Monday, February 27, 2017

Regional champs with Spud.

Firstly I'm just going to brag about my pony. Spud is a freaking legend!!  The whole weekend he tried his heart out and didn't put a foot wrong. (asides from one lil moment in one race). He was literally perfect. I couldn't  have asked for more.


He was a champion!! I had so many people comment on how fast we was and how he was such a cutie and a trier. 
Even had a few offers from people wanting to buy him.
I honestly have so much love for this little dude it's unbelievable.  


Our team came 4 th all up. We were up against some of the best in New Zealand. 
Spud kept up with the fastest ponies easily. 
So dam proud of him guys. 
















He was also proud of himself!!


Saturday, February 25, 2017

Big weekend

This weekend is a big weekend for Spud. We are competing at mounted games regional champs!!

Last night we trucked himto the show grounds and settled him for the night!



While we were waiting for our ride he decided to share my drink. 


Wish us luck!! 

Monday, February 20, 2017

Jumpout day. Facing your fears.

Today was jumpout day!!
For some reason I was really nervous beforehand. There's so many things that could go wrong and if it did, I would get seriously hurt. Going the speeds we do, a fall is never going to end well.
This has NEVER bothered me before.
But for some reason today I was scared. To the point where I was shaking.
Being scared never stops me though and the few times that I do get scared or nervous, I can channel it and use it to focus more.

However as soon as I got legged on, I felt comfortable and relaxed and back to normal and all went well.
I was on one of my favourites Silver Lady.
She jumped out of the gates well and I stayed with her and we had a really good run.
I can't stop saying how amazing and exhilarating riding at full racehorse gallop feels.
Here are a few photos!! I'm wearing the blue vest on the inside.









Friday, February 17, 2017

Today's rides.

Since 90% of my riding is for my job,  I decided to do a recap of all my rides for that day once or twice a week.
So here are my 13 rides for today... Somedays I ride more, other days less.
Spud:

Spud was super cool today!!  He was my last ride for the day after work, I was pretty exhausted by this point. Although I'm pretty exhausted at the end of every day to be honest but that's just how it is. We went for a trot down the road and through the bush to the massive soccer fields and did some fitness galloping round them all and then we walked home to cool him off. He's a good pony!

Silver Lady:

On a day when we are doing pace work she's always my easiest ride of the morning. Today we were babysitting, riding in a pair with a slightly crazy young one. As usual I had my reins long, and she just cruised round. 

You'll Do Me:
This guys big, black, solid and handsome. He's also very strong and can pull so hard he's almost impossible to hold. 
You just gotta relax, get your hold, and basically push your hands into his neck and don't move at all. Any shift of the weight or your hands will probably make him bolt. It's taken me awhile but I've figured out how to ride him and I organise myself early so that when we take off he's nice and relaxed and doesn't pull. 

Pins:

Pins is just a baby so she doesn't have a race name yet. She's had a baby prep and a jumpout then she was turned out for ages. I rode her for her first time back in with two other babies. She was nice and relaxed and went round nicely.

Brilliance:
This guys a big cutie. He's another horse I have a soft spot for. He's also just come in from a spell and I rode him for his first time back round the track. Was a tad bit scary as he was pulling a lot and his mate who was galloping round in a pair with us was running into the rails almost flipping him and his rider over and jumping around. Brilliance was good asides from one random leap, but he held himself together and he was pretty keen and pulling but it was easy to bring him back and he was working nicely by the end of his second round.  

What Now My Love:


This mare is a little different, walking to and from the track she has her head way up in the air, jig-jogging and jumping around. Once out there she will completely relax and gallop her two rounds nicely. Sometimes she can get quite keen and pull but she was working on her own today and I was able to have my reins loose and she cruised around quietly. 

Ondebuet:

One of my favourite mares!! She wasn't the easiest ride today though, she pulled the whole time and my arms and legs were aching by the end of the ride. 

Marsbars:

This little black mare is full of spunk and super cheeky. She may be little but she is really fast. Unfortunately she was a little bit muscle sore today, and was struggling so it was a very quiet gallop round. 

Art Deco:

My absolute favourite!! She's so pretty.
She was pretty fresh today and was jumping around a lot on her way onto the track. I almost fell off when she did a big jump sideways but she worked really nicely, felt very forward and free, but she was relaxed and didn't pull. 

Tellyawhat :

Believe it or not he's actually a grey!! This fella is another horse you have to sit super quiet on. But he was very good and relaxed today. A year or so back he had a reputation for bolting, but he's calmed down a lot and works nicely most days. 

Bertha:
 

Definitely not your typical TB. This mare is an absolute giant. Not only in height but shes such big boned as well. She's also really quiet and lazy so it was a bit of a workout to keep her moving forward and pace work speed. 

Ifrajj: 
Such a dude this man!! Unfortunately his race name is too hard to pronounce let alone spell. This guy is always happy and keen to work. He gives you such a good feeling. He can pull but when you push your hands down into his neck to remind him to come back he relaxes and comes back again. 

Often:

This mare can be a hot head, but today she worked forward, free and fast but stayed soft and relaxed. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Sophie today!

I am slowly making improvements with Sophie.
Firstly she's looking really nice atm, in a good weight, I still want her coat to improve more, and she needs more muscle in the right places and less in the wrong places, but considering she's looking quite good right now.


As for riding her, we only had one little 'moment' 


But aside from that she was focusing a lot better, and moving forward with more willingness and acceptance.  
We are getting a lot less of this,


And a lot more of this,



Not perfect, but she is starting to relax and come into the bridle a lot more. She's bringing her head down and it's definitely progress!! 
Of course as usual she got lots of cuddles.