Such a bore!

Ok I know its been a while but I have been busy driving around the countryside to lovely yards and treating horses, dogs and people! Its official...I have lost my mojo. Dressage has become a bit of a bore to be honest. All that bickering and point scoring, all the excuses, the judge didn't like me/my horse/my boots/my music lalala! When it comes to the importance of training ethics and riding the horse some people appear to be more interested in the bling they wear, what colour bandages they have and the latest bit contraption that will put the horse 'on ze bit' once and for all. I am thinking of marketing a small bottle of magic dressage potion that enhances the horses movement and if taken regularly will take the horse all the way to the top! Hmmm...maybe that has already been done!

I was looking in on a classical riding website the other day and was really suprised at what is considered classical riding! Apparrantly its ok to have no contact and a poking nose, and an almost working trot is considered to be extended. LDR was mentioned and all hell broke loose! To be fair many did not know what LDR stood for (Long Deep and Round)but those who did had plenty to say and none of it was complimentary! Two riders of distinction had paid a visit to the site and one of them had a video of a recent performance. Well, the critique from those who do not compete, (unless in a pelham), was vitriolic! Ah well I suspect the little Lippizaners are happy traipsing round with their noses out and not working particularly hard. At least they are well fed and watered and loved if in a somewhat strange world. Which brings me to the vast amount of cruelty and neglect we are seeing of late. Our country used to pride itself in being a land of animal lovers. What has happened? Every day there is something either on TV or in the newspapers about some heinous crime against helpless animals. I am appalled and even more so that the RSPCA will not involve itself unless the animal is near to death or dead. It is high time we had a new enforcement agency for the rights of animals, something akin to that in the USA. These officers do not tell the owner that they are coming, they do not give a warning, and there is no way they will be allowed any other animals once charged. There is no waiting until the half starved beast is near death, it is taken away immediately. The punishment fits the crime too and many go to gaol for quite some time, and so they should! So if you love animals, please look out for those abandoned this christmas and the rest of the year. Look out for those in fields with no food or water and no shelter. Report to Redwings or WWFH and get something done immediately. Donate to the people who do most not to those interested only in publicity.

So what do you want for christmas? I am hoping for a blue tooth sat. nav. which will make my job so much easier. It will also mean I can answer the phone hands free too! Apart from that I would like to see all the vulnerable and weak fed and in the warm. Our house always has room for waifs and strays at christmas. Of course its easy to turn a blind eye and unwrap all your goodies whilst glugging down a few gallons of wine but thats not what this time of year is all about........ Of course I will be expecting the little bottle of magic too!!

A judges lot

Oh Lord who would be a judge? Complaints about judges who know competitors (know them not train them) and should they be allowed to judge them? Well I don't think there will be many competitions if this becomes the case. The horse world is incredibly small and our social lives inevitably become embroiled within it. I have been judging for a good many years now and I know a lot of competitors and judges and yes, some of them are my friends but this does not mean that I give them high marks because of our relationship. Indeed, sometimes I think I am a little harder! Being a competitor as well, one would think. if this idea were true, that I would have qualified numerous times by now. Actually I should have won a national title with all the people I know! These topics are always written by people who had no chance of winning and does smack of sour grapes but it is the poor old judges who get the flack time and time again. Then there are the competitors who would like a rosette for just turning up, those who want to know which boots,jacket,gloves to wear and which saddle to buy. Recession? What recession! Mind, ask them to pay for training and they are not prepared to fork out more than £30. Ah well it takes all sorts! There is no doubt that our sport is an expensive one. I have been riding in the same saddle now for eleven years. It fits my horse, though not me as it was made for a well known GP rider and I bought it second hand from him, however I have adjusted to it and it feels like home, so although I would like a new saddle I prefer to use that money to train my horse. I sometimes compare dressage with Goks high street challenge, where he puts together high street clothes against designer. The point is, his clothes look just as good if not better!

I was out treating today at a riding school. A very old fashioned establishment with real old fashioned cobs and plods that are worth their weight in gold. The stable management standards are of the highest and all the horses get their backs done, saddles checked and dentistry twice a year. The owners buy the right types for the cleintele to learn safely on and have fun. All clients learn to tack up, lead,and groom the horses and generally handle them. Trips are organised to local shows, demonstrations and this week the Spanish Riding School. Whilst I was treating I could see the group lesson in progress. The riders had crossed stirrups and each had to trot a circle and then canter to the rear of the ride. Not once did anyone say,'I can't'. There was much laughter and verbal support. This was a group of adults learning in later life the joys of riding. The school organises picnic rides and internal competitions when both adults and children gain experience. Every now and again, mother and daughter who run the school, buy or get given an RSPCA case. He/she is nurtured back to health and given the chance of a loving environment. Some have blossomed into beautiful swans and were not suitable for the school but have been found homes for life and given much joy to their owners, many who have learned to ride at the school.
There are such good people in the horse world, it does the heart good to see it. I learnt to ride in one such school many moons ago and can still remember every pony I sat on. Sometimes we have to look inside ourselves a long way back to see why we set out on this journey and how we arrived here.

