the grand scheme of things I didn’t sleep too badly but all night my head was going over and over the test and the usual “do I know it...” “yes I do...” rubbish! God I could talk myself in and out of some rubbish I reckon!

Soon enough however my alarm was rattling off and it was 6am. Time to get up! I was the only daft enough person to be awake at that crazy time, but I wanted to muck out and give myself plenty of time to get ready. I was on at 9:49 and the arena walk ended at 8:45, so not much time between the two. 

The arena walk went fine. Zig went in a little apprehensive of the boards and the judges boxes near the cafe, so it really made me feel more positive that I’d done the arena walk. I think for now he needs them. I spent longer than I’d anticipated doing it but wanted to be sure he was relaxed in there, not like last year. Eventually he settled into the walk and so I hopped off, and went to watch the first person in. 

I watched one test then got back on myself. I kept telling myself and Zig to stay confident, stay positive that I deserved a place in that warm up arena and between the boards. Kate is always trying to make me feel better about the worries I have anxiety wise with how much I deserve to be there and don’t. She’s great and always spends time chatting to me about being open and honest in how I feel, but at the same time telling me to be positive and confident in that I CAN do it. It’s not that I’m scared, it’s that I feel I could do better all the time, and I’m always questioning my worth. 

I find i sit up more in sitting trot and so to begin the trotting in warming up, I did sitting trot. I was so adamant I didn’t want to do my usual curl up, lean forward and go into myself trick. I had every right to be there....keep thinking it. 

Zig felt so lovely to warm up. I know people say you should always find more to work on, but there wasn’t a thing I’d have changed about his warm up. He was loving every second and he was giving me his all - and in then I was smiling like a Cheshire Cat and loving it too. 

Soon enough it was my turn and Vicki came to find me. “Ride the test positively and like you mean it” she said, and off I went. 

Going down that centreline I rode smack bang to the judges and positively. I remember someone saying ride to them like you’re going to run them over and that’s what I did.

I made a conscious to sit up, ride the corners, keep the inside bend, but don’t let him fall on that right shoulder. Slight shoulder fore where I could feel him curling too much and keep his neck up, and keep the impulsion. 

The first canter to trot transition was a bit Blah in my eyes, I wanted it a little more fluid but such a minor thing in the grand scheme of things. Everything else felt nice. The walk was such an improvement in what I’d had been weeks before! We got a free walk, and I didn’t throw it away. 

The stretchy trot was nice at the end too and he didn’t rush or dive onto the forehand. Then up the centreline, ride for my life, massive smile because I’d blooming done it, sitting trot and then halt with a positive square halt. 

I welled up a bit actually, because for the first time in what seemed like forever I came out and thought “actually I did what I could, I enjoyed that and I want to do it again”. I hadn’t felt like that in BD in a LONG time! In fact this was my first BD in a long time! 

Vicki was clapping and said what did I think. I turned it on her and said “What did YOU think” - apparently I shouldn’t answer a question with a question but she said what I’d felt - the first canter trot transition was a little blah and she felt my canter could’ve been more forward but aside from that she was pleased.

And that’s kind of what mattered. Someone that I’d gone to whilst at my lowest with my self esteem in the ring had thought I’d ridden the test. Not sat there, not curled into myself and became a shy lamb on top of a horse, but RIDDEN! 

I wanted to cry there and then but quick slap on the wrist to myself and got on with it. Put zig away, literally hugged the blooming pony until he nuzzled me off because haylage was far more important than mum hugs! 

Got stuff sorted and didn’t want to check scores! But OMG - 68.12, putting us into 4th. Unfortunately only the top 4 qualified so I decided I was bound to be knocked down as I was only the 7th out of 28 to go in. People were bound to knock me out of the qualifying spot. 

I sat by that score board all blooming day, and if I didn’t I was refreshing my phone. It was agonising! Waiting for the last couple of results were horrific!

