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Post by dalesnfellfan on Jul 12, 2015 11:42:39 GMT -1
it's only just over a week to go to camp. Back in April I booked to go on the BHS 4 day adult camp, at the time I was still trying to build a relationship with Connie and although she hadn't put a foot wrong I was still nervous on her and couldn't bring myself to relax and trust her, and I thought it may be just what we needed, 4 days of intense instruction doing a bit of everything.
My objective then was to come home trusting her more and to gain more of a bond with her, but that has now already happened, over the last month I have slowly relaxed on her and we have learned to trust each other a lot more. I now know the things she may have a spook at, as I've relaxed so has she and her reactions when she does have a spook are much less anyway, also with the lessons I've been having with Sam and the work my Osteopath has been doing on me I am riding better and am more stable which gives me more confidence, in fact I think I am now riding better than before my accident.
So now my objectives have changed and I hope to move her schooling and my riding on and I'm now looking forward to having a go at jumping some courses and having a go at some of the jumps on the cross country course, they start at about 1'6" so we should be OK.
It's being held at Forest Edge competition centre, which I believe has really good facilities, and has direct access to the forest for hacking, if I have the energy, all meals are provided so no cooking and I'm sleeping in my lorry, just need to take the wine and Pimms.
My daughter is coming with her pony Ebony so we should have some fun, the only down side is she has been let down with transport so I am now having to go across to Northants to pick Ebony up and take her back afterwards, I'm going over tomorrow and bringing her back on Wednesday to stay at mine for a few days before camp and she'll stay a week afterwards so I'm not doing the driving too close to camp.
When I booked it I thought Emerald would have Silver for company whilst Connie was away, but he has gone now so she will be on her own, which is a bit of a worry, she has been fine in the field on her own while I've been taking Connie out so I think she should cope for 4 days, as long as she's got grass she doesn't seem to worry too much. |
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Post by colmworthdales on Jul 12, 2015 14:24:42 GMT -1
Not surprised you are looking forward to it, as it sounds a great four days. Do not overdo it though Andrea!! Hope you and Connie get jumping though - sure you will show a lot of the other riders up with your smashing pony. Sure Em will cope on her own - food is the most important thing after all.
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Post by mikea on Jul 12, 2015 18:23:21 GMT -1
It sounds brilliant - great fun - let's have lots of exciting pics
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Post by jaycee on Jul 12, 2015 20:42:44 GMT -1
Sounds really good, hope you have a great time whilst you are there. Let us know how it all goes.  |
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Post by harveydales on Jul 13, 2015 5:08:43 GMT -1
Sounds brilliant! Lovely to read how things have come on over the last few months. Interesting how the osteopath has improved your riding - we get into such bad habits with age and it's hard to change muscle memory without help. I'm finding the same. Have fun - looking forward to hearing all about it.  |
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Jul 13, 2015 10:27:21 GMT -1
Just heard my new saddle is arriving Thurs pm so I'm taking Connie down to get it fitted 9am Friday so we'll be going to camp with a saddle that fits properly, I was getting a bit concerned it wouldn't be here in time.
She has been wearing Spuds old saddle which was becoming too tight for her as she muscled up, I've been riding her less and shorter rides and been keeping the trot and canter work down over the last few weeks (except for the pleasure ride) to try to prevent her putting on any more muscle and making it even tighter and pinch her, I really didn't want to go to camp and work her hard and jump her in a saddle that might be uncomfortable, or worse, for her.
Really looking forward to riding in it, must get a few rides in over the weekend for us both to get used to it before camp.
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Post by Debbie on Jul 13, 2015 14:28:37 GMT -1
 hurrah for timely saddle deliveries! And Kudos to you for having your osteo help you after the accident  many people would simply say, "Oh I don't need that! I know how to ride." You're going through and making sure you're doing the best you can to help balance yourself as a rider, plus saddle, plus consideration for pony. Connie and Em are both incredibly lucky to have you for an owner I hope you have a brilliant time at camp! 
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Post by maggie on Jul 16, 2015 15:52:53 GMT -1
Sounds wonderful, have a great time.
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Post by Tynedale on Jul 16, 2015 17:08:48 GMT -1
Have a brilliant time Andrea, sounds like you are enjoying each other already.
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Jul 16, 2015 21:29:08 GMT -1
Got daughters pony back yesterday after a horrendous journey on Monday, the A14 was closed at Newmarket due to a nasty accident and all traffic diverted through the centre of Newmarket which was gridlocked. It took me 3 hours to do about 4 miles, then got held up at Cambridge and again at Huntingdon, 2 hr journey took almost 6 hours, thank God I hadn't got a pony on board.
Now just need to pick saddle up, bath 2 ponies, shop for treats to take, clean lorry and pack, exhausted just thinking about it.
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Post by harveydales on Jul 17, 2015 5:03:49 GMT -1
You'll be in need of a holiday after all this! Thank goodness you didn't have a pony on board during all the holdups.
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Post by valerie n scout on Jul 18, 2015 13:58:30 GMT -1
Oh have a lovely time, take lots of pics x
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Jul 18, 2015 14:22:12 GMT -1
I'll try and remember to pack the camera, currently disappearing up my own backside, one pony bathed and deosected, one to go, unfortunately my daughter Amanda had to work over the weekend, came over to see Ebony settled in and after one ride together on Thursday had to go home and not returning until Monday morning so Mum's got 2 ponies to get ready.
It should be fun traveling them together as both mares are dominant and they haven't stopped squealing and bellowing at one another with a lot of leg casting. Ebony is in a paddock next to my 2, fenced so they can't touch so she has been standing at the nearest corner squealing and shouting, she keeps whinnying to Em who she got on well with last year, and Em tries to go and say hello but Connie won't have any of it, she comes tearing across the field and herds Em away from her then goes back and squeals at her snaking her head and throwing her self around.
It is quite amusing watching them, I'm sure she enjoys winding Connie up.
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Post by harveydales on Jul 19, 2015 6:11:51 GMT -1
Goodness, you're going to need the break after all the stress of preparing for it!
I love watching the antics too. Yesterday I turned Harvey out and he went straight to Dolly with his ears pinned back threatening. Dolly just stood there, ears pricked and gently wickering to him in her usual friendly way. Usually it is Frankie waiting and I think Harvey mistook Dolly for Frankie! He soon changed his attitude and looked a bit sheepish. (both Dolly and Frankie are in the field next to Harvey and Lily)
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Jul 20, 2015 8:51:56 GMT -1
Hope it all goes well from now - have fun, I'm sure Connie will love it! Try and get loads of pictures.
I'll also bet that Connie and Ebony will get on better when they don't have Em to fall out over.
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many people would simply say, "Oh I don't need that! I know how to ride." You're going through and making sure you're doing the best you can to help balance yourself as a rider, plus saddle, plus consideration for pony. Connie and Em are both incredibly lucky to have you for an owner 