Musings

Well I survived the girls night out in Cheltenham...just. Goodness young men are bold these days and I was a little offended that the doorman did not want to check my ID at the door! For the last time...wine does not agree with me! Never drinking the wicked stuff again ever! To be honest I would really have preferred the Indian restuarant and then a good dvd at home! Still it was different.Young people are so much more sophisticated and fun than older generations. This was made obvious when we were in the company of a rather egotistical 40 something male who thought rather a lot of himself and as Claire said, thought all his christmasses had come at once! Not so the youngsters out clubbing, great fun but polite with it and happy to boost our egos not theirs!

I am suffering with my back at present, I think it is one of the discs and it jolly well hurts! I have been to see my back man but think another visit is in order. The diary is full of horses to be treated and I get out of the car like quasimodo! Not a good advertisement for my business! Mind you it does therapists good to be reminded what back pain feels like and gives you more empathy with your clients, both human and animal. I think I've been reminded enough now though, so please go away.It probably didn't help teetering around Cheltenham in stilletoe heels but when one is petite (midget like) and ones friends are so tall, needs must!

Every now and then I make a comment on BD forum that causes great furore! Honestly, all I said was that they should ban hanging cheek snaffles, you'd think I'd said I was cooking horse steaks for dinner the way they reacted! We were reminiscing about the old days on the forum before it was opened up to the general public and I was Josie and there were many great characters and good debates. The banter was free flowing and the threads were so interesting not least because of a certain Bluesky who could wind up Lazarus! Today we have threads like, 'Bandages or boots?' 'every day gloves' and 'sitting trot at medium', scintillating stuff! Back then we had 'Bonfire night' courtesy Carl Hester. 'Cinderella' courtesy Gingers and 'Can I tell you a story?' Josie. Ah yes, those were the days. To be fair Yoyo does try but there is always someone who cannot see the funny side. Where has our sense of humour gone? I fear it has gone the same way as our hats!

Demonstrators against capitalism are being supported by Vivienne Westwood. Anyone else see this as ironic? Now the Germans want our pound,proof of reincarnation is that Frau Merkel does speak and have the mannerisms of a certain dictator that we squashed into submission. Hands off love, our pound is here to stay and you are not having it! If only politicians were honest the world would be a much better place. Personally I think meercats should rule the world, Simples!

Discovery is enlightenment.

Whilst teaching ths week I started to touch on the biomechanics of the horse and rider. Not everyone is born with innate feel, although I believe that everyone has the ability to develop that feel if directed correctly. Starting with the way the horse moves in the walk and trot and what it feels like under the seat, really opens the riders eyes. Watch most riders rock back and forth in walk or swing through their backs with a collapsed stomach, now watch the horse from the back and observe his pelvis. It moves by dropping oneside and then the other. Once a rider feels this they can follow with the seat and a loose hip and thigh, the upper body then becomes still and only the pelvis absorbs the movement. This happens in the trot too. If the legs are relaxed in the walk the rider will feel the rib cage move away from the riders leg as the hind leg swings through. This will be the moment when the rider can influence the hind leg when asking for more engagement in the trot. Having studied the top riders for years, wondering and wishing, no yearning to do things the way they do, I now realise that this is what they feel albeit without having to think about it! If only I had discovered this at 16! More and more riders are questioning and asking to understand the biomechanics of riding. Good for them! and good for those teaching and explaining why if you use gripper muscles your knee and heel will draw up, but if you use your flexors your thigh will remain relaxed while allowing the lower leg to turn 30 degrees which allows the leg to cuddle the horse and become more effective. So many for so long have been trying so hard with tight muscles and ineffective leg aids because of wrong timing and lack of understanding. The forum is full of those who cannot sit to the trot. Small wonder if the buttocks and thighs are in spasm! Anyway, all this paid off when Lucie and her horse Arnie qualified for the regionals. I am a very proud surrogate mum!The icing on the cake was when Horse & Hound called Lucie and interviewed her about her wins over the last two weeks. Considering she bought this horse for a pound she has done brilliantly. We know we have loads of work to do before the regionals and we are not resting on those laurels! Pride comes before a fall so although we are excited (please forgive us!) we know it is not all plain sailing!