Then I saw there was a withdrawal, and it dawned on me that would mean only the top 3 would qualify. So even though I finished 4th, I’d narrowly missed out on my ticket. I walked back to the box, sat alone for 20 mins, had a cry that I’d been so close - and decided I’d keep fingers crossed for a wild card!

Prize giving. Didn’t feel like celebrating but I’d gotten talking to someone who had finished 2nd and was happy for them so stayed upbeat and told him I would hope for a wildcard. Hugged zig some more, cried some more about how I just always seem to be unfortunate and then cried because despite it all I was 4th in a huge class and I was proud of zig. Basically there was a lot of crying!

Anyway, prize giving.....

They went into reverse order, got to me and Jo read my name out and then as I got to her she shouted “This is your important envelope Siân!” - to which I replied “I haven’t qualified jo!” And she did the tut look she always gives me when I’m negative and said “YES YOU DID SIÂN!!” and literally at THAT very moment I realised I’d achieved my dream. 

I WAS GOING TO HARTPURY!!!!!

Stood at the podium like a Cheshire Cat, beaming, welling up, not knowing whether to laugh, cry, jump and hug someone or curl into a corner and cry. 

Managed to smile for photos between blurry eyes, walked to Zigs stable and found the stable manager Caroline at the stable. She said “how did you do?” And literally at that moment I fell onto her sobbing, she hugged me and I explained between sobs and snot I’d qualified. God I’m so embarrassing at times!

It felt physically and mentally - I don’t know. Was I exhausted? I’d had this dream. I’d worked so bloody hard, I’d shuffled work and lessons, done god knows how many 18 hour days to fit it all in..... I cried because it happened, I cried because I could finally relax a little, I cried because I was experiencing something I’d wanted for so long, but then I cried because grandad wasn’t here to see it, and then I cried because 4 years ago Ziggy didn’t trust me enough to barely come near me. Now we were going to Hartpury!!! We were going to the competition that Charlotte and Carl ride at. Ahhhhhhh 

😱

I didn’t let Zig for ages after that, I just stood with him, thanking him, telling him how much he’d made my dreams come true and how I’d never let him down. I SO wish grandad could’ve been there. I can’t tell you how much. 

And here begins my road to Hartpury. It’s scary, it’s exciting - I want to go and enjoy it, but also I’ve realised through Vicki that I want to go and I want to go and be as competitive as I can! Why should I feel like I’m making numbers up? I have to stop with that thought!

We’ve a long winter ahead and I need to cut my lessons down to fortnightly now the winters here, but I’m so excited! And my first question to Vicki was “So what do we work on next?!”. 

I know I sound like a stuck record, but this is a dream come true for me, and some may be thinking Jesus Siân it’s not that big of deal, but to me it is - there’s just so much emotionally I’ve dealt with, or at least tried to, to get there. And Ziggy started out 4 years ago, when I finally was able to ride him with 56% in an intro test. NEVER did I imagine he’d get 68.12% in a PetPlan final to get us a ticket to Nationals. 

Ziggy - if you could read this you’d see how proud you’ve made me.

Grandad - if you could read this, you’d see how much I wish you were here to share this. It’s all you ever wanted me to achieve, and when it’s time for Hartpury you’re coming with me in my locket of you, and I’m taking the picture of you in my glove again. 

Vicki - You gave me the confidence to ride between the boards and helped figure so much out, THANK YOU!

Kate - Your angry face texts when I say i can’t are appreciated. THANK YOU!

Fiona - You told me he’d be special. THANK YOU!

Here’s to counting down to April!

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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.

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BD Senior Inter-regionals at Keyose

So I kept this a secret for so long that it was hard not to tell anyone, but I honestly didn't want to jinx it. A week before the Senior Inter-regionals at Keyose Ceaser and I were called up from reserves to compete on one of the teams to represent the Northern Region.

To say I was over the moon is an understatement. This competition was something I had put in the calendar back in January but wasn't really ever sure if I would get the chance to compete there. To be called up was fantastic and I did everything I could to get involved.

