Dude!

So this week was all about taking Ted out on Friday to gauge his reaction to going to parties! We had a good prep, he had Thurs off as the yard went to Blenheim. Really good day out for me, a nightmare for Mandy, Tilly and Lucy as Dolly had an accident in the lorry which meant she wcouldn't come and Lucy lost her ride and it took them over 5 hours to get to Blenheim and then Tilly had a run out and a fence :( Boysie also thought running round the lorry park after snapping his headcollar was a good idea too :( I felt so sorry for them all, talk about the worst luck...then Boysie's leg blew up from a cut and needed jabbing! Saw Wayne which was great, he was on good form and up for his Blenheim experience. Tried to see Claire but sadly didn't.

Fri morning I took Ted out for a hack and was trying to talk myself out of going, but Jackie was having none of it and as she had already cooked tea for her family and was uber prepared I thought it would be rude not to go!

As soon as we got him on the trailer he started creating, so we set off immediately. Got to the venue and he started to call and paw, etc., Jackie asked if I wanted her to stay with him whilst I declared but I said no, he had to learn. Walked the distance of the triple and realised it was incredibly short *sigh* so was ready for us to have a prob there, but the course was fine. There was a tiny, narrow starburst fence, a wall, various fillers and some planks, so a good aray of tests. So off we went to the sec tent and when we got back the bugger's head was over the front ramp (we had opened the top so he could see). Now, I know he is over 17hh, but he isn't a giraffe, so seeing he was tied up on the driver's side we realised something was amiss!!! He had managed to dismantle the split breast bar and was wedged in front of the partition calling to all and sundry, not at all bothered! With a little heaving and ho-ing we managed to move the partition and got him out...he was now 19hh LOL!

I was very pleased that we travelled him tacked up as, quite frankly, I am not altogether sure we would have got the bridle on without losing him! I jumped up on the wheel arch to get on, uh uh, he wouldn't come near, so a leg up was in order....envisage a Laurel and Hardy comedy sketch and you are close to what ensued!!! I really thought I was coming off over his offside shoulder, but managed to hoist myself on without losing TOO much dignity!

Hacked over to the fields, on a time bomb. Seriously, this horse should not get so worked up about shows, but no, he was acting like a 4 year old on speed. I couldn't get him near the collecting ring, nearly took out various ponies and pedestrians, so took him away from the others and walked him around - he called and called and behaved like a tool, but all was OK. Jamie arrived with the boys and as they came running towards me I had to back them off as I didn't trust them not to get trodden under foot!



Eventually managed to get in the collecting ring, popped a couple of fences and then chilled him out again and went in. Well, as soon as he was in the arena his work head kicked in and he was super :-D Cantered into the first, next was the dreaded skinny, which he looked at but trusted me, round to and upright, then another, all good, then round to the spread, I trotted into this as 4 stride after was the short triple, jumped in a bit big but managed to adjust to go clear through, round to the wall, over the planks...clear and straight into the jump off and I pushed for it at the end as there was a long stretch to the last. Was very happy with him and as soon as we came out he was like a donkey and just chilled out and stood happily, dozy horse!
















Yes, you may laugh heartily at the pathetic size of the fences :-D

6 of us got called into the prize giving in no particular order and they started handing out rosettes...6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd...I was getting excited, 2nd....I HAD WON! Awww I know it was only tiddly jumping but I was so pleased!!! I did feel slightly sorry for the 2 kids on ponies for, ohhhh, a nanosecond, and then I was just happy!



Was first into the next class, but we rolled a pole, not that I was bothered, I had achieved what I had wanted for the day and it was 7pm and wine was in order!

Good night on Friday night with the yard girls for Jackie's birthday - wine and chinese, then I felt ill, over-indulging on MSG is NOT a good idea for me!

Saturday I went to Blenheim again, and saw Jo Gunning, now Williams! We had a REALLY great time together, it was just how it used to be and I am so glad we have found each other again! Her OH and her girls are all really lovely people, and she has a beautiful doggie too! Saw George and admired her ring :D Went to see Vix as she was stewarding the SJ and saw Wayne and Cat and Henry and gorgeous Acorn AKA Arthur - so a really, fabby day in all!

Today was schooling hack and a chill out - nice :D

Oh dear

THREE MONTHS!!!!!! That's school holidays for you, complete Blog meltdown.

So what has been up...it is all rather hazy if I am honest. So let's just go with the proviso that everything is cool and dandy, I have not missed 3 months of updates and just go straight to now :D

After a weekend away with the in-laws I rode Ted today after his short 3 day holiday. I haven't schooled him in the school all summer as I have been having far too much fun hacking, stubble field galloping, jumping and messing about, so I think it is fair to say that I had a little trepidation regarding the road issue.

Well it appears that the Coligone and the fact we have truly bonded means we can face anything now! We trotted at high speed down the lane, a few flicky whip swishes in his general direction, but all good. He still held his breath, but hey, no one can be perfect. Went in the school for 10 mins, pretended to school, then went to the jump field. Popped him round everything superbly. This was the first time I have done a course of SJs on grass with him, we need to prepare as we are competing at The BC on Friday! He tanked off a bit after the fences, so think I will whack the Universal back in for comp riding as I don't want to be towed off in front of everyone! He was squealing and having a super time and I love jumping him! I jumped in my new Sabre for the first time and deffo was more with him. The Butet needs changing ASAP as it deffo makes me pivot too much over my knee, I think because I don't ride short enough to use the benefits a XC saddle gives, so it will be swopped for the SJ type instead. Hopefully at Blenheim, we will see!

Jamie is having his second op on 21st Sept - eeek! Lots of nursing required. It will be good to get it over with though as he really needs to start doing something as he is bored and we cannot exist on fresh air!

Off stubble fielding tomorrow and jump on the way back...Ted is deffo hunting fit now, so bring on the cubbing too, when they are not too far away! Oh, but we might have an issue with rustic fences, they are not his fave thing in the world!