Thank you Pam for another fantastic show.  We had quite a few “showmen” there .  Jay was great on Desert Skye – was really great to watch Skye going over the jumps.  Patrick provided light entertainment as usual .  When you see Patrick just go up to him and chat.  He welcomes conversation.

It was my first time on Discreet.  I have been half baiting her for a month and a half.  We just clicked  – as they say – and that is difficult to explain.  In the beginning it was a bit of getting used to THE BIG HORSE .  Thank you Pam.  There is always a lot of stories that goes around about a horse, from all avenues, and I’ve learned that it is important to focus on positive outcomes for you and for the horse.  Natalie (Discreet’s mommy:-)) warmed her up and advised that she might be a tad bit fresh .  Well, fresh is good – she moved along nicely in the dressage and transitions were instant.  Just have to get the roundness/frame right, but that will come in no time.  Discreet is a distinguished lady – she won Prelim1 and 2nd in Prelim 2.  I was very happy for the two of us.  She is teaching me in a totally different way than Bootsie (my other favourite mare at GAS).  So, it seems that my history with the mares continues – Alley, Boots, Discreet…..:-).  The jumping was fine as well.  I opted for only the 50′s as it was my first time with Discreet and I just needed to see what she does - here again, you need to focus on the positive outcome for you and the horse, take advise, but in the end the round you are on your horse will be totally different than someone else riding the same horse. 

So, I had a few wobblies, not her doing, Discreet did everything I asked (the Pro she is), but the last 4 jumps were great and she was steady, rythmic and listened when I asked her to wait – that was all I wanted to know, and was very happy with the outcome.  She loved standing around afterwards with all the people around, eating away etc.  We had friends there from Walkerville and they had their horsebox open - Discreet was sniffing and the next moment had her two feet on the box – I thought she was going to walk in and investigate it – totally chilled .  It was great – as she might have a boxing think after the last episode (for those of you that saw her at Patrick’s clinic )!.  And here she was, just about to go in by herself.  It was quite funny.  You also learn alot just by standing around your horse.  Discreet was good company yesterday and we had a wonderful day together.    Thank you for everyone participating, because that is what makes the show a success.  It was great watching everyone!

Hi All,

The video of Boots in Cross Country:

For those of you that ride Boots in lessons and were not at Rebecca’s show, I’ll try to load the video we took of Boots in the Cross Country course.   You need to see and appreciate her personality when she is having fun, which is not alway evident in the ground work .  It was a fantastic day for Boots and I - a day of 3′s.  We came third in the 50′s, third in Dressage and third in Cross Country.  Not bad for the 20 odd year old lady.  Well, she is really the Queen of GAS in my eyes .   

The day started early, boxing Boots and Sox first.  It was very relaxed and the two of them got on so well.  I think Boots is in love with Sox now – ha,ha,ha,ha!!!  She looked all too friendly with her new paddock mate!  We had nice big paddocks for them at Chevalier – Rebecca’s venue.   Well done to all the helpers that perservered to get Lilly and Flag into the box, struggling for two hours.  It went so much better from the other end home, so, the work already paid off.  It was a pretty relaxed day after that with the horses being able to roam in the paddock, having fun being in a different environment.   We can be proud of all the riders and horses.  They did so well for their first outside show. 

Boots was flying through the Cross Country, it was such and exhillarating ride!!  There were 18 natural obsticles (jumps) of approximately 60 cm, some lower, so it was a very safe and pleasurable round for her as well.  All the practice and experience of the past came into my mind approaching every fence looking over it, to the next fence, sat back, legs on, and Boots just flew over them with sheer excitement.  I couldn’t help to give a loud yeh-ha – I think that expressed both of our excitement.  At the end of the 18th jump, I let Boots go into a gallop up the hill and she was loving it!  I tried to count striding in front of all the jumps and it went quite well.  Boots helped me out a number of times, but together we had quite accurate striding and taking off etc.  It felt really good!  I’ll get Jos to download it today and see if we can load it for all to see Queen Boots having fun!!  Now that there is a horsebox, she will definitely be going out more to enjoy being a horse!  Yes, Boots is going places , and she deserves it.  What a fantastic friend!  Thank you Boots! 