Unfortunately our lorry was in the garage having its MOT so that meant a quick rally round to get a hire lorry sorted and get as much things together in the short space of time we had left before it was time to set off!

I managed to squeeze a last minute lesson in before it was Friday which helped settled my nerves. We didn't want to start changing too much so instead worked on getting Ceaser working uphill again and doing lots of lateral work to keep him supple.

Thankfully the team colours are purple so I was already well prepared in terms of advertisement - even down to the fact I use purple shampoo! The day before I went out and purchased some purple cloth and quickly put together some banners to put outside his stable; which went down a treat. Well, not with CP, who was less than impressed!

Upon arriving at Keysoe we were showed to our stable and then set about unpacking. I had heard that we would be allowed to ride in the competition arenas that evening so I put Ceaser away for a couple of hours whilst we got our tent ready and then set about showing him around. As usual he settled straight in and wasn't fussed about me hanging the banners from his stable. Thankfully the Northern Region had been given the indoor stables which were lovely!

Ceaser felt fantastic when it came to riding that evening. He always seems to find an extra sparkle when we're out competing that I just wish he had at home. He worked lovely and although I only did 10 minutes of walk and trot walk I felt it was enough for him. This also gave me a chance to use my brand new over reach boots that Mark had protested I buy for weeks. When he found out we had been given the opportunity to ride at the inter-regionals he couldn't resist and my pleas were answered.


That evening the whole of the Northern Region gathered for a get together and we were all presented with some stunning rosettes donated by one of the riders on the team. They really are gorgeous and I'll treasure it forever as a memory of my first time riding on a Northern Region team. After that it was time for bed to get some well earned rest ready for the first day of the competition. We were due to ride around 2 o clock in our warm up test and then at 4 o clock for team test.

**

I couldn't believe it, but Saturday morning I woke up with an absolute stinking cold. In fact, looking back, it was so bad I am sure it was man flu! Not wanting to let a cold get in the way I stocked up on various tablets, apple juice and set about going to do our team proud!

Warming up for the first test was…..interesting! I tried to fight my way through the warm up ring and find space for a little one, but unfortunately my confidence that I deserved to be there got the better of me and I don't think I utilised the space as much as I could have done. However, saying that I got some really lovely work out of Ceaser and I was confident for our first test.

Overall I think the test went okay. A couple of my movements left a lot to be desired and in all honesty I just put it down to nerves. Once I had gotten half way through the test I finally felt my self relax and begin to enjoy it, however it was a little too late and we came away with just over 65%. Not bad for a warm up test but I needed to up my game for the team test.

We put Ceaser away, went for some lunch and a quick 30 minute nap, then it was time to start warming up again for our team test. This time I rode a much more determined warm up and utilised my space much better. I spent more time on engaging Ceaser's hindquarters and I felt like I had him more in front of my leg. Mark said it generally looked better and whether that was because I was feeling more confident I'm not sure - however I guess it helps!

The test; Prelim 17, went much better. Overall its a test Ceaser and I love and one we have always gained 70% or over in. I wasn't sure what my mark would be, as it was the inter-regionals after all and the judging was going to be tough. But I was pleased and the whole test generally felt more relaxed and together. There was no messy movements and apart from him dropping his poll in one canter transition I felt it went well and I was pleased. Lots of pats for Ceaser pony and a good nights sleep!

When we had put him away we walked over to the scoreboard to be met by an absolutely amazing score. In fact I am pretty sure I screeched a little! Just over 74%!!!! WOW!!! This left us in 8th place out of an impressive 30 competitors! I really was over the moon and could not believe my eyes. I know it felt nice, but WOW! On cloud 9 it was finally dinner time and I got an early night nursing my man flu whilst Mark watched the football. I swear I dreamed of that elusive 70% I once told myself many years ago I would "never get!"

**

The next morning I felt worse and really hadn't had a good nights sleep. I was ready for home and my own bed but was determined to go out and do a second good team test to hopefully be in with a chance of gaining an individual placing. Thankfully our test was an early one at 10am, so it gave me chance to get it out the way and then have the rest of the day to chill out.

