tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100874532012-01-29T17:24:23.908Zthe day to day adventures of an unpaid eventing groomNicknoreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-49777423045251963072011-11-12T06:03:00.001Z2011-11-12T06:03:52.818Z

Hey there.I remembered hearing about a quick and easy solution right away I took advantage of this now people have a new found respect for me trust me this is no jokehttp://www.newsinpictures.com/redirect.php?pyzol&13jujoziw=yahoo.com&figiri=aol.com&url=http://9bu-siness-feed2011.ru/profile/see you later

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-56306889616484684652007-11-12T17:02:00.001Z2008-10-20T12:22:16.987Z

It's been a while, but mainly because it's been a while since I was out.Monster was put out to grass for summer to rough off, and when ambles started I was too busy at work use them to get her fit. For the last month she's been out on walks with me and my wife has been schooling (ha!) and lungeing her. As way of saying thank you on Saturday I lent monster out to my wife and followed on foot. As

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-65436120312231247082007-02-08T19:44:00.000Z2007-02-08T19:53:11.843Z

...for best Horse in A Dramatic role goes to.../fanfare...MONSTER."Who, little old me? Gosh! I never expected this! Oh! You shouldn't have", and gush to fade.A little midweek hunting for us both to make the most of the remaining season has somewhat backfired. Basically, MONSTER is broke. She lost a shoe, which wasn't noticed until an hour after the fact when the retrieved item was found not to

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-25948682341982506752007-02-02T17:01:00.000Z2007-02-02T17:20:54.883Z

"What are you doing down there, again" are never words one want to hear whilst out hunting. That such words should spring forth out of the mouths of innocents - nine year olds mounted on little grey ponies that wouldn't look out of place in a Thelwell cartoon - is even more humiliating. Yet such the latter half of the season has progressed.After a crashing fall through a stone wall at the weekend

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1166437624412662942006-12-18T10:24:00.000Z2006-12-19T14:43:50.470Z

Two lessons were learnt at the weekend.The first is that 1001 makes a great spot cleaner for hunting jackets, and gives you a nice fresh smell.The second is that leaving muddy tack to dry off for two weeks then trying to clean it on the morning that you're going hunting is A Bad Thing. Especially when you're in your white breeches and hunting shirt. Quite apart from that trivial reason for

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1164214014200375252006-11-22T16:45:00.000Z2006-11-22T16:49:06.790Z

The weather was appalling on Saturday as we had our first effort at clean boot hunting. A local fell-runner set off to lay a trail, with no scent other than that of his well worn running shoes. It was like being a Texas Marshall chasing a chain gang escapee as the Bloodhounds were set onto the trail. Watching them come out of the woods, sniff around for the trail, then set off with a hue and cry

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1163362160858144062006-11-12T20:01:00.000Z2006-11-12T20:11:02.980Z

I must confess that as I showed GROOM the five bar gates last weekend I couldn't quite believe that I'd jumped them. Maybe they'd been opened and replaced with pallets, as above.Everyone was looking forward to yesterdays meet, in hedge country. The warm up was a couple of pallet fences, as above, and a stone wall. Any doubts that MONSTER and i (grammer) had cleared five bar gates was dispelled by

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1163361682581152102006-11-12T19:56:00.000Z2006-11-12T20:01:22.590Z

Two weeks ago, whilst shivering in Polyester in a horizontal rain, I asked the members of the Hunt where to go for a jacket. INTERNATIONAL SHOWJUMPER said that he had been lent a jacket that didn't fit him and might fit me, and promptly offered to bring it to the next meet.He was as good as his word, and before we set off I tried on a perfect fitting jacket. 32oz cavalry twill, tattersall check

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1162663267066111432006-11-04T17:59:00.000Z2006-11-04T19:36:57.583Z

When does keeping a clean jacket become a matter of course rather than a fluke. Two weeks running now. If I can manage three I'll consider myself to be improving.Driving back from todays meet I was able to point out some of last weeks jumps to RIDER as we drove past in the wagon. It was only then that I realised they were five bar gates.I am so proud of MONSTER.

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1162136154242489702006-10-29T15:32:00.001Z2006-10-29T15:35:54.243Z

Despite horizontal rain we were out hunting again yesterday. For the first time out for a proper hunt I managed to stay on over all the jumps. We were out in the saddle over two hours, only returning when the HUNTSMAN declared it was running down his crack and we had demonstrated quite enough British phlegm.In just a month of hunting my weight has dropped by a stone. Who says the horse does all

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1161455428838941822006-10-21T17:53:00.000Z2006-10-23T11:29:09.536Z

Rain fell heavily this morning as we got ready to go hunting.Despite the sun coming out as we headed North the Fells still hid their tops in iron grey clouds. I think MONSTER knew what was coming and unloaded herself from the wagon.RIDER tried to encourage me to stay up the front in case the field got split, though as we set off up the lane I was scared. Last week my final fence had resulted in a

