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Post by Maes Seren on May 1, 2008 17:25:46 GMT
Rode in this arena today:     This pic shows a little of parkway (80x60m - white fencing) and cove, the wooden fenced one at the bottom of the new indoor Anyway, im not here to give you an animated tour of campus... But this is half of our arenas here! But anyway, i took Gem in there as were allowed in there for a few select hours. My friend on her warmblood was already in there walking her round (fabby lil mare), rode her round and a yard staff came in on her horse. Rode around abit more then was cooling her off when said staff rode up to me and said how much Gem had improved since i first came and how much better she was looking! ;D Then, was talking to my friend afterwards, they were testing the speakers so we were stood still, and she commented on how much Gem had also improved since she last saw her (ok, that was when she rode her a while back ... before xmas i think) and shes much less argumentative and much more relaxed in her way of going. Sorry, i just had to tell someone, its really made my day being told that the work ive put into my pony really has paid off! ;D So pleased! ;D ;D ;D Well done to all those who got to the bottom of this without thinking 'omg how long is this continueing for?' ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by brigadier on May 1, 2008 17:31:31 GMT
Well done Mae and the facilites look superb!
brig
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Post by Maes Seren on May 1, 2008 19:01:17 GMT
Thanks, still smiling from the comments.
Shes no flashy pony, not got amazing movements as shes down hill, but from when i first got her to now, i know shes completely different.
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Post by shearer on May 1, 2008 19:22:52 GMT
That's great  And bloody hell that's one hell of an arena to ride in! |
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abi
Intermediate Sh*t Shoveller
Posts: 593
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Post by abi on May 1, 2008 19:31:26 GMT
WOW. where is that?
*dreams of being a millionaire and building my own arena like that*
ahh well done! how big is Gem? you say shes a pony, she looks like a bloomin big one! xx
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Post by Maes Seren on May 1, 2008 19:46:13 GMT
Gems a titchy 14.3hh!
Its at hartpury. ;D
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Post by kateflashy on May 2, 2008 5:48:33 GMT
very nice glad she went well
i took my flashy to na show there once years ago and she saw all the flags reared up and ran straight out again it was her first indoor show
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Post by Maes Seren on May 2, 2008 7:02:14 GMT
Awww bless her. Gem had similar thoughts here too first of all...
The school was built last year, ready for the paradressage. ;D
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Post by zara on May 2, 2008 14:56:29 GMT
Wow, wish I had access to facilities like that! Well done you, you should be really proud, I know how it feels to have someone compliment you - enjoy Zxx
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Post by Maes Seren on May 2, 2008 18:14:59 GMT
Im moving off site hopefully next year! Im paying £45 DIY for what? Good facilities, good access to competitions ... but a b!tchy yard... no thanks! Ill suffer on the competition side for the happiness anyday!
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Post by trojanwarrior on May 2, 2008 22:02:31 GMT
You must be well chuffed after the comments about her improvement. That indoor arena is huge  . I think I could get lost in there!!! |
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Post by duckles on May 2, 2008 23:01:23 GMT
Thats some place- your horse is great not to spook at all those flags and stuff- well done.