Its a long time since I went out on a girls night and this thursday Cheltenham had better be ready when Claire, Dawn and myself hit the town! What to wear? How do Cougars behave on a night out? Come on girls send me some tips please! And how much should one take out to spend? Its years since I went to a club or bar, I have to admit I'm a bit nervous. The other two are gorgeous and articulate, witty and bright. I think I am going to look like the dippy blonde with little to say!Apart from that they are both a foot taller than me although they have promised to wear flat shoes if I wear very high stilletoes! I can already feel the twisted ankles!

Busy week ahead which includes a lesson with Carl on wednesday and lots of lovely horses to treat and teach. I love my life and my work its just a shame it goes by so fast! Christmas is but a few weeks away! and then another year will dawn.

Straight talking.

What a fabulous day! Lucy and Helen surpassed themselves at Hunters and I was like a proud mum watching the school play! We had two super judges who were fair and absolutely spot on with their comments (no guide dogs in sight this week!). Lucy bought her horse for £1 so those out there wanting big moving horses but unable to afford them do look out for a bargain that may need time and patience to regain confidence. She was first in the qualifier and second over all with 69.9% and second in the non qualifier with 66.9% and there is more to come. Helens instructions for today were not to hurry and to keep her hands still. What an achievment 63.75% fabulous! But girls, really, I have to say this... punctuality,clean tack and boots!!Presentation is everything! and Lucy, no you are not trying to be a posh dressage queen but hay down your jacket is not required! Complacency serves to remind us that we have to be on the ball as Lucy found out when Arnie decided to suddenly hooley! Nearly lost the jockey, but well recovered!


Straightness is such a big issue and yet comes way down the list on the scales of training. From day one straightness must be addressed otherwise many marks are lost and training cannot progress. Even when the horse is trained and at the highest level the rider has to keep riding the horse straight. Now this is a problem when the rider is a little skewhiff! or the saddle does not sit straight or the horse needs his back doing. There are so many things to check and it can be a hard task but one that surely is worthy of great determination, time and patience. Attention to detail will always pay off!
Mr and Mrs Pincus were at the show today and I was reminded how knowledgeable they are! Flossy has such a way with words, albeit not the right ones at times! His humour is second to none and his dressage jokes are outrageous!I think he should take up judging as his comments would brighten up the day even if you were last!

This week has been busy. Not only fixing the backs of other people and their horses but also doing hours of physio on Bee. She has an old injury to the sacro iliac ligaments which through mis-diagnosis has been overlooked. However, new eyes from Hook Norton have backed me up when I said it was higher up. Now, at least, we have half a chance of getting things right and that and the Cartrophen have made Bee feel like a new horse. To fit all this physio in I have to get up earlier or finish later! Im not good on dark winter mornings, I would rather hybernate under the duvet than get up in the dark! Having left the girls reflecting their glory, I raced off in the lorry to pick up straw and then raced back to clip Bee. My new clippers were fantastic the first time I used them three weeks ago, however today they were awful! They kept switching off in the middle of a sweep across the coat, consequently Bee now looks as if she has been done with a knife and fork! Returning clippers tout suite tomorrow!

Heartfelt sympathy goes out to all those families who lost loved ones yesterday in the M5 incident. It turns out that the smoke from bonfires made driving conditions impossible. Isnt it time we stopped celebrating a terrorist on November 5th? Burning money in this recession is reprehensible and the poor animals affected by the fireworks is reason enough to stop.

Has anyone else given up watching X factor? Or are you watching through some morose enjoyment to see how bad they can be? I cannot help feeling that a lot of talent was dismissed early on in the programme leaving the final few as second rate. The judges can't agree (nothing new there!) the song choices are hideous and singing in tune appears not to be so important these days, cue Kelly to Frankie, its just the vocals that need working on!!!! I turn over and watch Casualty, totally believable of course!

First times.

Teaching in the gorgeous October sunshine this morning brought home how passionate I am about dressage. I came to this sport via the long route, from show jumping and eventing but I have to say it has been the most emotional, challenging and hardest discipline to conquer. I may not be the best of the best in the saddle, I may not have the most talented horses but I believe my passion and knowledge that I have gained along the way make up for that and if I can pass this on and make someone elses journey that bit easier I am very happy to do so. Two scales of training were broached this morning, suppleness and straightness, the two seem to go together. If the horse is bringing his quaters in and giving too much bend to the same side it is because he does not want to load the outside hind. As such we have to ride a little in renver to stretch the opposing muscles and straighten him. Horses find this difficult if they have been crooked for a while so short and sweet and many breaks help. The rider then has to learn to coordinate the aids without confusing the horse and getting frustrated. This is difficult if the horse gets fractious and throws his toys out of the pram but the rider must be brave and firm and not lose faith and keep asking until he responds, then reward. Of course if both rider and horse lose the plot all is lost! Lots of praise for both horse and rider and attention to being black and white so that the horse is never in any doubt of what is required. In fact, just like any relationship, each must know where they stand.

