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Post by racaille on Nov 17, 2009 19:01:59 GMT
Well, it's his first real one ... Racaille is entered into his first 60cm concours on Nov 29. It's a fun day out, not a high pressure deal, and we will see how he deals with the new surroundings. If he does well - ie he seems relaxed - he could try the 80cm too, but there's no rush.
The whole thing is a nice idea: there are SJ, XC and dressage tests in different villages over the next year, as training/experience for younger horses and riders, which will culminate in an ODE at the end of the year.
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Post by fleabitten on Nov 17, 2009 19:09:16 GMT
Sounds lovely! I hope he keeps the head ;D
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Post by scattymare on Nov 17, 2009 21:03:10 GMT
Best of luck. Will keep fingers and toes crossed. Of course you will take lots of pics....
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Post by spotti on Nov 17, 2009 21:04:54 GMT
When I first read that I thought you'd said "Racaille has entered himself into the 60cm SJ class" lol. I would have LOVED to see him filling in forms or chatting to people to get himself a place...  Good luck with the comp  |
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Post by duckles on Nov 17, 2009 21:22:39 GMT
Don't they grow up so fast!! I can remember when he was just being backed (at least I think I do!) i am sure it will go really well, he seems a very talented and positive horse who has an owner with a nice relaxed attitude- looking forward to hearing (and seeing) all
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Post by racaille on Nov 18, 2009 6:25:06 GMT
I know Duckles, it seems like only yesterday!!! And yet the dentist was absolutely adamant he is already five, not four rising five... I just can't remember, to be honest (senile moment!) He's a strange little horse. Everyone who knows anything (not me!) says he has lots of talent but he needs to channel all his energy - that is one really odd thing, he seems utterly tireless. I've never seen him flag. After the 80km of the Chevauchée, Paco and all the other horses were ready to go home and put their carpet slippers on, but R was: let's do it all again! NOW!!!! He is a lively ride but much better after having his teeth out. I might even start to hack him out in walk a bit now - I've been avoiding taking him out on my own in case of disaster. I watched the teenager put him over a little course of jumps on Saturday and she was told to try a new technique with him. Usually he rushes madly with excitement, and the teenager does her best to 'save' him. But the new trainer told her to let him make his own mistakes or he would never learn to work it out for himself and be more careful. (This, I think, is the big difference with our ways of riding: here they make the horse do the jumping, working out strides etc.) Anyway, he brought a pole down the first time by belting round. The next time he was much more careful and in fact, when the teenager made a mistake in her approach ( this is the rider's bit) R saved HER! I will try and get pix of the concours.  |
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Post by fimacg on Nov 18, 2009 9:31:21 GMT
How exciting, in terms of jumping I have always been tought that its my job to remember the course but its the horses job to sort out striding to the extent that when we first started t teach Brave to jump radom poles were placed around the arena with no carefully worked out striding, and I was to ride around them like a course of jumps and he had to sort his feet out.
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bonnyben
Intermediate Sh*t Shoveller
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Post by bonnyben on Nov 18, 2009 12:55:20 GMT
That sounds great fun rac.
I look forward to reading all about it.
I agree with Fi, I was always taught that as well, i.e. don't interfere with the horsey, he wil find his own rhythm and stride -just concentrate on keeping the leg on and sitting up.... ;D
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Post by fleabitten on Nov 18, 2009 15:52:34 GMT
I wasnt taught anything worth talking about really, just to get them over it, hand forward, straight line, good approach and hang on for dear life lol!!
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Post by FirenLady on Nov 18, 2009 20:09:23 GMT
This sounds really exciting! Piccys pleasy? I bet R will look beautiful soaring over the jumps.