Again we warmed up well. Jane Peberdy helped us warm up which really helped as she gave me an extra pair of eyes from the ground to see what we could improve on. Jane said she didn't want to change too much but to ensure that Ceaser wasn't bending too much around my inside leg, which he does do. After a bit of straightening he was all good to go!

Prelim 19 felt nice. Someone earlier on had warned me there was a group of horses in the field near the ring galloping about. Of course this didn't bother CP which made me chuckle as at home this would have been a very different story! He was foot perfect throughout and again apart from a slight dropping of the poll into canter he was fantastic. This has given me the food for thought that we must sort this problem as it is dropping us a few marks here and there.

Unfortunately upon arriving at the score board I was shocked to find almost everyones scores had dropped by at least 10% from the day before. Thankfully we ended on about 66% again so we didn't take much of a hit but I honestly feel he deserved more - and that was generally the feeling I was also getting from others around the scoreboard.

Although when everyones marks are near enough in the same bracket it isn't as worrying and so I just let it go and put it down to one of those judges! To me Ceaser felt amazing and that was all that mattered.

Finally it was time to pack the tent away, order my photos (much to Marks credit cards delight) and then get changed and dressed ready for the prize giving. I wasn't really sure how I had done in the individual placings so wasn't expecting anything but was looking forward to a more formal prize giving that I have been used to up to now!

As they started to read the Prelim individual results out they started on 11th place and worked their way down. As they got to 9th and they read some riders I had noticed on the scoreboard I really lost hope and started to zone out whilst they worked their down. Imagine my delight when they announced we had finished in 8th place! From that moment I have been living on cloud 9! I could not honestly believe it and think my smile said it all. To initially be put on reserves list, to then finishing 8th out of about 30 competitors I couldn't have asked for more.

My superstar Ceaser had done it again and proved to everyone that cobs can do dressage!

The Northern Region collected an array of beautiful rosettes and everyone did really well. It was lovely to have everyone congratulating one another and be in the middle of some amazing team spirit. If I remember right we also had two teams finish in the top 10 which is fantastic and we were all thrilled with such a result.

Both Mark and I were absolutely shattered but couldn't wait to share our news with Ceaser! All too soon it was time to drive home and back to reality once more. Even better, whilst we were driving home I received the emails to tell me Ceaser has qualified for Regionals at both Prelim and Novice level which is blooming fantastic! Whether or not I'll take him at both levels is still debatable but we'll definitely be there for the Prelim and cannot wait!!

All three of us had the most amazing weekend which saw us make some new friends and meet up with others that we had met at camp. It is all systems go now to collect a couple more scores at Novice level which will hopefully see us get selected for the Home Internationals in October. Please all keep your fingers, toes, hooves and ears crossed - this would just be the icing on the cake for us this year!

Huge thank you to all of the Northern Region for making the three of us so welcome once again. You're all purptastic!!!

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First BD competition of 2014

I'm not really sure where to start in regards to my update on Ceaser. He has been working fantastic at home and although we've had a few testing rides due to limited turnout time and scary wind, he is doing great. I was forced to try a "normal" bit again after the Neue Schule I was trialing got taken back and I must say I couldn't believe the difference. With just your everyday hanging cheek snaffle in I was presented once more with a horse that wasn't keen on coming back to me after the mediums and just opened his mouth instead. Needless to say after that I popped onto Ebay and managed to bag myself a Neue Schule hanging cheek, brand new, with tags on for £45. Absolute bargain and well worth the money!

My riding instructor has been helping me out a lot whilst I have been busy at work. If I have a particular busy week she will come to give Ceaser a 45 minute session, which I must say has helped a tremendous amount. I have noticed a huge difference in his schooling since this and it's nice to have given me that peace of mind that he isn't stuck in his stable all day whilst i'm working! He's only had one session a week if she comes, but it's enough to have really got his mediums sorted out, which are feeling fantastic of late.

