I have spent a lot of time getting to know Chester – he is a pony with a huge character! He now kisses me when I ask him and always whickers a greeting when I turn up at the yard or go to the paddock to get him in. The other night he managed to get out of his top stable rug …. it was still completely done up but just lying on the floor!

 

We have had a lot of fun hacking together. Moat Farm where Chester now lives has direct access to miles of off road hacking which he is finding VERY exciting!

 

Because of the weather schooling has been difficult. We have spent lots of evenings in pouring rain trying to practice. Chester on the plus side does not seem at all bothered by the weather and always tries his hardest. 

 

We now have the dreaded snow so I cannot ride at all. Chester is still going out in the paddock each day for an hour or so to stretch his legs but he is a very happy pony and is content to be in his stable munching hay rather than scratching around in the snow trying to find grass!

 

I have managed to have a few lessons and they have been really positive. I am trying to work Chester low and through his back to get him to swing more from behind. This will help him with the more difficult movements later on.

 

We went to Harolds Park Farm at the end of November and did two affiliated elementary classes to see where we were! Again it rained – what is it with the rain and me?! The first class was a great start – the test could have been more accurate (something me and Chester need to work on) but we came away with a score of 64.69% and a third place! In the second test it was raining so hard we took Chester off the lorry and straight into the test. The score reflected this and we got 61.79% (4^th place) but lost the throughness. Overall I am very pleased and I know we can get higher percentages than this so am now going to spend a few months training hard and see what happens next time!

 

 

I can’t wait for my Cygnet dressage saddle from Martin to be ready! At the moment I am riding in a GP which although comfortable is not the same as a dressage saddle. Maybe Santa will drop it off when he’s doing his rounds!

 

Happy Christmas everyone x