Confidence regained!!!

[pboy]

A few work meetings that I'd hoped would happen today were scheduled for tomorrow and Friday, so I decided to go riding instead I got Pocholo in first...and I think he will seriously want to go back to Spain soon! First of all I had a chat with Ali about Pocholo's management as he's landing toe-first on his weaker hoof, so we agreed on a regime of restricted grazing and more time on the walker in addition to usual exercise while Pocholo listened in. He really won't be impressed... Then we went for a hack in bright sunshine - he was bouncing along and we had a couple of lovely trots and canters, then as we turned towards home it started to snow!! P shook his head and snorted in shock. The highlight though was seeing a group of very easy-on-the-eye army boys up on the Ridgeway!

Then I got back and Ali said she's off to Boomerang (the xc schooling place where Sol and I had camp in September) with a 7yo she's preparing for sale, and asked if I want to come. It seemed like a good way to get our confidence back so off we went in Ali's lorry. We started off in the SJ warm-up and popped over a little course - I focused on a strong canter and looking up and over the fence. My initial nerves soon went and I felt far more secure and confident.

Then we headed to the xc and Indio was brilliant! He was really taking me into the fences (though for the first few he towed me into them, then slowed up for the last three strides while he tried to work his legs out bless him!) and I remembered that I can actually use my legs. We only had one really sticky jump (you can see it on the video) but otherwise we felt far more confident Ali reckons he needs to event, I agree but told her she can take him first time! I think she's quite excited now...

She put together a really nice video on Facebook, which got me quite emotional What a horse, he seems to happily turn his hoof to anything at all and just gets better and better. www.facebook.com/109315089152812/videos/986193381464974/

[haffyfan]

Brilliant stuff and how lovely to have all these vids to look back on your progress.

He's just so genuine, the way he looked at the train but still went willingly when you said don't be daft get on with you, then he hardly gave it a glance the next time. I have to agree with Ali, he's been screaming out he wants to be an eventer for ages!

[pboy]

I know, he's just one in a million! Once he works out that he needs to get his jumping brain working, he doesn't look at anything. I would love to event one day! I think if Ali takes him first he'll get confident so we're not learning together all the time, then I can give it a go. Baby steps though...first off we need to find a little clear round SJ for him as he's not jumped a course away from home yet Then maybe a pairs hunter trial somewhere - I've told Ali that Morris (her 2* horse) may have retired from eventing but he can still babysit Indio! At least we know the dressage won't be an issue, though once he learns that jumping follows he may get a bit distracted

[racaille]

And she is right, you do ride him beautifully.

Your coach comments on nim being spanish but looking like an eventer - I must agree, he does!