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Post by florence on Nov 18, 2009 21:02:33 GMT
He is a lively ride but much better after having his teeth out. A bit drastic, but hey, if works why not!!  I think you've done amazingly well with him. I hope you all enjoy it. |
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Post by hazelin on Nov 20, 2009 23:20:46 GMT
It sounds great fun good luck with that
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Post by racaille on Nov 22, 2009 5:26:03 GMT
We were working out the logistics of getting his there and back. We have decided that the teenager will hack him down on Saturday and he'll spend the night at the club. So will the kids - they are all sleeping in the caravan (or not sleeping....  ) On the way back they will let us out at our village so it will cut the time it takes to get back home. She'll have to hack him up through the village and along the lane in the dark but I'll be there in my truck to make sure all is well. R is also going to be ridden by the only other girl at the club who is capable, but she is a really snooty so and so that I half hope he will try it on a bit with her! Yesterday my teenager had a lesson on the big brown mare who will be her other mount for the competition. She is tricky and absolutely charges around and the teenager had to work really really hard to calm things down. But she got lots of compliments from the trainer and the YO so she was very pleased. She was stunned by the mare's iron mouth after being used to baby R and his sensitive little gob! On the other hand, at least she was used to braking with her back rather than relying on her hands .... |
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Post by racaille on Nov 30, 2009 6:19:59 GMT
Well, he was a little star. He's funny - just when you expect Racaille to live up to his name, he turns into an angel! The weather was absolutely filthy but R just loaded like a pro, despite the brown mare (his partner in the trailer) trying to kick him as she went in. It wasn't far, so we arrived at the little club about about 8.30am and R was soon being warmed up by the teenager. He was unfazed by the other horses warming up with him or his new surroundings, just did the biz like a pro. He trotted jauntily up to the jury and then was quite brilliant. It was a little course (60cm) but very coloured and there were some nasty corners and a double that was on a bit of a zig-zag and one with oil barrels that freaked a lot of the horses. There were loads of refusals and run-outs. But R didn't bat an eyelid at anything, no dodging or anything, just went for everything in a nice forward way. He got two bars down, teenager's fault: the first was because she picked a strange angle to go at it and the last because she let R go fast and flat. But eight faults was a marvel for his first effort in unfamiliar surroundings . The snooty teenager, L, had a worse time of it really as she was a bit hard on his mouth and he threw bit of a tantrum, leaping around a bit. She made the same mistake about the angle and the bar came down again but that was all. Then the poor fellow spend the rest of the day tied up but he was warm and dry in his rugs, and happily munching. Then he dozed for a while (too late a night on his sleepover!!  ) The teenager was thrilled with him. She also had a good round on the mare at 80cm. The snooty teenager had had a bad time with her: she ran out a lot, overshot (it was tricky for such a big mare) and brought most things down by going so fast. But she was calmer with my teenager (despite the driving hail  ) - she hit a few bars but still came fourth - the YO was thrilled that she had managed so well. I think all that nagging about using her back as a brake for R is finally paying off as the mare responds well to it (you can't stop her just with your hands!!!) It didn't go so well for lots of the little kids - at least half of them ended up in the dirt and one naughty pony ran out at every jump, dumped his little rider and then jumped out of the ring (so the little beggar could jump then .......  ) We were dumped in the village and had to hack the 2km home in the dark but got back safely. R and P were ecstatic to be reunited! The next part of the challenge is the dressage competition in January. |
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Post by fimacg on Nov 30, 2009 9:36:36 GMT
What a star Rac is turning out to be.
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Post by brigadier on Nov 30, 2009 13:33:41 GMT
oooh sounds brilliant- what a couple of stars! You must be so pleased with them both!
Next its the nasty dressage!!!!! Glad his liitle issues are ironed out now- bloomin teeth eh?
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Post by racaille on Nov 30, 2009 13:59:03 GMT
I am indeed very pleased with them both! The teenager was sweet with all the littlies too - and saved the day when a couple of the club horses, tethered to a running line, got in a mighty tangle and then panicked! Frankly things were a bit chaotic but it was not my place to interfere ..... ;D Well, touching wood, it does seem as though R is much happier in his mouth now. The head flinging has stopped, although he can still throw a tantrum (humped back leaping) if the rider is too severe with her hands) but he seems to be much more willing to work. A light contact is fine. I am crossing my fingers about the dressage - he goes really well if he gets a nice long warm-up. Anyway, the teenager has to do it as part of the challenge. I'm half wondering whether P might be up for it (ie if I am up to it!!!). Now we have seen what it is we should be doing we are both trying hard and managing it some of the time!!! |
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Post by fleabitten on Nov 30, 2009 16:25:40 GMT
Thats great!!! Well done, sounds like a lovely day - apart from the crap weather lol!! I would probably faff up the course in hailstones - id be like argh!!! im blind!! lol! Now youll be flat out practicing your dressage moves - you could practice the test as a pair for the fun!! Glad his mouth is going well, theres nothing worse than a horse with a hard mouth as a result of experiences in his youth - yous seem to be handling it really well |
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jane
Novice Willy Washer
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Post by jane on Nov 30, 2009 20:27:59 GMT
Well done Rac and teenager, you must be so proud of both of them. Sounds like it was a fantastic day and a lot of fun.
I think you and Paco should give the next comp a go too...... why not?
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Post by maximum on Nov 30, 2009 20:53:34 GMT
sounds great although I do have this image in my head of Rac taking out his wallies ( false teeth) and putting them in a glass of water.
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Post by florence on Nov 30, 2009 21:36:38 GMT
Now, you know we're gonna be reminding you that you said Racaille is an angel!! ;D Well done, sounds like a fantastic day despite the weather. Shame the snooty teenager didn't fare as well |
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) - she hit a few bars but still came fourth - the YO was thrilled that she had managed so well. I think all that nagging about using her back as a brake for R is finally paying off as the mare responds well to it (you can't stop her just with your hands!!!)
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
