Welcome to my Equine Affairs Blog!
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I'm Di Barrett (Group 3 Rider & Freelance British Dressage Trainer / Instructor Regd) and my horse is Equine Affairs Knightsbridge B,
known to his friends as Mac! Mac and I are currently working towards PSG and we look
forward to keeping you up to date via our diary on the ups and downs of training,
competing and life!
.... Happy Reading!
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Monday 20th June 2011....
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Its been a difficult 2 weeks, Mac as I said was not well, all
tragically ending with a final decision.
He was a great horse, who cant be replaced,
So raise a glass. . . . To Mac . . .
Thank you for reading my blogs, and good luck
Di Barrett
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Monday 6th June 2011....
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Hope you have all had a good couple of weeks . . . cant say that I have. . . but it goes like that sometimes. . .but on a brighter note well done to Jane winning her first comp first time out at Keysoe. . a fantastic result . . .
I have been busy teaching, organizing the lorry for its yearly M.O.T. . . .planting up the garden (these things have to be don!)
and looking after Mac who is not at all well . . . . I will tell you all about that next time when we will hopefully be a bit further down the line . . . .
I have been doing some judge training encompassing from prelim to AM. . . Its all very interesting and certainly makes you think about the poor judges sometimes. . . I take back any comments I may have made (bad eye sight etc. . . may have blinked ! ha ha)
as it really is not as straight forward as you would think , and of course everyone has their opinion . . . getting these opinions to within a mark of each other is the hard part. .. . . . and then to make the collectives make sense to the test you have judged and the marks you have given . . . and then to come up with a snappy comment that is encouraging and pertinent all in a very short time. . . . then hopefully to be able to leave without incident . . . some of the story's I have been told ! and then after it all to decide did I enjoy that !!!! my answer is a definite yes. . It really is good fun and such a challenge,
As the feeding trials begin . . . good luck to everyone . . .
Have a good fortnight
Di
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Monday 23rd May 2011....
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So as you know It was the big day . . . feeding consultations and lessons from
Gareth Hughes. . . 6 of us arrived with respective horses to Gareth's yard . . Wow!
What a fab set up. . . even the views over the out door school were out of a
picture book! Fortunately 4 stables were free for the horses to have a break,
pee etc as it was a long day ...... we all met up at the beginning of the day
and were introduced to the Baileys Team. . . everyone was spick and span
and maybe a little nervous!
Once Mac was settled in. . . I got to watch a good portion of all the sessions and
just had to be impressed with Gareth's technique. . . . he nailed everyone
addressing problems head on . . . . with a very kind but firm way. . .
with such a variety of horses to deal with most normal problems were addressed
from accepting the leg. . . the bit. . the contact. . the whip. . difficult
exercises. . stress. . . excitement. . . . collection. . obedience. .
all were covered during the day. . . .
In Becky's lesson Linby was a little stressed and not accepting the bit . . . Gareth
used a technique that I have explained in great detail (ask the expert ) Linby
was much better afterwards with the contact coming more secure . . .
With Mac and the one time changes. . . Gareth pointed out that Mac needed to be more
collected and put together then the changes would not be so difficult to
achieve. . . I really enjoyed my session and have been working on what was
said . . hopefully when we see Gareth again he will see an improvement. . . .
Becky is very excited to begin the feeding trial.. . . . . as she will be writing about
this I will let her tell the details . . . But it will be very interesting
to see the changes that I am sure will take place. . .
Well done to Rachael who won the Riding Club National Novice Horse Trials Individual
Qualifier to go to Aston Le Wells . . . .
Mac and I are out again on Monday . . . we are being guinny pig's for the UKCC level 3
at Keysoe. . . . which should be very interesting
So to finish for this week .. . . . a big thank you to EF and Baileys for
a super day . . . and well done to all the riders especially Emily who had to
ride her mothers horse instead of her own pony. . . . she rose to the occasion
.. . . well done!
Have a good fortnight
Di
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Monday 9th May 2011....
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Hi everyone,
Well its been a busy couple of weeks, with people away and extra horses to ride, RC and PC activity. . . Mac has had to take a back seat while I earn the money to keep him in the manner to which he has become accustomed. . . .
We had a training session last week which was very interesting, we were working on the changes and half pass mainly. . . for once I got to feel a bit more of the rhythm of the one time change, still only getting 3 and on a good day 4 . . . with our session with Gareth creeping up, I want to have Mac on the ball with his changes as I have asked to work on the one time changes if all goes well on the day!!!!!!!! of course it's horses so we could end up working on something completely different. . . . . I need to be careful not to over do it though , as he will have to prove the 4's, 3's and 2's before we can expect to work on the 1's..............
Rebecca (My rider who won the competition) has been working hard with Linby . . . . We have been putting a little more pressure on him and I have been putting a bit more pressure on Becky. . . . We don't really know what will happen on the day as Linby can throw his toys out of the pram , Just when he starts to try too hard to please !. . . fortunately Becky is not a nervous rider at all, and she rides through any problems, (sticks like supper glue !!!). He is going to have a couple of outings before next Tuesday . . . . just to make sure he is settled .. . . . We are getting quite organised, lorry hire sorted, supplies checked, a bit of trimming here and there. . . .
