Not much as been happening. I lost my Float to a fire on New Years Morning, so that has really put a dent in my enthusiam.
Kandy is going well although I have not really done much with her over Summer. Started with a hiss and a roar and then I got sick with tonsilitis and that was that.
I'm not in any really hurry with her although she has matured a lot since I got her and her face has changed too. She is now quite a stunner but then I am biased as well.
My main aim is for the Waikanae Autum ODE in April then we will tackle the Winter Dressage Series again although stepping up a class should prove a goos challenge.
Hopefully over winter I can organinse a re-build of the Float. Already asked Dad and as the underneath is still ok, will just need a new floor, new steel framing and I am ayaing up a nice full Fibreglass top. Should look quite flash!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Monday, November 1, 2010
Long Overdue Update
Well, its about time. Tomorrow its been six months since I sent my beautiful Tom Kat over that Rainbow Bridge. Can't believe how the time has gone so quick.
Kandy had continued to impress me.
Days two and three of the Winter dressage series saw us get two seconds and a first and second on the last day resulting in us winning the Overall Points Champion and a wonderful wide sash. What a star and I must say my ribbons look lovely hanging in the lounge.
We have also has two jumping lessions with Gary Sinclair who is a wonderful instructor. We had a blast at each day and Kandy is happy to jump 50cm.
We alo completed at the Western Hills Spring Show, where she went really well. The Judge unfortunately only had eyes for just about the same 6 horses in each class. Never mind. The only bad thing about the day was Kandy's behaviour at the Float. She was a right bitch, she started stressing as her best paddock friend was a few floats over. She bit me, kick me and barged me into the float.
On Sunday we tackled our first ODE at Te Marua. I was very unprepared due to a rather nasty fall two weeks earlier in which I think I cracked a rib or two as I'm only just coming right now, although it still hurts to sneeze!
Our dressage was the worst test she has done as I had little time to warm up, due to the long ride to the arena and once I was there, the judge gave me my bell and I didn't realise which gave us 30 seconds to get into the arena. She did do a nice second half of the test and her cantering is getting better so that instead of running into the canter, she reacts to my request and goes straight away and on the correct lead.
Show Jumping again wasn't great. She was happy doing the low practice jump and felt really good going over it but once I faced her at the 65cm height she said "don't be stupid mum, thats too high and went to the left and I went to the right. Not sure how I managed it, but I did a very atheletic dismount and landed on my feet thank goodness, as I was determined to to land on those ribs again.
So after being eliminated from the SJ, I decided to just give Kandy a look at the x-country jumps being the first time she'd seen any. We managed 4 out of 14 as I was just too worried about falling again to push really hard. We did two small logs, a nice max size jump near the end of the course and the final ditch. I let her look at all the jumps and only did the once I felt comfortable with. She hated the water jump and refused to get her feet wet so tomorrow we are going to do a river crossing with her best paddock friend in the lead just to get her used to the water.
Our next outing is in two weeks at our Riding Club Spring Show where we will do flat classes and jumping at 60cm, then I'd like to tackle the Battle Hill ODE on the 21st as that is a course I know well and really like.
All this means I really need to get her jumping this week at least 60cm which now I've done the first ODE should be a breeze.
Kandy had continued to impress me.
Days two and three of the Winter dressage series saw us get two seconds and a first and second on the last day resulting in us winning the Overall Points Champion and a wonderful wide sash. What a star and I must say my ribbons look lovely hanging in the lounge.
We have also has two jumping lessions with Gary Sinclair who is a wonderful instructor. We had a blast at each day and Kandy is happy to jump 50cm.
We alo completed at the Western Hills Spring Show, where she went really well. The Judge unfortunately only had eyes for just about the same 6 horses in each class. Never mind. The only bad thing about the day was Kandy's behaviour at the Float. She was a right bitch, she started stressing as her best paddock friend was a few floats over. She bit me, kick me and barged me into the float.
On Sunday we tackled our first ODE at Te Marua. I was very unprepared due to a rather nasty fall two weeks earlier in which I think I cracked a rib or two as I'm only just coming right now, although it still hurts to sneeze!
