Winter's coming

Last weekend I was supposed to take Gilly out to our local venue Badgworth to do two elementary tests. The qualifying period for Summer Regionals has not opened yet, so it was going to be a perfect dummy test ride with no pressure. Unfortunately, a shoe half on half off prevented this-note to self always pick out your feet first, not just before loading when you have plaited up, got your better half and unpaid groom to clean all your tack and clean your boots. Never mind that is horses and part and parcel of winter!

This weekend was more positive; with new shoes for all, Gilly was boxed up and taken down to Taunton to test some new dressage saddles. With his conformation and round tummy causing my old saddle to be constantly pushed forward, I took the plunge to get an adjustable Albion which should change and develop alongside him. With an ergonomic girth and an Acavello pad underneath his numnah, he felt extra springing and freer in his shoulders so I am excited to break the saddle in first then get out again!

With Gilly pushed out into the field Tinker was pulled in and boxed up. I saw mid week that Leyland Court were doing a clear round with their Eventers' Challenge from 1-3pm, this would be perfect for Tinker. He had not been XC before and had only done one other clear round. With not many people around and the opportunity to jump what I wanted, it could not have been a better experience for both of us, Tinker jumped tyres, roll tops and wooden fences like he was not even bothered. He was also sensible, forward but not pulling like a train and jumping the fences like they were 70/75cm not 1m. He did seemed a bit bored with the height, but it was a perfect example of positive trip out and him just needing an education in XC and a visit to another venue.

Kasper is booked in for a PSG next weekend so fingers crossed for a drier week, as I have a Twilight after work on Monday and a Parents' Evening Thursday, so I will need to other days to be fine to allow me to ride.