2009 October | Chris's Blog

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Archive for October, 2009

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BSJA Hand Equestrian Centre

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Another morning up at 6.30 as Amelia was jumping at Hand Equestrian Centre in Somerset, after ringing Hand we decided it was going to be quite busy so we left a bit later and arrived about 11am. Amelia jumped Ami de la Destinee and Watts MiddleMarch (Leo) in the 105/110m restricted open, Destiny jumping the 1.05 and Leo jumping the 110 although it is one class but horses having won over £300 have to jump the higher course. There we approx 60 in the class so it took some time. It was a single Phase class where you jumped fences 1 to 6 and continued 7 to 11 against the clock. Destiny jumped fence 9 on a bit of an angle and took it down which was unfortunate as she had the third fastest time. Leo jumped well and was placed 4th. The next class was the 110m Blue Chip qualifier. We entered both horses but were then surprised to find there were 86 entries in the class. Leo was drawn 28th and Destiny was 71st to go. We put Destiny back on the box for awhile. Leo jumped a clear but the Dest didn’t go well, I think she was a bit tired by the time we tacked her up at gone 5pm and went back in, she met the treble wrong and had a few fences down. Leo did a good jump off and finished in 3rd place and qualified for the finals in Hartpury next spring which is pretty good going 3rd from 86. Hand is a lovely centre and has had a lot of money spent there. There is marvellous facillities, large warm up areas, lorrypark, Gallery and arena. The lady taking entries was very nice although the girl on the board was very stressed but the worst thing is the judging. On two occasions I have been there when they make countless mistakes with the amount of faults given and the times. Several competitors in the restricted open were given 4 faults when they had 8 and one guy jumped number three backwards instead of number seven then stopped spoke to his friends in the corner who were laughing at him then realised the bell hadn’t gone so turned round rode a circle jumped number seven carried on knocked three fences down and was given 16 faults, surely he should have been eliminated when he jumped number three backwards but they didn’t seem to notice that. Whats the point in have a large timer on the wall if sometimes it doesn’t work, they claim they have a back up but some times were very obviously wrong. I am surprised people aren’t complaining but then if its in their favour I don’t suppose they would. Its a really nice place to go but the judging does need some addressing.

Posted on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 2:37 am You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

Brightwells Horse and Pony Sales

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Having 34 horses and 33 stables going into the winter is a bit of a problem. I have a few horses I would like to sell Muppet in particular who hasn’t really made the progress we would’ve liked. So we decided to book him into Brightwells horse and pony sales at Leominster on friday and we also took Jynx and Eric. Some rumours were going round the yards that the horses would go for dog food to a nearby factory this is not true as the reserve sale price I put on the horses is far more that would be paid for meat. Needless to say we brought Jynx home as he did not sell but Muppet had quite a bit of interest shown in him and did sell and so did Eric. I have taken Eric to sales previously and not got a single bid on him but Amelia rode him outside and in the sale ring and I think it made a big difference as he looks a different pony when ridden correctly. Anyway the only factory I’ve noticed next to the sales is Cadbury’s world and as yet I haven’t noticed any Cadbury’s Horse chocolate bars on sale. It was a long day as we were up at 6.30am and didn’t get back till 6.30pm, the sale wasn’t that busy, 105 were booked in altogether although some did not show. Prices are always lower at the sales than buying private as there is more of a risk as you can’t really try the horses and its mainly dealers buying. They were very low on friday but I wasn’t tempted to buy anything I have not been very successful in the past and have ended up with quite a few dodgy horses but having said that Eric and Sid were bought from Llanybyther Horse Sales and Fred from Leominster. Jazz was also bought from Leominster sales but thats another story

Posted on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 1:55 am You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