Our dressage was the worst test she has done as I had little time to warm up, due to the long ride to the arena and once I was there, the judge gave me my bell and I didn't realise which gave us 30 seconds to get into the arena. She did do a nice second half of the test and her cantering is getting better so that instead of running into the canter, she reacts to my request and goes straight away and on the correct lead.
Show Jumping again wasn't great. She was happy doing the low practice jump and felt really good going over it but once I faced her at the 65cm height she said "don't be stupid mum, thats too high and went to the left and I went to the right. Not sure how I managed it, but I did a very atheletic dismount and landed on my feet thank goodness, as I was determined to to land on those ribs again.
So after being eliminated from the SJ, I decided to just give Kandy a look at the x-country jumps being the first time she'd seen any. We managed 4 out of 14 as I was just too worried about falling again to push really hard. We did two small logs, a nice max size jump near the end of the course and the final ditch. I let her look at all the jumps and only did the once I felt comfortable with. She hated the water jump and refused to get her feet wet so tomorrow we are going to do a river crossing with her best paddock friend in the lead just to get her used to the water.
Our next outing is in two weeks at our Riding Club Spring Show where we will do flat classes and jumping at 60cm, then I'd like to tackle the Battle Hill ODE on the 21st as that is a course I know well and really like.
All this means I really need to get her jumping this week at least 60cm which now I've done the first ODE should be a breeze.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Te Marua Horse Club Winter Dressage Series - Day 1
We headed off in the most appalling weather only to find it quite nice at Te Marua. Just my luck I was the only one in my class that turned up so I warmed Kandy up and did a reasonable test. In fact, I was stoked with how she went and we ended up with a sore of 73%, which is not bad for our first ever test. We also got some lovely omments as well. The second test was done in the "big girls arena". I made a stupid course error, me not listening, but was still really pleased again. We ended up with 71% for the second test. Kandy took everything in her stride, no stressing out, no shying at the strange arena, she just got in and did what I asked. We ended up with a lovely red ribbon for our efforts. Here is a video of eah test. Finally, some ridden footage.
Test 0.1
Test 0.2
Test 0.1
Test 0.2
Friday, June 18, 2010
Falling off Kandy
I fell off Kandy tonight. It was a long way down and by far the worst fall to date. I ended up flat on my face and very winded. Kandy decided there was a monster in the trees and shied. I lost a stirrup and while trying to get it back ended up all over the place which freaked her out even more so she decided to try being a bucking bronco. Before this, we had a lovely ride, doing some nice trotting work and circles, getting ready for next weekends Dressage test. I hurt all over and she broke her bridle after taking off, doing some more impressively huge bucks. I don't think shes had anyone fall off before. I guess thats all part of riding. She's only young and has previously been turned out for the last four years, so I guess everything is new.
Despite the fall, I am pleased with how she is going, she is quite straight at a trot and I am becoming more confident with each ride. I even tried to canter tonight and we managed a few strides before resuming a trot. I need more space for the canter as were we were schooling was quite small and she does take a bit of pushing along to canter.
Ainsleigh rode Rusty at the same time which was also another experience for Kandy and she handled it very well. Although the ride ended badly, I am still achieving lots each time and Kandy is becoming softer and more responsive with each ride. I can use quite a loose rein and am starting to introduce trot-walk transitions.
We do need to work on her manners while I'm trying to mount. Tonight she was a right tart, even swing her rump in my direction while Ainsleigh was holding her. After a few firm telling offs and tap with the crop she soon got the message and stood sulking after I'd mounted, waiting for Ainsleigh and Rusty.
Despite the fall, I am pleased with how she is going, she is quite straight at a trot and I am becoming more confident with each ride. I even tried to canter tonight and we managed a few strides before resuming a trot. I need more space for the canter as were we were schooling was quite small and she does take a bit of pushing along to canter.
