Back to work?!
Guinness is finally back to normal although just after we started doing work again, he managed to knock himself in the field and we had to be patient and spend a few days cold hosing and walking which is always hard when you are eager to practise and train!
The Plan
He has got a little 'plump' with all the time off and I thought thoroughbreds were supposed to be hard to keep weight on! We've only got just over 3 weeks until the Chiltern and Thames Showing Champs so that is the target to focus on right now. The plan is to go to Chalfont Heights Riding Club (of which I am a member) Open show the week before for some practise. I've also got a lesson with Kevin this weekend to do some gridwork practise as well which should be fun. I'm also going to enter a novice test on dressage anywhere, which allows you to film your test and perform it at home (which is great for keeping expenses down) and will give me some valuable feedback.
Training
Last week, before Guinness knocked himself, I managed to fit in a lesson with my trainer Sue Edwards. Considering Guinness had only been in light work before, he was exceptional. We focused on getting Guinness to be more confident to take a stronger contact. I have been so busy thinking about a soft, light contact and self carriage, that I'd forgotten that I still need 'some' contact. So I worked on keeping my elbows supple and elastic and keeping my hands as still as possible. Guinness learns very quickly and soon got the idea.
Something special to look forward to
My friend Rob who works and rides for dressage rider ' Anna Ross-Davies' is also going to have a ride on him for the first time next week. This is great practise for the showing champs where the judge will ride him and since I bought Guinness 16 months ago, only my sister and I have ridden him (with the exception of the judge at the qualifying show)! I'm really looking forward to it as it's a great opportunity for me to see how he works from the ground.
Puddle practise
This evening despite the heavy rain we went for a walk round the woods and made use of all the puddles for water practise. Guinness is so much more trusting now, and I feel so proud when he steps in to every puddle as this was something he was so terrified of before and we've overcome it together through patience and building trust. And despite the rain, he always seems eager to work and was keen to come out his stable and do something once he saw me get the tack out which makes it all the more enjoyable.
