It all began very early at 6.30 a.m. on a sunny sunday morning - just about managed to haul myself out of bed in time (even though we got an extra hour cos of the clocks!) Collected the horse box from the hire company, was more nervous about collecting the box that i was about the actual riding - never driven anything that big before but it turned out fine & I soon got the hang of it
Then drove to the yard & loaded up the horses, both were fab & loaded first time. I took my mare Boo and my friend took her 5yr old Zak) & off to Brackenhurst Equestrian college we went!
Here are some piccies ....
Where are we going mum?
Firstly, had to do the control of paces section - canter around the outside track as slowly as possible & walk back as fast as you can. Didnt do it too badly as didnt break pace (you get no points if you do)
Then onto the series of 10 obstacles!
(Sorry, some of the pics are not the best quality!)
1. Jump - boo loves jumping and popped it no probs
2. Narrow corridor of poles to go through - unfortunately didnt realise how narrow it was & cos it was straight after the jump we picked up too much speed and went outside the poles
3. S bend - didnt manage to do it successfully, more practice at turn on the forehand needed i think!
4. Ahh the tricky one! Leave your horse in a circle, step back outside the circle and they have to stay for 10 seconds! Needless to say didnt manage it, more groundwork needed i think. However, Zak was an angel & he stood still perfectly, bless him
5. Lead over a blue water tray. At this point boo has planted her feet & started going backwards so although i did try to persuade her we had to leave that one. Although am going to practice leading over the blue water tray at our yard to de-sensitise her! Any tips would be much appreciated?
6. Mount in a small circle without moving. Knew this would be difficult as she doesnt stand even at the mounting block. Again if anyone has any tips that would be fab cos its a really bad habit she has developed
7. Walk across wooden footbridge. No probs, went straight on it and off the other side
8. Rein back through a corridor of poles. Didnt attempt this as have never done rein back with her. Think i need to teach it her on the ground first with voice commands
9. Bending poles either at trot or canter. Opted for the safe option and trotted!
10. Another jump - this time with teddys having a picnic underneath! But no probs and did it 1st time
Ready to go home (with her new velvet travel rug on!) ....
Got placed 9th out of 22th so it was a good start to our bhs trec career! Very proud of her
Definitely recommend it, we had a great day and cant wait to do a full event in the summer - that would include the 12km hack as well as the control of paces & obstacles (ptv). Cant wait!
PS Thanks to dee (and cooper) for their advice in my previous thread re our preparation
Then drove to the yard & loaded up the horses, both were fab & loaded first time. I took my mare Boo and my friend took her 5yr old Zak) & off to Brackenhurst Equestrian college we went!
Here are some piccies ....
Where are we going mum?
Firstly, had to do the control of paces section - canter around the outside track as slowly as possible & walk back as fast as you can. Didnt do it too badly as didnt break pace (you get no points if you do)
Then onto the series of 10 obstacles!
(Sorry, some of the pics are not the best quality!)
1. Jump - boo loves jumping and popped it no probs
2. Narrow corridor of poles to go through - unfortunately didnt realise how narrow it was & cos it was straight after the jump we picked up too much speed and went outside the poles
3. S bend - didnt manage to do it successfully, more practice at turn on the forehand needed i think!
4. Ahh the tricky one! Leave your horse in a circle, step back outside the circle and they have to stay for 10 seconds! Needless to say didnt manage it, more groundwork needed i think. However, Zak was an angel & he stood still perfectly, bless him
5. Lead over a blue water tray. At this point boo has planted her feet & started going backwards so although i did try to persuade her we had to leave that one. Although am going to practice leading over the blue water tray at our yard to de-sensitise her! Any tips would be much appreciated?
6. Mount in a small circle without moving. Knew this would be difficult as she doesnt stand even at the mounting block. Again if anyone has any tips that would be fab cos its a really bad habit she has developed
7. Walk across wooden footbridge. No probs, went straight on it and off the other side
8. Rein back through a corridor of poles. Didnt attempt this as have never done rein back with her. Think i need to teach it her on the ground first with voice commands
9. Bending poles either at trot or canter. Opted for the safe option and trotted!
10. Another jump - this time with teddys having a picnic underneath! But no probs and did it 1st time
Ready to go home (with her new velvet travel rug on!) ....
Got placed 9th out of 22th so it was a good start to our bhs trec career! Very proud of her
Definitely recommend it, we had a great day and cant wait to do a full event in the summer - that would include the 12km hack as well as the control of paces & obstacles (ptv). Cant wait!
PS Thanks to dee (and cooper) for their advice in my previous thread re our preparation
