Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
April Update
I'm going to try and be a bit more vigilant with this diary. Or perhaps I should go back to the old method of writing things down longhand at the end of a day. I keep wishing I had more of a diary written about my early days with JJ to look back on, but there's no point dwelling on that.
So, I will give a current update on him.
It is Wednesday today and I haven't ridden since Sunday, because I was giving him time off after his busy show at Otaki, and also because the weather has been particularly stormy and foul, and also becuase I was still suffering the after-effects of a mild concussion that I got when I fell off him at Otaki.
We have been to two shows in the past 2 weeks, Waikanae Autumn ODE and Otaki Games/Jumping Day.
WAIKANAE AUTUMN ODE:
Dressage test: NZPC Jnr Test M.
Score: 66% (all 6s & 7s)
Placing after dressage: 6th (out of 13 starters).
Cross Country: 1 runout @ 6B. 20 penalties.
Showjumping: 1 rail @ 7B & Crossed tracks in front of first fence. 8 faults.
Final placing: 7th.
(Without XC faults, would've been 3rd.)
OTAKI GAMES/JUMPING DAY:
Showhunter:
Practice Round (60cm): Run-out at last jump, rider fall :( Remounted and jumped nicely on second attempt.
70cm Equitation:
Off centre @ fence 1. Took off early at fence 2. Drifted between 2 and 3. Nice over 4, drifted on way to 5. Took rail @ 6, left a stride out between 6 & 7 (2 stride line!). Ok @ 8 but rushed that final line.
Unplaced.
80cm Hunter:
Hesitation off base @ 1. Nice over 2, got in deep to 3. Got in deep to 4 & 5. Nice over 6 & 7, got in a bit deep to 8.
Unplaced.
Showjumping:
60cm Optimum Time: 1 rail @ 5.
Placing: 2nd (/3).
70cm AM5 (IJO): 1 rail @ 5 in first round.
Placing: 3rd (/4).
In general he is going really well and I'm happy with him. Since getting him on October 20th 2010, I have had 2 falls from him. (Both while jumping.) However that's not too bad considering his age. He is jumping well, to date he has never considered stopping, but if he gets flummoxed or decides something is too hard, he will run-out. Have had several run-outs with him over the past few months. Only his runout at Otaki has caused me to fall though.
He has jumped one 80cm round in competition and went clear, although it was a SH round and not quite built to height. He will have his first 80cm SJ round at Circuit Finals.
At home he has jumped up to approx 80cm in training. He has also jumped a number of XC jumps, including the Log Fence in the park (PT), Croquet Rails (PT), Brush (T), and Palisade (PT). He is really enjoying his jumping at the moment and the focus now will be on getting his canter more balanced and riding him to the fences on a better stride.
His flat work is coming along although he doesn't particularly enjoy it! He has established canter transitions and almost established his correct leads. He can do flying changes although may disunite behind, particularly changing onto the right lead. He finds the left lead more challenging but can do a flying change from right onto left. He can do nice walk to canter transitions when he is in the mood for it (i.e. when jumping!) His downward transitions are not as good as his upward but he is improving.
He is still fussy with the contact but that will come with time, the focus is on keeping my hands very still and not allowing him to move my hands around, on keeping him going forward and not letting him push his shoulder out. He still likes to have a good look around in order to avoid work. Phantom flies seem to be a thing of the past however.
Hacking out he is good, he prefers to go out in company but is fine on his own, will happily go along the road, across the river, past mum's alpacas, to the beach, into the sea etc by himself. Not too keen on jumping driftwood without Rolly there to follow/lead but this may have changed since his 2 recent outings which always give him more confidence.
His feet are in good condition, they are due to be trimmed next week. He is still barefoot. One of his hoof boots has split at the buckle so is now unusable. However after the first week following his trim he is okay to hack out barefoot. He prefers to be barefoot on the beach.
I have been trying to ride bareback at least once a week. He is very good bareback, although resists into the canter transitions, however this is probably due to my riding (clutching) rather than his training. I have jumped him bareback over low jumps and also over the XC box on top of the hill. He has no problem now with being ridden bareback and his downward transitions from canter are smooth and easy to sit to.
He is currently being fed 1x daily with 1 scoop of lucerne chaff, 1/2 scoop of Mitavite Xtra Cool, 1 T garlic granules, 1 t iodised salt, and carrots.
