16th May – Level 2 Online Re-film

Liz came over today and we re-filmed my Level 2 Online Audition.

Here it's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSHtCxDhDqs

25th May - Just heard .... Passed my online audition with a Level 2++ !!!!!!!!!!! Yeeehaaaaa !!

8TH May – Play Day with Beth

On of the things I am working on is approach and retreat for taking Bella to clinics, so as part of that Beth kindly invited us over to hers to play. After a rather rocky trailer loading start, we arrived and meet up with our good friends Linda and her horse Tizzi. Beth was kind enough to lend my mum the use of her beautiful mare Sol, and she played with Terri’s horse Pumpkin. We all had an amazing day and there where loads of 1st for everyone including both me and Linda both getting changes of directions at Liberty and Linda getting Tizzi to jump the barrels!!

I swapped with Beth at one point so she could have a play with Bella and feel the difference a year has made, which meant I got to play with Pumpkin who is just amazing. It felt like I was playing with a feather, she was so soft, willing and light. Now I really have and idea where I’m heading with my feel with Bella. Bella loaded like a dream to go home which was a big plus!

Bella, Pumpkin, Sol and Tizzi where perfect partners all day. Big ‘THANK YOU’ to Beth for organizing it :)

4th May - Bella's lessons for me today was: 'Feel during the day, Think at night' and 'Trust that she will respond, but be ready to correct, not one

Today we played with ‘feel’ and boy do I have a lot to learn, but Bella is teaching me everyday so we are on the right path.

1st May - Bluebell Ride

Today some of us Savvy Sussex Girls got together and when on a ride around the Bluebell Woods at Angmering Park. Bella was AMAZING and did me proud. Even having to contend with Giant Log Pile squeeze's, guns shooting, race horses, scouts hiking, sheep and a new place Bella was Cool calm collected Bella ... Well apart from walking backwards down a slope a few times, but we will ignore that for now ;), which is more than I can say for me!!! I lead her the first bit till I was more LB then hoped on and off as my confidence went up and down. Nothing to do with Bella, just my own hacking issues.

By the end of the ride I was laughing with everyone else, and taking pic’s of the woods and the rest of the group from on top off Bella as she walked along as a perfect partner.





In the afternoon I went out on a small hack on Hazel with Liz & Merlina. Merlina is just getting her confidence hacking so we went along to hold her hand so to speak. This was also my last ride on Hazel before she was sold, so a nice end to a nice day.

23rd April – Putting ideas into practice.

Today I worked on the things Rachael suggested yesterday. So we played on the ground till I could drive her forward, then ridden. All so far so good :)

22nd April - Had a great day at Rachael Morland’s clinic :) Oh, and Happy 5th Birthday Bella!

Today I went to watch a clinic Lower Sparr Farm, Wisborough Green with the always wonderful Rachael Morland 3* Parelli Instructor.
We where also lucky enough to have 2* Jody Ruysen helping out.
Rachael was kind enough to cover a 4 day clinic last minute for Carmen Zulauf (4* Parelli Senior Instructor) when volcanic ash made it impossible for her to fly.

As this was the last day of the clinic it was a lot of recapping more than teaching but that suited me for where I am at with Bella. The thing that where covered where: Sideways at a distance (up to 45ft) between two poles (for guidance for the human). Saddling, riding in arena and in the field.

I also got the chance to ask Rachael about a few problems I was having with Bella refusing to move forward. One thing Rachael recommended was getting her drive well in zone 3 so that I could tap her and have her move off without bucking, then take that to the ridden.

17th april - level 2 filmed. check. mums level one filmed. check. both loaded to youtube, double check!

We had ago at re filming my L2 and mums L1 today. They both went well but not 'perfect' so we are redoing them

8th april - Bella just offered sideways OVER the barrel! (twice!!!!) My little girl is so cool!!!! :)

What more can I add to that! We where just playing 'how many things can you do with a barrel?' and that was her idea! TWICE!!!

3rd april – Collected the new trailer today – pony will now be traveling in luxery!

2nd april - Filmed my level 2 today ... Not sure whether to send it or not as Bella was a bit of a Punk!!!

We did several takes over a few days but they all ended up on the cutting room floor! Still perfect practice and all that!