Polo Ponies make their mark on Cornish coastline ahead of Polo Beach festival

Polo ponies have made their mark across two miles of Cornish coastline to celebrate the return of *GWR Polo on the Beach festival.

A unique 64 metre sand drawing made by the ponies themselves was created at Watergate Bay, Cornwall, and will mark the launch of the three day polo event, sponsored by GWR, the premium brand for rail operator First Great Western.

GWR commissioned the impressive equine art 54 metres (492 hands) wide and 64 metres long (582 hands) to mark the scene of a polo pony and player in motion ahead of the festival. First Great Western is expected to carry thousands of passengers to Cornwall this month and worked tirelessly through the night with the polo team to prepare the stunning marriage of art and horsemanship.

The art stretched over 400 metres end to end and was created by an estimated 3,840 cantering hoof prints, 50 mallet marks and took two hours to come to life but just moments to wash away as the tide came in. 

Renowned Polo players Andrew Burgess and Rohan Kelly took to their saddles on Tonka and La Sophia respectively, who made for perfect equine artists as the steeds are known for their agility and fast-paced turns reaching speeds of 40 mph.

Andy Burgess added “It was an incredible experience. As a professional polo player it’s not often you get to really cut lose with your horse like that. Galloping across those sands in the sun is not something I’ll soon forget.”

Philip Edgerton, First Great Western Head of Sales and Marketing “We really wanted to show our support for this incredible event and bring the beauty of Watergate Bay to a wider audience. It is amazing that the picture was made by the horses themselves, and helps show the array of beautiful destinations right on our doorstep. ”

Drones captured the panorama over the stunning bay while unsuspecting passers-by snapped the site from their phones from the surrounding cliffs.  The two-mile stretch of golden sands will set the scene for the free event, which will host three exhilarating matches, entertainment and live music from 26 to Sunday 28 June. 

Experts in high speed travel, First Great Western last year impressed the crowds with a large-scale model railway – complete with Cornwall to Devon Tamar Bridge – where polo spectators were able to race trains around the picturesque West Country sights.

To book train tickets to this year’s top-class sporting event visit  www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk.

View Post

Lesson on Ceaser - November

When my 'usual' instructor announced she was pregnant I was a little apprehensive about having to find someone else when she went on maternity leave. In the 12 months I had been having leasons with her Ceaser and I had both come on in leaps and bounds. She had encouraged me to do things I never would have imagined doing and our competition record had improved a huge amount. 

So, when I was on the look out for someone to take us on for winter I was a little apprehensive about who to use. I didn't want someone 'forceful' with Ceaser as many find it quite easy to be because of his nature. I wanted someone who took the time to understand him and  find ways with me to keep him motivated. 

When my back lady recommended someone she knew I was more than willing to give her a try.  

All this happened just as I started to have these forward issues with Ceaser and in all honesty, I felt so alone at that point. I was worried we wouldn't find someone who understand us and the difficulties I've had with Ceaser along our journey. 

Despite this, as soon as I had my first lesson I realise now I was probably overreacting - something I'm good at, and instantly my worries were a thing of the past. 

To get a feel of us she asked me to warm Ceaser up as I would when on my own, but I had to explain this wouldn't be my "home" routine. At home he's more difficult and what she was about to see was a good day because we were at hers and away from home. Despite this I set about warming up and instantly she noticed I rush him a great deal. Check - were always being told to slow down in our tests! 

Secondly she noticed I play with my left hand a lot, which check....is my awful bad habit! Alongside my heels...which yup she also picked up on! 

We did lots of walk, trot, canter and changing of reins and quite honestly I couldn't believe how quickly she picked up on Ceasers habits alongside mine. He tends to drop behind the leg and poll into canter and it's something I'm always losing marks on! He also tends to not work through and from behind on one rein more particularly if I don't watch him. Within minutes she had us both sussed and I was feeling suitably impressed. 

To start we slowed everything down, shortened my reins (yes I ride too long) and concentrated on just making everything seem easier and less like I was carrying him round. I explained Ceaser's need to be kept busy or we would have spooks and so we did lots of things to keep his mind busy. 

Within our first lesson the difference was noticeable and I went away feeling very inspired.

Anyway, fast forward to my lesson this weekend which was my third with my new lady. (Amy still hasn't had her baby by the way....were all watching facebook like Hawks so we can get glimpses of photos when she arrives!)