Talygarn Equestrian Centre

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Leigh came down to carry on with the clipping on Monday. We knew Michigan would be difficult but we thought we would give it a go anyway. Not a chance, He doesnt do anything really mad but he just doesn’t like it and he knows his strength, with one swing of the head he sends us flying, being a 16.3hh ID cross theres not much chance of holding onto him. So Leigh clipped some of the others instead. I had to take Shelley to the vets tuesday, slight eye infection so I picked up some sedative for Michigan and Blue. The vet always asks how old the dogs are but I have no idea how old Shelley is, I remember going with Jenni and Emma Davies to somewhere Swansea way to buy her and I’m thinking Jenni was about 12, as she is 22 now I am guessing that would make Shelley about 10, I know Fudge is younger and Todd is the youngest. Maybe I should have written it down. Wednesday Chloe was away and as Amelia and I had a Pony Club meeting in Brecon I needed some else to teach as well as Amy Bartholomew so Leigh stepped in and taught Wednesday evening. Tonyrefail comp were here for the last week till after half term and Amy and Jess took them on a hack. Many of the clients on Wed night used to be taught by Leigh and were thrilled to have a lesson with him. The Pony Club meeting in Brecon was interesting. Dates were sorted out for next years area competitions and Talygarn Equestrian Centre will be hosting the Area Horse Care Comp in April 2010 also two Pony Club Dengie Dressage in January and February 2010. The pony Adoption scheme is going well I think there is only 5 ponies not adopted and there have been more enquiries. Life seems to be somewhat hectic at the moment we have a waiting list for lessons, quite a lot of students of which I am teaching everyday, alongside organising everything else there are not enough hours in the day. So I am pleased to say I have found a new yard manager/instructor from Swansea way who should be starting at half term. Just in time for my holiday to Thailand in November!!! Amelia took Leo and Destiny to Gracelands in Worcester on Saturday. Destiny had a couple of fences down in the 1.15m but Amelia was pleased with her as Destiny has not done a 1.15m class before also it was a progressive class which started at 1.10 the middle fences were 1.15 and the last few fences were 1.20m. Leo won both of his classes. As Steve and Amelia went to Worcs I had to teach my lessons, teach Amelia’s lessons and take the money, which wasn’t really possible so I left the office to Sarah. Thank goodness Sharon did the birthday party. The Show Jumping today was a bit on the quiet side although I must say I was quite glad after this week. There are only two kittens left and hopefully they will be picked up this week although I will miss them a bit as they are very cute and playful but I am getting worried they are going to get run over as they are starting to wander. We have 39 entries for the team jumping and as I said the max would be 40 and the entries don’t close till next sunday I think its going to be a very busy day. Also anyone thinking of entering the next Dressage best hurry up as I think that will also be closed before the closing date at the rate the entries are coming in. Everything is now organised for the Halloween Party and the Pony Club just need to sell the tickets. The Pony Club committee members have tickets to sell and they are available at the office. Martha is finalising the DVD of the summer Open Day & BBQ which we hope to have on display at the client show jumping on the Friday of Half Term. I have had a few previews and it is very good.

Posted on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 11:37 pm You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

Horse of the Year Show

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

The older members of the Pony Club planned a trip to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Sarah booked the tickets and I arranged the Mini Bus for them for Sunday. We left just after 7am and arrived after a breakfast stop on the M5 at 10am. There are always plenty of equestrian shops at HOYS so that was the first stop. Competitive Horse Riding in any discipline is expensive and I’m not talking about the horse, the upkeep, the lorry, entry fees and diesel here but fashion and show jumping definitely follows a fashion. No self respecting show jumper wants to be seen without the latest gear. So if you are planning a few riding lessons for your child with the aim of buying a horse and progressing down the showjumping road now is the time to change your mind!! Amelia would like to be kitted out with boots from Joshua Jones a bargain at a mere £500 a pair, then theres the £475 must have Joshua Jones Riding jacket and the £275 riding hat she had for christmas last year she doesn’t like now, apparently its too big and of course theres more fashionable ones on the market. Makes the £100 for a tidy pair of jodpurs seem quite cheap but then on your average 3 day show you would probably want 3 pairs. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I wouldn’t have wanted to spend much more than that on buying the horse. Although those days have definitely gone too. We watched the leading Pony Show Jumper of the year where most competitors ages were approximately between 11 and 16yrs and the majority were wearing these boots and jackets. Having watched Ellen Whittaker win the pussiance on TV Saturday night it was good to see her win the Speed class Sunday afternoon and also win the Leading Show Jumper of the Year on Sunday evening, Having amassed approx £17,000 in prize money in two days, I suppose she can afford several pairs of boots. I wasn’t too impressed with the displays this year, they were OK but not great The HOYS High school musical ride was sweet with 16 kids on ponies but not really that spectacular. Maybe thats because I’ve been teaching a musical ride to riding school kids for over 10 years now and its not that difficult. The Police jumping through fire is much better. The Devils Horsemen Stunt riders did a display to the music from Phantom of the Opera although I couldn’t quite work out what the display was meant to be. There were some very good and skillful movements demonstrated but at the end of the day they are stunt riders and thats what I would prefer to see, much more exciting than all that prancing about with a pole and a nylon sheet. The mounted games always goes down well, the games are a little bizarre these days. What happened to the traditional stuff like mugs, sacks and flags although that cow race was quite amusing. We left for home at around 6pm with our purchases, a £28 pair of spurs and a £10 thing for removing hair from numnahs which will probably either prove to be useless or we will lose it before next week.

Posted on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 1:08 am You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

Winter Pony Adoption

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

The Adoption scheme we have run through the summer has proved to be very successful and I have noticed a definite improvement in the riding of those that have taken part in the scheme. The Adoption will run through the winter but we have made some changes due to the darker evenings. Ponies will now be available to adopt on a Sunday, riders will be able to use the outdoor school, the indoor school when free, hack out around the lanes and take part in competitions run on a Sunday by Talygarn. Clients adopting ponies are also encouraged to look after them as if they were their own this has improved the confidence of clients around horses as they have become more competent in mucking out, grooming, tacking up etc The cost of the adoption will also include a lesson to be taken in the week. This has proved to be a popular scheme, at the moment there are some ponies still available to adopt.

Posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 9:35 am You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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