Senior Inter-Regionals 2015 post mortem

Being told Ceaser and I had been chosen to represent the Northern Region at the Senior Inter-Regionals seems like a lifetime ago now. We were so very lucky to be picked to be on the team and the memories we made are ones that I'll cherish forever.

As soon as we received a phone call from Sarah, our regions Development Officer telling us we had been accepted onto the Novice Team we went into full on practice mode and in all honesty, I don't think I've slept this last month as I put all my time into preparing and getting ready. 

Ceaser has been working exceptionally well and the difference in his trot and canter work is different beyond words. The feeling I'm getting when I'm on him is something I've never felt before and I'm enjoying the whole ride. I would definitely say he's working far more uphill than he's ever worked which is fantastic. My instructor is also thrilled with his suppleness and how well he feels in the lateral work. 

The final run up to the competition was a little manic and wasn't helped by the fact that no sooner did I arrive home from the Inter-Regionals, I'd be jetting off to South-Africa for 2 weeks.

My good friend and Ceaser's massage lady, Amy accompanied us on the trek to Keysoe in Bedfordshire and kindly drove the lorry for me. As soon as we arrived we made ourselves at home in our tents for the weekend (Amy's was so small, I'd barely fit my suitcase in) and then took Ceaser exploring down the local bridle paths which was lovely.

The Friday you arrive at these competitions is always manic. Once the ponies are settled in it's time to head to the camp base and meet your fellow team mates. It was lovely to meet up with many that I had met the previous year and have a much-needed catch up accompanied by some wine and Arches. I was riding twice the next day; once in the Novice warm up test and once in the team test. My instructor had told me exactly what I needed to do to nail it and I was determined to ride three nice tests without worrying about the placings.

Ceaser warmed up fantastic for the warm up test. We were careful not to over work him in order to leave some energy for the afternoon test which mattered the most. I concentrated on getting him supple and engaging the hind end, then asking him to vary the speed within the paces, ensuring I didn't rush coming into the medium.

As we entered the ring and trotted up to C, Ceaser caught sight of the banner right under the judges box, spun round and tried to bolt. It was catching lots of horses out and we weren't the only ones that'd had issues trotting in. Reiterating my leg, I squeezed him on, ensuring his neck bend was slightly to the left so he could concentrate on me rather than what the judges were doing and their scary banner. Thankfully normality resumed and he quietened down after this, albeit with a little tension up at that end still, but nothing too noticeable.

To me he produced a nice test given how long I'd warmed up for and not focused on overtiring him and the slight tension we had in the top corner showed, so we finished on a respectable 9th - which put us in the middle of the class.

We had a few hours to kill, so Amy and I took the time to get a drink and some lunch whilst Ceaser had a well-earned rest before it was time for the test that mattered.

When it was time to get back on Amy told me to focus on still slowing him down and keeping him supple, ensuring I did lots of transitions, change of speed in the paces and flexing on both reins, but being careful not to coil the base of his neck in so he becomes tight.

He warmed up the best he's ever warmed up and produced some fantastic medium trots that left both Amy and I speechless. The plan had been to recreate that in the test but unfortunately it just wasn't our day and a break in the medium trot left us with some tough marks to digest. Overall we didn't have a good day on paper, but tomorrow was another day and it was finally hitting home I really needed to stop pushing him faster and faster.

By the time Sunday morning came around I had ridden Saturdays test over and over again in my head. I know what I needed to do and I also knew what I needed to not do. A couple of friends came to help me warm up and help me focus on slowing right down, tapping the hind to engage him and then asking for him to go forward. He felt much more free and relaxed and was giving me a much better ride than the previous day which left me riding down that centreline feeling much more positive.

The test was a hundred times better, we didn't break in the medium trots and the counter-canter felt balanced and together. Personally I think he really held it together and produced some much better work. I ensured I rode an accurate test as that's where we find I'm able to pick up the marks that he looses for his mediums. Finally we were halting at X and we'd managed to ride a good enough test to drag us up from lying in second to last place overnight, to finishing in the middle of the class,

I was really thrilled with how hard Ceaser tried for me, we couldn't have done any more than we did and to move up that many placings after our disastrous start to the weekend was great. Overall we had an absolute ball throughout the whole weekend and it was so good to catch up with all our friends and have a good gossip. For the majority of us it's not about where we're placed, but the memories we create throughout the entire weekend and the fun we have doing it. One thing is for sure, I always feel on top of the world when I go home, wherever we've been placed because Ceaser always tries his hardest and proves each time he has the heart of a lion.

After the weekend was over I spent the following week just keeping him ticking over before dropping him at my instructors for 2 weeks whilst I went away on holiday. Now i'm back we're competing this weekend in the training section of a novice class as I want to be careful not to gain too many points.