Thanks to Pam for arranging and being there, Jos for driving, and all the supporters.  Your company was really much appreciated and made the day complete.  After the show we sat around at GAS and Jay got onto Sky – I think all the riding enspired  him, and what a beautiful canter he had on a very content Sky!  It was such a nice sight!  Well done Jay.  Next time, Sky is also in the show. 

Keep riding, keep learning - it will pay off  and above all, always have fun !

Hi All!  Before Jos and I are off to Cape Town till month end, I thought to write about my lesson yesterday on Mr. D.  Jos and I swap horses to keep it fun and in the mode of learning.  It is great that we can do this and ride different horses with equal confidence – thanks Pam for letting us experiment!  As a side note – Pam allows freedom of thoughts so no one have to feel they cannot tell her something  - that is the sign of a great leader and teacher – thanks again Pam.

Well, we arrived in to a “water filled” GAS – wasn’t that an awesome hale storm!!  My turn to ride DD.  I love a challenge, hence, getting on DD is not a problem.  DD makes you earn your money, your experience gained, your everything else!!!   I have only been on DD twice, but I know he will teach me a lot.  He left me with a smile on my face for the whole day .  DD does not give up his bravado very easily, but once he figured out his antics does not bother me in the least, he got to the program and kept going and gave me a very nice lesson, plus helped me out in the canter – he is NOT easy to canter – for me anyway – everything is so different on a bigger horse.  I was totally stuffed afterwards.  DD and his riders are very fit – ha,ha,ha,ha,ha!!!  We are still at the basics – DD and I – I have to get use to the different gait and the way he moves, the way to steer him correctly.  It was very interesting.  I really had a good lesson. 

Boot is all serious about her work and she loves it – DD – IS SO NOT SERIOUS – ha,ha,ha,ha!!  Have you every heard your mom say – “he is such a boy!!” – that is DD – he made me laugh, because he reminds me of myself  – “sitting down on the outside, but standing up on the inside”.   I had a bit better steering today than the first time and the canter went a bit better as well.  I couldn’t stop thinking about my ride on him the whole day and what I will do differently the next time etc.etc.  Thank you Pam!  It is really so beneficial to ride different horses.  You learning goes up everything you are on a different horse.  They are amazing!!!  I will miss the riding the next two weeks.

Bon Voyage to the lovely people at GAS.  See you soon.  Keep practising, Rebecca’s show is around the corner and I think the cross country jumps are going to be so much fun!!

I was so excited today, I had to write something.  I am going to take Boots home, convert my office into her bedroom and keep her - sorry Pam – she loves me more – ha,ha,ha,ha,ha!!!!  So, my riding have come along with leeps and bounds, from falling off Diego the first lesson, because my knees were flapping all over the place, toes out like Farmer Brown’s, and who knows what other “plaas gedrag”  – to where I feel very secure on Bootsie – with or without stirrups – wow!!  And that in 3 months.  Thank you Pam – you are an awesome teacher and I hope you get told that often enough ! 

So, today Boots did everything right again – as usual!.  She helps me out all the time with striding (I did mention she is the most clever horse around, didn’t I?…:-)).  So after our warm up and some flat work, perfect over the line of jumps in the sand (horse size strides by the way, that Boots takes all in her pony stride!!), we went to the grass arena and I was reminded again why I love JUMPING!!  It is a feeling that you have to have I guess.  With me, I feel the adrenalin, but it is like in a moment I am calm and focused and I believe Boots can jump anything!!  I think she believes it herself – ha,ha,ha,ha!!!  So, after doing the course a few times we took the drums and Miss Boots pops over it like the cool cucumber she is .   I love her honesty and commitment to her work.  She is a shining example to all of us – so glad I met her! 

So, the song should go more like this:  “Miss Boots are made for jumping, and that’s just what she’ll do, and one of these days MissBoots are gonna jump all over drums”  – (Copy write belongs to Anne-marie – ha,ha,ha,ha,ha!!!).