Back to school...

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AS soon as we move, the next thing on my agenda is to book a few lessons with a good, cheap instructor.

I spoke to the lady at the new yard today and there is a list of instructors' numbers, that the girls have come out to them.
So I will definitely be making arrangements in the VERY near future...

Better not forget the teachers apple....OR Mcfly's.hehe (sorry, bad i know!)

loves
xx

Our New Home...

I drove down the drive to the old stables for the last time tonight *tear* I will really miss Lisa (the yard owner) but I'm quite excited for the next leg of our adventure..

It was a real summer's night tonight, n I felt myself smiling on the way down to pick Caz up. She was taking me to the see the new stables as they are moving this Saturday.

It's only 5 minutes extra onto my journey to see Mcfly so there's no worries there.
We pulled up into the drive and the school was in sight. It's big. There's so much space in there, Mcfly should soon be cantering full circles...




I then looked across the way and a field full of jumps were already set up. It even had a proper little cross country jump...


We had a walk around the stable blocks, even though we don't have a stable yet (none free, we've got to wait) and they were gorgeous. Really spacious and the beds were immaculate! I'd sleep in them myself. It has 3, maybe even 4 water points and hot water tap, so the first Mcfly will have when he gets is a much needed bath! Get al the winter scum out.hehe

Mcfly, Meg and Doug will all be turned out together 24/7 for the summer, so me and Caz had a walk around the field they would be in. I am NEVER going to catch Mcfly for the first month!! The grass must be about 3/4 inches long....I'm going to have to take a bucket down to fetch him with.....

The place looks really lovely and I cant wait to spend my summer down there with Mcfly.

A proper horsey summer holidays, like the good old days :D

loves
xx

'Cus He's worth it!

Introducing the new spokes-horse for TRESEMME!!
With them flowing locks, how could He not be in the new advert...
hahaha


He's such a diva though. And don't mess with his bed-head style. As soon as I've brushed it though and made him look presentable, he gets in a temper and shakes it all about. hehe


Watch this space....



loves
xx

New Tricks.

I did everything as i normally do. I got to the stables and the weather was glorious, so I got 'Fly in from the field. He was extremely reluctant, I'll tell ya. Taking one step forward, two steps back and then stopping every half an inch for a mouthful of grass! Even the little pony in the next field was looking!

Eventually i got Him to the yard and tied him up on the ring outside. I turned around to walk away when I heard something. I looked at him and i couldn't believe my eyes. I knew He was cheeky but.... Not only had He got his teeth around the leadrope, that was stopping him from running away, but he had started to pull back on the end!!
"Oi!", but i couldn't shout at Him because I was laughing far too much!

So I got the camera, hoping He would do it again so I could catch Him in the act, maybe get some evidence! haha but He didn't.. So we just had some cuddly pics instead...



Sometimes i think he is far too clever for his own good.....

loves
xx

ANOTHER video......

I was playing on my phone today at work and stumbled across a cute little video of Mcfly in his stable.
I think it was when I first started sharing him..

Enjoy!



O and another one of Him running around, showing off once again!!


I love nothing more than on a nice day to just stand and watch Him, doing his 'thang'.hehe.. He has so much personality for a little lad ...They say the good things come in small packages....




and Yes, I will finally reveal (just to clear things up) that He is indeed named after the band, McFly.HAHA love it..


loves
xx

JUMPCROSS - challenge?!

So, Showjumping has always been my passion. My favourite sport.
The thrill and excitement just take over the nervous that are rumbling in your stomach.



The biggest I have ever jumped was around 4ft9, I think... with my Barney Cob. (picture below!)

That was amazing.


But cross country has always appealed. Especially galloping through the water and it splashing up the side of you :D
However, the fact that if your horse knocks the jump , there is a difference between knocking a pole to the ground or a broken leg!! So I never really tried it.

So, when I heard of JumpCross, I was very happy. Not only does it combine everything I like but it's safer too.
It was originally founded by Robin Dunlop at Grange Farm Equestrian Centre, in Peterborough. After years of building and observing cross country courses She realised that there MUST be a better way of getting an accurate jumping technique in a cross country environment.



www.jumpcross.com explains why they did it.
"Jumpcross aims to provide all riders with a true cross country sport with knock down fences. I combines the excitement of cross country with the accuracy of showjumping."

So there you go, I was hooked. Then I stumbled across a programme on Horse and Country TV, they were showing coverage of a Jumpcross competition. It looked like so much fun, I was itching to try it. The competitions are for everyone, it's split into two categories: seniors, who are 16+ and juniors aged between 7 and 15. You can also enter the competitions as an individual, a pair or even a team.

Jumpcross courses vary from 1500m to 2km and this includes 25 jumping obstacles for you to contend with.The jumps are all of a similar colour but they vary in style and technicality... So it's like a pleasure ride with added pressure! hehe


I really want to tackle "the ultimate equestrian challenge" so all I have to do now is get Mcfly to jump! Not a problem.......

loves
xx

We're Moving!

Yes that's right, McFly, and his mates: Dougal and Meg are off to pastures new (literally)...
The new stables are not too far away from the old yard, so we'll still be close too the country park and Bateswood where we ride.

