So it's almost 2014...

Firstly I am writing this on my phone so please be prepared for any horrendous spelling mistakes (amused/anused for example. Not good.) Secondly...how is it 2014!? Wut. Why. How? Crazaaaay. I feel with 1 day left of 2013, now would be a good time to reflect on this year and also to set some goals for next year, so here we go... Basically 2013 was the best year of my life so far. This by all means doesn't mean it was all plain sailing because life just isn't, but before now when people would say to me 'it's worth it for the good moments' I honestly thought they were talking out of their arse. At the start of this year, I could quite happily tell you that there was no point to life at all. I'm not in any way trying to cry out for attention or make out I was depressed lol because I wasn't, that was just my general opinion on life I didn't understand why you had to live, like what was the purpose of all that? Why work so hard to be alive when you could just not exist instead, I mean life is hard I just didn't have time for that, I would rather have just been asleep forever and ever because sleep is easy and I can do that well. If you asked me what my opinion on life was now, I guess I can see why you'd want to do this living thing because sometimes it's kind of the most amazing thing ever and when it's like that, it is so worth it. I mean, my 13.3hh pony jumped some circling huge BE100 fences, when did I ever imagine that being a thing that happened? My horse that almost two years ago now very almost died learnt to jump and hack and do grown up things and is one day going to become the horse I always wanted. I am so, so lucky and I honestly cannot wait for 2014. (I am now going to stop being so deep and creepy/cheesy/we sometimes words fall out of my brain before I can stop them I'm sorry.) I always hate setting goals for myself because I never feel like I'm going to achieve them, but this year I'm going to give it a go and if I achieve them fantastic, if I don't, it's ok! So... *to have Jack working in a consistent outline in at least walk and trot. *to improve Sparkies flatwork slightly as I feel this is the only thing he really needs to work on now! *to jump a course on Jack *to jump 85cm/2ft9 on Jack *gallop bareback on either horses *gallop sparkie on the beach and finally *improve Jacks loading. Happy new Year and see you in 2014!

It's Christmasssssssssssssssssssssss!

Merry Christmas! On Christmas Eve me and Emma went up and played Chase me Charlie with Jack & Sunny..in onesies (please don't try to be as cool as us, you'll only disappoint yourself.) Well when we set off to start our ride the weather was lovely and it was all going fab until we got attacked by some crazy gale force winds, the weather was horrendous! Jack got a little bit upset and had a 5 minute tantrum but given how terrible it actually was he could have been so much worse, they were both very very good for their age, they could easily have freaked out and put us on the floor so many times! They both settled down and jumped really well up to 2ft6 which is the biggest both of them have jumped..maybe when the weather is better we'll go higher, but it was honestly awful and they made us so proud with how grown up they were! Just as we finished, a mahooooosive gust of wind came over and spooked them both which was great as Emma had no stirrups and I had no reins from holding my camera, they both turned and bolted but they came back so quickly and we were both laughing about it... think we must trust our youngsters a little bit too much sometimes!

I had a good Christmas and got such lovely presents off everyone- my mum and dad got me a red and blue custom made racesafe which is so, so lovely! I had a little ride in it bareback with my little Sparks on Christmas day which was cute :) The ponies all had a specially made Christmas dinner too!

Then on Boxing Day me and my Dad went for a little hack with Sparkie. He was really good, we went down one path where three horses galloped up and down next to us the whole way down but he wasn't bothered at all. We find what I thought was a little ditch, but actually turned out to be a huge wall with a ditch in front of it to jump and he had a good run in one of the fields (stopping was a slight issue, but we did stop eventually!)

 

We did some shows

Had a super busy weekend! On Sunday me and Emma went to a Christmas Show with Sparkie, Sunny & Lysie in tow. First of all, we totally kicked ass in the fancy dress, no one else even came near us, so a big thank you to my mother for her hard work there, we all looked pretty darn awesome.

The fancy dress class was only 1ft6 so therefore Sparkie was a bit of a crazy pony (he has no respect for smaller ponies!) and how I managed to actually remain on him and in relative control and get round clear I am slightly unaware! We came come with a 1st for the class & Sunny & Lysie got a 1st for their fancy dress- wins for Team Ginger all round!

