OK, he is a pig to SJ when he is 'handbreak' mood, OK, he is slow cross country. OK he only works in an outline properly when my RI is standing in the school (need to invest in a carboard cut-out I think!). But what a nice hunter he is! Went to our first meet of the year (missed opening last week as was SJ), to find a grand total of 7 in the feild!. Oh, and the huntsmen, but of course they all left to work the hounds leaving us with the feildmaster. Lots of stopping and starting due to gorse covert, but thats OK as he isnt too fit. But stunning countryside!
Oscar didnt put a foot (or hoof) wrong all day - hacked 20 min from a drop off point as no trailer parking, to find that we were 1 hour early.. Went for a hack in stunning countryside waiting for people to arrive. Host absolutely did them proud with mulled wine, barbequed rolls and sausage, soup, bonfires to keep foot followers warm, etc. The host's house overlooked the ground we were huting so he had people watching (and eating and drinking) all day.
Last season I was always slightly nervous of the first gallops, particularly downhill, because Oscar bucked slightly when I got him (bear in mind he hadn't cantered under saddle in his previous home, so it was all a bit new and exciting / awkward). Now he is balanced and trustworthy enough for me to gallop along quite happily, on the buckle, one handed. Lovely comfortable ride, but with some turn of speed! If only he had paces like that when he wasnt hunting! He quite happily keeps up with the point to pointers. Not too many jumps today, but he is now happy jumping either in full flow, or from 2 trot strides at awkward jumps and onto / off roads. When jumping onto the road he will happily come back to walk 1 stride after the jumps and stand nicely waiting for everyone else. Jumped a ditch in heavy going up to his hocks (when I was glad of his Clydesdale bone!), and popped straight over a wall one stride after.
And then left the other horses quite happily, and hacked through busy traffic for an hour to get home! (I had high viz tucked into my body protector!)
Love my horse!
Oscar didnt put a foot (or hoof) wrong all day - hacked 20 min from a drop off point as no trailer parking, to find that we were 1 hour early.. Went for a hack in stunning countryside waiting for people to arrive. Host absolutely did them proud with mulled wine, barbequed rolls and sausage, soup, bonfires to keep foot followers warm, etc. The host's house overlooked the ground we were huting so he had people watching (and eating and drinking) all day.
Last season I was always slightly nervous of the first gallops, particularly downhill, because Oscar bucked slightly when I got him (bear in mind he hadn't cantered under saddle in his previous home, so it was all a bit new and exciting / awkward). Now he is balanced and trustworthy enough for me to gallop along quite happily, on the buckle, one handed. Lovely comfortable ride, but with some turn of speed! If only he had paces like that when he wasnt hunting! He quite happily keeps up with the point to pointers. Not too many jumps today, but he is now happy jumping either in full flow, or from 2 trot strides at awkward jumps and onto / off roads. When jumping onto the road he will happily come back to walk 1 stride after the jumps and stand nicely waiting for everyone else. Jumped a ditch in heavy going up to his hocks (when I was glad of his Clydesdale bone!), and popped straight over a wall one stride after.
And then left the other horses quite happily, and hacked through busy traffic for an hour to get home! (I had high viz tucked into my body protector!)
Love my horse!