Hopefully Mcfly's jumping training (HA. NOT going too well, i will spill later..) will be made more prominent in his schooling, as the new stables has a field with jumps all set up. There is also an outside rubber and sand school, so some lessons might be arranged. I really need to find some time for a couple of lessons, just to brush up on my skills. I know the basics but I think I just need a little help to get Mcfly listening to me :)

Now it's summer too, the lads and meg can live out 24/7 as it's all round turnout. I don't think we have a stable as of yet, but hopefully we will get one by the autumn.
Quite excited.
I'm excited for summer anyways and this lovely weather is making me more impatient! hehe
But yeh, I'm going up to have a look at it tomorrow night.I'm sure it will be great.

o n here's a new picture, just because I love his face....





loves
xx

Light Nights..

YAY!! about time.
This week was the first week I've really noticed how light it's staying at night.
That means summer's just around the corner.
My birthday's out the way, so bring on 5 months of summer.

I've got so much to look forward too.
I want to start taking lessons with an instructor to get McFly schooling properly.
Then there is the epic amount of shows i can go to and watch..

Especially SCOPE!! That's the British Show Jumping Association's Festival of Showjumping.


It holds the National Championships too.
I've been to SCOPE since I was like 13 and my mum first took me to see all the international showjumpers. Showjumping has always been my passion, I love the thrill of jumping and soaring through the air for a split second. It's also the relationship between horse and rider - the trust involved.


But yeh, SCOPE takes place every summer and it's become a kind of tradition amongst me and my horsey friends. Its held at Staffordshire county showground at the end of August.
You get to stand right next to the jump as top showjumpers from all over the world, compete to be the best.



And the shopping is amazing! Hundreds of stalls all around the showground :D so I better get saving now!

loves
xx

Snow Times...

Just to drop in a post.
We managed to have some really good snow this year, so I grabbed my boots and ventured my way on to the icy roads to the stables. Luckily my little golf behaved well and I get there in one piece.
It was much too deep to ride, and since watching 'The Horse Whisperer', where he slides down a icy hill into the road and gets hit by a truck, I really didn't dare to risk it!


So i thought McFly would appreciate a photoshoot in the school......
His reaction to the snow was so funny and much better than I expected..As soon as his hooves touched it he went crazy. He started snorting it everywhere, it was like he'd never seen it before.!!


I also risked my life (haha) and got a video of his antics in the snow...
He's such a show off.....



So yes, I think he likes the snow :D
and maybe one day, i will be brave enough to venture out with him for a snowy ride..

loves
xx

BRING ON PAYDAY!

I need these in my life....
One, the Charles Owen Ary8 riding hat. Safe and Super Stylish, what more do you want!





And also, maybe even more important i need these.......





I saw these amazing jodhpurs on a girl at the Robinsons store and I fell in love with them. They are made for me: leopard print AND horsey! hehe
Anyways it has taken me months to find a pair and now I have it says i can't order online I have to go to the shop.
I think a road trip is in order .....

O n Mcfly will get a treat, I promise :D

loves
xx

Turn Back Time...

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Well, life has been a bit ridiculous and hasn't gone the way I planned at all! I am explaining this because of my lack of posts the last couple of weeks.
I started a new job to get more money to keep sharing McFly and this then led to losing all my free time to share with him.
Due to work, work and lack of petrol (thanks dolly!)I've only managed to get up there a few times a week...(much to my avail.)

But I keep plodding on and I know McFly has loved his days off really :D

Now my schedule's getting sorted and I'm picking myself back and starting a new life, I can really concentrate on the summer with McFly.
Long summer walks, all day picnic rides.....ahhh, bliss.


Right so now I will start my posts from where i left off.



loves
xx

THE FIRST jumping experience!

HAHAHAHAHA!

I'm so happy. Me and Mcfly had such a good day.
The weather was lovely, surprisingly, and I felt like a trip to the school as we had been riding out alot. I was in the mood to enlighten Mcfly to a couple of really easy lateral movements to get him listening to me.

We started off in the school like we normally do.Mcfly bombing around, trying to trot as fast as his little legs can carry him. But eventually he calmed down, after doing some bending exercises.
When I looked up I saw Caz (Mcfly's owner) walking down the drive. She come over to the school and stated to watch me and Mcfly finishing off our schooling exercises I had planned out for the day..
To cut the story short, Caz suggested that I should try him over some trotting poles, so I did! The first time he sheepishly trotted over them almost jumping each pole. After the second time through the grid, he'd got it and was really picking his feet up over them.
Caz then said she was curious to how he'd act over a small cross pole jump, and that I should take him over it, just to see what he does...eek! It had been 3 years since Id jumped, even though it was only a tiny jump on the ground, I actually didn't fancy a faceful when I had tumbled to the ground..hehe

But I went a head with it anyway, the brave rider I am (HAHAHAHA! yeh :s)
He ducked out the first time, so when we approached it the second time, I used more leg on the side that he had ducked out and he popped over it nicely. It was no olympic record but I felt like we had made huge progress.

Maybe he is finally beginning to trust me :D


loves
xx

Our first hack..