I applied for the David Hunt training days . . . . . Now that's a thing. . . . . I got a place on each (scary ! ) actually more scary than the session with Gareth will be . . . as their will be an audience and discussion after each session I expect to be pulled to pieces . . . . . all in the name of training!
I also applied to be a guiny pig for the UKCC level 3 day,s at Keysoe and got 2 dates there ........... double scary!!!!!!!!!!
For me training is everything far more important than the competing itself , I have a thirst for the knowledge of this sport. . . . and one day it will serve me well. . .
I may not have mentioned before that I have an interest in judging. . . . and have been putting quite a lot of time to training to be hopefully a good judge , so wish me well as I undertake my first judging appointment. . . .
No I am not going to tell you when or where . . . . But will tell you about it possibly in my next blog!
What I can say is that the other side of the coin is just as hard . . . and our judges put a lot of time and effort into what they do .
Have a good week
Di and Mac
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Monday 25th April 2011....
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Hi everyone
Is it only me or would a bit of snow be welcome around about now. .. . I even managed to burn the tops of my ears today with temperatures up to 85. . . of course the next problem will be that the lack of rainfall will have everyone panicking about hay again this year. .
Mac has been working hard. . . I decided to challenge us both by doing the PSG on Wed . . . . . as I haven't ridden the test for about 4 years and had not been able to practice it, I decided to go HC so no pressure on either of us . . . so we went out for a fun day. . . He was a good boy and wanted to show everyone his single time changes (Not Required at this level ! ) some of the movements we hadn't done for 4 years either came off for us which was amazing. . . . the canter pirouettes did not come off at all . . . . the comment for the flying changes every 3rd stride was ' good mixed bag ' . . . . It was good to ride the test again just to remind me what I am aiming for . . . . and a few more HC attempts may follow. . . .
Next time though we will be checking that Mac is not thinking about the single time changes. . . . . although in the warm up he was fine . . . (little show off ! )
Jenny has discovered the joys of water troughs . . . no hesitation straight in she goes . . . .
Poor Harv is suffering with his big coat and likes nothing better than a good hose down. . .or for me to be teaching at his favorite place which has a large lake that all the dogs go in and out off......
We had a large family gathering today for my brothers 50th birthday which was lovely, good to catch up with family that I haven't seen for a while. . . .
Both Rebecca and I are getting excited about the forthcoming lesson with Gareth . . . .plans are afoot and her lessons at home are going really well with Linby . . . . We are looking forward to a very interesting day . . .
I will post some pictures when they come through . . . If nothing else we looked very smart ! ha ha
Have a good week
Di
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Monday 11th April 2011....
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Hi everyone
I hope you have all had a good couple of weeks . . . . . . Mac is in a very mellow mood at the moment . . . the benefit of longer periods out in the field. . . . He has been working hard we have been practicing doing a very collected canter with mind to the pirouettes. . . . we have a training session tomorrow so it will be interesting to see if it has made a difference. . . .
We had a trip out to Keysoe to do the PYO class we did the A100 (Again ! ) I was pleased with him as he kept all 4 feet on the ground and was tanking forwards in the test. we got a reasonable 62.5% and came 6th out of 12 (had the rider prepared more and not dropped 2 marks down to 4's it could have been a decent mark)
I would like to say thank you to all my clients who entered the competition with Baileys Horse Feeds and Equine Affairs. . . . a lot of time and trouble was taken with the entries and it was lovely of Baileys to give a £10 feed voucher and Equine Affairs to give free membership to this great site. . . . Well done to Becky who was my winner with Linby . . . . Gareth will have fun with the ex race horse . . . Linby is a bit rangy at the moment so Baileys will have their work cut out too to transform his condition (I am sure they will make a huge difference)
All of my entrants were very worthy Its just a shame that their is only one winner. . . .
Jenny is sound again thank goodness . . . . and getting up to her usual tricks . . . . she is a good swimmer! We discovered this when she launched herself into a lake to chase geese. . . ha ha at least she didn't catch one!
Have a good fortnight and to everyone competing next week at the Winter Champs . . . Good Luck!
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Monday 28th March 2011....
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Hi everyone
I hope you have all had a good couple of weeks. . . Last time I was waiting for my back lady to come and see Mac . . . . she found sore areas in his neck hip, rhs back and in his rib cage . . . so he has a week off and has come back into work this last week. . . each day he his moving better so I am very pleased with what she has done . . . .
I am a little late sending this blog in . . . but that means I can tell you about my training session this morning . . . . Mac was feeling really good in comparison to the last lesson when he just was not his normal self so in that session a lot of chatting was done and some basic transition work and positional work for me . . . (why does that foot wobble ! )
Today however I had the chance to warm up first and be well prepared for the lesson. . . Now our Canter pirouettes are a work in progress, the main problem being getting out of them in a balanced way . . . to the right is easier and to the left Mac is trying to help too much by wanting to start it before I am ready. . . he is actually preparing himself as soon as he thinks that's what we might be doing . . . Now the interesting thing was I had wanted to show off the fact that we can now go from passage to canter without dropping a step just before the transition ( I am very proud of this by the way as it has been extremely difficult to judge it just right )
Inga was very impressed, so I changed the rein to do it on the left side and Mac got a little ahead of himself and popped the canter transition in all by himself (very clever ) Inga immediately shouted Pirouette so we did the most fantastic feeling canter pirouette to the left in and out just right ! It just goes to show that when things go wrong sometimes you can use it to your advantage . . . . I will let you know if it helps in the future. . .