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1161340094789215472006-10-20T10:23:00.000Z2006-10-20T12:33:32.583Z

SCENE:A riding school. A man who has never ridden before is being led out to horse.MAN: Will I be able to gallop?INSTRCTOR:Riding is about learning the mental as well as the physical aspects. That's what we teach here. Safety is everything. Horses are animals and they can react differently every day. You need to be able to sense that and adjust your riding accordingly. That, perhaps more than

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1161008201544235022006-10-16T14:03:00.000Z2006-10-16T14:16:41.680Z

Frankly I'm amazed that half the county didn't turn up at the hunt on Saturday. Out to FARRIER on Friday afternoon for a shoeing and every phone call he's encouraging someone to come. While we have our own nicknames at home for the horses FARRIER of course has his own, THE FELLA is known as CHESTERS, the NAUGHTY PONY is TWINKLETOES, and MONSTER is COLOURS. Or rather she was. Ever since I went out

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1160392413257252092006-10-09T11:12:00.000Z2006-10-09T11:18:43.526Z

The world is not short of websites and instructional videos telling the uninformed how to go about their foray into dressage to music, though I'd recommend equiworld.net.All these instructional sites/videos/expensive consultants tell the rider how to use a metronome, perform gait analysis, and match the tempo of the music to the horses gait so that the whole forms a pleasing picture. For many

Nicknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1160322134997942832006-10-08T15:40:00.000Z2006-10-10T17:10:11.126Z

I don't normally like to show myself on here, but I had to laugh out loud at this "Camp As ..." photo taken as I helped RIDER get ready for dressage...Look like I should be the one in the dressage saddle with that quality mince.

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1160055424058663442006-10-05T13:36:00.000Z2006-10-05T15:34:51.303Z

As well as being a huge amount of fun hound exercise has been a series of lessons for MONSTER and I.I have improved my seat, and she has learnt not to hoon off all the time. She has finally twigged that there will be plenty of opportunities for cantering and galloping so she needn't take each one as if it's her last. Which is A Good Thing, as in the first couple of outings her noseband rubbed her

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1158669821078385082006-09-19T12:32:00.000Z2006-09-19T12:43:41.090Z

Blimey, a year has passed since I last posted.Mainly because RIDER was in a car accident and can't hold the reins well enough to go eventing. That and a psychotic FELLA at the one event we did try for this year. We sacked off the FARRIER and moved on to FARRIER 2. Who has turned out to be very good, and very punctual. The small matter that we box up and drive to him helps.With a reliable farrier

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1158674664847531322006-09-15T14:03:00.000Z2006-09-19T14:05:00.606Z

I hear that at Hartpury College CIC*** William Fox-Pitt waved the keys of the Mitsubishi pick-up he ahd just won under the nose of Andrew Hoy.Andrew Hoy removed his Rolex and waved it in William's face in return.If I'd known this I'd have laughed even harder when Andrew Hoy failed to win the Rolex at Burghley the other week.

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1129842592187660792005-10-20T20:55:00.000Z2005-10-20T21:10:17.660Z

I'll just say before we start that our farrier is very good. At nailing shoes on. He diagnosed and fixed the NAUGHTY PONYS three year lameness.But at actually turning up at the arranged times he is crap.Last time he came out he was two weeks late, by which time THE FELLA and MONSTER had both thrown shoes. We were all agreed that they couldn't afford to go lonmger than our scheduled six

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1126643090758028242005-09-13T20:19:00.000Z2005-09-13T20:24:50.763Z

It's a shame that we are so bad at cricket that when we finally win a Test Series against the Aussies the whole country goes bonkers, overshadowing our results at Blenhiem this weekend.Still, it's nice to take part in a sport where we get so used to success that it's failure that is newsworthy. Not that we should expect success for much longer if the dressage becomes more influential. So well

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1124829635066356862005-08-20T20:00:00.000Z2005-08-23T20:47:19.023Z

Rode THE MONSTER today. XC and everything. I mean proper jumps, even if teeny-weeny.Palisade, tyres, hedge, ditch and rails, plain old ditch, wall, in and OUT of the water, trakhener, rolltop, steps, pheasant feeder...Woo hoo!Anyway, we went back to the wall and Trakhener.Snort, snort. Go! Canter canter canter and LEAP. Head down, poke nose and try to fuck off. No, come back. Collected canter

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1124295049248723452005-08-17T16:09:00.000Z2005-08-17T16:10:49.253Z

Not ignoring you, just posting details of THE FELLA on his official website instead.Meanwhile THE MONSTER and THE NAUGHTY PONY are enjoying summer out in the fields and being remarkably well behaved.

