J L D EQUINE

Had another good nights sleep but still suffering slight dizzy spells very frustrating. I lunged Zaino this morning just in a head collar to make sure he is not too fresh for this afternoon he is on at 4pm. Brennus was a very good in the 5 year old although maybe a little tired he did a very clean test but I know he can do bettter. I am so pleased with his 3rd place and the judges said he is improving each time. The presentation has been cancelled due to the bad weather, so I quickly nipped down to the hotel to give you all a quick update. We had a beer with our Spanish friends last night which was lovely. Fingers crossed for Zaino later we do not need Rain or Wind !!!!

Yesterday I rode Zaino but he was being silly so I put him on the lunge and then rode a total of hour and half consequently he was a lot better today. I think we have learned that its best to tire him out when he has too much energy rather than try and battle through the spooking. Whilst he still can spook when tired at least its not with quite so much power. I felt much better last night and had a good nights sleep. Only to wake up to the sound of heavy rain! Managed to get Brennus ridden this morning in between the rain and he was a very good boy he really is a super little horse. I was concerned about riding Zaino as puddles everywhere and wet and slippery and the main arena is flooded so I took him along the sandy path down to Arena 1 where it was much drier. The only problem being there is a submersible pump squirting at the side of the arena you guessed it it usually squirts just as you are going past Zaino hit the roof and I thought we were in for a flying lesson again! Fortunately not I stayed on and soon after another horse came down which helps as Zaino is always more confident with friends. I don’t have my times yet for tomorrow or which arena we are in and I also have to rush back as BB has vet trot up in half an hour. I do hope weather is better for us tomorrow otherwise we are in for an interesting week again!!!

We have been given internet access by the tour to enable us to complete the blog as so many of you are enjoying it. Thank you ! Thanks Rachel for updating the blog while we were down and also while I was feeling so unwell from my bad fall. I am pleased to say I am feeling much better today and have ridden BB and I am going to ride Zaino in the evening as it is very windy at the moment. A re cap for the week we have won 4th Brennus and a 6th and 3rd place with Zaino and a trophy our first !!! We are looking forward to a successful week with no falls !!! Both horses have their first show on Wednesday this week but still do not know which arena Zaino will compete in we now hope it is the same arena 2 for the rest of the show.

Well, it makes it kind of worth while (not the falling off bit of course!). I’m feeling much better today after quite a bad few days. I am just off to ride BB, he’s competing tomorrow so hopefully he will be a relaxed boy today!

I’m still having a few issues with O2 so no pictures for today but hopefully we’ll have it all resolved by tomorrow. O2’s billing structure for internet access through a dongle is rather expensive to say the least!

Next competition Tuesday 8th March; will try to sort out internet.

I woke up this morning in a lot of pain with dizzy spells so really did not think I was going to be able to do the test. Phil gave me pain killers and went up to the yard to get Zaino ready and put his rug and said if you make it fine but if not don’t worry I felt that ill. I did manage to make it, all I had to do was plait. He was much quieter today and tired made a few mistakes in the test more my fault as I was struggling with energy to ride him together. This is another brilliant result and lots of miles on the clock for Zaino. I am now going to rest.

Very pleased to be placed as the test we did is no where near as good as Zaino can do so feeling really positive. He was very good in the presentation as well and of course its another time he has been up into the arena. Even the canter around at the end to loud music didn’t set him off.

What a relief ! I woke up this morning with the biggest bruise you have seen on my leg, waist and arm and cannot move my shoulder up. However I was determined to ride Zaino, he warmed up apprehensive so I pushed him into canter and basically made him go forward around the warm up in medium canter daring him to spook, it worked ! He was a lot calmer afterwards, we entered the ‘Spooky arena’ in trot and yes just my luck someone had placed two barrels on the side of the arena that were not there yesterday, he spun around, I coaxed him back towards the barrels and went forward but only in walk but hey! Anything as long as forward was fine with me. We completed a circuit of the arena I was really chuffed. I put him into canter and we were off down the centre line. We did the test with only one massive spook which was medium trot going towards the spooky corner and a man moved we spun around facing the wrong way! But I stayed calm and just continued. We fluffed one change and cantered instead of trot in one place, but overall I was almost in tears we had done it ! It is also the first time Zaino had done this AM test and only the second time he has done AM in his life. Will have score later.

Well assuming I wake up in the morning and can move Zaino is on at the same time tomorrow 10.16 I lunged him tonight and rode him again (despite the pain) for another 1 hour but unfortunately was unable to ride around THE SPOOKY arena ! So lets see what Zaino brings tomorrow ……………………
Brennus next competition is on Tuesday….. No pressure Zaino !!!

Brennus had to go to prize giving which was extremely exciting but he was such a good boy he held it together especially considering I am protecting a bad shoulder and arm so could not move my left hand side correctly. The judges comments were fab still promising better marks for him when he settles even more its all very encouraging. He also had lots of admirers today !