She wanted me to do some work without stirrups as I tend to draw my legs up rather than keep them long. We also focused on keeping slow and doing lots of transitions to get Ceaser off my leg. When asking for canter I need to push him on a little more so he can open his frame more whilst warming up. I tend to do everything in collected canter rather than working, which I think stems from having to constantly hold him at home because of how spooky he is. 

We also focused on keeping the outline and bend correct in both upwards and downwards transitions. If he came above the bit we flexed him left, right and then sent him on again. Eventually he got what we wanted and did some nice trot canter transitions as well as trot to walk. 

We did a lot of work in shoulder fore position to get him stepping under more and whilst we would shoulder in down the long side, we would then ride a leg yield across the diagonal to change things around a bit. It worked wonders and I had a much more connected pony working in a much better uphill frame. 

Although it doesn't sound like we covered much, the main focus for us has been to get Ceaser much more connected and slow his tempo right down to allow for him to use his hind more so we can get these marks we're losing for him not working uphill enough. We're also concentrating on getting less of a short neck appearance and really asking him to stretch into the contact rather than go into it like a coiled spring. 

To finish we worked on some centrelines and getting them accurate which after a few we had nailed completely. 

It's safe to say after 45minutes I was shattered and by no means finished. It was then Ziggy's turn for his first lesson away from home. But more on that another time! 

View Post

Natural Ways to Calm Your Pets - Guest post

Natural Ways to Calm Your Pets

Animals suffer from anxiety and stress in much the same way that we humans do. The animals we keep are sensitive and respond according to their own emotions and feelings. There can be a range of causes that trigger erratic, hyper or nervous behaviour in pets, from loud noises and visitors to separation and loss. It’s important to identify where the issue is medical rather than behavioural, so consultation with a vet or holistic professional is essential in identifying the correct course of treatment. However, there are many ways that you can soothe your pet at home, and here are some of them. 

Dogs

Excessive noise, thunder storms, alarms and fireworks can frighten and scare your dog. But there might be more subtle triggers to their stress such as new family members, visitors or a tense environment at home. Identify what may be triggering the behaviour first to resolve the situation appropriately. If your dog persists, try speaking in soothing tones, stroking and staying close to them or adding a few drops of aromatherapy oils such as chamomile, jasmine or St. John’s Wort to their bath or bed. 

Cats

Cats can be calm and collected but they can also suffer from anxiety, depression and distress. Although they are independent, cats still need affection and can find travelling or transportation stressful. Calming herbal remedies such as ginseng, chamomile or lavender can be incorporated into their diet or oils can be applied to their toys, scratching posts or cushions. 

Horses

Horses are very sensitive and intuitive animals and are able to form a close bond with people because of their instinctive nature. This means that your horse will sense if you are stressed, angry or frightened and respond with similar tension. The calmer and more open you are, the more relaxed and trusting your horse will be. Give them plenty of affection with rubs on their back, neck and withers for reassurance and comfort. Feed them regularly with nutritious food and allow your horse to see, move and investigate. Although there are horse calmers on the market, a strong bond and natural methods can work wonders for your horse’s well-being. 

Birds

Domesticated birds in captivity will naturally feel stressed from time to time but plenty of attention and reassurance will help them feel safe, calm and happy. Feed them on a variety of fresh and seeded food and make sure their cage isn’t too exposed to excessive movement and noise. Soothing music, playing, talking and training your parrot or pet bird can help relieve stress too. 

It’s important to care for our pets by showing them the love, respect and attention that any family member deserves. They are dependent on us, so be sure to listen and respond to their unique behavioural traits and seek sound advice to treat them in the best way possible. 

With thanks to: Form Nutrition Limited

http://www.equiformnutrition.co.uk/specialities-horse-supplements-1/horse-calmers.html

Branded/Generic http://alternativevet.org/avmc.htm

View Post

British Dressage Pet Plan Area Festival 2013

Qualifying for the BD Area Festivals was something I have wanted to do all year. Qualifying for the Pet Plan Prelim final in just two outings was something I hadn't expected to happen and when I did I had my heart set on competing at the finals.

For me preparation started well in advance of the Area Festival because it was going to be a day of firsts for me. It sounds silly but I have never competed without a whip before and I soon learnt during my lessons just how much I relied on it! Additionally this would be the first time in a very long time I had learnt a test and not had a caller read my test out for me. Since meeting Mark and him taking an interest in calling my dressage tests for me he was been some sort of comfort blanket and I have always asked him to read "just in case I forgot". Lastly the championship test would be the first time I had ever competed in a long arena test.