Then when I got back I rode Jack for the first time since he moved house...now I was fully allowing for any naughty behaviour, a buck or rear would have been acceptable. If anything, he was boring haha! He was such a good boy, he schooled lovely, stood nicely to be tacked up, groomed, sprayed etc... what a fab baby :) On Monday we took Sparkie & Jack for a hack, me on Jack, Emma on Sparkie- they were both such good boys! Jack has only been on a handful of hacks in his life so again I was a bit lenient with any naughty behaviour- he had a few baby tantrums but nothing too worry about. He was even a super brave boy and managed to walk through some pretty huge puddles which he genuinely hates! He led most of the way and walked through open fields as if it was the most casual thing in the world... he makes me very proud sometime!

Then yesterday I took Sparkie to another show (poor pony eh! lol I lie.) The weather was absolutely vile, gale force winds, pitch black, pissing it down... and he was an absolute super star, I honestly cannot fault him. He was just so polite, well mannered and an absolute tank. In fact me and my mum just kept turning to each other and randomly saying things like "he's the best" or "he's honestly an angel" because he was so good! He just stood there in the dark and the wind not even tied up letting us polo wrap him and tinsel him up, he loaded straight on the trailer there and back (he actually ran up the ramp on the way there!) and he jumped fantastic, he was so honest with some of the turns I stuck on him and we won our class by 2 seconds! Very nearly did cry haha. We also did the pairs which all went tits up because I wasn't told I was entered until I actually got called into the ring and I didn't know the course and was in a flap because I had no idea what was going on, haha, so he had a stop and a run out, but it was genuinely because my riding was shite and I had no idea where I was pointing him, sorry Sparks! Still managed to come 6th though... I was super proud of him, he was honestly hoof perfect :) Definitely think giving him a break from showing has done him the world of good- he's only been to 5 shows this year and has come home with 3 1sts, a 3rd, a chocolate cake, a box of chocaltes, midarc qualifications and a voucher for a free jumping class. Honestly couldn't ask for a better pony, even if he does have his moments, he's worth it for when he shines through.

 

 

Five Day Challenge- Day 5!

Final day! (a bit late oops)
21. Favourite classes to watch
Big pony classes, like 1m10 plus I love to see! Also puissance classes and scurry racing are probably my favourites.
22. What's in your cooler at horse shows?
My Dad always brings bacon sandwiches or something along those lines... also usually chocolates and drinks (including a drink for sparkie of course)
 23. One thing about showing (or riding in general) you wish you could change?
showing is SO stressful, if it could not be that I'd love that to occur. Also no age limits on pony riders... I realise this is quite controversial as clearly it wouldn't be fair for a 7yo to be riding against a 30yo, but maybe the could split it into juniors and seniors. 24. Your ringside crew
The whole of Team Ginger!
25. Best prizes
Yesterday I won a chocolate cake that was pretty impressive...other than that I won some insurance vouchers once...

5 Day Challenge Day 4

16. One thing you'd like to change about your horse
I'm only allowed to choose one thing!?:( I have a whole bloomin' list! I would make Sparkie not allergic to himself and make Jack good to load.
17. Your horse's future
To be honest, I don't really have any plans for Sparkie's future because he's such an awkward schizophrenic child there's no point me planning ahead because he could go back to square one in a matter of days. As long as he's happy and as healthy as his stupid immune system will allow him to be, then we'll just tootle along and try to have fun. I'd like to take him to a few outings here and there such as shows and xc just to keep him ticking over and if he ever gets back to being as good a competition pony as he was that would be brilliant, but I'm counting on that or pressuring him to get there.. we'll see whatever life throws at us.

As for Jack, well he doesn't get off quite so lightly I'm afraid Mr J... I haven't got any definite plans as of yet, because he seems to change his mind daily on what he wishes to be... Ideally I'd love to BS him in the future but I don't think he's quite strong enough to do pure SJ, so hopefully I can BE him. Obviously this is very far down the line, but from day one I brought him with the intention of him being my next competition horse so I'd be pretty upset if all he amounted to was a happy hacker, lol, I'm very competitive and I've always wanted to affiliate..no pressure Jack ;) I feel like with the potential I know he's got (even if it's hidden) he could pretty much give anything ago so I just want him to be a nice safe all rounder to have fun on and compete :) If he does just end up being a happy hacker... well, I could never not love that overgrown pony. I know for certain that neither of them will be going anywhere any time soon!