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1122561364904698272005-07-28T14:27:00.000Z2005-07-28T14:36:04.913Z

THE FELLA was due to compete at Royal Lancs this week. Unfortunately things have conspired against us. We went on holiday three weeks ago. The farrier was supposed to have come the week before, but had to delay it. As we like to be there when THE FELLA is shod we arranged to have them all done the week after we got back.We got back to three horses with loose shoes, but all still attached.On

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1119118828517345882005-06-18T17:53:00.000Z2005-06-30T11:10:21.956Z

I realised the other day where that particular phrase came from. It's the one I want to use every time I take THE MONSTER out for a hoon.Such an opportunity came today.We had arranged for THE FELLA and THE MONSTER to go to a cross country course and gallops. Wagon problems meant that alternative arrangements were needed, and THE MONSTER and I (grammer), hitched a lift to the venue.Wayhey!What a

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1119117053475333632005-06-12T18:00:00.000Z2005-06-18T17:50:53.480Z

I gave up a place at the UK National Championships of my sport this weekend to support THE RIDER.Up at silly o'clock to travel four hours across country. Except that it only took 2 and a half hours. Our estimate was based on the time taken by a Citoen Xsara driver, who must end up with longer queues behind him than even we did!Parking was atrocious - lack of space meant there was no room ti tie

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1117834729046168482005-06-03T21:38:00.000Z2005-06-03T21:41:26.683Z

There are talks afoot of changing eventing scoring to 'make it easier to understand'.One of the propsed changes is to have highest score win. If you're involved with horses it doesn't take long to understand the scoring. No need to change on our behalf then.So on who's behalf is this change? One reason I've heard is that it will make it easier to understand for the non-riding public.Excuse me?

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1117401508760840822005-05-29T21:18:00.000Z2005-05-29T21:18:28.763Z

Not third time lucky this season, rather fourth.Yes, RIDER and THE FELLA have finally managed to complete. Not that you would have thought that they were going to after the course walk. RIDER was apprehensive abut THE FELLA making it. I suspected that THE FELLA would have no problems, instead it was RIDER who was scared. Still, there were no bogey fences to be afraid of, just some awkward

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1117230092192362692005-05-27T21:35:00.000Z2005-05-27T22:24:58.673Z

RIDER wanted to teach THE FELLA about steps.This is where THE MONSTER comes in.She might not conform to the tall skinny or handy but big hearted pony eventing stock stereotype, but she'll have a go*.The idea is that by planting the buxom blonde in a baby doll nightie that is THE MONSTER on top of a set of steps something will stir in what remains of THE FELLAS gelded loins and he'll be up there

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1117229634412582942005-05-23T21:20:00.001Z2005-05-27T22:24:15.853Z

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

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1116695812428904972005-05-21T17:06:00.000Z2005-05-21T17:16:52.433Z

I see (Eventing, June 2005) that Clayton Fredericks has had 400 response to an online survey which queried the FEI scoring system. 99% of respondents preferred the BE system, which gives greater weight to the XC.Under current FEI scoring dressage scores are multiplies by 1.5, which gives a greater spread of marks, but also gives an advantage to Dressage Queens over cross country riders.Andrew Hoy

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1116013582943101942005-05-13T19:37:00.000Z2005-05-13T19:46:22.943Z

THE FELLA enjoyed himself mid-week.His exuberance in the dressage resulted in his best score yet.Showjumping was, ahem, exhilerating. I was trying to take photos but the sod was running so fast and low that all my shots are badly mistimed. There is a nice shot of a falling upright frozen in mid-air. Amazingly it was the only one he took out. My initial fears were for a cricket score.The effect of

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1115838774399025472005-05-11T18:50:00.000Z2005-05-13T19:36:09.146Z

Unable to attend Badminton this weekend makes one appreciate the BBC.Our appetites had been whetted in the first place by the virtual cross country course.Then on Saturday they showed the cross country live on BBC interactive. The last five in the show jumping were then also shown live on Sunday, after more XC highlights.Best of all the virtual XC course, and the cross country and show-jumping

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1114713760641345562005-04-28T18:40:00.000Z2005-04-28T18:42:40.643Z

I couldn't have been more wrong - it's been cancelled!Pants.

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1114636853051623692005-04-27T21:17:00.000Z2005-04-27T21:20:53.053Z

After the way that real events closely matched my prediction last weekend I'm having another go...FELLA will come off like a lamb, let me put studs in without breaking the tap, do his best dressage, let me swap saddles without running round in circles, pick his bloody front feet up for ONCE, JUST ONCE, in the show-jumping, then remember what all the fun is about and gallop across country like I

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1114378895181040592005-04-24T21:25:00.000Z2005-04-24T21:41:35.183Z

Two months after the start of the season RIDER has been able to vent her frustration about not riding yet. This afternoon was the first event of the season. How civilised to be able to enjoy a weekend lie in, turn up at the yard and attend to all three horses and still have plenty of time before setting off.As we drove down the motorway to the event we saw a large amount of ambulances and police