His rugs vary due to weather, he currently wears a combination of his Mark Todd sheet, Zilco Crusader lite, Zanadu winter turnout, and rugs borrowed from Heather which include Zanadu woollen dress/under rug, and SW cotton sheet. He wears either the cotton or Mark Todd sheet under his other rugs at all times, these are alternated and washed weekly.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
HOROWHENUA CIRCUIT FINALS - 15 May 2011 @ Waikanae Park.
Entered in: 70cm Showhunter, 80cm Equitation, 70cm SJ, 80cm SJ.
So, I will give a current update on him.
It is Wednesday today and I haven't ridden since Sunday, because I was giving him time off after his busy show at Otaki, and also because the weather has been particularly stormy and foul, and also becuase I was still suffering the after-effects of a mild concussion that I got when I fell off him at Otaki.
We have been to two shows in the past 2 weeks, Waikanae Autumn ODE and Otaki Games/Jumping Day.
WAIKANAE AUTUMN ODE:
Dressage test: NZPC Jnr Test M.
Score: 66% (all 6s & 7s)
Placing after dressage: 6th (out of 13 starters).
Cross Country: 1 runout @ 6B. 20 penalties.
Showjumping: 1 rail @ 7B & Crossed tracks in front of first fence. 8 faults.
Final placing: 7th.
(Without XC faults, would've been 3rd.)
OTAKI GAMES/JUMPING DAY:
Showhunter:
Practice Round (60cm): Run-out at last jump, rider fall :( Remounted and jumped nicely on second attempt.
70cm Equitation:
Off centre @ fence 1. Took off early at fence 2. Drifted between 2 and 3. Nice over 4, drifted on way to 5. Took rail @ 6, left a stride out between 6 & 7 (2 stride line!). Ok @ 8 but rushed that final line.
Unplaced.
80cm Hunter:
Hesitation off base @ 1. Nice over 2, got in deep to 3. Got in deep to 4 & 5. Nice over 6 & 7, got in a bit deep to 8.
Unplaced.
Showjumping:
60cm Optimum Time: 1 rail @ 5.
Placing: 2nd (/3).
70cm AM5 (IJO): 1 rail @ 5 in first round.
Placing: 3rd (/4).
In general he is going really well and I'm happy with him. Since getting him on October 20th 2010, I have had 2 falls from him. (Both while jumping.) However that's not too bad considering his age. He is jumping well, to date he has never considered stopping, but if he gets flummoxed or decides something is too hard, he will run-out. Have had several run-outs with him over the past few months. Only his runout at Otaki has caused me to fall though.
He has jumped one 80cm round in competition and went clear, although it was a SH round and not quite built to height. He will have his first 80cm SJ round at Circuit Finals.
At home he has jumped up to approx 80cm in training. He has also jumped a number of XC jumps, including the Log Fence in the park (PT), Croquet Rails (PT), Brush (T), and Palisade (PT). He is really enjoying his jumping at the moment and the focus now will be on getting his canter more balanced and riding him to the fences on a better stride.
His flat work is coming along although he doesn't particularly enjoy it! He has established canter transitions and almost established his correct leads. He can do flying changes although may disunite behind, particularly changing onto the right lead. He finds the left lead more challenging but can do a flying change from right onto left. He can do nice walk to canter transitions when he is in the mood for it (i.e. when jumping!) His downward transitions are not as good as his upward but he is improving.
He is still fussy with the contact but that will come with time, the focus is on keeping my hands very still and not allowing him to move my hands around, on keeping him going forward and not letting him push his shoulder out. He still likes to have a good look around in order to avoid work. Phantom flies seem to be a thing of the past however.
Hacking out he is good, he prefers to go out in company but is fine on his own, will happily go along the road, across the river, past mum's alpacas, to the beach, into the sea etc by himself. Not too keen on jumping driftwood without Rolly there to follow/lead but this may have changed since his 2 recent outings which always give him more confidence.
His feet are in good condition, they are due to be trimmed next week. He is still barefoot. One of his hoof boots has split at the buckle so is now unusable. However after the first week following his trim he is okay to hack out barefoot. He prefers to be barefoot on the beach.
