Brakes, but no go
THE RIDER spent lots of money the other day on yet another new bit for THE FELLA. I'm sure that she is single-handedly responsible for the global shortage in steel.
Anyway, it came on a ten day money-back trial.
I knew that it wasn't going back as she approached fence four in the show-jumping and MANAGED TO SLOW HIM DOWN.
This is a major breakthrough. Not so much braking that he stops dead and refuses to go forward, but enough that he can be pulled back then ridden off the leg.
RIDER and THE FELLA were late down to their dressage last weekend despite me telling the stewards that she was ready and there was no-one in the ring. There was no break scheduled for the judge for another five riders either. But offical was far more interested in gossiping with her friends. By the time RIDER got to her ring, the one at the very far end of the line, naturally, the first thing the judge did was call her over and tell her off for her time-keeping. As THE FELLA walked away he managed to step on his own feet (makes a change from mine), and pull off a shoe. Despite being flustered by her unwarranted telling-off RIDER then managed to coax THE FELLA into his best ever dressage test, even with an error of course.
Ten pounds lighter we had the shoe nailed back on and whipped out his studs to reduce the risk of pulling any more. The going was good enough not to worry about grip.
To quote the commentators 'a very nice clear' in the show-jumping was making this look like a good day. Especially as he got round the XC here last year. Were we going to get our first finish of the year?
Sadly, no. A great start was no indicator of things to come. The rain now falling was a more accurate portent. Once again it was steps that were his downfall. RIDER admitted afterwards that she didn't drive him at them hard enough. It's easy for me to stand on the ground and point out where she's going wrong - from 8 foot up things look a little different - and not easier.
We have one week to get him ready for his next outing. We have a plan.
Anyway, it came on a ten day money-back trial.
I knew that it wasn't going back as she approached fence four in the show-jumping and MANAGED TO SLOW HIM DOWN.
This is a major breakthrough. Not so much braking that he stops dead and refuses to go forward, but enough that he can be pulled back then ridden off the leg.
RIDER and THE FELLA were late down to their dressage last weekend despite me telling the stewards that she was ready and there was no-one in the ring. There was no break scheduled for the judge for another five riders either. But offical was far more interested in gossiping with her friends. By the time RIDER got to her ring, the one at the very far end of the line, naturally, the first thing the judge did was call her over and tell her off for her time-keeping. As THE FELLA walked away he managed to step on his own feet (makes a change from mine), and pull off a shoe. Despite being flustered by her unwarranted telling-off RIDER then managed to coax THE FELLA into his best ever dressage test, even with an error of course.
Ten pounds lighter we had the shoe nailed back on and whipped out his studs to reduce the risk of pulling any more. The going was good enough not to worry about grip.
To quote the commentators 'a very nice clear' in the show-jumping was making this look like a good day. Especially as he got round the XC here last year. Were we going to get our first finish of the year?
Sadly, no. A great start was no indicator of things to come. The rain now falling was a more accurate portent. Once again it was steps that were his downfall. RIDER admitted afterwards that she didn't drive him at them hard enough. It's easy for me to stand on the ground and point out where she's going wrong - from 8 foot up things look a little different - and not easier.
We have one week to get him ready for his next outing. We have a plan.
posted by Nick on Monday, May 23, 2005
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