So, two weeks before the competition I got myself a set of additional arena letters, a tape measure and someone to help me measure our arena at home so I could start practising properly! Within a day I had learnt my test and to ensure I didn't forget it Mark and I sat going through it in places like Prezzo's using salt and pepper pots, drink glasses and cutlery as arena markers! I was adamant I wasn't going to let Ceaser down and if I wanted to achieve my dream of being picked for the Northern Region BD teams I NEEDED to ride a decent test. We got some funny looks in Prezzo's but hey....I learnt my test!

The day before the Area Festival Amy came to give me a lesson and together we went through the test twice and worked on the ideal warm up again. Amy has really worked me out and described to a tea exactly what I do and don't do when riding at a competition. She told me to ride a movement, breathe and then just before I am about to ride another breathe again - which is something I really find I don't do enough of - breathing and taking a breath! I was panicking throughout the whole lesson that things weren't going to go to plan or I wasn't going to do something correctly and if I am honest I feel I could have ridden better or made more use of my hour with Amy. However the lesson finished with me feeling more confident in myself and believing I deserved to be riding at the Area Festival just as much as everyone else. This is something else Amy really has had to work hard on; my self confidence. I have zero confidence in myself and at times think I don't think I can do something. I really should remember what my very first riding instructor told me - there's no such word as can't.

Ceaser had a thorough bath and I plaited him up on Saturday evening meaning I didn't have to rush about even more on my already early morning on Sunday. He always makes me giggle when he is in his supreme products purple body wrap. He looks more like a purple Quality Street than a pony. Bless him!

**

Sunday came around rather slowly but at the same time too quickly. Before I knew it I was loading up for the half hour journey to sheepgate. Upon arrival I was bewildered and speechless at the gorgeous horses that I was faced with. They were simply stunning. It is evident as soon as you turn into Sheepgate the amount of effort and time Sarah puts into her Area Festivals there. Everything was so well planned and no one was running around flapping - well, apart from me!

Ceaser came off the lorry as cool as a cucumber, despite this being one of the biggest events we have been to whereas I was running through my test in my head. I popped his massage pad on whilst I went to book in and take my proof of qualification to Sarah. Before long it was time to tack up and get warming up for my warm up test which I hadn't even looked at because I didn't want to get the movements confused with prelim 19 later on.

Warming up felt 100% better than it has before. Thanks to Amy I now had an action plan in my head and I knew exactly what I needed to do down to the minute. I got on half an hour before my time and firstly I started walking around on a loose rein, just encouraging Ceaser to flex left and right as we changed the rein and did lots of circles and serpentines. I did lots of halt to walk transitions to get him working off my leg and listening rather than concentrating on the busy atmosphere around him. We were the smallest in the warm up again and riding alongside people doing flying changes and pirouettes beside you is rather overwhelming but Amy had prepared me for all of this beforehand.

After ten minutes I started on our trot work, asking him to slightly lift more now but being careful not to put too much pressure on. We did lots of serpentines and circles whilst ensuring he was working long and low as appose to the coiled spring effect we were working to just a mere few weeks back. Amy had explained if he worked long and low with the correct bend I would get a nice swing behind and judges liked to see this - so I worked on ensuring everything was connected but he didn't coil up which he had a tendency to do.

I added some leg yield and shoulder in on both reins in to help loosen him up evenly and when I felt like I had him I introduced the canter and did the same again, whilst allowing regular walk breaks. When I had just ten minutes left I picked him up a little and put a slight bit more pressure on to get him working more uphill and forwards. As if Amy had knew when we planned this warm up, I was finished with just 3 minutes to spare which was just enough to time to say hello to a few people, and walk to wait outside our arena. The dreaded arena three....

Usually Ceaser is an absolute nightmare in arena three. I have never worked out why, but every time I have tried to warm up in there he spends his time on two legs and doesn't seem to like going forward. I had hoped that this time because I had warmed up somewhere else and got him listening and working forward that doing a test in there would be different to warming up in there.

Evidently I was right and not once throughout the whole test did he feel tense in any way! Everything just felt like it went right and I enjoyed every minute for once. I tried to remember to breathe before every movement and even Mark commented at the end how much more relaxed both Ceaser and I seemed. We got mainly 7's for our movements and although I had been hoping for a few cheeky 8's I was still pleased with our score of 66.09% which put us into 10th place. The level of competition was very high and with just under 20 in the class I was happy to end up roughly in the middle of the field.

