I can’t believe by the time you all read this December will be over! The end of 2018 has been incredible for me being able to return back to competing. Here’s an update on all our outings this month and some other fun bits, enjoy.☺️
December 2nd
Showjumping with Dino
Dino had his second outing this month back at Greenlands EC. He jumped the 45cm again to build-up confidence before trying his first 55cm class.
He was double clear in the 45cm getting first!
Then he had his 55cm where he had a green refusal at the first jump with the fillers (first time he’d seen fillers). He jumped it on the second attempt and didn’t look at anything after that on the course. I wish I had ridden him more forward so he could have got a clear but he jumped fantastic all day for me!😄
Some fun between competition
Between competition both Dino and Maisie have really been coming along at home. Dino has really started to get a bouncy canter again and even start work on flying changes again.
Maisie has really started to work over her back much better so hopefully this will show at our next competition!
I have been really inspired by the Omega Equine All Stars Academy (if you haven’t been watching be sure to catch up) this month. I have been able to use exercise and all the tips from the professional riders included in the series with my own horses. Which have helped so much!
They horses have all been enjoying some festive fun. They’ve been loving getting their advent calendars every day this month!
And just look at all the presents they have to look forward to on Christmas morning!!🎁🎅
December 23rd
Working hunter with Maisie
This show had a Christmas theme which was a real nice change to be able to dress down for a showing competition.
Maisie competed in the 75cm style and performance and the 75cm training stakes. This was her first time jumping this height since early summer and the course had some quite spooky fillers. In the style and performance she jumped clear up to fence five where she refused, jumping on second attempt and then a stop at fence 6 which had a rather spooky log like filler which again she jumped on second attempt. She jumped a good round otherwise making a good shape and listening well between the jump.
In the second class again she had some stops which was a little disappointing. Her show was better than previous ones. She usually doesn’t pick up the correct canter lead as she anticipates it but she got both correct canter leads. The show did lack some impulsion though but she came back much better.
December 27th
Showjumping with Dino
This was the last show of the year for us and what a great way to end! Dino jumped the 55cm going clear and doing his first proper jump off. We took it slow as he’s never done a jump off where we haven’t had to jump the first 6 fences so he was a little unsure about the turning and I wasn’t sure how easy he’d be to turn. But he was great. He jump clear all the way to the last jump which he just clipped with his hind legs, so we got 4 faults and no placing.
We then did the 65cm which was his first time at this height. He jumped clear avian and even managed to canter round the whole course. He’d gotten the idea of jump off by now so his jump off was much faster this round. He even got some quite tight turns in to finish double clear! The placings where mixed which meant he was against ponies which resulted in a fourth which was really good as some of the ponies where extremely speedy!!! I was so happy with how he jumped and the effort he put in. Unfortunately there was no photographer so I have no photos from the day.
Look out for a blog in January about goal setting including some hints and tips I’ve found helped me achieve my goals as well as finding out what my goals are for 2019.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to stay updated, @jumpinginosaurs
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