I have been trying to ride bareback at least once a week. He is very good bareback, although resists into the canter transitions, however this is probably due to my riding (clutching) rather than his training. I have jumped him bareback over low jumps and also over the XC box on top of the hill. He has no problem now with being ridden bareback and his downward transitions from canter are smooth and easy to sit to.
He is currently being fed 1x daily with 1 scoop of lucerne chaff, 1/2 scoop of Mitavite Xtra Cool, 1 T garlic granules, 1 t iodised salt, and carrots.
His rugs vary due to weather, he currently wears a combination of his Mark Todd sheet, Zilco Crusader lite, Zanadu winter turnout, and rugs borrowed from Heather which include Zanadu woollen dress/under rug, and SW cotton sheet. He wears either the cotton or Mark Todd sheet under his other rugs at all times, these are alternated and washed weekly.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
HOROWHENUA CIRCUIT FINALS - 15 May 2011 @ Waikanae Park.
Entered in: 70cm Showhunter, 80cm Equitation, 70cm SJ, 80cm SJ.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Pics of JJ at recent competitions
JJ at Waikanae ODE, Showjumping Phase.
JJ at Waikanae ODE, Showjumping Phase.
JJ at Waikanae ODE, Showjumping Phase.
JJ at Waikanae ODE, Showjumping Phase.
JJ flying over the biggest jump he's attempted to date with plenty of room to spare! What a star :)
JJ with his 2nd & 3rd placings at Otaki.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Schooling solo...
Rode by myself today, which I used to do every day but since getting JJ and having Heather to ride with, I've done very little of. JJ was ever so good though.
I went to catch him and couldn't find him so hiked up the big hill because often they're hiding in the dip on the other side. Rolly and Blackjack were up there, and as I walked along the crest of the hill I noticed JJ's butt down by the combination fence. I called out to him and he swung around and stared at me with his ears pricked. I walked over to where Rolly and Blackjack were, and Blackjack decided that there was no way I was going to catch him, and walked off down the track. I followed simply because that was the way to where JJ was, and as I got down the hill I saw JJ coming along to meet me. However because Blackjack thought he was being pursued, he cantered off up the hill and JJ then saw Rolly coming and something in his brain sent him trotting past me and over to Rolly to check that everything was okay. After a reassuring sniff with Rolly JJ came up to me for carrots and haltering. I hopped on him and rode bareback towards the gate. But Lisa had arrived and was whistling to her horses. Rolly decided that meant him (which it doesn't) and came belting along behind JJ. Because I was bareback in a halter and no helmet, I leapt straight off JJ in case he decided to take off...he didn't, but I was glad to get my feet on the ground. Once everyone had settled again I jumped back on and rode over to the gate, jumping over a log on the way.
He was good as gold to bridle today, just took it really slow but he even put his head down to let me put the reins over, what a good boy :) The headshyness will be there for a long time, but he is very trusting and it flares up less and less often now.
We started out trotting around the park, up to one end, change rein, around the other way. Then we did a couple of cirles, then went up the hill to the arena - had a nice canter up there. Going into the arena at first the handbrake went on (in his head), as he clearly thought "oh god not this again". Then he switched tactics to try and run off around the outside and not have to go into the arena itself to school. But we got control back swiftly and headed into the arena. We picked up a trot and trotted halfway around, then did a 20m circle in the corner. Trotted to the next corner, did a 20m circle there too (starting out on the right rein). Did this all the way around, circling in each corner then changed the rein acros the diagonal and the same thing going the other way. In a 100 x 100m arena that takes a while :) He was great though, going round and relaxing his jaw and flexing nicely at the poll for at least half a circle and half the long side (off and on) which was a big improvement on any previous schooling sessions. So I was well pleased with him!
We then went for a walk up the road and a canter at the subdivision, then back to the park. He was responsive and soft for 90% of the time which was just lovely.
