Brennan goes XC - Wheeeeeeeeee!

Today was very exciting for both pony, owner and, I think, riders because it was Brennan's first time out on a XC course and out in wide open spaces cantering and jumping with other horses. He was a super good boy and took it all in his stride. Not surprisingly he was a tiny bit on his toes to start and shouted a few times but who could blame him really as it was busy and there were lots of other horses calling out so he probably thought it would be rude to ignore them, haha! It was just the best sort of life experience for him ever today and I am thrilled with how well he performed. The jumps were teeny tiny but it was not about getting him to show how high he can jump, it was about making the experience fun and educational for the pony and absolutely not over-facing him and I know we succeeded in our goal of doing this. I must take a moment to thank Kim who came all the way from Wellington to ride him for me and Karen for offering instruction and guidance and for catching the loose horse that came straight for us at the end of the day (see Karen, I knew the bucket with feed in it would come in handy!!).

I took a few photos and was lucky enough to have Nick come over after his stint at the Farmer's Market so he kindly wielded the video camera for me. Here are the results:

Getting started over a cross pole

Warming up

Warming up

Warming up

Zoomin'

More zoomin'

Leapin' (well, not quite)

Off the bank

Careful pony

Cuuuute!

Lovin' the logs

Jumpin' tyres

Up a bank

Clamberin'

All done - good pony

Video

Brennan's new saddle

In my whole life I have never, ever, had a new saddle. So, when Brennan's BRAND spanking new Wintec arrived on Monday night I was very, very excited!

The package included a Wintec Pro with contourbloc, the entire Wintec gullet system (including a gullet gauge for measuring), stirrups, Wintec webbers, an elasticated Wintec dressage girth, Wintec saddle cover and white saddle pad and when opening the box I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.

Unfortunately the weather yesterday was not conducive to trying the saddle on for size (we had thunder, lightening, hail, sleet, snow and wind!) but today is a beautiful day so I trundled out this morning to give it a whirl.

Brennan measured wide with the gullet gauge so Nick and I pulled the medium gullet out and put the wide gullet in and I tacked him up and clambered on board. I have not ridden Brennan for many, many months and am packing a few extra winter kgs so the ride was short but very, very sweet. I was amazed at the new tricks he has learned and so impressed with the fantastic job Karen is doing producing him. We even nailed a couple of walk to canter transitions - wicked!

Now I can't wait for Karen to try it out!!

I got the Dressage Queen in a flatseat!

Today we have photographic proof that DQ's do jump. I think Karen thought I was joking when I told her she was going to be riding Brennan in a flatseat today. Joking I was not, haha! I am so bummed that the first photo today ended up being a little out of focus but I am sure there will be other jumping pix to come so it is not the end of the world. Karen did a fabulous job today, especially considering that it has been about 17 years since she last jumped (don't you dare tell her I told you that tho!!).

Brennan also tried a new bit today, a Myler, but he told Karen, in no uncertain terms, that he did not like it, so he went back into the Neule Schule. It's a little big but he is happy in it so, until we can find one in his size, it will have to do.

Today was more dressage schooling followed by by a bit of zoom zoom over poles. Brennan was feeling quite 'well' today and, for the first time ever, nearly unseated Karen when he kicked up his heels at one point. I didn't laugh, honest, well not much anyway. I also didn't get a photo of it, darn!