I will be watching my video of the session with interest !
So the saga of Jenny the Springer Spaniel. . . . after getting a thorn in her knee. . . and spraining the same knee. . . she has been wearing exercise bandages on that leg. . . . . so at least I can take her out for a run. . . so her general behavior is now much better . . . . so this morning off she goes and I thought oh no she's lame again done too much as usual . . . till I realized it was the other front leg ! at least I know that it is not the elbow as we have already had x rays ! maybe I will bandage both front legs ha ha and she can look like a little dressage dog !
Its been very interesting over the last few weeks with the competition courtesy of Baileys horse feeds and EA. . . . thank you to all my clients who took the trouble to enter good luck to you all and please remember I don't choose the winner ! I am looking forward to the lessons with Gareth Hughes, I think he is a lovely rider . . . . I might be brave and ask him to help with the one time changes . . . and then I might not be ! I want to try and get the most out of the sessions . . . and of course you cant do everything . .. . . .
I now have to get on the phone and organize a trip to the dentist , A broken tooth took my mind off doing my blog so apologies for being late .
Have a good couple of weeks
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Monday 14th March 2011....
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Hi everyone
I hope you have all had a good fortnight . . . . Mac has been busy with training last Monday and a trip out to Keysoe. . . followed by some R and R in the field much needed after such a hard winter
one of the things Mac loves best is to roll . . . . I counted 6 then had to do something for a few min came back and he was still at it . . . plastered is only true if not one inch of the horses hair can be seen. . . so nearly plastered would be correct . . . .so after all this rolling he has tweaked his back I am now awaiting my back lady to come and see him . . . he is ok doing normal work but a bit angsty about anything else so all I can do is tick him over . . . put his massage pad on twice a day . . . and wait !
We came 2nd in the A100 . . . . I was very pleased with a good portion of the test but . . . . when did those new seats go in the corner of the big school !!!! so we got to go left part way thru the test and we both saw the seats and as quick as a flash Mac halted ! Ooooop's yes the judge spotted the abrupt halt . . . . then 2 spooks later in the test at the same spot . . .. .
In our last training session we had a bit of a break through with the Canter pirouette . . . . . Mac tries to do too big a step behind which puts him out of balance to get out of it without a big heave ho. . . So we were practicing making the canter so much shorter almost on the spot till the hinds were more correct then coming out of it slightly slower . . . .Very demanding on the horse but he seemed to get the idea . . . The canter has to be quite collected for the pirouette you will hear people say the pirouette canter. . . . almost on the spot . . . . so I was shortening him too much at first before asking then asking a little more into the exercise. . . . it may work for us time will tell. . . .
Don't ask about the one time changes . . . . No we are still at 3 on a good day and 4 on a fab day . . . . the most frustrating thing to try and do ! I used to joke that I could not count to 3 Now to my shame I cant count to 1. . . . .
the one time changes are like riding a different pace . . . .. . Maybe my age is going against me at this point . . . I have to learn a different pace ! ha ha
So the saga of Jenny the Springer spaniel. . . We had the all clear from the x rays that the elbow was ok. . . short of having an MRI scan nothing to see. . . . so my pent up little darling has taken to running off way to far hunting on her own. . . . We just start to get this problem sorted out and guess what . . . . . we get back from our walk she is fine ! 20 min later cant put any weight on her leg (Yes the same one ) guess what she had a thorn in her knee which I removed but she was still very lame so down to the vets we went . . . NO NO Not more rest as she may have also have over extended the joint. . . . So support bandages anti inflams and antibiotics. . . . .then back to the vets in a week. . . . .will let you know if I survive . . . .
I went to a seminar with Jane Perbedy. . . . How to get the perfect 10 !!!!!!! oh boy will anyone who has scored a 10 please let me know. . . . The guinny pig riders tried so hard and all did really well showing different types and levels of horses . . . I came away with a couple of tips . . . . ha ha all of my clients will benefit . . . . I have to say a very informative and very well spoken session so hats of to Jane and I look forward to seeing her again in April at Keysoe (9th)
Well I think that's all for this time
Have a good fortnight
Di Mac Jen and Harv
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Monday 28th February 2011....
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Hi everyone
Its been a quiet couple of weeks on the competition front . . . but am of to Keysoe again on Wed . . .
Mac has been going great at home we have still to crack the single changes . . . on a good day we can do 4 . . . I have a training session tomorrow with Inga so will keep Knocking at the door with it . . .
Jenny has had the all clear on her x rays and to save my sanity I had our trainer come and put us back on the straight and narrow. . . . She is nearly back to normal behavior . . . thank goodness. . .