Really he barely put a foot wrong today and I was so proud of him :)
I went to catch him and couldn't find him so hiked up the big hill because often they're hiding in the dip on the other side. Rolly and Blackjack were up there, and as I walked along the crest of the hill I noticed JJ's butt down by the combination fence. I called out to him and he swung around and stared at me with his ears pricked. I walked over to where Rolly and Blackjack were, and Blackjack decided that there was no way I was going to catch him, and walked off down the track. I followed simply because that was the way to where JJ was, and as I got down the hill I saw JJ coming along to meet me. However because Blackjack thought he was being pursued, he cantered off up the hill and JJ then saw Rolly coming and something in his brain sent him trotting past me and over to Rolly to check that everything was okay. After a reassuring sniff with Rolly JJ came up to me for carrots and haltering. I hopped on him and rode bareback towards the gate. But Lisa had arrived and was whistling to her horses. Rolly decided that meant him (which it doesn't) and came belting along behind JJ. Because I was bareback in a halter and no helmet, I leapt straight off JJ in case he decided to take off...he didn't, but I was glad to get my feet on the ground. Once everyone had settled again I jumped back on and rode over to the gate, jumping over a log on the way.
He was good as gold to bridle today, just took it really slow but he even put his head down to let me put the reins over, what a good boy :) The headshyness will be there for a long time, but he is very trusting and it flares up less and less often now.
We started out trotting around the park, up to one end, change rein, around the other way. Then we did a couple of cirles, then went up the hill to the arena - had a nice canter up there. Going into the arena at first the handbrake went on (in his head), as he clearly thought "oh god not this again". Then he switched tactics to try and run off around the outside and not have to go into the arena itself to school. But we got control back swiftly and headed into the arena. We picked up a trot and trotted halfway around, then did a 20m circle in the corner. Trotted to the next corner, did a 20m circle there too (starting out on the right rein). Did this all the way around, circling in each corner then changed the rein acros the diagonal and the same thing going the other way. In a 100 x 100m arena that takes a while :) He was great though, going round and relaxing his jaw and flexing nicely at the poll for at least half a circle and half the long side (off and on) which was a big improvement on any previous schooling sessions. So I was well pleased with him!
We then went for a walk up the road and a canter at the subdivision, then back to the park. He was responsive and soft for 90% of the time which was just lovely.
Really he barely put a foot wrong today and I was so proud of him :)
JJ's first show
JJ had his first show at the Waikanae Sports day on Jan 23rd! (Well, his first ridden show.) It was raining and the ground was getting wetter and slipperier as the day went on, but our class wasn't until about midday. We were entered in the 60cm SJ (optimum time), and although he'd been jumping great lately, we'd had a couple of off days recently and he'd never done a full course of jumps, so I was a little nervous.
He was good to bridle though and then I rode him up the hill to the park. Usually it's almost completely empty but there were horses, jumps, trucks, and umbrellas everywhere. JJ had to stop and have a good hard look at it all before he was able to proceed down the hill.
He warmed up nicely and jumped the practice jump well (got in a bit close a couple times though). I think the practice jump was at about 70cm and probably higher than anything he'd jumped before!
Then we did our round, and because we trotted most of the corners (either due to slippery ground or him disuniting after a failed flying change) we didn't place but we did jump clear and that's the main thing. He loved it, flew over everything without hesitating, even the scary wall :) What a star, so proud of him.
He was good to bridle though and then I rode him up the hill to the park. Usually it's almost completely empty but there were horses, jumps, trucks, and umbrellas everywhere. JJ had to stop and have a good hard look at it all before he was able to proceed down the hill.
He warmed up nicely and jumped the practice jump well (got in a bit close a couple times though). I think the practice jump was at about 70cm and probably higher than anything he'd jumped before!
Then we did our round, and because we trotted most of the corners (either due to slippery ground or him disuniting after a failed flying change) we didn't place but we did jump clear and that's the main thing. He loved it, flew over everything without hesitating, even the scary wall :) What a star, so proud of him.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Photos of JJ
Te Arawa Jimmy Jones:
JJ when I first got him...
3 weeks later:
Still stacking on the weight, after 5 weeks with me (ignore the grumpy face, he doens't like having his picture taken!)
Having fun on the beach :)
His stylish/nerdy "hoof boots", an alternative to metal shoes:
Showing off his Mark Todd sheet in the paddock at Mum's:
JJ when I first got him...
3 weeks later:
Still stacking on the weight, after 5 weeks with me (ignore the grumpy face, he doens't like having his picture taken!)
Having fun on the beach :)
His stylish/nerdy "hoof boots", an alternative to metal shoes:
Showing off his Mark Todd sheet in the paddock at Mum's:
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