Rachael - Petplan Equine Ambassador
I have always insured my horse with Petplan Equine and would not choose anyone else. They offer an excellent service and have been brilliant with the claims I have had over the past 10 years.
Post-nationals wind down is always a huge relief! After weeks of training, the normal break after the stress of equitation is always so welcome. This year however was different. After a long boring summer off with my broken ankle, I had to push hard just to get to nationals and after that I was determined to carry on riding and competing!
Marcus
Our next competition was Southwell Ploughing match. The showground layout wasn't fab and the warm up was non-existent. After an hour and half delay on our classes, we finally managed to get in the ring though! Marcus was going really well and with the beautiful new habit making its second appearance, I felt really confident. Unfortunately the judge was not a fan and although I was extremely happy with how we went, we only managed fourth that day.
Since then, I've barely seen Marcus. As winter closes in on us Amanda, his owner, becomes very busy in her floristry with Christmas wreaths and as the days get shorter it becomes very hard to get over to hers to ride.
Sleet
As always is quite happy trundling about! He's been doing really well lately and after some time off over the summer due to the hard ground, has managed to return to hacking! We started with lots of walk work in-hand and plenty of ride and lead work with Blee, to get him fitter and stronger before getting back on board. When the day finally came I was so happy! There's something about Sleet that just makes me feel happy!
Sleet's now in full winter hacking mode! Hi-viz'd up so you can see him from space! Sleet also got an amazing Christmas present from Santa! Super reflective boots that are so bright and awesome they are almost blinding!
Rachael back on board Sleet
I'm looking forward to getting him out and about a little bit more and maybe even to a small show jumping competition to keep him entertained!
Tristan
My very own little naughty pony has been doing not a lot lately! With not being able to run, I've not been able to do any lead rein work with him and Lexi, and he's very funny about anyone else leading him. After a few sessions long lining and getting him back in the mind set of 'working', I eventually managed to get on him! All we did was a little walk round (as I'm obviously quite big on him) and he was such a good boy!
It was also Tristan's birthday in October! He was a huge 5 years old! It seems so long ago I had a horrid little baby pony that was so poorly and now he's such a beautiful boy!
Tristan turned five in October
I've actually been debating teaching him to drive and investigating other horses which have sight issues and how they've taken to it. Thankfully everything has been quite positive, so I think it's definitely in the pipeline to start line work with him and to teach him to pull! Watch this space! I think he'll look stunning!
Lordie
Again, Lordie has not been doing a lot. Although he has kept in low level work by a friend, he's not been out competing. I have managed to take him to a school recently to work more on his schooling and he feels so unbalanced and green again, I know I'm going to have to spend a lot more time with him to get him show ready for 2019!
Blee
Last but definitely not least!
When learning to ride, an adult subconsciously acknowledges the inevitable fact that, sooner or later, they are going to fall off. Whether that is rider error, horse error, or a combination of both, it is more than likely going to hurt and you may even come away with an injury!
As a child I don't actually remember my first fall, the pony it was from, or the circumstances at all, but I am sure at the time it was the end of the world to me and more than likely I was 'mollycoddled' by my mother, who was mortified her precious daughter had hit the deck. Over the years, my falls have become more substantial, more 'dangerous' and more painful! Two years ago I had a scary experience with a horse rearing and flipping, landing on top of me, and resulting in a trip to A and E. I thankfully, and luckily, walked away with just bruising to my back, thighs and pride. It also left a dent in my confidence that, to this day, still hasn't fully recovered. I don't like horses that rear, I don't like the sensation of horses which go backwards, from fear/irritation or any other stimuli (mainly Amanda chasing Marcus with a spray bottle!)
My most recent fall, from Blee, has left me with my biggest mental dent so far. Not only did it break my ankle, it broke my self-confidence in my own ability to ride!
My physical injuries were pinned and subsequently healed within 8 weeks. New bone was laid and the soft tissue began to recover and 'normal function' returned. What about the mental consequences of such a fall? Having never broken a bone before, nor gone through such a trauma, I was unaware of what my mentality would actually be about getting back on board.
I had chosen to leave getting back on Blee until after the National side saddle championships 'just in case' anything was to happen. I knew in my own mind he had never done anything stupid like that before and probably wouldn't again but in your sub-conscious it still niggles away at you! We started with lots of hacking, getting both of us fit again, getting to know each other again.
After a couple of weeks we went back into the school. He was a little unsettled but after a few sessions and giving his brain something to process in the form of lateral work, we both stared to focus more.
After a few good sessions, jumping was starting to return to my thoughts. Sooner or later I would have to point at a fence and aim to jump it. If we're going to event, we have to jump!
After thinking it through, I made the choice to jump home in the field, rather than the school. That way, if something did happen, Blee was at home and didn't have to be travelled, and he is also much more relaxed at home, which would hopefully make it less 'exciting' for him.
I roped in #equestridad to come and babysit. After some pole work, we started with a nice little cross pole, trot in, pop, trot out. I survived! It was going well!
Rachael back jumping Blee again
After a few attempts, a few knock downs and no stupidity at all, I realised I was the problem. My self-preservation instinct was kicking in and I was becoming stiffer, more defensive and I wasn't allowing him to move forward, stretch, or succeed! I had a swift word with myself and tried my hardest to relax and soften. Blee, in turn, actually managed to jump without taking the poles down! After a few more jumps, we called it a day. I was so happy I'd done it – jumping again on the horse that made me question myself!
Since then we have come on leaps and bounds! Thankfully Blee isn't leaping and bounding though! With lots of hacking, schooling sessions and even some more jumping, we are slowly getting back on track to be an 'eventer'!
Rachael and Blee in their first Dressage test
In November Blee made his first competitive outing, to Hargate Equestrian. It was a nice low key event, as we weren't sure what he would do in the atmosphere, having never been out with us before. He came off the box, had a walk around and settled very quickly. I tacked up and went for a little warm up, then came back and changed, before going back to warm up properly for our test. Blee's owner Roxanne Goodman (of Goodman Corporate Finance) came to watch too! Having never been in a competitive environment, never been in the white boards, and my ankle still rather sore, I couldn't have asked for anything more! He was such a little star! We managed 2nd in the Prelim 12 with a huge 68.14%!
As we move into 2019, I'm currently very positive! There is so much to be getting on with, with all the boys!
Our plans for 2019 include:
- To return to side saddle in full fitness and contest the Novice Equitation side saddle championships with Marcus. We also aim to continue with the county show circuit and make our Royal Windsor debut in 2019.
- To get Lordie out to ROR classes at county level and continue his dressage progression up he levels to novice by the end of the year.
- Tristan will continue with some local level in-hand, and lead rein ridden classes but is also going to be broken to drive.
- Blee, after delayed start to his career, will be out and about combined training, aiming for his first event season.
- Sleet's soundness and comfort will continue to be a priority, with the hope of some little dressage or mini jumping trips out in the summer to keep him entertained and happy.