Its a very difficult time this time of year . . . . I cant wait to be able to turn out on a regular basis again. . . I know so many horses injured at the moment with accidents in the fields I would not feel comfortable to let him go . . . so a bit of in hand grazing is his lot at the moment . . .
Its very exciting if you haven't seen or heard about the competition being run by Baileys Horse Feeds. . . . . . You could win some fab prizes. . . free lessons with top trainer for starter. . . free feed and consultation with a Baileys Horse feeds Nutritionalist. . . and lots more Go on the web site and have a look. . . .
Have a good couple of weeks
Di
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Monday 14th February 2011....
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Hi everyone
I hope you are all having fun with your horses. . .
So my training session was very interesting with one or two new challenges.. . . . don't you love it, you just think you are getting a handle on things and the goal posts move ! walk pirouette to canter pirouette. . . . Mac thinks I am mad but we have had a couple of weeks to practice and we are getting better, training tomorrow so will find out.. . . . Mac is being a supra star at home, I have taken him out to a few places to get over himself then took him to Keysoe last week. to do A100 . . . TENSE is a word to cover a multitude of sins. . . . It was quite a large class we came 4th but had a dire percentage my only solace that I was not the only one having a difficult day ! (No he did not bolt this time) (A friend said "oh but it was quite windy" I didn't like to say it was in the indoor school ha ha)
We went to Addington on Thursday . . . . where a mix up in times caused me to withdraw rather than wait around. . . . but we had a break through I worked him outdoors then indoors and finally started to get my horse working properly in a competition environment ! So now I am crossing my fingers for wed Keysoe again !
You would all laugh if you had seen my struggle during this week to control Jenny the 7 month old Springer Spaniel put on box rest by the vet because of a suspected elbow injury, day 6 has been worse than ever . . . at day 4 I booked x-rays for Monday (tomorrow) I need to know for sure as I would rather be leading Mac after 6 months box rest than this little dervish who seems determined to do more damage to herself (can you give dogs Sedalin ? )
If any of you find the tips I have been writing useful and would
like me to continue doing them please let me know ......
If you have a specific question or problem please email me
. . . I love a challenge !
Have a good fortnight
Di
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Monday 31st January 2011....
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Hi everyone
I hope you have all had a good couple of weeks. Mac has had a busy couple of
weeks with trips out and about. First up to my friend Penny's for a good
old hooooolly, get over yourself Mac session. Over
to the fab indoor school at Turvey a few times; training with Inga at home
and at Abby Farm. All to prepare him mentally for our first trip out this year to Keysoe
- you may laugh but last time after a break
from competing as I got on at Keysoe he bolted across the car park bucking and leaping,
Of course we upset several horses on the way, so this time I should have it covered!
It never pays to be complacent! I will let you know if my ploy is successful
or not next time!
We have qualified to go to the Winter Championships at Hartbury in April to take place in the Pet Plan AM O Championship. . . . Now that I do feel nervous about !
In our training session last week at Abby Farm (If you haven't been, do go its an
amazing indoor school and they have just started doing some competitions).
We were working on opening Mac up in the mediums and extended trot and canter.
Mac has another gear that at home is difficult to practice as the indoor school
is 17.5 mt by 33 mt. I worry about him re injuring himself across the short
sides if I stoke him up and keep going round them and the long sides just
disappear in a few steps. So we were flying round (small problem this needs to be
in sitting trot!) He really got into gear which was great to feel; thinking about
it I have been holding back a bit with regards to extended trot and canter generally
(I don't want to break him!) and now really if I cant go for it their is no
point in going at all - so decision made!
With regard to the single flying changes we are still at 4 on a good day , We got to practice the 5 at 4 and 5 at 3 and the 2,s . . . . and did them in good style which gives me confidence . . . again we can not practice this at home easily. .
So how many times do you come down the centre line . . . and the mark is less than an 8 and the comment is . . could be straighter. . . quarters to one side or the other . . or just plain crooked. . . . this will sound like a long winded tip on how to improve coming down the centre line but it does work if used correctly ( my phone number is above if you don't get it call me ! )
Remember the first exercise of riding just in off the track . . . and I do mean just in . . . on the cusp. . . . 1 mt from the WALL itself. . . . . Have someone watching you to tell you when you are dead straight . . . Feel what you have to do to keep the horse straight . . . . . Now one way round or the other it will be more difficult to keep your horse straight . . . . . so lets say that its harder to keep the horse straight on the left rein. . . . . . The wall will be on your right hand side. . . so then you really have to think about this . . . ride down the centre line imagining that the wall is on your right hand side . . . . It sounds easy but when there is no wall it really is mind over matter. . .. I so want to underline the you really have to think about this but cant find the button. . . . You have to ride down the centre line with the thought to your horses worst side. . . for those of you with only a little wander . . . think of riding out and over the judges box.
Now to get rid of the little wiggle right at the end . . . . make sure that just before G you start to tell your horse which way you are going at the end and ride the end like a half 10 mt circle . . . so you keep it fluid.
Any questions? Get in touch - If I don't have an answer I will find out for you anyway!
