Chinaman

Chinaman continues to exceed expectations. He's a clever cookie. Though I did have my first fall off him too. Out hunting of course in front of everyone. He's doing everything I ask of him really well and his canter is getting stronger and stronger. His trot work is already very very nice. Starting to give me a nice feeling every so often over a fence though when they go up a little he rattled them all. He is a bit lazy, it's hard to believe that he was a racehorse that they couldn't hold. He still isn't really blooming like I would like but he seems to be putting on condition again. He eats everything in sight so it's hard to believe he would have a rib showing but there you are. He has a big weekend coming up and hopefully there will be some pictures. I don't know if I'll get round the xc but we will give it a whirl. 

Pictures!

My little sister is competing Kate at the same event in the same class so it's heaps of fun having her getting back into it. Though she was eating kale at the hunt instead of drinking port which is weird right. 

So he actually coped really well and was totally fascinated by everything and a little bit jiggy. Which is to be expected. Had a bit of a canter and jumped three Spars really well. And then he got a bit bored standing around. There were so many hares the pack kept splitting and no one knew what to follow, so we stood a lot. Then he was a bit sticky to the next soar and then just out and out refused the next one. 

I'm rolypolying off to the right 

He's got an excellent left hand swerve. I didn't end up jumping this spar ( that's a lie because Id already jumped it technically, he didn't jump it) and was like omg I have ruined him forever but lookin back he was being quite naughty which he hasn't done with me at all. He was bored and probably a bit tired and not used to hills. We went in a bit earlier and caught the tiniest start out spar on te way home and he stopped three times! Then I switched my whip to Te left hand and have him a tong up and he jumped it huge, twisted behind and then bolted on landing. Good times. Took three goes but he finally jumped it nice and relaxed and we went home. Mad pony. Love him 

Going for that lowkey first outing

Or not as it were. He certainly is a level headed chap but I couldn't help thinking at work this morning that maybe I was asking a lot. It wasn't a schooling show, or a pony club day or even just a practice day. No I take an OTTB to the Glistening Waters Championship and National Series final Show for his first outing. Atmosphere, horses, loud speakers, he may not have coped at all but little Chinaman he just does his job. Yes he was a little hot and he wanted to go back to the truck and he was a little confused by what sort of a race it was going to be but when he went into the ring to jump the 80cm training class he absolutely did the job, especially when you factor that it had showered in the morning and I hadn't jumped him on grass.

I couldn't be happier with the little guy and he really is all ticker. And stomach, he was pretty upset when he ate all his hay. This is one of the most laidback and straightforward horses I have ever ridden. Next weekend we are going to go hunting and just cruise around the back and see how he goes and then the week after that its a little Hickstead day which is dressage test and a combined XC and SJ course. Should be hella fun and eye opening for the little guy. And then they are opening the course up for XC schooling on the Monday so lets do it! Loving his trot too, hes got swag this little brown horse. Video!

Going forward

I've mentally started this post a number of times but haven't been able to commit to a theme. Obviously I still feel like I failed Tsar some but I have done the best by him that I can and I know I made a difficult but right decision. 

I thought that I probably wouldn't ride horses anymore but I've had China in for about six weeks and I'm blown away by his work ethic and his try. He's weak behind the saddle and has no collect in his canter but when I ask he tries and everytime he is giving me more. He loves hacking and going out and is incredibly bold and adventuring while seeming like a solid soul. He learns so quickly I need to be careful I don't push him too hard. Lots of out of the arena work. I want to make him such an all round citizen and that means exposing him to everything I can think of.

He's a nice mover and he jumps pretty goodso far. Certainly he is very brave nothing seems to scare him. He's not very huge maybe 16hh and solid with lots of bone. He doesn't have the raw power and scope that Tsar had. And certainly he is no where near as handsome but for the first time in a long time I'm excited to be riding. I'm also boarding him in exchange for riding and work so I have access to better hacking and jumps and it's great being able to collaborate again.

We had a great jump school today where we cantered nearly everything and he even started to give me a little wait to the fences when I asked which is huge. His stride is quite long and he moves me past my spot a little so he is going to end up sharp in front or learn to collect. I have a client horse coming in for a sale on behalf tomorrow and might catch a round at the jumper show so safe to say it doesn't look like illbe quitting riding anytime soon