I can't wait for the lighter nights so I can ride. It's not quite the same getting up at 6am to have a quick ride before work, it always feels like I'm rushing and clock watching.

The beginning of January set me back a little and Ceaser ended up having about 10 days off due to me being admitted to hospital. Once again I got chronic sinusitis and couldn't stop being sick. So, after a stay over night in Queens Medical, Nottingham and 2 days on a ward I was finally admitted to the ENT clinic (after 3 years of this happening regularly!) and have a follow up appointment to look at surgery in March. I'm not sure what they will do yet, but it's possible I'll need surgery. I just hope I can schedule this for a slot in the calendar when we have no important competitions. We'll see what happens, but I'm sure Ceaser won't mind 2 weeks off work - which is apparently also what I'll need! I can see me going mad in that time.

Whilst laying in my sick bed I found a lovely small lorry for sale that I thought looked absolutely perfect for Mark and I. Once you see the colour you will know why! So, Mark went to look, gave it a test drive and trusting his instinct we took the plunge to buy it. I cannot believe the sense of relief I got as soon as we picked it up. No longer do I have to rely on drivers, friends or family to take me to competitions. Mark and I can just get up and go where we like, when we like.

Which is exactly what we've been doing....

We had some test drives with smaller ponies in and eventually we decided we should bite the bullet and take Ceaser on a short journey somewhere. With nothing major happening at the moment due to weather and time of year, we decided to make use of Sheepgates happy hour and hire their indoor arena. Oh it was lovely to ride indoor for the first time in a while and I am now eagerly awaiting the build of ours.... (more on that at a later date!). It gave me a chance to run through a couple of tests, movements and not have to worry about Ceaser spooking so much like he does at home. He worked lovely, but I felt not his best.

The following week I arranged to go to our first BD competition of the season and enter two Novices instead of a prelim and novice. It was Marks longest drive in the lorry and so we set of rather early and just took it steady to the venue. The wind was howling and the rain coming down sideways when we arrived, but I wanted to get on and do something now we were there so I quickly tacked up and set off to the indoor arena to warm up. Ceaser felt fantastic. Everything I asked of him he did for me and more. He warmed up super and was very much off my leg. I was booked in to do Novice 30 and Novice 34, with Novice 30 coming up first. This test has a bit of walk to canter in a couple of simple changes, so when warming up I really worked at getting him moving off my leg and forward ready for the medium movements. He was on fire and with a gentle squeeze popped off into canter from walk, then for the simple changes through trot popped into trot then immediately into canter when asked. Pushing my luck a little I really collected his trot and then asked for a medium across the diagonal. Unless he's warmed up correctly he usually rushes this, but this time I just felt an almighty push from behind and the most perfect medium trot came out. Just WOW!

Without giving him a break we went straight into our test just as some more rain came hammering down sideways and the wind howled. He tensed a little when trotting around the arena and showed some lovely half passes. To get him back I asked him to come back to the walk and then popped into trot again and he relaxed. The test just felt fantastic, there is no way to describe it. However it is just my luck that no one is there to video it when it goes nicely! His walk to canter was perfect and the simple changes through trot were spot on. I couldn't pick fault with him - only me, where my 15 meter circle ended up being 20 meters due to not hearing Mark properly, but it was fine, I could cope with that.

We had an hour until our next test but I asked Mark to tell the steward that if no one was going in and they were running either early or behind could I please go in a gap as I wanted to keep him moving and focused. Thankfully there was a slot vacant in 20 minutes due to someone not showing up, so I was allowed to have that. Again, he warmed up super and this time I focused on our transitions, getting them spot on and accurate.

The second test felt equally as nice as the first and again I was gutted no one filmed me or even took photos. Come on venues, get photographers at your events! His transitions were spot on and everything just felt so calm and not like we were in a rush to get round like I have previously felt. The simple changes through trot again were just right and his walk felt powerful which is a new thing for us! I could really feel him stepping underneath me in the medium trot and canters and when asked to come back to a working canter from a medium he happily obliged - has someone swapped my pony??