So now its training with Inga tomorrow and off to Keysoe on Wednesday (Weather permitting)
Wish me luck and have a good fortnight yourselves.
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Monday 17th January 2011....
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Hi everyone
Well we have had a quiet fortnight with Mac recovering from sore nether regions, then a bout of colic just to finish me off.
He seems to be on top of the world again and ready for his session again with Inga tomorrow. . . . the last few days have been great with Mac really playing the game. . .
I have been quietly working on the canter pirouette just popping a few steps in here and their . . . that seems to be getting easier, but Mr. Know it all has decided that this should be followed by a flying change ! which would be fine if I was asking for it . . . on the other hand straightening out of canter traver is not a problem again . . .
I am planning now to take him out to a few friends places and let him have his moment of excitement at being out again then back into the swing of it in Feb . . . I am quite excited to get him out . . .
Last time I gave some tips on horses that fall out on the circle .. . . . . today Horses that lean in ! so If your horse leans in on the circle try riding a square . . . . you will find that by straightening your horse with the outside rein and the inside leg will correct the leaning in. . . then you can ride your circle thinking a little about the square and you will constantly be correcting the horse before he has gone wrong. . . . so if your horse leans in on the circle ride a square , if it leans out and drifts in the shoulder ride a diamond . . . then you can use these aids as and when you need them for example . . . . first quarter circle, second quarter think diamond , third quarter think square , it all depends on what your horse does of course . . . But I ride circles squares and diamonds as a regular part of my schooling session using various sizes of circle. . . .
Have a good fortnight
Don't forget self assessment tax return before the end of Jan, , , , Ha that's what I'm working on !
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Monday 3rd January 2011....
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Hi everyone
Hope you all had a very good Christmas, and got all the pressies you asked
for. Yes I got my 2 new feed buckets (with cover), new head collar and
jods - good job done I would say. Oh and a lovely pair of new gloves.
Got to keep the hands up now!
Over the last few weeks I have had a suspicion every now and again that
something was not quite right with Mac . . . and I was right . . . poor
boy had a small blockage in a very embarrassing place. . . Needless
to say after a little sedation and manipulation he feels an awful lot
better now!
A tip for riding the perfect circle. I did say I might. For the horse
that likes to fall out on the circle. . . . It can happen to the
best of us but quick reactions can off set the worst of the damage!
When using the end of the school 20 mts (can be done in the middle
too) instead of riding the circle shape. . . . ride a diamond shape
so from x turn then go straight on the diamond line . . . .
the trick is to straighten from the outside rein and outside leg. . . .
every time you want to use more inside rein do the exact
opposite . . . . what happens is when you correct the horse this
way you get the outside shoulder back in line and under control. . .
You can ride a diamond with all 4 points or just 2 points . . .
think turn and straight, (but with quickness that catches the shoulder
on the first step of the straight part of the diamond)
Then ride the circle shape but in your mind ride a little like
the diamond and you will be giving your horse the correct aids
to off set his falling out!
I will give another exercise for the horse that falls out next time . . .
Had a super session with Inga this morning. Mac was still a little sore which showed
up here and there but he was so much more comfortable in himself and yes Inga
noticed the difference straight away. My problem in this session was with traver
in canter ( half pass down the wall ) not so much in the traver but in the
straightening before the corner - Mac was convinced that I wanted a flying
change! Hrumph.
After several attempts (by the way we practice this often with no problems)
Inga decided that it was a leg positioning fault from me . . . (obviously!)
All it took was the difference of approximately 1" in my leg position
(oh for a horse that could be a little more forgiving!) and then we got
the exercise down of pat . . . I say it often . . . HORSES!
Have a good fortnight
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Monday 20th December 2010....
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Hi everyone
A lot of you will now have gone into hibernation . . . The difficulty I find
is that if you are able to keep your horse going , is how to keep the horses
mind stable with possibly one day after the next in the school. . . . I mix up
my work with pole work, some jumping. pure stretching sessions and proper
training sessions. . . when I can get out into the woods we do and some lunging
when the outdoor school is useable.
I had a training session with Inga which went very well, concentrating on
good stretching. . . some medium trot and canter work . . . quite a basic
session but needed as we were both quite stiff to the left. . . I have since
had physio and Mac has had some extra sessions with his Massage pad. . .
another go at the physio for me I think should put us back to rights.
So if you had a go at the exercises I mentioned last week most of you
would have found that your horse is better one way than the other. . .
more off one leg than the other. I should mention that if your horse
is particularly bad either way get someone to check that you are not
leaning yourself . . . for example if the horse is really good of your
left leg it is possible that you are leaning to the right! Its the Piggy
back effect . . try giving someone a piggy back with them leaning one way,
you just cant help but to go in the direction of the lean! So when you
ask it to go from the right leg (the side you may be leaning to) the
horse wants to stay under you to stabilize your weight, so is slow to
respond or doesn't respond at all.
When teaching and training I follow 3 guidelines. My question:
Why will the horse not do what is being asked? The answer is simple.
Either the horse is not being asked correctly. . or the horse
doesn't understand . . Or physically there is a reason the horse
cant do it . . . food for thought!