Ainsleigh rode Rusty at the same time which was also another experience for Kandy and she handled it very well. Although the ride ended badly, I am still achieving lots each time and Kandy is becoming softer and more responsive with each ride. I can use quite a loose rein and am starting to introduce trot-walk transitions.
We do need to work on her manners while I'm trying to mount. Tonight she was a right tart, even swing her rump in my direction while Ainsleigh was holding her. After a few firm telling offs and tap with the crop she soon got the message and stood sulking after I'd mounted, waiting for Ainsleigh and Rusty.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
WOW
I had a wow ride today,. It was my first decent ride on Kandy so Dad came down to supervise me and give me some confidence. Once I was ready to trot her she went unbelievably well, straight into an outline and maintained it beautfiully. Dad said she is very light on her feet. I am stoked and still buzzing. Yes she had her moments, but that is to be expected given she is young and very green. I have never experienced what I did today and some things started to come back to me from my pony club days, like rising on the correct leg and changing over when on the diagonal. Haven't cantered yet, but I'm quite happy to work on trotting first and once that is nice, relaxed and balanced, then I will give her canter a go.
After the flat work, we decided to go into the jumping paddock to see what would happen. I walked her around the various small jumps and fillers and while she was unsure I could feel the trust come through and she ended up walking by the scary filler. We walked over the trotting poles and then Dad said give it a so. I walked her over a very small jump and she clipped it so next time she picked up her feet, then we did the cross bar as well. Trotted over the small one and straight over the small cross bar. No hesitation what so ever. We did it again and I decided to finish there on a good note, mainly because I was so happy with such a large amount of progress in one day.
What a doll, she has by far exceeded my expectations of a young very green off the track thoroughbred. Can't wait to get her out and about to see what happens.
Our first outing will be a rally at the Te Marua Horse Club and then their Winter Dressage Series held over three months.
After the flat work, we decided to go into the jumping paddock to see what would happen. I walked her around the various small jumps and fillers and while she was unsure I could feel the trust come through and she ended up walking by the scary filler. We walked over the trotting poles and then Dad said give it a so. I walked her over a very small jump and she clipped it so next time she picked up her feet, then we did the cross bar as well. Trotted over the small one and straight over the small cross bar. No hesitation what so ever. We did it again and I decided to finish there on a good note, mainly because I was so happy with such a large amount of progress in one day.
What a doll, she has by far exceeded my expectations of a young very green off the track thoroughbred. Can't wait to get her out and about to see what happens.
Our first outing will be a rally at the Te Marua Horse Club and then their Winter Dressage Series held over three months.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Part of the team
Kandy has settled really well and over the weekend was moved to a new paddock. She has been a bit grumpy towards me over the last week but tonight was a gentle sweetheart. Here are dome photos of Kandy and her new mates Antrica, Rusty and George.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A New Journey Begins
Kandy arrived last week and has settled well. She grew quite attached to Tom in the few days they were together and couldn't quite understand where he'd gone. She now has little Rusty as new new best buddy. I asked him to look after her and he has taken the job on with vigour.
Her first Farrier visit was such a big non-event, don't know what I was worried about. She has good strong feet and healthy hoof walls. She was really good for the Farrier, somebody new I'm trying and he handled her really well, growling when necessary but otherwise very gentle with her. She didn't even flinch when he was nailing the shoes on, like Tom used to. There was lots going on around her at the time, Warren was butchering a hogget on the table, trucks being started up and plastic bags flapping everywhere.
My Dad has taken an interest and is keen to help me along with her training. At the moment, we will take things nice and slowly.
Her first Farrier visit was such a big non-event, don't know what I was worried about. She has good strong feet and healthy hoof walls. She was really good for the Farrier, somebody new I'm trying and he handled her really well, growling when necessary but otherwise very gentle with her. She didn't even flinch when he was nailing the shoes on, like Tom used to. There was lots going on around her at the time, Warren was butchering a hogget on the table, trucks being started up and plastic bags flapping everywhere.
My Dad has taken an interest and is keen to help me along with her training. At the moment, we will take things nice and slowly.
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