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Post by brigadier on May 3, 2008 16:47:35 GMT
Im moving off site hopefully next year! Im paying £45 DIY for what? Good facilities, good access to competitions ... but a b!tchy yard... no thanks! Ill suffer on the competition side for the happiness anyday! Do you know Ive been on some yards- why do they get so bitchy- people are so precious about their own abilities when really we shoudl all be helping one another to achieve the best we can- I find competition yards awful and although my horse could do with a hacking companion Id sacrifice that for a quiet yard with a nice school where you can do everything at your own pace etc- the competition aspect just makes riding stressful and the yard unpleasant. And its not just women either, men can be really bitchy on yards- Why why why do horses seem to encourage the best and the worst from folk?  brig |
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Post by Maes Seren on May 3, 2008 19:56:22 GMT
Ohhh the two guys i know on the yard, who i will stand and chat to for hours are both lovely. My main problem was when i first moved onto the yard i was on the academy yard - basically its for the exceptionally good riders, one is an international young event rider for example.  Everyone on the yard has a discipline, and theres little old me who wants to jump but is too scared so reverts to dressage but my pony isnt suitable for it really so will never go far! Im now in a different barn, where theres no academy/academy rejects (as i call them, basically those who tried out and got rejected) bitchiness and its alot nicer atmosphere wise, but i do feel very deflated as everyones riding at a much higher standard than me. (For eg, a friend got a OTTB, did the same dressage test as me, but didnt do the canter and still came above me in the placings! I used to really enjoy riding, but i dont really anymore, i ride because my pony is in a stable 24/7 and i feel guilty for not getting her out and riding her is the easiest way to get her out for a longish period of time... If we had turnout, i certainly wouldnt ride half of what i do now. Dont get me wrong, i love my pony, and i do enjoy riding her once im on, its just getting me on. |
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Post by Maes Seren on May 3, 2008 19:58:43 GMT
Thats some place- your horse is great not to spook at all those flags and stuff- well done. My pony doesnt like the chute, its the only thing shes nervous of. Its only going from the warm up arena (indoors, attached to main arena) into the main arena. If i go the otherway round shes fine??? |
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Post by brigadier on May 3, 2008 20:38:26 GMT
Mae- whats caused you to go off riding- is it because you feel others are better?
We all ride at different levels and all get something different from it. Ive gone competing witrh someone who always seemed to do better than me and it was deflating but really my attitude was holding me back- and I needed to find the right discipline.
Your post has shocked me and I keep re-reading it because youve never come across as so despondent before, youre possibly having a shocker at the moment with your studying etc? If so dont despair- exams arent forever!!
brig
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Post by Maes Seren on May 3, 2008 21:11:55 GMT
No, i thought the world of my first horse, who i used to love riding. Would skip our wednesday afternoon off lessons for sport to go riding. I walked an hour at one point to go ride him (buses dont run past my school that go past the horses) and id just go for a hack or school him, do whatever, i loved doing everything with him.
Then we had an accident and he knocked my confidence quite badly, but i wanted to carry on with him. Basically, i had to sell him, things got out of hand with new owners, they sold him and then he was pts.
He not only destroyed my confidence, but my motivation too. Confidence is back now, but motivation isnt.
Second horse didnt help with either, and ive constantly been put down in regards to Gem, so although shes improved my confidence and i love looking after her, cuddling her etc, and i feel rewarded after i ride her, i just cant bring myself to get the motivation to *want* to ride her
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Post by duckles on May 3, 2008 21:35:30 GMT
maesseren- that is so sad. It sounds like people putting you down have just knocked the stuffing out of you combined with study stress (which saps everyone of everything eventually) You will get your motivation back, believe in yourself and in Gem- you have done wonders with her and you know that is true. The atmosphere at your yard sounds a bit toxic- I am sure things will improve when you move. Summer, exams over, a new yard and I'm qutie sure motivation to ride will not be lacking. Loads of hugs
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Post by Maes Seren on May 3, 2008 21:48:19 GMT
I enjoy competing, but whilst were dabbling with dressage, its only because im on the site already. Id love to have transport of my own, just something i could throw her into and drive off without relying on anyone.
But, as usual, money prevents that happening, so once i move off site, competing will be more or less impossible.
I dont really talk about him much as its not worth it really, better off continuing as well as i can, Paddy my second horse i would buy back despite his quirks (which he did have alot of!) because i trusted his jump.
My motivation has been lacking for 3 years since i sold first horse. Ive been on 4 different yards since then...
I love my mare, we certainly never 'clicked' but we do get along well now. People comment on how she goes well for me and she 'likes' me, if horses can like a person. She'll groom me for hours, and i can play with her and hug her like no one else can.
Id certainly never want to sell her as i think too much of her (its the first time ive also managed to successfully keep hold of a horse for longer than a year whos been in my name!!!)
ETA:: My last comment about selling her, it was general, wasnt because of your post btw, before i go confusing anyone! Its kind of a 'despite my motivation, its not because i dont get on with her because i do and im unwilling to not try harder' kinda thing!
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
And bloody hell that's one hell of an arena to ride in!
. I think I could get lost in there!!!