Next blog I will give some thought to riding the perfect 20mt circle
. . . . . . in the meantime how about continuing the previous
exercises and adding to it. Halt at an angle to the wall and ask
the horse to move his quarters across to face down the wall . .
halt . . and walk or trot on. A good exercise for moving off the leg,
the horse normally goes straight down the side so it makes
sense to move over plus it can be really good to encourage a square
halt . . . But there are loads of exercises for halt! I could go
on and on and on!
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Monday 6th December 2010....
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Hello everyone
Two weeks goes by in a flash. . . one of them totally annihilated by the weather. . . but we did get to do our training session with John Lassetter and go to the National convention. . .
Johns session was a typical the good, the bad, and the ugly! Scenario. . . . Mac had the day off the day before because of the National Convention . . . not a good plan, but I got on him with a 20 min to get him loosened off . . . plus time for his Equilibrium Massage Pad beforehand . . . getting Mac into the right frame of mind is the bad and ugly part! But once in gear we come to the good! I was especially pleased with the pirouette work as we can get a little caught up coming out of them . . . (this I have been working on with Inger)
So the exercise was (in collected canter ) canter traver down the long side keep the traver round the first short side corner then traver across the short side and then keep the traver and in the next corner pirouette to face E or B then forwards the canter. . into counter canter keep counter canter till the next long side and then a flying change . . then repeat the other way round . . . . . I was pleased because I got a Good! From John who normally when we work the pirouette work says 'again'
But the great thing was Mac did not get behind my leg and came forwards out of the exercise both ways . . . the left lead is the tricky one . . . .With Inger we have worked on only doing a couple of steps then out and forwards. . so this is definitely working. Watching Klaus Balkenhol at the National Convention when he worked the pirouette work with Matt Frost and Gareth Hughes it was interesting that when he bought the horses to a smaller circle and asked for the quarters in, he only kept them in it for 3 to 5 steps then out and forwards . . . followed by walk forwards and stretching.
It was interesting how much emphasis Klaus put on rest periods . . . so the horse has chance to relax muscles that are working at full capacity . . . Not to expect the horse to repeat time and time again an exercise that is physically difficult . . .When I school at home and when I teach, I give the horses a break with stretching and walk on a free rein . . Klaus did a lot more short breaks . . . Which I have being doing the last few days . . . .So do a couple of exercises then 20 m free walk take your horse back up again , do some more then again 20 m or so free walk and see what you think. This is after your initial warm up; it’s for when you start to ask the questions!
For those of you who think this all sounds very well but we are competing at Prelim or Novice . . . take heart we started at prelim too . . . it takes time and dedication, and money!
Try the following exercise . . . . Can you ride 1 foot in from the track on the long sides without drifting to the track? Another exercise . . . Can you leg yield away from the wall 2 steps then be straight then leg yield back? Oh I could go on and on with exercises. . . . I may put some others in next time . . .
Have a good couple of weeks
Di
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Monday 22nd November 2010....
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Hello everyone...
We don't have a lot to report on this time.
We managed to get the lorry fixed with 2 new tyres so we’re back on the road again! However, I parked the car to take the dogs for a walk and some pleasant person smashed my drivers side window . . . still less of the whinging!
I had a session with Inga which went very well. Inga was asking why I was waiting to take Mac out at PSG so we will do this in the New Year. We may hibernate for the next few weeks and concentrate on training.
I have a session for the first time on Wednesday with Mark Ruddock which I am looking forward too and then the following week a session with John Lassetter. If the old bank balance stands up to the strain we’ll then be back out to Keysoe on the 1st.
I’m looking forward to the National Convention this weekend - I am sure to be inspired
And just for two of my clients who follow this blog . . . . Sit up . . Sit UP . . . Oh no! SPLAT......!! (unhurt). Next client, friend of first client . . . I am bound to fall off now she has! . . . . Why? OH NO SIT UP . . . SIT UP . . . SPLAT (unhurt). My horse was not ridden for 4 days! A hilarious few minutes in the life of an instructor!
I will let you know how the training goes.
Have a good fortnight
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Monday 8th November 2010....
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Hi everyone
My plans to compete last week were scuppered by a flat tyre on the lorry . . . . A big disappointment as he was plaited and on lorry when discovered. . . But every cloud has a silver lining, Schooling Mac instead I found to my delight the passage to canter transition twice! I now have the correct feel for it, but boy the timing does have to be spot on! But I tried again yesterday and got no where near it . . . . . Elusive or what!
Mac used to jump a couple of times a week before his fracture, I had decided that his feet should never leave the ground on purpose again since (just in case. .am sure you understand). I was discussing this with a friend, telling her about some of his antics . . . leaping . . . bolting . . . etc and she looked at me and said surely if his leg stands up to that abuse a pop over a few fences on a surface should be safe . . . . I thought about it and decided she was probably right.
