Today Rosie & I took Boy & Candy to the PC Eventing rally at Fenella Walker's. Fenella has a few portable cross country fences in her menage as well as steps. In her fields she had also had a line of around 6 fences for us to practice over. First we jumped over two skinny barrels one stride apart then went on to jump the corner and other skinny brush. All the horses jumped really well having no problems. 

Candy was asked to jump out the menage over the small two steps but the first time she did not have a clue what I was asking her to do! Jump out of the menage she said are you daft!! She got the idea and went up them in walk! Boy had no problems with these and flew up them showing Candy how it was meant to be done! Then we had to trot back down the big one. I thought id go down the small one first so she new what to do but Rosie took Boy straight down the big one no problems! We tied a few fences together and this time I took Candy down the big step and she just popped down it. 

After we all had completed the small course we headed up to the field to jump the long line. Rosie & I took it in turns who went at the back because you can imagine 5 horses going in a long line no one wanted to wait till last! It was great training ready for our runs at Stafford & Oasby thanks Fenella. Got some good pics!
 
 
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Puzzle and I had a dressage lesson with Hannah Esberger Shepherd. Hannah is an International 2* dressage rider and trainer. She has competed internationally for Britain as a Pony, Junior, Young and Senior rider. We focused on getting puzzle more forward off the leg, into the bridle and working over her back properly for the more advanced moves she will need to do later in the season. Hannah suggested a change of noseband and bit, we opted for a jointed snaffle with french link and a grackle noseband. I rode her today and she went very well, the grackle stopped her crossing her jaw and the softer bit made her take more contact into the bridle. The main thing Hannah taught me was how responsive your horse should be. I had to rest my lower leg and see what she did.. as you can expect she went into walk. I had to give her flappy kicks (like little tots on ponies!) to make her shoot forward, so the next time I took my lower leg off her side she immediately responded and went forward into the bridle. It worked great and for the rest of the lesson I didn't have to keep nudging her sides. All my horses can benefit from this exercise and in the long run will be better for it if i keep it up! Looking forward to the next lesson.

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I also managed to take Candy out to the Pony Club SJ Rally at Fenella Walker's. Candy was amazing and tried so hard, the fences were put up to 1m/1.05m I was slightly worried as it was the biggest course she has done and didn't want to push her too soon. She really surprised me and jumped a fantastic clear round, so excited for her first BE at Stafford all being well!