There are lots of places to explore, around the stables.
The actual yard is situated in the middle of the Apedale country park, so as you can imagine you can ride, walk or bike for hours on end.

It was a couple days after Boxing Day and I was itching to get out and about, after a couple of days going round and round in the school, which don't get me wrong I love to do now and again. So i tacked up and put on our fluorescents; me in my tabbard and Mcfly kitted out in his boots and such and we set off on our little mission for the day..

His owner Caz, who I share Mcfly off, warned me that the lad hadn't been out on his own before whilst being ridden. O great, I immediately thought. He had only been led out and about on his own and that was some time ago...Right well, here goes nothing.

We strode off down the lane, at an eager pace, may I add but all was relatively calm. We passed sheep. Argh! Surprise. Okay he had a little shy when one bleeted underneath him but surprisingly Mcfly continued on his way. He needed no encouragement from me. I think he was actually enjoying himself.
However for the first ouple of months Mcfly didn't have shoes on his feet, so he had to daintly tread everywhere so the bricks wouldn't hurt too much. He paced on though, treading quickly but very, very carefully. Bless him.

We finally reached the gate to the country park and i had to get off to unlock the non-horse friendly gate :( He stood perfectly still the whole time. I locked the gate back up and then re-mounted, all the time he was as good as gold.

WOOOOO! grass, endless paths, fields.It was like a maze, I honestly knew before we even started to walk again that i was going to get lost....
We trotted down the little yellow brick road (yeh, thats it's nickname...) and as soon as we hit grass i nervously nudged 'Fly into canter. It was the first time we had cantered and everything. I didn't know if he was going to bolt or go loopy or get really strong. But as usual he was absolutely perfect....

We got to the top of the hill and the misty fog just dropped on us. I could only see just past Mcfly's ears, everything else was clouded by this white sheet!! o know, we need to hurry back incase it got worse AND it had already started to go dark.. eek!

I couldn't sse where I had come from OR where i was going.
Luckily there was a man wlaking his dog closeby and he managed to direct me to the right path that led to the entrance.

Without that man I think I would of still been stuck there! haha

We had managed to get back to the stables in one piece and Mcfly had behaved impeccably. You would never have known he didn't ride out on his own.....

loves
xx

From the Beginning...

So, I thought I would go back to the beginning..
and write down everything we had done so far..


Mine and McFly's journey together started on Boxing day 2008.


I brushed him and bonded with him for a couple of days before I attempted to ride (by 'bonding' I mean 'bribing' with polos and apples and carrots etc..o and Milkybar buttons.hehe )

So the day arrived, I was dressed in all my new christmas presents. New boots,
new jodphurs and new jacket. "Well, at least i looked the part!"

It went really well in the end. I got on in the school, so if I did get thrown off, I'd have a least a little bit of cushion on my landing. But He behaved brilliantly. A little fast but that's never a bad thing....
It felt like I'd gone back 9 years to when i first rode my first pony, Chelsea Lee. Unfortunately i don't have any digital images of Chels i will try and scan some in for a later date.

With the quick little steps and the head held higher, i was used to riding an armchair! What with the cobs in the past.
Barney had long, low strides and when he cantered he felt like a rocking horse, so smooth.





So getting used to McFly's trot was a challenge!.....

Next time - Our first hack out..

loves
xx

Once upon a time...
..whenever i sat on McFly, he would go rigid and freeze and when i asked him to walk on, he would pounce forward, like a rocket was shoved where the sun doesn't shine..

However, for the last 5/6 times Iv rode, this has not happened :D
This maybe a stupid thing for other people but for Me and McFly, it is a massive,massive achievement..
We thought something was seriously wrong with his back and now it looks like we were worrying for nothing.
Now lets just solve the head shaking malarky (so i dont get headbutted and suffer from a broken nose!) and all will be good.

McFly also demostrated his side stepping skills, as he launched me across school yesterday...all because of the 'scary' coloured jump wings in the corner, which i had slowly persuaded him to walk upto, only 2 minutes earlier! wuss.
So my attempts of jumping over the red brick fillers will av to wait until his phobia of 'colours' is cured. Good Luck to myself.

(pictures will be added later..)


loves
xx

Hey Everyone,
well seeing as most of my spare time is spent around this little fellow..
..i thought i would keep a diary of our trials and tribulations.
All the good, the bad and the ugly stuff.

We began our life together on Boxing day 2008.He hated me. Until i bribed him with polos.hehe. Now we've moved on to loving nudges, which is much better than him trying to take a chunk out of my arm. Saying that he is the sweetest thing and never fails to try his best, even if he's a litttle unsure (like going past big, scary, yellow tractors!)

McFly is 8 years old and hasn't really progressed in many activities which is where i come in.

We have loads planned for this coming year. Hopefully conquering our schooling issues in the next few months. Then trying our luck at some shows (which i'm sure he'ill love as he is the biggest show off! he thinks he's the horsey, male version of Kate Moss. A video will follow). Endurance rides, and showjumping are also on the cards and of course just having fun!

Even though it's only been 2 months, we've come through lots and i hope he's finally beginning to trust me.
I can't wait to see what happens next.

loves,
xx