After we came out the ring roughly three people came up to me to tell me how wonderful our test had looked and how calm Ceaser was despite the weather. That's my boy, he never lets me down. I really couldn't have asked for any more from him and I was beaming from ear to ear!

Our scores were finally produced and was a little disappointing with only 64% for the first test. To me it had ridden much higher and I thought he deserved at least 66%. However other scores were around the same margin and I went with the conclusion that the judge must be a very harsh marker. Despite this she wrote a lovely comment on the bottom of our sheet, so I was happy. Our second score reflected much more how the test had ridden. With just under 69% for Novice 34 I was thrilled. Again, the comment on the bottom of the sheet was wonderful and really gave me some confidence to maybe step him up to Elementary within the near future.

This has really boosted our scores for regionals and my focus now lies on qualifying for regionals and getting selected for the teams. So we shall see! Next up is BD again at the end of February, first weekend in March and then hopefully some clinics and test riding days. I have decided to attend a BYRDS squad day so I can be put into the appropriate squad. This is less because I want to compete as a BYRD, but more to see where Ceaser and I are at. So, wish us luck!

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Dare I might say we could be getting there...

Before I started having lessons again I was struggling to cope with Ceaser's ever-changing moods. One day he would work perfectly, the next I would struggle to get him focused and instead he would be looking at what was going on around us rather than concentrating on work. I've mentioned before he has always been like this and as a 10-year-old was branded simply a "naughty pony" when we got him checked over by the vet to ensure nothing was causing his behaviour. Not many can say they have a big fat "naughty pony" written in red on their vet's records.

Right from day 1 of owning him we had good days and bad days. Some days he would be an absolute darling for me, others it seemed he had devil horns rather than ears. I went through instructors like they were going out of fashion, none of them seemed to listen to me that he wasn't "naughty", he just needed to do something that kept his brain ticking all the time. Every time I tried a new instructor we ended up doing the same thing of trotting around the arena, doing the occasional circle and then going large. I knew it wasn't enough to keep his mind busy. If I incoporated changes of reins, some leg yield, lots of halts and transitions then he behaved. It's almost as if he didn't have time to even think about being naughty because he was too 'busy'. If I schooled at home he could be a nightmare, if I went out and did a competition he was perfect. Why? Because he had to be focused. Before moving to Lincolnshire an old riding instructor told me he was a horse trapped in a ponies body and when riding him I should be more sensitive towards him, like many would be when riding a big fizzy 16.2h rather than a 14.1h pony - okay so that made sense.

Last winter

After a particularly bad winter last year of struggling to keep four feet on the ground I was beginning to feel my confidence taking a knock. I tried bit changes, various nosebands, lowering feed, everything. My saddle fitter suggested I look at changing my dressage saddle as she felt that could be causing a problem but it wasn't definite. I also contacted my feed company and we decided to lower Ceaser's feed and then a livery offered me a trial of her Neue Schule bit. I needed something to work as I wanted to be well prepared for this winter where he wouldn't get out too much due to the weather.

So, when someone suggested I try Amy I was looking forward to finally seeing if there was someone local that could help and give me weekly tasks to keep him focused. When Amy first met him he did an impressive show of bucking and spooking a few times, but as soon as we got working he stopped. She told me she didn't think he was naughty, but I always needed to be one step ahead of him and keep his mind on work rather than what is going on the other side of the arena fence. If he spooked or tried to buck she told me to simply do nothing but kick on and keep him going forward. For the first time in quite a long time my lesson was filled with lots of different things to focus and work on. Maybe mentally I was kept occupied as well, so it took my mind off the attitude that "was he going to behave or not?".

Amy commented that he appeared stiffer on one rein quite a lot compared to the other which could be why he bucked so much, so recommended I get him checked out by a physio. She said there was lots to like about him but we just needed to keep him busy rather than allow him to get bored.