 18. Your worst show ever
Wow, you want me to just pick one!? This question is impossible lol, please let me introduce you to Sparkie the dick face... the show where we got eliminated in every single class and 16 faults was probably not the highlight of his jumping career if I had to pick. Also the show where Jack jumped over the bloody breast bar, almost broke his leg and I had a panic attack, that was also not a fave show of mine. Aaah 2012. How I hated you.
19. Favourite horse show venue
Umm, probably Rodbaston that I've competed at.
 20. Your show day routine
Wake up, don't eat breakfast, forget to breath, do all the mundane tasks of getting ready, go to yard, catch my horse, find it is lay down in the muddiest part of the field, feel frustrated, clean horse, get tack ready, find horse has broke lead rope, chase horse down road, try to politely ask horse to load onto trailer, try to bribe horse onto trailer with treat, chase horse onto trailer with cattle prod, set off, forget to check electrics, stop, check electrics, start again, get to show, find horse is layed down in trailer, remove horse via jockey door, go book in for class, feel sick, cry, go into class, kick everyone's sorry ass (looool jk.)

5 Day Challenge Day 3

11. Critique your horse's conformation.
Good question. One has an overly large rib cage (at least that's what he tells himself) and the other apparently looks like he may have Shetland in him. Yep. 
12. Horse's favourite riding exercise
Again, good question. Sparkie likes galloping and jumping and that is all, Jack likes being untacked.
13. Favourite spa day products
Avon skin so soft is fabulous, especially for sweet itchy ponies! Also tresemme no frizz, not sure if horses are meant to use this but it's so good at getting the tangles out!
14. Three best things about your horse
Ooohhh. Well.
Sparkie;
1) I suppose the one of the best things about Sparkie is that he genuinely loves me which is ridiculous as he hates everyone and everything and just general life, so I feel quite privileged about this.
2) He's so cute he makes me want to die.
3) He is basically like a horse version of myself I feel. He thinks he's incapable of things, I think I'm incapable of things, he hates socialising with people, I hate socialising with people, he likes food, I like food... the list goes on and on.

Jack;
1) The first time I ever met him he jumped over a stable door.
2) The second time I met him he fell asleep on my lap. Do I need to expand?
3) He is the most honest, willing to learn horse I have ever met.

1)  15. Favourite picture of your horse
Why is this even a question. I don't even know where to start. These aren't my favourites, but I just couldn't choose so have these anyway.

5 Day Challenge Day 2

I have just returned from eating lots of food because it was Emma's birthday and we had Chinese, like, even I had Chinese which is not something I make a habit of, it was tres bien. Anyhoo.

6) Favourite equestrian book and movie.
 I used to absolutely love this one book when I was younger about a horse called Bonnie that was brought in of the moors by a boy called Ken but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called which makes me super sad :( My other favourite is a real life story called 'Lay Me Down' which will absolutely break your heart. Favourite film would probably be Spirit Stallion of the Place That's Hard To Spell because I used to watch it every day when I was little and I even knew all the words to all the songs out of it.. (I led an exciting life as a child.)

7) Most common riding misconception.When non horsey people think that anyone who owns a horse is rich. NO, GTFO.  

8) Two riding strengths and one riding weakness. 
I genuinely do not know what to write for either of these, I feel I have gotten to the point where I honestly do not give a rat's arse what I look like on my horse as long as it's doing something remotely correct, I never really pay much attention to what I'm doing right or wrong. I guess my hands are relatively ok if I had to pick something, but I am stupidly unbalanced, my heel is a crazy little thing and I cannot get the right diagonal for the life of me. Also idk what my leg spends it's life doing. Who knows!?

9) Least favourite thing about horses/riding. 
Eurgh so much to chose from... all the so-up-my-arse-I-had-to-have-my-head-surgically-removed bitches there are, the fact that you'll never get anywhere if you don't know the right names and people. I particularly dislike anyone who says 'who says cobs can't jump!?'. If you ever post that, you deserve to be high fived with a shovel.

10) What do you feed your horse?
Some chaff that smells nice, a supplement that doesn't smell quite so nice and tlc.