We met up with Sam and the Moodys at Vale View in Leicester. Frank was loaded up with horses and riders and headed off to Vale View in the early hours of Sunday morning. As Sam was not on until 4:30 pm we left home around 9am for a leisurely drive to the venue. We arrived relaxed and warm... not for long. !
First on the agenda was a look around the shop, bargain hunting. Then a well earned coffee.
First riders of the day were Emma and Pip Corbett - unfortunately a bit earlier so we missed those tests. A shame as I really like the new boy, Fio, think he will be something special and one to watch out for. Murphy was introduced to me later that day by Pip, wearing his scarf. It was cold you know. !
hannah was next up with her young lady Caluna. Possibly the first time I have seen Hannah compete and Caluna was looking good. I think it was their first Medium tests, certainluy would have been near enough the first and how well they did too. Han ended up winning both tests in Caluna although I dont think that would have mattered to Hannah as she was so pleased with Caluna after the test the result was not the issue although I think she was pleased about that too.
Emma Gallagher was next to go with her cheeky boy. The straight after was Sam. Ooh by now I was to take away. Nerves shot so keeping well out of the way. Not ususally as nervous but I think it was such a big test for them both and for her first time out with the boy. An Advanced Medium to warm up - HC and it was a pleasing test that allowed them to settle into each other in readiness for the big one.
Kwad earned a little rest in the wagon and we brought him back out about 20 mins before the big one just to warm him up a little and loosen him off. Sams fingers were so cold, hands red raw and painfully blue. Poor thing. I must remember to bring a hot water bottle next time. Also her Konigs are not broken in yet so cold feet and no feeling in her ankles.
The bell rings and the test begins.......oooooooohhhhhh!!!!!
Well I can say it was a really good test for her first ever advanced class and first time out on the boy,. whatever happens we were really proud and pleased with the overall picture. Although the lack of top hat and tails was a shame. Long story but her Patey hat bought as a special present for the hard work she had done presenting Caesar at the Premier Leagues and showing the girls and babies, didnt fit and was sent back a second time only to find it still didnt fit. So we are waiting now for her new Christie Hat to be delivered. It wasnt to deter her from the the test though and as it wasnt absolutely necessary for this level she entered at A.....
Kwads tempis were foot perfect and the test was a good one. Moody girls pleased and the first test was now over and done with. Now its down to the nitty gritty, more tests to come. We laoded up and Sam and I had a big hug. It was done. Her first test and first advanced over with. Now off to get the results......
Well it was a good test. Probably if we are honest needed a bit tidying up, bit of practice and more tests at this level and an excellent start. Sam won the class with 65.94 percent so a very pleasing start. Well done. Her Daddy was there too to watch and so this will be a day to remember. Thanks to all our support team. For the first time I was not a driver, chef or groom. I was able to enjoy the day and watch the tests, probably why I was more nervous than normal, nothing to keep me occupied.! ..
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Squad Training
We travelled to Bury Farm for the Squad training day on the 3rd January 2009. Temperatures of -8 recorded as we slept in the wagon...... very chilly. We were quite toasty in the wgon until it was time to get out from under our quilts... soon warmed up in the lovely cafeteria at Bury Farm.
Kwad had a really settled night in his luxury stable. Bury has an entire stable block set aside for temporary stabling but in fact rather nicely done. Home from home.
In the morning Sam had a fitness session with Jon Pitts, lots of rolling around on the balance balls from what I could see. Some very good techniques and now I have a shopping list which includes snaffling my balance ball for Sam to take to the Moodys. She really felt that the balance ball was helping with opening her hips, something the little stiffy has a problem with. You would think at 16 she would be more flexible.... although i do believe that the "child friendly pony" she tried from a local dealer some years ago is still playing havoc with her bones. Some 18 hours in A&E with lost feeling in her legs. The manic pony was brutal, after an exhaustive session trying to remove Sam from the saddle, when it finally did, it came back and jumped all over her. Very unusual for a horse to do this but this little pony was having none of it. She had only just started to trot. Anyway we feel the stiffness probably stems from this incident and she has rto work really hard to come through it. So balance ball it is...
