Hi everyone,
It’s definitely over a week since I’ve done a written blog, things got a bit busy there for a minute! I write this having just had my first proper dressage lessons at home since around October 2023 (wild right?!) this was mostly due to lack of finances, and honestly… I just was enjoying going back to basics to find/develop my own feel in this phase. I worked a lot on watching videos back and working with my biomechanics coach Clare from Myo Performance.
This, coupled with my gym work (see recent vlog!), really developed my understanding of my own physical performance and how I was potentially blocking in my riding due to my weaknesses and imbalances. I definitely feel like my riding improved in this time and, shockingly, I have achieved some of my best marks in the last couple of years! However, realistically, having those eyes on the ground whilst training are invaluable and, with the right person, can really help the improvements and light bulb moments come quicker, as well as offering fresh ideas.
Two sets of eyes will always gather more information than one! I love training, and learning how best to help the horses, so what a fun way to spend a sunny April evening!
At the time of writing, we are technically still on the Badminton Horse Trials waitlist, although currently in the very fortunate position of being at the very top. Whilst I hope any withdrawals are due to changed plans (or perhaps jet-setters off to a certain other 5* across the pond…) rather than any less fortunate reasons, we will keep up the training and planning whilst we anxiously await and hope for a call up.
*Update:* We’re in! I had been religiously checking the list a couple of times a day and had only checked it about 20 minutes before my wonderful head girl Kristine spotted it! Turns out I had also somehow completely missed a call from the ever helpful Alex Harbottle from Badminton to inform me of just that. I think I’ll need to take out shares in cotton wool and bubble wrap!
We had an impressively sunny trip to Thoresby Horse Trials for the Grantham Cup 4*S back at the end of last month, which given the unfortunate weather conditions they have had to battle the last few years was a very welcome change! I have to say the going was fantastic, and so exciting to be back jumping in the main arena in front of the crowds and the shops. It really helps to provide the atmosphere of a big international that we don’t always see in our OI runs, so is good practice for the spring long formats!
I was SO happy with Demon’s test, achieving a clean, calm flying change is not something that comes easily to him, but he got one! The second still needs more polishing, but he finally is feeling more ‘with me’ in the arena which in itself is a massive improvement. He’s actually really smart on the flat! But the big occasions and more complicated tests can get to him a little, so I’m glad he’s finally starting to build some confidence at this level to let me guide him through it.
He jumped such a super SJ round and felt extremely enthusiastic to be back out at a big event again, giving the fences some serious airtime! He did however carry this enthusiasm onto the XC too. Which, despite jumping beautifully well at some of the early combinations, did result in a bit of a miss at a simple fence mid-way round. Fully my mistake and thankfully the main drama was me losing my stirrups.
He happily continued, and jumped home through some more difficult combinations again, but I can’t say I wasn’t very annoyed at myself for my bad decision not to add an extra half halt in the moment. Like most people, I like it when it all goes smoothly! But it’s a good opportunity to go back and assess/analyse what was great and what wasn’t, and tweak/work on some things before the big one.
As wonderful and welcome as this sun is, it is rather hampering my plans of re-building the summer paddocks (we move fields a couple of times a year to keep the land good, and have to put up / take down fencing as we go). And I’m currently having to water the ground before I can get very far with my post bashing! Dare I say we could almost do with some of those April showers…
Until next time!
Helen x
