Saturday, August 23, 2008
We've been to the Regionals...
I cannot believe the last post was from April... how time flies!
Hannah qualified for the Summer Regionals for the Preliminary test, so I tried to be as prepared as possible for it. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes to plan and we started to realise that he saddle was just not sitting on her correctly and it was making it near impossible for me to collect her with my seat.
Following an emergency visit from my fantastic saddle consultant, Heather Roberts, I started using Grace’s on her as a temporary measure as Hannah’s needed sending back to the Albion to have the headplate changed.
She started to become a lot more comfortable in Grace’s saddle, but I was nervous as hell about the Regionals as I have never been before. Thankfully, my trainer, Jo Wright-Graham helped me warm her up so I went in with her in front of my leg and with the feeling that she was carrying me. She did a sweet test, but he walk does let her down, however it was a brilliant day and I enjoyed every minute! She came away with a respectable 64% and a very happy mummy!
Since then I have started working on some Novice tests and am hoping to start taking her out elementary very soon. I am also considering starting her at Medium once we get the half passes up to scratch, but she finds the lateral work pretty easy and really enjoys it too. Yesterday afternoon I had one of the best lessons I have ever had on her, and for the first time in a long time I am excited about riding her again!
The arguments are non-existent, her work is becoming far more consistent and she is travelling like a dream! I am beginning to get a lot of enjoyment from her, and it is a real achievement because she is not an easy girl to ride. But she is now working with me, trying her heart out for me and we are getting on really well!
Hannah qualified for the Summer Regionals for the Preliminary test, so I tried to be as prepared as possible for it. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes to plan and we started to realise that he saddle was just not sitting on her correctly and it was making it near impossible for me to collect her with my seat.
Following an emergency visit from my fantastic saddle consultant, Heather Roberts, I started using Grace’s on her as a temporary measure as Hannah’s needed sending back to the Albion to have the headplate changed.
She started to become a lot more comfortable in Grace’s saddle, but I was nervous as hell about the Regionals as I have never been before. Thankfully, my trainer, Jo Wright-Graham helped me warm her up so I went in with her in front of my leg and with the feeling that she was carrying me. She did a sweet test, but he walk does let her down, however it was a brilliant day and I enjoyed every minute! She came away with a respectable 64% and a very happy mummy!
Since then I have started working on some Novice tests and am hoping to start taking her out elementary very soon. I am also considering starting her at Medium once we get the half passes up to scratch, but she finds the lateral work pretty easy and really enjoys it too. Yesterday afternoon I had one of the best lessons I have ever had on her, and for the first time in a long time I am excited about riding her again!
The arguments are non-existent, her work is becoming far more consistent and she is travelling like a dream! I am beginning to get a lot of enjoyment from her, and it is a real achievement because she is not an easy girl to ride. But she is now working with me, trying her heart out for me and we are getting on really well!
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