After a quick untack I decided to go and have a sit down in the cafe to watch some scores going up. For the first time in about 10 years Mum had come to watch and support me which was lovely. It was nice having her there and she commented on how well Ceaser was going lately. I was one of the first in for the Area Festival test so I didn't really have a chance to watch other peoples tests which is probably for the best. In stead I spent 20 minutes running around the grass beside our lorry going through my test. Crazier things have happened!

 To warm up I did exactly as I had earlier in the morning and went through some movements I knew were coming up. Mark asked if I wanted to look through the test again but I didn't, I was quietly confident and didn't want to ruin it. All too soon it was my time to go and I haven't felt as good as I did at that moment as I trotted around the arena and the commentator reeled off the information I had written down on the rider biography sheet earlier. Ceaser felt good and before I started I glanced over at Mark, Mum and friend Tanya as they sat watching us.

Finally the bell went. This was it. Our turn. The centre line felt the longest and I did all I could to ensure we stayed straight and focused. First 15 metre circle done, that didn't feel too bad, change of rein from B to K (or burger king as I had been remembering it!). Then I remembered to breathe and relax. Thankfully. Enjoy it I thought to myself! I wish I could remember every second of it all but I honestly can't. The test seemed to pass by in a blur and all I remember is coming down the centre line, halting, saluting and almost bursting into tears. I had done it! I gave Ceaser the biggest pat and hug imaginable and walked off to meet everyone who had come to watch. The grin on my face in the photos says it all really. I cannot believe my little rescue pony who 15 years ago we thought was too much for me and were told wouldn't ever do very well at dressage had qualified for an Area Festival and just competed there. Ceaser didn't put a hoof wrong throughout the whole test and I cannot fault him at all. Despite the electric atmosphere and buzzers going off everywhere he listened to me throughout and did everything I asked. He was simply amazing.

After cooling him off and taking him back to the lorry I said good-bye to mum and went off to watch the marks which were slowly being put upon the score board whilst eating Sheepgates famous cheesy chips! Finally my marks came up and we got an average mark of 63.86%. We got 147 marks from one judge which equated to roughly just over 66% and 134 from the other which unfortunately dropped us down to the 63%. By this time half of the class had gone and we were lying in 8th place which wasn't bad! Only the top 10 are needed for the prize giving so I knew we were safe to go home but I ensured I had the live results from Sheepgate open on my iPhone for the rest of the day.

Later on in the afternoon when the class had finished I was over the moon to find out we had finished 16th which to me is fantastic! There was just under 40 starters in the class and so 16th was enough to keep me smiling and feeling on cloud 9! I couldn't have felt more thrilled and when I worked out the marks if our final score had of finished on the one judges we would have been 9th!! My smile spread from both ears and I was proud of Ceaser and how well he had gone for me. My pony with such a big heart never fails to amaze me and does everything he can to please me. He took everything in his stride and I couldn't have felt prouder.

I think it is safe to say after today the dressage bug had well and truly bit me. I am now more determined than ever to continue to succeed and try to get on a team to represent the Northern Region next year. Everyone that I met at the Area Festival was nothing but friendly and more than willing to help. With our score sheets we got given a lovely door plaque for Ceasers stable to show he has competed at the Area Festival. I can't wait to get this put up so I can show it off to anybody who walks by his stable!

I cannot wait for the next few months as I try to be selected for the teams and I am looking forward to sharing this experience with all of my readers. Coming up I have a Northern Region DVD night on Tuesday where the focus is flying changes. Following that I am having a weekend away with Mark for his 28th Birthday (he's getting old!) and then I am competing at Sheepgate again, but this time representing the North Lincolnshire Riding Club in the Area Dressage. Throughout this I will continue to have lessons with Amy and I hope in the next few months we see an even bigger improvement in my tests.

Don't forget.... Dream, Believe, Achieve and you will succeed.

View Post

Barely able to move after a dressage lesson

It's not often I have felt completely unable to move following a riding lesson but after training so hard in the last few weeks I think it has finally caught up with me. Yesterday I woke up with a sore back, stiff neck and legs that seemed to scream in agony and object every time I tried to move them.

I don't know if anyone can shed any light or recommend anything but I still get the feeling I may have a trapped nerve in my back or neck on the left side. My right side feels fine and both my right arm and leg feels stronger than my left when riding. On the other hand my left side is always getting stiff, aches after an intense riding session and generally just feels weaker. This has definitely shown in Ceaser's way of going and his massage lady always comments how more developed he is on his right side. I think what I could benefit from is a deep-tissue massage but whether it works is a different story.