Before lunch there was also a talk with Anna Ross Davies. What a lovely lady, so funny. Mums and Dads were allowed to join in and listen to gain all the tips we could to help our young riders. Really enjoyed the talk and found what she said made sense. Anna explained how she prepares for competition and how to eradicate those crucial stressy moments which cause pre competition stress. Anna explained how her trainer advised preparation for a big show and walked us through her preprations, thoughts and routines. How it was difficult for her to have a groom when she was so used to doing the hrose pre herself. Not having to do the plaiting up meant she had time on her hands. How she had to find ways of using this time constructively so that it wasnt filled with stressy moments. Very informative. I must say though I think the lack of qwuestions after her talk was down to one of two things, she either explained everything extremely well or we were so cold we didnt dare ask a question for fear we would be kept in the room a bit longer. Everyone enjoyed the talk and we certainly seemed to get a few ideas for combating any nerves.
After lunch Sam was ready to go into her session. Having only watched her a few times now on Kwad I was keen to see if I noticed any improvement. Fortuntately Sam got to keep her stirrups this time. This session seemed to focus more on obtaining a soft outline with a lot of stretching exercises and working the muscles across the back. Kwad seems to enjoy this now and is really warming to the experience. I must say I have seen an improvement in Sam, maybe its just because she is growing up and I see a young lady now instead of my little girl. Whatever it is I do enjoy and like what I see.
Anyway another fantastic session with Ferdi was over and we watched a few more lessons before our journey back to Sheffield. Selectors had a little chat with everyone after their training session too so after that we headed off back home. It was 4 and half hours to Sheffield and a further 2 hours for me to get back home so a long couple of days. But thankfully back to a warm bed.
We travelled to Bury Farm for the Squad training day on the 3rd January 2009. Temperatures of -8 recorded as we slept in the wagon...... very chilly. We were quite toasty in the wgon until it was time to get out from under our quilts... soon warmed up in the lovely cafeteria at Bury Farm.
Kwad had a really settled night in his luxury stable. Bury has an entire stable block set aside for temporary stabling but in fact rather nicely done. Home from home.
In the morning Sam had a fitness session with Jon Pitts, lots of rolling around on the balance balls from what I could see. Some very good techniques and now I have a shopping list which includes snaffling my balance ball for Sam to take to the Moodys. She really felt that the balance ball was helping with opening her hips, something the little stiffy has a problem with. You would think at 16 she would be more flexible.... although i do believe that the "child friendly pony" she tried from a local dealer some years ago is still playing havoc with her bones. Some 18 hours in A&E with lost feeling in her legs. The manic pony was brutal, after an exhaustive session trying to remove Sam from the saddle, when it finally did, it came back and jumped all over her. Very unusual for a horse to do this but this little pony was having none of it. She had only just started to trot. Anyway we feel the stiffness probably stems from this incident and she has rto work really hard to come through it. So balance ball it is...
Before lunch there was also a talk with Anna Ross Davies. What a lovely lady, so funny. Mums and Dads were allowed to join in and listen to gain all the tips we could to help our young riders. Really enjoyed the talk and found what she said made sense. Anna explained how she prepares for competition and how to eradicate those crucial stressy moments which cause pre competition stress. Anna explained how her trainer advised preparation for a big show and walked us through her preprations, thoughts and routines. How it was difficult for her to have a groom when she was so used to doing the hrose pre herself. Not having to do the plaiting up meant she had time on her hands. How she had to find ways of using this time constructively so that it wasnt filled with stressy moments. Very informative. I must say though I think the lack of qwuestions after her talk was down to one of two things, she either explained everything extremely well or we were so cold we didnt dare ask a question for fear we would be kept in the room a bit longer. Everyone enjoyed the talk and we certainly seemed to get a few ideas for combating any nerves.
After lunch Sam was ready to go into her session. Having only watched her a few times now on Kwad I was keen to see if I noticed any improvement. Fortuntately Sam got to keep her stirrups this time. This session seemed to focus more on obtaining a soft outline with a lot of stretching exercises and working the muscles across the back. Kwad seems to enjoy this now and is really warming to the experience. I must say I have seen an improvement in Sam, maybe its just because she is growing up and I see a young lady now instead of my little girl. Whatever it is I do enjoy and like what I see.
Anyway another fantastic session with Ferdi was over and we watched a few more lessons before our journey back to Sheffield. Selectors had a little chat with everyone after their training session too so after that we headed off back home. It was 4 and half hours to Sheffield and a further 2 hours for me to get back home so a long couple of days. But thankfully back to a warm bed.
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