So off I went and built a huge fence for starters . . . as you do . . . (cross pole . . oh at least a foot in height) tacked up . . and no I don't have a jumping saddle. Got into the school warmed up . . . for some reason each time I passed the jump Mac got taller and the fence looked bigger and bigger . . . Ha I used to show jump for goodness sake and a tidily cross pole had got me right in the confidence or lack of it bracket. Then someone, I will mention no names, asked exactly how much warm up do you need to tackle this jump! The pressure was on . . . So I ventured in the steadiest trot and got exactly what I deserved for my approach. . . . a bloody great leap with squealing like a pig on landing. But that was it; the ice was broken, so round we went several times building up to a couple of feet - then prayers that his legs would be fine the following morning . . . . am glad to report all was well . . . and now a regular jump session (so good for the intercostals muscles) is on the menu !
Have a good fortnight
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Monday 25th October 2010....
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Hello everyone...
It feels like it has been a very busy fortnight. . . .I had a training session
with Inga. . . Competed at Keysoe . . . . and took Mac to Turvey to hire the
most wonderful indoor school at Abbey Farm.
Inga was impressed with Mac this session. One of our challenges was to go from
Piaffe directly to passage - this is so not easy! But we have nearly got it.
But then the curve ball "can you go from passage directly to canter?"
ha the answer is NO! I will let you know when we get close!
At Keysoe I did the A100 test again; we were 2nd out of the ones doing
A100 and 4th overall. I was very pleased with him as he was so excited at
being out and about. Fortunately I had a long enough warm up to
take the edge off.
At Abbey Farm I went to run through the DTM test . . . . what a frustrating
business! Why do I get to H and it should be C AAAArh Yes I did loose my
cool! and so did the horse. I should know better than to get uptight
when riding him. However he definitely enjoyed all the Medium
and extended canter . . . . Head in the air and no steering! We
finally got close to how it should be . . . . we will give it a go
shortly.
Hope you all have a good fortnight
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Monday 11th October 2010....
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Hello everyone
During the last two weeks we have been concentrating on canter pirouette's
along with all of our normal work. We had a problem coming forwards
out of the pirouette, so we have been doing alot of quarter turns, then
into medium canter. Hopefully next week when I see Inga she will notice an
improvement. . . . with the mirrors in the school I can see an improvement ( I think! she may not agree )
Our next outing is on the 20th to Keysoe . . .
We are now at the level of feeding recommended by Emma the nutritionalist
from Baileys Horse Feeds. I shall put the weight tape on him
tomorrow. I think he is getting more muscle by the day and I'm happy
to report mentally he seems to be fine!
Have a good couple of weeks yourself
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Monday 27th September 2010....
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Hi everyone
Because I missed going to Keysoe due to the appalling wind that day, I thought I would see if I could get a late entry to Patchetts Area festival as we had qualified at AM. . . . . I was a bit nervous as I hate having to memorize tests . . . . . too much for the old brain cells ( ride AND remember where you're going! ). Anyway, we arrived, the heavens were open (such a shame as we were all clean and spruced ) fortunately Mac is not rain shy.
He warmed up well, and we came second. However he got upset at the prospect of someone handing me a rosette! horses . . . ! I was just relieved that I rode an accurate test (especially as my sponsors were watching!)
I had an interesting consultation with Emma the nutritionist from Baileys Horse Feeds. I have taken her advice on board and we are going to try Mac on their new Performance Balancer - I will let you know if it spinns his brain! She was obviously very knowledgeable. I would suggest to anyone having any problems with weight, attitude, stamina or muscle development to give this girl a go - and the great thing is the advice costs nothing!
To update you on Jenny and Harv. . . . they are getting on a lot better. .. . . I think that Harv probably knows better than me how to train a puppy - after all he has no wounds to talk of . . . . I have a split lip!
Till next time, have a good fortnight
Di
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Monday 13th September 2010....
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What with family problems, a second horse in to school and a new puppy, Mac has not
been my highest priority this last two weeks, though we did have a very interesting
session on canter pirouettes with Inga.
I had to laugh ....one of my clients has a striking jet black cob. She had been
treating his feet with hydrogen peroxide which she put into an empty spray bottle
....unusually she asked a friend to turn him out who diligently applied fly
repellant ....later a blonde come copper striped horse came in from the field -
You know the moral of this story! ROLL ON FIRST CLIP!
Well I was going to Keysoe today but the wind stopped us. With a 3.5 ton lorry
and the letters at Keysoe flying, it was decided to abort.
Well have a good fortnight
Di and a very well behaved Mac (Secret weapon working very well!)
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Monday 30th August 2010....
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Phew getting back to normality after a holiday is very hard on the legs and feet
. . . . I took Mac to Addington before my hols to do A100 - just to see really how
we would get on as it is such a long time since doing this sort of test . . . .
and it showed! My 5 loop serpentine became 4! and for some reason I could not count
to save my life so the flying changes were going everywhere! So our score was not
great as you can imagine.
Anyway one training session with John and I can now count again to 3 with an ah
for number 4 so I thought I would go again to do this test .... I was pleased
with myself ha got 5 loops with the flying change close to the centre line,
and got my flying changes correct . . . . I could just have done with concentrating
on the rest of the test too!
Next week sees the arrival of Jenny the Springer pup . . . . Car into main
dealer (scary!), a training session with Inga . . . .
and both dogs to the vets for vaccinations . . . .