Slowly, but surely after a few lessons I began to notice improvements. If Ceaser tried to misbehave I kicked on and changed what we were doing so he didn't have time to think. Before long the bucking almost stopped and for the first time in 6 months I was able to use the whole of the arena without having to worry that he would get to the top end and bolt back down because he had noticed something out the corner of his eye.

I like that at the beginning of a lesson we give ourselves objectives and if I tell Amy there is something I want to get right she addresses this. I have noticed a small improvement in our dressage scores and up to now they are a lot more consistent than last year.

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This week was the first lesson I had since going to the BD clinic. I spent a few minutes telling Amy what we had gone through and once again we looked at my aims for the spring time and what level I want to qualify at and what for.

A much happier pony!

When warming up she said she couldn't believe the change in our work and as an overall picture we looked much more in tune and like we were working together. Additionally she said the trot seemed a lot better and he looked to be relaxing into the contact much better rather than being a little reluctant or stiff. He now works almost evenly on both reins and barely struggles on one rein more than the other.

We worked on the counter canter a little more ready for my first BD novice test next week and although we
had a buck initially due to dad working on some fencing in the next field, he was fabulous. Amy feels the counter canter really helps lift our correct canter lead and makes it more bouncy.

Next we worked on some traver and shoulder in, flipping between the two. Initially we struggled to get either correct and I got a little annoyed that last week we had got it first time. Amy suggested using my arena mirrors to help and working towards them to do the lateral work rather up the long side. Funnily enough upon doing this we did shoulder in and traver first time, so she then said try using the quarter line to do the lateral work as he may pin himself against the arena fence and struggle to bend correctly. Again, this worked perfect and he did some lovely work. It's funny how a simple change of where you ask for something can make all the difference. Of course we will go back to doing this on the track, but for now if it all feels easier on the quarter line then that is not a problem. We worked on some of the movements that may come up in my Novice test next week and before long it was time to finish again.

Looking back at the videos Mark took I can see a huge difference in our way of going if we compare back to June time. Mark also agrees every thing seems to look more fluent and 100 times better. This week I will be hacking him twice and then schooling Friday and Saturday before our two tests on Sunday. Can we get our first BD point? I'll let you know!

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Believe. Dream. Achieve.

It seems almost crazy that it was only a mere 24 hours ago I decided to not listen to the angel in my head for once and go with my gut instinct. Do I or don't I?

The guy who drives my lorry for me when I want to go competing was on jury service this week so by chance I booked in for some affiliated Dressage for today with the hope his jury service would be over and we could go. If not... I had a long day ahead of looking after the kids on Pony Day. Oh how I prayed for jury service to be off.

I booked in on Sunday with the attitude that if I couldn't go it wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would be nice to be able to seeing as we hadn't anything planned for a couple of weeks. Ceaser had not been schooled for 10 days because of the hot weather - all I had done was ride him in our hay field and do some canter work up the hills to build his stamina up.

Monday evening I decided to check that "if" I could go, who else would be in my two classes and who would we be up against. After a brief glance I felt immediately sick as I saw two professionals would be in both my classes. Admittedly with youngsters, but still, I do this for fun and enjoyment, not to make any money.

When the thunder storms hit on Tuesday and I still wasn't sure whether to go or not, I had almost talked myself into not bothering. Ceaser was dirty, I didn't have time to plait him Tuesday night and we were forecast rain. However, just as I was about to phone the organiser to tell her I was withdrawing, my driver came to me and told me he didn't have any more jury service and did I want to go to Dressage. Without a second thought and not realising it was 6pm the night before I was supposed to go I said "yes". Oh when will I ever learn. I seem to love throwing myself into the deep end.

