Training Journal

[spottyhorse]

After meeting Heather and Lu last Friday I have decided to start my own training journal to try and keep a track on how far we are progressing (That is, if we progress at all  )

Sept 2005 I bought a just backed, 15.2 coloured cob, or so it said in his passport, called Peter-Pan.  Peter is now 16.3hh, is still coloured but is certainly not a cob, probably a warmblood of some description as he was imported from the continent.

In the early part of 2006 I started having some lessons with Lucie, one of Heather’s instructors.  And what an eye opener, did you know that you didn't have to rise all the way out of the saddle and the movement can actually be quite small, no, neither did I at the time!  I didn't know that my seat and legs could be used for aids either 

Lucie then had a job offer and ended up moving away to the Southeast (You’re a lucky lot over there!).  And since then I haven't really done alot, I have had three instructors, the latest one being the best and has started getting my confidence back over jumps and has made my seat more secure so that i have the confidence to go hacking and have a good blast across a field.

I have done lots of schooling and have progressed on my own from 55% in Prelim 18 months ago to 65% in novice last month!

Then about 2 weeks ago I saw that Heather was looking for horses for the Bath and West as she couldn't get her own horses up here.  So I offered Peter.  Heather came up and rode him and Amigo (PRE) on Friday and has taken Peter this week for further schooling.

I delivered Peter to Heather’s yesterday and he did his best impression of a nutter when we got there, his stable was a barn and there was enough space for him to canter, so canter he did.  Heather quite sensibly suggested that I lunged him before she got on and he returned to his normal Dobbin state in no time at all!  Heather jumped on and of they went, we had to swap his bit as he really didn’t like the straight pelham so he ended up in the French link pelham, just shows their all different I suppose!

I think Heather was quite pleased with him, hopefully she will comment.  All I know is that I am so proud of my little 5 year old ponie!  He was very well behaved for Heather, a bit spooky at the scary end of the school but nothing to silly.

If you’ve got this far you’re doing well.  I mentioned that I would like to do some elementary with him next year and Heather seems to think that its possible    So I will keep this blog for our progress and hopefully for yours entertainment as Peter has character!

[ludlu]

Oh good!

Yes, he did not like T's oversized pelham much, but I'm intrigued by him liking the french link pelham.  ow do you think he goes in it compared to his snaffle?  Its interesting the idea of jointed pelhams....

Peter is a cutey pie, and very amenable as we all fussed with him and when we changed his
 bridle in the school all fussing round him, bar Heather who satyed on him! and he didn't fuss at all....brilliant for any five year old.

I look forward to seeing the results of five days at Heather's!

[bertie_m]

Oh goodie ... another journal for me to take inspiration from

Do we have pics (lots of them) of the not-so-little ponio? *hint ... hint* 

[spottyhorse]

Are you sure you want pics?  I have hundreds 
And when I bought him he was 15.2hh and thats how I still think of him, the measuring stick must be wrong telling me he's nearly 17.0hh 

Peter when he arrived, very cross with the state that he was in


Peter at our first show last year


And a few of us at camp this year

[bertie_m]

Yep ... can't have too many photographs

Peter looks lovely What lovely markings. I have to say that you fit him nicely, are you blessed with height yourself?

_{*not that I would be jealous because I'm a shortbum and would look like a pea on  mountain  *}

[spottyhorse]

Am 5'7 ish so yes, quite tall, glad you like him

[Susan C]

Gosh, hasn't he grown into himself!! he looks lovely - love the xc picture - glad to see he is having a well rounded education!!

You are very lucky to have heather schooling him for a week!! She won't even get on mine!! : can't imagine why!!

Can't wait to see some photos in a few weeks time - bet he will have improved even more!!

As for the elementary - if i can do it on the loony tune (fair enough it wasn't pretty all the way through!!) there is no reason ANYONE can't do elementary!!! Good Luck!

[Claire]

15hh 3" cob? .... That's a misdescription that you're not complaining about, then? 

[shoveltrash]

omg what a HANDSOME HORSE 

very much looking forward to your journal!  i love the training journals - always seem to learn something new from each & every one 

[spottyhorse]

An update from Heather yesterday:

"Was about to email you re Peter, who went very well this morning- MUCH better! Accepted the bit very well, not leaning in nearly so much on the right rein either already. Much more up off his shoulders! Super LY in trot too, really sweeping across!

Canter not very easy- your school is definitely bigger than my indoor by quite a bit, I can tell just by the number of strides, my indoor school is deceptive!

Doubt I will be able to use him to show the canter, but everything else about schooling the young horse!

He has been out all afternoon, but the rain went straight through his lightweight turnout, and I am none too pleased, because it also went through Fanta's which is almost new, and the proofing cant possibly have worn out so soon. Complaint to the manufacturer, methinks!"



Good thing I sent him with 2 rugs, I hate it when rugs leak.  And as for Leg Yield, he couldn't LY more than 1-2 steps in walk when he left here on Monday.  I will need an instruction manual with him when he comes home!

[ChrissieW]

Hehe - is that what they call a cob on the continent!?  ???  He's gorgeous.    Look forward to reading more.

really didn’t like the straight pelham so he ended up in the French link pelham, just shows their all different I suppose

umm interesting, pelham wise (she is mainly ridden in a snaffle, with pelham used for schooling occasionally) I recently switched Mins to a NS Mors Lotte straight bar pelham from the jointed rugby pelham she was going well in.   She appeared to not accept the straight bar so well, I just thought I had to perserve as it "should" be better for her and do plan to switch the curb chain for an elastic one, but now I'm not so sure, as she was quite happy with the curb chain on the jointed one.    Makes sense, she's never really taken to straight bar bits of any description.    Food for thought.

[ek]

Love your "cob?"   

Looking forward to reading all about his progress.  Aren't you lucky having him schooled by Heather for a week!  Whaw!

[Baymair]

Wow Lisa, he's stunning! This is going to be a very interesting journal, looking forward to hearing more 

[ludlu]

Any news on how he's doing?  I bet you can't wait to see him tomorrow!

[spottyhorse]

Heathers update from today, I've now got to learn to ride him    Sounds positive though.

Peter went better again today- his trot is so much bouncier and expressive- try sitting on it now!! Hehe!!  I think you will see quite a difference tomorrow! His biggest problem is his walk, he is so nearly lateral in the walk, which would get him marked down in tests. Oddly, it is the lateral work in walk, which will help his walk the  most though!