The best news though is the installation of 4 huge mirrors into our indoor school
. . . . invaluable as you all know .. . . . .
Have a good fortnight
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Monday 9th August 2010....
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Hi everyone
Well just got back from 2 weeks in Seattle Washington, where we have family, We camped and boated at Ross Lake well up in the Cascade Mountains, Considering we had quite an active holiday (No not running away from the bears) I was mortified to find I had put on a whole stone in weight ! The scales don't lie . . . . Still might weight Mac down for the first few days back to work !
Mac has had a lovely 2 week break... . . his last outing to see Conrad. . .Now back to work ha ha yes dear forwards not upwards (when you regret teaching passage ! ) We have a session with John Lassetter on Monday . . . . so I hope to have him back on side by then.
Hopefully more to tell in two weeks . . .
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Monday 26th July 2010....
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Hi everyone - Blog time!
Had a very interesting session with Conrad. He was very correct in every way -
even to the hand shake hello! This man means business, with no room for error
all had to be correct. I was told my seat was correct. . . . and that my
horse was correct in his way of going . . (all good to know!)
After explaining Mac's time out etc and getting back to where we were
he agreed that the horse still needs to get stronger to maintain collection
and that he needs to become more engaged behind. In Conrad's
words "to become more like a weight lifter".
So off we go. . . . Energy Exercise. . . . working canter, now medium canter, now
working again, and now medium (great says Mac in Keysoes big indoor school. .
No problem. . . Brakes please! Yes that works!)
Engagement & Energy Exercise. . . . . Medium trot down the long side,
walk before corner, half pirouette and medium trot again . . . same at
next corner . . . (fab says Mac I really love this one . . .watch my hind
leg move!)
All in all I have to say my horse stepped up to the plate and really tried
hard. I was proud of him and myself (only had to stop once to catch my
breath . . . but it was very hot in there!)
We came to walk, the session finished and Conrad stepped into the school......
It took a further 10mins to convince Mac that Conrad had not come in to
eat him! Horses. . . !
I am now off on my hols for two weeks, and Mac gets his first
proper holiday (not box rest!) . . . . . Hope your next weeks are
successful and fun
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Monday 12th July 2010....
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Hello!
I train with several different trainers, each of them very helpful in different ways.
I am excited to add Conrad to my list; my first session in a couple of weeks.
Having seen the rider list I think we may well be the light entertainment on the day!
I am hoping Conrad will have some good exercises to help Mac with his general way
of going, and how I prepare him for the more advanced tests. With this horse my aim
is to train and learn - my next horse, and my pupils will benefit most.
We are off to Keysoe tomorrow to do AM98 a test that gives me and the horse different
problems - So I book to do it because I want to crack it! I will let you know how
I get on with the training and competing. . . . Have a good couple of weeks yourselves
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LESSONS & CLINICS WITH DI ...
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Group 3 Rider & Freelance Dressage Trainer / Instructor Regd.
I'm a highly experienced rider trainer, having ridden and trained horses up to PSG level.
Based in Bedfordshire, I currently teach in the Herts, Beds, Bucks & Cambs area and
will travel to your home to work with you and your horse on an individual basis.
I have experience with developing horses and riders of ALL levels, abilities and ages, Novice to Advanced. Clinics available by arrangement.
Schooling of horses also undertaken. Fully Insured.
For further information please call me on 07711 169049.
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I hail from Staffordshire, gradually moving south over the years. I started riding at 4, at Alton Towers of all places, well before the theme park it is now. After many years of being a regular pupil at Kenneth Clawson’s riding School in Leicestershire, my parents bought me a failed JA pony which started me on the show jumping path! Eventually with 2 JA ponies and one JC and on to a Grade A horse.
After a stint of around 3 years abroad in Sri Lanka we came home. I then decided to make teaching my career (NO Horses in SL only elephants! and they don't jump or do dressage!)
I could say at that point I thought I knew a lot about our equine friends but have found over the last 30 years that there is no end to the diversity of these creatures. Dressage became my love after I was inspired by watching a dressage demo by John Lassetter and his team.
I make training my priority as I want to learn more and more about this fascinating subject - Dressage . . . and the Dressage horse!
I'm now a Group 3 Rider & Freelance Dressage Trainer / Instructor Regd and enjoy
teaching & developing horses and riders of all levels, abilities and ages. I'm currently working
towards PSG with my own horse, Mac, and train with several different trainers who are helping me achieve my long-term
goal.
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If you would like to contact me to discuss lessons or training, please call
me on 07711 169049
(please leave a message as I may be teaching).
For PR, Sponsorship & Media Enquiries
We are keen to hear from any individual or organisation who is willing to help
Di in her quest to achieve her long-term ambitions.
Equine Affairs: Hayley Sharman Tel: 0871 2303649 Email: marketing@equineaffairs.com
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Di has been sponsored by the UK's leading Riding Diary -
Equine Affairs for
over 3 years.
Hayley Sharman, Marketing Director at Equine Affairs is pleased to be working with Di
“ We were thrilled to extend our sponsorship to Di who is a very popular local
trainer. We wish Di continued success this season with Mac and look forward to being
part of her future achievements ”
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