How to Excel At Being Average

March’s weather proved challenging for us in the wilds of Northants.  The mud was becoming unbearable, but perhaps more so the cattle shed muckings out in the nearby farmyard.  So we moved both horses to our dear friend and neighbour’s yard down the road.  (The humans can close the window…) They now have grass and more space, and my sister Tory keeps her horse there too so we can all play ponies together – perfect.  I am unbearably excited about the approaching Spring and Summer now – it seems as though opportunities for improvement are everywhere – not least because the boys’ new landlady is Mrs Motivator and doesn’t let me get away with the old stock excuses of ‘it’s raining’, or ‘he’s too lively to ride today (very rare)’!  I intend to grab eac h advancement and build on it as much as I can  Progress? I had another lesson with Jonathan Canty just before the Cherwell Valley RC dressage competition on March 26th, and we practised strategies for improving my inconsistent contact

June 2016.  Now Spring is well underway we’ve been stepping up our activities.  Beau is doing fine but I’m worn out!  Beau is looking great on Hoofkind, which he seems to really enjoy, as does Simon’s horse Parker.  Beau squeals like a little piggy at feeding time so I know he’s enjoying it!  We changed from using hay to using Horsehage for travelling, and he is doing really well on that too - hay was making him snotty after being in the truck and that problem has now gone.  We also changed his bit which has been really good for him.  A good friend was selling a Neue Schule Verbindend dressage legal bit and I thought it was worth a try.  He has lost his stiffness on the left side and is not resisting this one at all.  I suspect that because the Myler is independently jointed, my lazy left arm was not moving with my right, therefore blocking him and causing stiffness on that rein Camp May 20 th to 22 nd was Cherwell Valley RC

Summer is now well underway OMG!  All bets are now off.  We have been mentioned in Horse and Hound – albeit only on Twitter.  Thanks Mollichaff!! http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/544994-544994 Side saddle Quite the most exciting load my car has carried for a while is this gorgeous Champion and Wilton side saddle! I was put in touch with the lady selling it by our fabulous (dahhhhhling) instructor Ginny, and we tried it out with her to check for fit and suitability.  So exciting – and it fits! It just needs some tweaking in the flocking to be perfect for him.  The only downside is that I’ve been saving like mad and only managed to squirrel enough money away for either a side saddle OR some basic living in our truck.  I am sure Simon would prefer the latter but I figured that because this saddle will fit Beau so well I can’t miss it.  They’re all unique so it could be a while before another one pops up.  I have given it some love and can’t wait for the rain to stop so I can