Scotts of Thrapston

Our weekend consisted of long hacks and no schooling

Posted on 09. Jun, 2010 by Janet in Janet Hammond, Rider Development Programme

We have done quite a lot of competitions recently so I decided to give Tara a break from the travelling and jumping this week.

Instead we did flatwork (lots of transitions and some lateral work) plus one evening of lungeing.

I use a pessoa as it encourages Tara to work long and low and to relax over her back. It is such a good workout for her, I need to get into the habit of doing this once a week.

Our weekend consisted of long hacks and no schooling. On Sunday I went to Ashridge Forest with my friend Sarah and her son Joe.

This ride takes us about two and a half hours, with an interesting route through Berkhamsted town centre and under the railway line.

At one point we did have an enormously scary sheet of newspaper blow across the pavement towards us, which warranted some dancing across the road.

However the high speed Virgin train on its way to Euston didn’t get the slightest reaction – there is no understanding the horse!!

I can imagine that finding the perfect child’s pony can be a complete nightmare, and a good one is like gold dust. Joe’s little pony Rosso is an absolute cracker. He can be ridden away from the others or follow on behind at his own pace without any problems. And when we galloped round a huge field, he stayed with us almost all the way (12.2hh versus 16.2hh!!) – maybe that’s why I keep getting time penalties!! And it’s great for Tara’s manners to have someone cantering up behind or going past – she just has to learn to accept it.

This week I hope to get a jumping lesson with my instructor, to prepare for a combined training class at Wing Jumping and Dressage Centre this Sunday. I’ve entered the 90cm class to see how we go, and they have combined the jumping with BE dressage tests, rather than prelim or novice tests, which is helpful. This will be a new venue for me, found via Facebook, so hope it’s a good one.

And I must organise a B&B for 24th/25th June (Carlton Event Clinic) otherwise I may be sharing Tara’s stable!!

Tags: Ashridge Forest, Carlton Event Clinic, Wing Jumping and Dressage Centre