ShowjumpingShire back in action and ready to go!

Apologies for lack of posts but Picnic has been out of action and enjoying life as a field pet for a little while.  Now fully recovered and back in a fitness regime which has been eventful as she is in very high spirits being back in work!  Slowly settling down and getting over the initial excitement of jumping again where brakes and control were a big issue, we are soon to be back out and ready for the winter season and qualifiers :)

Having some time off has given me a chance to spend time refreshing my knowledge and brushing up my skills as I have decided to train towards my UKCC3 next year showjumping specific.  I have attended lecture and demos from various trainers and also taken the opportunity to take my youngster away for intensive training sessions at AM Dressage with Matt Frost in the hopes to really give her the best start and make sure all the basics are in place before we get carried away jumping, my time there also included my attempt at being a dressage rider on one of their schoolmasters that is trained to Grand Prix.  I didn't do too bad for a showjumper and yes I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed playing with piaffe and passage round the arena!!!  However I have not been coverted yet but it did my riding wonders and I can really notice a difference back home riding my horses with a stronger position (also made me realise I need to do more pilates to strenthen my core as my stomach muscles ached for two days after)

Next stop is weekend away with Socks showjumping and cross country schooling - watch this space to see how we get on....




Socks 4 year old - intensive training day one!




Socks - first time jumping away from home



My attempt at dressage - I do have those stomach muscles somewhere...