To help give Caroline more time to study for her GCSE exams, we asked our good friend (and hopefully soon to be screened playwright) Karen Hope to share riding Dax twice a week. Caroline might be riding less, but there is no way Dax is having an easy time of it! Karen is an experienced and calm rider. She is working on Dax's lunging, lots of flatwork, and doing some Monty Roberts type work with him. She will be entering her first dressage event with Dax shortly, watch this space for more news.
Now that Caroline's exams are over, she has lots of time to be at the stables and go to as many shows as they have energy for. This is time also to look back on the year and see what we have all achieved.
Looking back at Caroline's aims:
Click on the picture for a larger version:
 |
First and foremost, Caroline has got Dax to lose all that extra weight he had on him when he came to us. He is sleek and shiny and full of health. He has very little in the way of extra feed, just enough so he doesn't feel left out when the rest of the yard are fed. |
 |
Hard to believe this is Dax when he arrived with us. Caroline has done a wonderful job. Well done! |
Dax slotted in perfectly to life in the yard and is friends with all the horses. New horses are put out in the field with Dax first so that they are introduced slowly. He has a few favourite friends. Dax travelled to a local show with his mate Dougal recently and they found it hard to concentrate because they wanted to be near eachother. Dougal was withdrawn from his classes. Dax was fine but kept calling out to Dougal. This didn't seem to put the judge off as they came 3rd in best rider under 17years.
Caroline's jumping has improved significantly over the year. She can now jump Dax on a difficult 2'6" course and her last show she came 2nd. Dax has a bold scopey jump and we think they will jump higher as Caroline gains skill and confidence. Dax's previous rider jumped him a lot so we'll see how high they are capable of reaching.
Caroline really enjoys the flatwork and appreciates how important this is to her jumping. Dax is much more balanced now and tracking up nicely. Of course his weight loss has improved his fitness in this respect.
Looking back at my own aims:
I continue to lunge Dax when I can and read in between. I am happy to groom and lead Dax, walk around in the stable with him and lead him in and out. I now realise his 'lack of manners' was much more to do with my lack of confidence and experience than himself, who is the perfect gentleman.
When Dax first came to us he had a sore back from a badly fitting saddle. We had a saddle specially made for him and the physiotherapist paid regular visits. She taught me how to massage his back and within 3 months he was back to normal. I still won't ride him though - I get seasick too easily! I have really enjoyed being a 'horse mum" and participating from the sidelines. One day I might try some schooling in-hand when I can free up some regular time to have lessons.