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Post by racaille on Jul 18, 2008 22:22:03 GMT
Couldn't resist it today! All the wheat fields have been cut so I took Paco out for a blast. There was no one else about so I went out alone, that's no problem, at about 5.30 this evening when it was a bit cooler. It was absolutely lovely, bright blue sky, gentle breeze, golden light and Paco was full of new season luzerne so raring to go!
He was calm in the first field, a little more excited in the second and third (so I used his enthusiasm to turn him sharp left and get him onto the right lead, he he) and then we headed for the biiiiiiiiigggg field and I just let him rip.
My son was having a carriage driving lesson at the time and as they went past my field the intructor said: "Look at your mum gooooooooooooo!"
Obviously, Paco put in a couple of bucks at the start out of sheer excitement - he was really enjoying himself - and me too!
Then I walked him down to the river to cool off and we just stood around in the water for a while, watching all the people swimming and mucking about in the water and the tiny tots screaming: "Cheval! Cheval blanc!"
As we came back to the club I showed off a new trick I've taught Paco: I undo the gate and he then pushes it open with his body.
My mate was suitably impressed. "Quelle classe! C'est un trés bon cheval, ca!"
I think so too ;D
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Post by kateflashy on Jul 19, 2008 5:47:52 GMT
sounds like fun used to ride in stubble in uk dont have much ceral grown here its mainly sweet corn or sun flowers but weve got the woods to go for a blast in
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Post by maximum on Jul 19, 2008 7:57:43 GMT
*slowly turns green YET AGAIN*
go you!!
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Post by brigadier on Jul 19, 2008 8:41:21 GMT
Really really green! Pea green, incredible hulk green! green green green! Im going to give you a karma for having such a good horse! Well done PACO-look after your mum as she is a gem too!
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Post by racaille on Jul 19, 2008 10:16:40 GMT
Hey thanks peeps - and thanks Brig for the karma, one coming your way for always being so supportive and Maxi too!
I always worry that it sounds like I'm showing off, but nothing could be further from the truth! I'm a very average rider and Paco's just a rustic boy but I enjoy myself so much that I just have to share it!!! My OH is not in the least interested and wouldn't understand anyway.
And I don't know what's going on but Paco's so on form at the moment. Usually when it gets this hot he slows right down and I don't blame him.
But I've just got back from the club were I was doing a few exercises in the arena and he was leg yielding like a pro! Was trying a new exercise: leg yielding across a small diagonal than striking straight off in canter, with a view to getting him more supple on the left and to stop him striking off on the wrong lead (his famous trick). He was really good. Can't understand it but super happy ;D
And I've bought him some smart new overreach boots and I couldn't be happier than if I'd bought myself some Manolos!!!! (oooh might use that phrase in my blog!!!!) ;D
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Post by finefilly on Jul 19, 2008 10:50:14 GMT
i'm getting green too! sounds so good! and sounds like a lovely horse!
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Post by aimee on Jul 19, 2008 12:28:22 GMT
Aw I love galloping trought the crop fields especially when the farmers have burnt it down its perfect surface for a good rip! Paco sounds like he is being a good boy for you!
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Post by brigadier on Jul 19, 2008 13:08:29 GMT
The leg yield into canter is a fantastic exercise and one Id forgot about- must put it on my list of favourite exercises!!!!!
thanks for the reminder!
brig
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Post by dannyboy on Jul 19, 2008 13:30:33 GMT
Oh how jealous of you I am - snot green - OMG I'm getting so vulgar  |
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Post by FirenLady on Jul 19, 2008 14:39:19 GMT
Awesome! Sounds fantastic fun. I am waiting for the wheat/barley and oil seed rape to be cut here. Theres nothin like travelling up a stubble field at speed on a sunny crisp autumn day, stubble crunching and crackling underfoot. Tears and snot runnning across your face from the wind. Its exhilerating. although with all this rain, I don't know if it will ever be cut  |
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Jul 19, 2008 14:40:11 GMT
ok right now green with envy
sounds absolutley fabby
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Post by racaille on Jul 19, 2008 17:27:17 GMT
how come?
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Post by racaille on Jul 19, 2008 21:06:03 GMT
How awful. Random accidents like that, which can happen in the most mundane places, always seem the worst.
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popsicle
Apprentice Poo Picker
Me and Lolly at the Burton Hunt
Posts: 396
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Post by popsicle on Jul 19, 2008 21:55:16 GMT
Sounds like you had a fantastic time, can't wait until they cut the crops around us, I love that time of year.
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abi
Intermediate Sh*t Shoveller
Posts: 593
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Post by abi on Jul 20, 2008 9:05:15 GMT
aggh there's a massive stubble field right next to us, cant wait for it to be cut!
have to be careful though because the ground there is like clay- either rock solid or soggy and sticky!
can't wait for the grass to be cut on my riding field either- not been able to jmp on it for weeks and weeks!
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Post by fimacg on Jul 20, 2008 19:32:14 GMT
My great neighbouring farmer has left me a gallop strip along the bottom of one of his cereal fields - well he was digging drains in it at ploughing time and it never got sown so it is a 20' wide strip of grass/wild oats/ weeds with a track running through it that is excellent for a gallop, also I am getting to play in the 2 fields he has just cut for silage - great fun and Chompy is learning to balance himslef in canter/gallop a lot more.
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Post by silverstirrups on Jul 22, 2008 12:18:45 GMT
Its even more fun when you're not really supposed to be there  Forbidden fruit and all that ;D As to the opening gates thing, one of my horses does that. He taught himself! I undo the catch and then he just pushes the gate open with his nose. Then I started doing Trec and discovered that you get penalised for the horse opening the gate And there we were thinking we were really clever  |
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arumanii
Apprentice Poo Picker
Posts: 360
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Post by arumanii on Jul 22, 2008 20:56:03 GMT
Wooo hoo! Wish we had the stubbles round us again as they r soooo much fun! Clever pony -opening g8s! Would make life sooo much easier if all were taught 2 do that -especially as leaning down from 18hh is tooo far 4 my little armies!