The last time I remember feeling like this was in Year 12. I went hunting on the Tuesday and on the Wednesday in school I was barely able to walk, let alone put my hand up during the class. I think tonight I’ll have a long soak in a Radox bath to see if that helps. In the meantime if anyone can suggest anything or anyone to take a look at my poor back and neck in the Skegness area then please get in touch by tweeting me @FurryMane

**

My lesson this Saturday was very productive. I told Amy I didn't want to overwork Ceaser as he is really fluffy at the moment and in desperate need of a clip when I get my blades back from being sharpened. Our plan was to go through my dressage test in preparation for the Area Festival the following week. One aspect I wanted to achieve was a decent warm-up plan. When Amy asked me my warm-up routine I felt embarrassed to admit I didn't have one. I usually just see how he feels on the day and work my warm-up around that. However, apparently every horse and rider needs a warm-up plan, so we set about working on something that would benefit Ceaser before his tests, taking consideration for his age and how long we should give him to loosen up.

Amy thinks that lots of flexing to the left and right on both reins really helps him loosen up and start to use his hind end more. For the first ten minutes we spent time getting him working off my leg and stretching long and low into his contact. At first he is a little reluctant to work and tries focusing on things going off around him rather than on what we are doing, so lots of transitions and changing what I do gets him focusing. Once working into the contact, not resisting, I've walked, trotted and cantered on both reins and when I feel like I have 'got him' I give him a breather for five or ten minutes and then pick up where I left off, this time asking him to pick himself up more and work just that little harder.

This part of the warm up consists of lots of the more difficult transitions, for example lots of walk to canter and so on. Additionally lots of leg-yielding on and off the track a little further into the warm up ensures he is loose and working properly but also working to a higher level. If I want to 'pick him up' here so to speak then I can do. This basically means getting him working much more uphill, forward and off my leg.

Once we were finished he was already a little sweaty - damn that furry coat he gets from being crossed with a cob!

Whilst I had been warming up Amy had created an arena inside our ménage. Although ours is the correct size, 60 metres, we still wanted to create something I could trot into so it felt like I was doing it for real. As soon as Amy told me to start riding in the enclosed arena I could feel both Ceaser and I tense up. Our transitions were awful, his hind-quarters were swinging out and my riding was shocking. Amy told me to stop and asked me what had changed mentally in my head. Well....I'd just clammed up and riding in that arena had made me realise I didn't have long left to practice and how shocking we were.... (See, I really do have zero confidence and often need a good kick up the bum!). Instantly she managed to calm me down by telling me to trot on and regularly reminding me when to breathe and just enjoy it because I was only at home! Phew - not long after we were back as a pair, Ceaser was going well and his silly rider wasn't getting into a state. Poor pony and his dysfunctional mother!

Remembering to breathe and enjoy it I started to run through my test with Amy following my movements on the test sheet so she could tell me where to improve once I had finished. Surprisingly I managed to remember my test and I now know for definite that this is what is freaking me out - not having a caller for the first time in 2 years!! I'd only not had a caller once before and that was a one day event where I was under the impression callers were allowed until I got there and was told no we weren’t. You see then there wasn't much time to panic and so I learnt my test in 5 minutes. Since then people ask me why I have a caller and it is honestly because I get in that ring and freeze if I don't. So Sunday should be interesting.

Anyway, the run through of the test wasn't too bad. The arena we had created was quite small so some turns were tight but once riding in the full arena this would disappear. Amy noticed a few minor 'errors' which weren't anything I was doing wrong, just places where she felt I could get eights for instead of the six or seven I was. For example, the simple movement of riding across the diagonal, she told me to ride deeper in to my corner and I would more than likely get an eight. (Fingers crossed!).

After running through a couple of the movements alone and giving Ceaser a break we ran through the test again. This time with Amy shouting out occasionally to tell me to sit up, put my leg on or allow him to stretch more. Needless to say I was really thrown off then and didn't even get to the second movement without forgetting the test. After telling myself off and telling Amy I was just testing her I managed to do it again without forgetting. See... I was just testing her to see if she was watching...honest!

The second time felt much better: after riding deeper into my corners it allowed me just a few split seconds longer to prepare for movements and made a huge difference. It was the first time I had ridden without a whip - and without wanting to sound like Taylor Swift here - for like ever, so Ceaser was a little lazy but I can work on that this week. Plus he is always far too forward when out competing so I doubt I'll need my whip!

So, all in all I have no idea why I am aching as I didn't do too much strenuous work. Ceaser was good and I am determined not to forget this flaming test!

View Post