How to Excel At Being Average

Blenheim 13 September 2017 - DTM demo

Sometimes you have to push yourself too hard to find your limits.  Sometimes that means a step backwards in development or confidence.  I learned these lessons at the BRC Showjumping qualifier, along with some pretty key lessons in how to ride my horse. Regular readers will know that Beau loves to jump.  In fact he lives to jump!  He cannot get enough - he once finished an arena eventing round on his own even though he parted company with his rider at fence 3!  His ears stayed forward for the rest of the day.  He loves it so much, that when pointed in the general direction of anything like an obstacle he transforms into an Exocet missile, and that is my problem.   I have no issue with going over jumps - happy to a metre and above if there's enough power and willingness under me, but i do like to feel in control in between the fences. Don't get me wrong - i have not been the bravest lately.  I had gone from being a complete wimp who was petri...

Pony fun This month has mainly been about just having fun.  Work is challenging at the moment and the cobwebs build up to such an extent in the week that weekends have become even more precious to me (if that's even possible).  We've hacked and trained and I've even tidied the tack room!  That led me to realise that the next big purchase has to be a secure saddle locker.  If I can find one that I can just wheel into the lorry on competition days so much the better.  I gave up on my search for the ideal equestrian luggage - it doesn't exist! Dressage Beau and me, Tory and Sardra, Sandra and H and Groomio Simon went off to the Area 5 dressage qualifiers this month.  We all did the prelim test (none of us qualified though Beau and me managed 7th in our arena, and our team was 5th).  Tory and I also attempted our first pairs test which was such good fun!  Somehow things are always better as part of a team.  The test is a small arena v...

Confidence Crisis - the end of a love affair? This month, mine and Beau's journey was featured in a blog post by another #horseyblogger - Happyhooves83.  It was so touching and so encouraging to read.  It's my story and I shared it with her but somehow seeing it written down with somebody else's viewpoint really touched me.  It made me cry happy tears! Have a read here:  https://happyhoovesblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/01/ Centaur Biomechanics I was also lucky enough to be invited to the Centaur Biomechanics day at Moulton College on rider confidence.  It was a truly eye opening and amazing day.   Centaur are part of the team that brought us the knowledge that has gone into Fairfax saddles, shaped girths and pressure free bridles.  Read their intro here for more information:  http://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/ The opening session was on nerves and conquering fear.   The speaker was Charlie Unwin , a renowned sports psychologist wh...

Beau Bayou Blog - May 2017 Keeping the hedgehogs off his withers! Combined Training So, in April we qualified as a team for the British Riding Clubs' National Championships - the Festival of the Horse.  I was determined to NOT let the team down in my jumping and to canter the whole course.  I was also determined not to forget my dressage test - you are not allowed a commander in Championships.  The competition was on the Sunday, and I had volunteered to help on the Saturday  which turned out to be a really good plan.  Not only could I familiarise myself with where to park, I got to walk the course and even buy a commemorative hoodie with all the horses' names on - and Beau's picked out with a little crystal :) Off home afterwards and I tortured Beau with shampoo, and scrubbed my tack clean (I love having a synthetic saddle!).  Simon very kindly cleaned and polished my boots for me - it's the first time they have ever seen shoe polish instead of baby ...