Oh n Silver -u can't have no karma so have one on me!
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Post by racaille on Jul 23, 2008 6:45:05 GMT
Its even more fun when you're not really supposed to be there Forbidden fruit and all that ;D As to the opening gates thing, one of my horses does that. He taught himself! I undo the catch and then he just pushes the gate open with his nose. Then I started doing Trec and discovered that you get penalised for the horse opening the gate And there we were thinking we were really clever Hey, you're a treckie too! Do tell all - I'm a fanatic! Have you read the Trec section here? And the start of Fantastic day in members' only is Trec-related too (before it got hijacked ;D) I'm looking forward to the new season starting in the autumn. Luckily most of the gates we get in Trec here are up and over types! |
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Post by FirenLady on Jul 23, 2008 20:13:33 GMT
Its even more fun when you're not really supposed to be there Forbidden fruit and all that ;D Lol agreed. I've even come up with a sob storey if I get caught. " I'm sorry mr gamekeeper sir, but my pony was being so naughty i thought he was gonna buck me off"  (even though hes good as gold) or i could tell them if they didnt slurry up the prow with pig manure i wouldnt have to hack on stubble and maybe i ought to report them to the environment agency....but i always think you get further with sugar than salt. Your horse is very clever silver! as long as he doesn't suss how to open his stable door.....or the field gate. |
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Post by silverstirrups on Jul 23, 2008 21:09:46 GMT
No chance of that,he's not that clever! I think the opening gates is down to impatience, he just loves his rides out  Racaille - we've been doing Trec for years but they're few and far between in the Midlands. I won't travel my horses much more than an hour as its too stressful for all of us so we don't get much choice. I like to compete in pairs as the thought of getting lost on my own is tooooooooooooooo scary, but I've done it in areas where I have some idea of where I am and not done too badly. My Trec partner is very competitive whereas I do it for fun (fun??? am I mad?!) and we've spent many a few minutes arguing on a hillside about where we should be ;D The worst was after an argument when we looked up to see riders about half a mile away obviously on the right route. Oh dear. We just legged it over there any old way we could! I don't know if you've heard of the Kelly Marks winter series where we just do the COP and PTV? Much less stressful. I've got 2 horses and if you put them together you'd have the perfect Trec horse. One scores in the COP and the other scores more in the PTV. Good job I only compete for fun ;D Trec seems to be growing more and more in popularity in the UK but the problem as always is that it is very people heavy in terms of organisation and judging. Everyone wants to take part, not help. You're lucky to compete where it all started but this trouble with clubs seems to be upsetting things. Whats the latest? |
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Post by racaille on Jul 24, 2008 4:57:45 GMT
Not much news there, Silver, as the season has finished as it's too hot during the summer. But the clubs are here to stay in Trec – and why not? - so the levels have been reorganised to allow for some professionals-only levels. This is a bit dim, to my mind, as it wasn't especially the pros who were complaining but the happy hackers and long-distance riders. Rather than bleating about being beaten by club riders, they should have schooled their own horses a bit better!
I too like doing Trec in pairs, I think it is more fun. It can get lonely out there when you're doing 25km in the mountains!
I don't travel very far either as I'm not that competitive, but I do like to do the ones locally, especially as the atmosphere is really friendly.
And I know what you mean about getting lost - and I'm a pro!!!! - but I have learned from bitter experience not to just leg it in the direction of other riders - they might be doing a different level, or lost themselves, or more often, you miss a ticket point! All these things have happened to me, so now I try to be more careful. But having said that I can be capable of spectacular bungles!
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Post by racaille on Jul 24, 2008 4:59:52 GMT
PS I get the impression you are not really allowed in stubble fields in the UK? Here (France generally) there is an understanding that once the fields are cut, we can use them, although it is not a 'right'. But the Napoleonic Code does mean open access to the countryside, so we are a bit spoiled ;D
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Post by silverstirrups on Jul 24, 2008 10:34:36 GMT
This is a bit dim, to my mind, as it wasn't especially the pros who were complaining but the happy hackers and long-distance riders. Rather than bleating about being beaten by club riders, they should have schooled their own horses a bit better! What would the happy hacker/long distance riders argument be? I'm still struggling to understand exactly what the problem was? I know the quote 'don't follow me, I'm lost too' and I know how sneaky Trec TD's can be, but in the case I was talking about we knew when we saw the other riders that they were right - they just confirmed what we thought after spending 5 minutes arguing over the map I did once just follow another competitor as I was completely lost. After a while she wasn't sure either so we teamed up and made it to the finish ;D Bit naughty but good team work! I guess because France is such a big country (and spbottomly populated) and you have this 'Napoleonic code' (never heard of it!) that a few horses galloping about the stubble fields is fine. But the UK is smaller and land more 'precious' and more guarded so we have farmers who will wave a big shot gun at you if you're on their land  As kylieavril says, you have to be ready with your excuse Do you know anything about the sheikhs arab studs in France? My ex racer arab came from one. |
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Post by aimee on Jul 24, 2008 12:31:03 GMT
Around my way we have to pay an annual charge to use the fields, and they give you a little band to go around your hat to show that you are allowed on there. and that only includes riding around the edges! But while there is no crops on there they can hardly complain!
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
Forbidden fruit and all that ;D
(even though hes good as gold)
As kylieavril says, you have to be ready with your excuse