Turning 13 and our 8th year together.

I am officially an awful mother - I forgot Adams birthday, again...

Its the 25th March, and every single year I fail to remember if it is 25th March or 25th April...After 8 years you'd think I'd manage it.

We have had a fabulous bank holiday weekend together so far. We have been on 2 hours hacks alone with minimal fuss. Very pleased with him and looking forward to the summer!

Adam this week - 13 years old and happier than ever :)

10th - 18th April 2014 - Hunter Trial and more sunshine!

So - incase you all thought I died during the hunter trial. I live to tell the tale.
I came home in one piece and very pleased with my chap.

He has never even attended such event, let alone compete in one.
I was feeling juuuust a little bit nervous and to top it off - some of my straps for my 5 point breast plate where missing. Fail on my behalf for not checking it before we left. So we made some odd contraption that would be my life line for the next hour or so. As well as my best friend - my neck strap.

He warmed up well. Really relaxed - he much prefers an open space rather than a school. Takes the pressure off a bit. I had the confidence to really open him up and give him a good blast.
Warm up fence was a challenge. But eventually got there following Colin.
Once he locks onto a fence and wants to go, god he gives a fantastic feeling! Really keen!
Its just getting him to it in the first place...

First fence was interesting - got left in the start box haha!
We then got very very lost which resulted in the commentator trying to help us (I don't even remember hearing him saying anything, actually didn't even realise he was there) and mentioning that we where having "A jolly good time" ha!
eventually made it over some fences and whether they where the right fences or not didn't really matter - we where defiantly disqualified by now!
But - I did get him over the ditch first attempt which I am pleased about. And he went straight into the water, but missed the fence after it - probably something to do with me being so pleased about the water and day dreaming.

It was a very funny 10 mins - and I cannot wait to take him again.
For a horse which isn't the easiest to introduce to new things, I think he did ok!
Will be taking him schooling next :)

Setting off to warm up!

Probably the best photo of the day 

4th - 10th April 2014 - Sunny evenings and preparing for our first ever hunter trial.

This week has been a good one.
 

Saturday's dressage went better than I anticipated. We had a harsh judge, and Adam was very tense at a new venue, after a long journey. Bit of a monkey in the warm up, but behaved perfectly in his tests. Very spooky arena!

We hacked with 3 other horses this week too. This is the first time I've braved this situation in 3 years, and he wasn't as bad as I though. Just thought that everything meant canter. Super!

Hacked alone yesterday around a longer and spookier hack. Very good pony, little tense but overal I think he really enjoyed it.
 

Hacked with lovely pheobe and Sarah this evening. Perfect pony, really tried and we had a lovely time :) also fantastic sunset!
 

Everything we have taught him in the past few months is really starting to sink in. So pleased!

The scary part....Hunter trial on Sunday. We are ditching the 'looking pretty and keeping calm' for going flat out and having fun.
 

He's never done one, haven't jumped him over anything solid for a good 5 years. Unfortunately haven't had the facilities at our yard or no transport. This should be interesting.
To ease him in gently (and myself!) We are going for the 2ft 3 pairs class. Colin will be leading the way (unless Adam loves life and overtakes him!!) So hopefully it won't be too disastrous!

Fingers, toes, hoofs and eyes crossed please!

4th April 2014 - Relaxed and Dressage at the weekend

I have had a busy week with family, and haven't had time to write any posts :(

But hopefully I am now back on track!
This week has been going well. During the weekend I had a little jumping lesson with Jo which was fairly entertaining. He loves it! Gets a little too keen and strong, but they where only tiny ;)
We then went for a hack on Sunday morning in the sunshine which was lovely :) He was fabulous, and we don't seem to think that I need much more help with my hacking now.

He had 2 days off and then I hacked him again on Wednesday, and he was 100%. So relaxed, walked around the block for me perfectly and I came home with a massive grin on my face :D
It really does show that with time, persistance and drive, you can achieve everything!

So we have Dressage tomorrow (Saturday) and we are doing Prelim 13 and Novice 27. It is at Colraine Equestrian Centre. Feeling slightly wobbly about it as he hasn't been there before, and neither have I, so all very new.
He is schooling well though, and seems to be so relaxed and chilled about life.
Plaiting and cleaning tack tonight!!

Late night checks. Squinty Scaddy!!

Bliss :)

We are now sending out letters for sponsorship, So if anyone has any fabulous ideas to help Adam and I get to where we want to be, please let me know.