Last week I met up with an old school friend from our time in Germany. It must be 35 years since we saw each other. I entered the pub and recognised her immediately as she did me! We sat down and resumed conversation as if it was yesterday! The years wound back and I was a school girl again in year 4 slightly podgy, with the world at my feet and waiting for exciting things to happen. Two and a half hours later we were still talking, reminiscing and making plans to catch up with the rest of the gang in Germany next May. Since Carolann has returned to my life things have become more clear and more positive. The strangest thing is that she has been living ten miles up the road for the last 20 years! We must have passed each other numerous times! Its thanks to the Kent School website that we found each other again and linked up on facebook where we have found many others from that time. Listening to how somebody elses life has evolved is like reading a good novel. She was unsurprised that I was still involved with horses and I am unsurprised that she is an independent woman doing a highly emotional job. Its a shame we don't have time machines, I would love to return to my old school for one day in that time if only to tell everyone how lucky we were. Standing on the old playing fields smoking with the crowd while John Graves read to us from a letter he had received. I remember seeing the duty teacher walking the perimeter and getting closer so we all dogged our ciggies out and kept trying to tell John to do the same. He was so engrossed in his letter that Mr English arrived and stood amongst us staring straight at John. Eventually John looked up, the two eyeballed each other while John dropped his fag and smiled disarmingly. Nothing said, Mr English walked away and we all sighed with relief. And yes I was a little in love with John but after a couple of dates he was stolen away by another girl and I was heart broken (for about 2 weeks)! Who can forget the excitement of falling in love and being asked to the dance? Waiting for that first kiss....delicious!

First times are always the ones that stay in the memory and are as clear as if it was yesterday. The first day at school, the first kiss, the first time you drove a car, the first horse you rode, the first flying change the first piaffe steps. Please God let me have more firsts!

First debut!

Well Lucy did a grand job today at her first affilliated show. 65%+ and second in the non qualifier novice so on her way to getting to the regionals.It was lovely to get the marks deserved from a fellow judge/rider who knows her stuff and is at list 2. Oh my, what was the judge in the second test on? She did a really flowing rhythmical test and I thought, 'marvellous, at least the same mark. We can put this one to bed and concentrate on the other horse.' Never be seduced into thinking that you have it sorted! There is always a judge to prove you wrong! I am not ageist but there is a time in life when one should give up the judging especially if you cannot see! The test comments were so different to the test I watched I even queried if they had written the wrong name on the sheet! Oh well perhaps the guide dog did the judging! Never mind Lucy next time will be better. Its not just at this level though unfortunately. My friend who has a horse destinied for Grand Prix had some severe marks last time out and was, quite rightly very upset! Unless there are real training issues we need to be much more rider friendly as judges.
We still have lots of work to do to get Otto more on the hind leg and to get Lucy using her seat and leg more effectively but a good start!

Watching the working in I was amazed by how many people walk on the track and don't ride left to left! They pass so close sometimes its dangerous! I have to say I would be rather nervous riding a young horse amongst that lot! and are the whips getting longer? Do novice horses require so much whip and spur? What will happen when they get higher up the levels if they need all that for impulsion now? I'm sad to say Lucy was the only rider stretching her horse at the start and at the finish. Horses cannot work in the same outline continuously with out damaging muscles and ligaments.

Talking of backs, I am pleased to say that more and more of my clients are having their own backs done when I go to treat the horses. This is so beneficial as a crooked horse makes a crooked rider and vice versa. Its that time of year when riders should be checking their saddles for balance and getting themselves sorted before winter training commences ready for the championships. A stitch in time saves nine! One of my calls today was in Gloucester, a repeat treatment on a lovely horse who had previously had an accident in the field. The improvement after his first treatment had been astounding and today he couldn't wait for the Oscillator to work on his sore muscles, so much so that he dragged me into the box before his owner arrived at the door! Bless him, horses do show their appreciation in their own funny ways.

Im very excited because my Fritz Stahlekker DVDs have arrived, so I will be spending this evening watching and learning work in hand. The housework will have to wait! Its a shame that the Global Forum will not be televised as I would be glued to that too! Especially as Carl and Charlotte are giving a demo and talk. UK under 21s went on a yard visit to Carls yesterday and have reported that they had an amazing morning watching and learning from Carl and Charlotte. They now realise what hard work and dedication is needed for this sport, but they also saw that they needed good nature and humour to get them through too. How lucky are these children to have the best in the world on their doorstep?