My first test was due at 11:21 so I had to be up ridiculously early as I had stayed in Boston at Marks. As soon as I arrived at the yard I pulled a rather shocked looking Ceaser out of his stable to plait his (filthy) mane. Thankfully before departing him back in his stable to wait whilst I got his bits and bobs ready I pulled up his cotton sheet to find a mass of green looking stains. Great. After rushing about to find washing up liquid (it removes everything - even poo!) and anything else I could get my hands on, I nearly went flying on the slippy concrete near the hosepipe tap - Which reminds me, I must tell Dad about that - where there's a blame there's a claim! Mumbling to myself what a bad idea this was I set about trying to Ceaser's legs and bum clean and thought smugly in my head that all those people that have ever laughed at me for wanting to keep Ceaser so clean can eat their words now as if I wasn't so Pony Proud I'd be doing a lot more cleaning....

Anyway, after a quick legs and bum bath, Ceaser was all ready to go and I loaded him and Sara - who comes with us to keep Ceaser company - into the lorry.

As soon as we arrived at the venue I calculated I had about 50 minutes spare to get tacked up, ready and dressed and warmed up. Ceaser had his massage pad on for 20 minutes whilst I got myself ready and set about finding a caller for my tests.

Ceaser came off the lorry blue from sweating in his denim rug. Crazy - never get a coloured pony that is mainly white! Thankfully I take my chalk everywhere with me and the young livery that had come along with us for the ride set about chalking him and brushing like her life depended on it. (I told her it did!)

Warming up went ok. Despite Ceaser having not been schooled for almost 10 days he felt fabulous. Maybe a little lazy in his trot to canter transitions but I had jumped him the previous evening so he was probably feeling a little tired. Which reminds me, I must buy some electrolytes!

Soon enough I was trotting down that centre line again concentrating on keeping everything slow, collected, calm and ensuring that this time my circles represented circles and not squares - rider error!

It all felt wonderful, apart from the trot to canter transition on the right rein which he went a little too deep in, but having not done much schooling for a short while I wasn't going to be picky. It didn't feel our best test to date but then how can you measure what is?

Warming up for my second test I concentrated on getting Ceaser moving forward and listening to my aids more. After a few bucks and a rear that NO he didn't want to move forward I finally had him where I wanted and he was going nicely. The key with Ceaser is to know when to back off and not push him forward any more than needed. If you do he tends to object and can be difficult to ride.

My second test felt equally as nice but this time with a little more power in the canter. Our circles were spot on and he felt like he was using his back end more.

All too soon but just in time before I collapsed with heat exhaustion our test was over and I was halting and G and saluting. Phew, it was hot!

I must admit I quickly untacked Ceaser, sponged him down as quick as I could to cool him off and left him munching on his haynet whilst I went to check my results. As I neared the bus where you fetch your results from I was greeted with a rather loud well done from a fellow competitor I hadn't met before and I realised we had only gone and won with a huge 68%!! My little coloured cob had done it once more! To add to the excitement, attached to my score sheet and rosette was £20 prize money! Woohoo!

I got talking to the lady who had congratulated me and she said how nice it was that Ceaser had won and he truly deserved it. She said the whole of his test looked neat and tidy and the two of us just looked "together" throughout. My score sheet was rather promising as well with some really positive comments. Finally, nothing about Ceaser needing to be more uphill - have we finally cracked it?!

I noticed I was also currently in the lead for our second test but with four more GOOD competitors to go I didn't get too excited as, as I said earlier, there was quite a few entered, with some big names in there. Unfortunately we dropped from 1st place to 3rd, but I was still over the moon - we were 3rd with 66%, just 1.something percent behind the winner!

I think my smile went from ear to ear as I beamed my way through the crowd to collect my rosette!

I am also pretty sure we have now collected our three scores needed to qualify for the PetPlan Regionals and are well on our way to getting enough points to qualify for the Winter BD Championships!

Another successful day out with my superstar of a pony and I am going to bed smiling once more because of him. I have been told tonight I need to start believing in myself a little more. The time and hours I spend preparing for these events are endless and when you achieve it really makes it all worthwhile. Thank you to both my helpers today; Tony and Megan and of course my superstar of a pony, whom I couldn't do all of this without. He is one in a million.

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