Ernie and I have done our first dressage test - the BD intro (B). Why did we do it? I decided I loved the competition spirit and wanted to do more, so ...... The idea: lets do it and get used to the competition environment, no expectation of performance. And then we ended up second! 60% test score overall, and that included a big spook. As they announced the results I became increasingly surprised, Bash even stopped to observe the look of disbelief on my face.
So the preparation, never my strong point. I have never really "My Little Ponied" properly though I accept that I now must. I would like to take pride in his presentation, but ..... After hacking on Saturday Lucy and I decided to get them platted in prep. Whilst Lucy beautiful coiffured Marble, I tied Ernie up and quickly started trying to tie my chubby inflexible digits into some kind of living cats cradle,whilst pretending to tussle with his mane. After the swearing started, Lucy sweeps in (to save the sensitivities of the young children working on the yard) and works her magic along his neck, whilst I professionally issue elastic bands on demand.
And of course, what might this blog be without an update on the napping....
We have definitely made some progress, but it is to be slow. Have tried to follow my basic rules, previously identified. The best story on naps from this week (which actually best illustrates what seems to be Ernie thinking) was yesterday at the Ship pub. Returning from the piggeries as we walk down the country lane Ernie spots The Ship pub, and this is where he wants to be, and so we stop, he walks back, we turn and try again, he walks back again, we march into a parked car (thankfully unalarmed) .... eventually we are led, lead-rein by Marble - "how old are we??!" Ironically I recall my reasoning behind buying the big E - because if he was a person then I'd look forward to spending evenings propping up bars and politicing, exchanging irrelevant and non-PC observations of the world around us. Part of me wants to go " 'as ma boy!". And why such behavior, somebody knew there was grass in a paddock out back.
So what have we learned ...
1. his napping is largely bloody-minded
2. there are no fear or spook behind it
3. ernie naps when he has "better" ideas - i don't want to go round the woods again; i've schooled so it's not hack-time; i've already jumped once today; i like it here!
So we have a stubbon teenager on our hands who has decided it is time to assert his burgeoning character.
In summary the napping might still be there but in most cases he seems to be less determined, "this is the place in woods where I'm naughty, so off I go" but sometimes it seems to be follwed by a "why" .... so we stand him still and he seems to either get bored or to forget why he didn't want to go. The pub mentioned above was he only real bad show. I am optimistic we will move on from this, over time.....
Call me niaive.
I seem to have pointed a lot recently that we get the horses (and pets for that matter) we deserve! Anyone know an occasionally stubbon, slightly-willful man who might just believe that he knows best! Tell me, I need a chat with him.
Love that 'orse!
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