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1113508261113064562005-04-14T19:45:00.000Z2005-04-14T19:52:56.503Z

RIDER is in.First event of the year now looming close. New shoes for THE FELLA with stud holes in readiness. Plenty of advice from farrier too about keeping threads nice and clean. Much appreciated.THE FELLA is nice and chilled, a lot more so than last year. Here's hoping he remembers his job and carries on where he left off. To be realistic he's probably going to stress in the wagon, come off

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1112625152055997912005-04-04T14:02:00.000Z2005-04-04T14:32:32.056Z

RIDER was disappointed to be balloted out of her first event. There was a choice of Brougham, or Stafford. Brougham is usually balloted so RIDER hedged her bets by entering Stafford thinking that as a new event it wouldn't be so popular.WRONG.Still, we have been to watch to get in the mood. We enjoyed the Advanced day at Witton Castle, even if the Irish Mist was a bit thick. We used the day to

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1109347576535137532005-02-25T12:50:00.000Z2005-02-25T16:06:40.646Z

1. SHOWGROUND - MEDIUM VIEWHorseboxes driving into showground. In the background horses are being readied for their classes.VOICE OVERAnd now, show jumping from Inchfield International ArenaMusic: 'Rumours' by Fleetwood Mac.CUT TO:2. CLOSE SHOT - RIDER - belt being done up round waistCUT TO:3. CLOSE SHOT - HORSE - travel boots coming offCUT TO:4. CLOSE SHOT - ARENA - fence cups being placed on

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1108558879163558572005-02-16T12:50:00.000Z2005-02-16T13:03:49.146Z

MONSTER went out showjumping at the weekend. This is the first time in a year she's been out. RIDER got the glory of course.I was visiting friends in Yorkshire Sunday morning so it was left to RIDER to suit and boot her and throw her on the wagon. I drove back from friends and met RIDER at the venue. MONSTER was pleased to see me.RIDER signed her name for the 75cm class and while she got ready I

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1107174522897002682005-01-31T12:30:00.000Z2005-01-31T12:28:42.896Z

MONSTER got new toes on Saturday, and I took her out for a hack this morning. NAUGHT PONY set off in front of us at canter and I held MONSTER back to give us room. It was like sitting on top of a cartoon as she cantered on the spot until I released the brakes, she dropped her head, and we set off as fast as her little cob legs would carry her. While other people are miserably sat in traffic on

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1107174212084048012005-01-29T18:00:00.000Z2005-01-31T12:23:32.083Z

RIDER got a new video camera for Xmas. This is so that GROOM can stand like a numpty on the sidelines while RIDER takes her dressage test (which will force her to learn them instead of relying on a caller.), goes showjumping, or hoons across country. Self-same video camera may have already paid for itself. RIDER was taking part in a Jumping And Style competition at the weekend. Think show jumping

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1105721715340089732005-01-14T16:44:00.000Z2005-01-14T16:55:15.340Z

Yesterday I was On Company Business. I had to be up and on the road at 5 a.m. No earlier than when I'm taking RIDER and THE FELLA to an event maybe. But instead of getting up at 4 a.m. and blearily shovelling three barrow loads of shit from the stables, calming RIDERs panic, etc I was heading down the motorway leaving RIDER to do everything before she too set off for work. Work may pay for

Nicknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1105528361015863942005-01-12T11:08:00.000Z2005-01-12T11:16:22.116Z

I've been having fun and games with Wedding Hat lately. A bit of background. The yard has four stable blocks. Normally the first person down to the yard works their way round all the stable blocks feeding all the horses, then gets on with turning out their horse, and getting on with their jobs. Not Wedding Hat. I share the main american barn with Wedding Hat. When Wedding Hat arrives first

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1105456056263427332005-01-11T14:40:00.000Z2005-01-11T18:23:45.446Z

UNPAID EVENT GROOM Original script by Nick3216 Inspired by the events of last year This draft by Nick3216 11 January 2005 1 BLACKNESS Out of the blackness of space spots of light start to appear. We are MOVING TOWARD planetary nebulae; MOVING through the stars; MOVING closer to the Earth. We MOVE CLOSER to the earth; beautiful, covered in clouds, as though SEEN from a satellite. We are

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10087453.post-1105459107836125352004-12-11T22:00:00.000Z2005-01-11T18:25:53.710Z

It is a cold, DARK winter evening. The sky is clear and full of stars. A heavy frost covers the ground. The camera is by a riding paddock, and in the darkness we can make out the shape of two horses. The first is a 14.3 palomino mare, wrapped in mauve turnout rug. This is THE PONY. Also in the padddock is a 15.3 piebald Irish Cob. This is MONSTER. Both are playing in the cold. THE PONY seems

Nicknoreply@blogger.com0