Huge thank you to Amy for accompanying us and being such great company. You can all check out her page out here!

Have a lovely week everyone!

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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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Ceaser's first regionals

As promised, this blog follows on from our camp blog.

So, everyone left after camp and it was just us and two other riders that were staying for regionals after the camp. I was toying with the idea of asking Mark to drive us home, but with camp ending late Sunday and then us due to ride early Tuesday morning in our regional class Mark thought there would be no point. How wrong could we be!

Ceaser started off rather relaxed and I wondered what I had been fussing about. He was older now and stressing that other horses had left him was a thing of the past…….was it?

Apparently not.

Monday morning started off relatively well. Sue Carson had offered to give me 10 minutes in the arena helping with me some straightness and corner issues we were having. I was delighted at her feedback and comments and she kept telling me over and over that if I rode well he should get a 70% test - but it was all down to me. I was thrilled with that and was determined to go out there on Tuesday and do a bloody good test. Once I had finished we popped Ceaser back in his stable and off we went.

One of the other riders had offered to keep an eye on Ceaser whilst Mark and I ventured out for lunch. I thought I had nothing to worry about but gave everyone there my mobile number - just incase - and instructions of where his chifney bit was - just incase!

As we were sitting down quietly for lunch my phone went off. "Pony rearing….help!" was all it said. With a quick 'come on mark we need to go' we were swiftly on our way but the 30 minute journey back seemed to take forever.

We returned to Ceaser in a right state. His stable was a mess, he had almost dug the entire doorway up from rearing up at his door and I was informed he was virtually coming over it several times. Hmm, clearly not over the whole "I've been left and I can't possibly be one of only a few horses" then.

In an attempt to calm him down we spent hours hand walking him, standing with him and just tying him up outside the stable so he could see. People started to arrive for the regionals and I honestly thought he would calm down once the place got busier again. Evidently not - it wound him up even more, which then wound me up and by this time I was about ready to go home and forget the regionals!

As a last resort I moved all of his bedding back into the stable he had been in during camp before I had moved him to be with the remaining horses. It had bars on the door and window so at least if he tried to rear in that he couldn't get his hooves over the door and hurt himself. He was that wound up by now I was considering having to rush to a nearby shop and buy some calmer - something I have never had to do with him!

As if by magic as soon as we moved him he started to calm down instantly. I don't know what it is was but it was like someone had flicked the calm mode button back on him. Honestly, thank goodness I know him so well!

And with that he settled down and started to finally eat again for the first time in 12 hours! Horses eh?

I checked him every couple of hours throughout the night to ensure he wasn't colicing through stress or getting wound up again, but thankfully he had a quiet night and I had a sleepless one. Where's the change there then!

**

Tuesday morning started off quite well. I was due into the Novice test for my warm up class quite early on, so it was all systems go first thing. Ceaser warmed up rather nicely and I wanted to put everything we had learnt with Jo and Sue over the weekend into practice.

Our test ended up going well too. There were areas I wish I had ridden differently but I was so nervous to be at a regionals with an atmosphere I wasn't so used to that I rode the best I could I feel - and plus, that was only my warm up test!

We put (the now calm) Ceaser back into his stable, grabbed some lunch and a quick drink. By this time it was time for me to tack back up and get ready for my prelim regionals test. A mad dash was made to the Sheepgate shop tent as I couldn't find my spurs anywhere. Mark nor I are going to mention where we found them….. ever!

I spent lots of time suppling Ceaser for the regionals test and got him working long and low to begin with to get him working through his back and then picked him back up to work more uphill. Whatever Jo did to us over the weekend really did work as he felt fantastic - I was pleased with how he warmed up, especially given that there were horses flying past us in the warm up left right and centre. It really is intimidating in those circumstances being on a small pony.

Anyway, I was rather a nervous wreck riding into the arena but I tried to remember everything Jo and Sue had said. Sit up and enjoy it. Then I had Amy's words in my head that I needed to go into that arena and give the impression I deserved to be there and not to ride like I was apologising for being.

I was so pleased with how our test went. Honestly I couldn't have asked for more. We ended on 67.44% which I was thrilled with as everyone was telling me how fantastic that was for a regionals test.  The winner ended on 73% so in reality we weren't that far behind. I know it's a few percent but one judge had us on 71% which had it only been that one judge, would have left us in about 4th place.

I was honestly thrilled with how Ceaser went and couldn't have asked for more. He's not a big moving, naturally uphill warmblood so I think he did well considering he competition we were up against.

Once we had finished and took him back to the lorry he was a completely different pony; relaxed and as if butter wouldn't melt!

Onwards and upwards now - we have our area festival at Novice level in a couple of weeks which I am looking forward to!

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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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