Another lovely Beach Ride

Ogmore Castle Stepping Stones - The horses don't bother using these so if you have a little pony you might get wet feet before you even get to the beach.

I decided it was time to have another beach ride as I haven't been for a few weeks and with winter looming, it seemed sensible to make the best of the weather.  Whilst it seemed a bit fresh, it was a lovely sunny morning when I arrived so didn't need too many layers because it can be quite cold on the beach at times.

As we approached the beach, I noticed the tide was in.  Normally, the canters are not quite so good when the tide is in as there is less beach and the sand tends to be wetter and stickier which is not ideal for the horses to canter on although we normally still get a canter, tends to be a slower more paced ride rather than a full out gallop.  However as we came over the brow of the sand dune onto the beach, it was clear there would be no cantering on the beach that morning.  There was no beach to speak of, only a narrow stretch of shingle left - definitely not suitable for cantering.  (I later heard that a few days earlier it had been the highest tide of the year).

The beach, however, was a spectacular sight.  Huge waves breaking not far out and although the beach is normally deserted except for horses and the odd dog walker, today the sea was alive with surfers making the most of the huge waves.  I'm not sure the horses were quite as impressed with the waves and was half expecting one of them to spook and take off but although they were not overly impressed, none of them did anything silly.

We made up for the lack of canters on the beach with a few fast canters through the windy paths in the dunes which are equally good fun and I decided to ride again in the afternoon when the tide was out so I could have another go at the beach.



The Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes - the largest sand dune system in Europe and the location for scenes from the film Laurence of Arabia.
 

When we arrived back at lunchtime, after a quick pastie to eat and a hastily drunk coffee, it was time to remount.  This time on a new pony, belonging to one of the little girls who helps out there.  She was only 14 hands but very fast and fun to ride.
This time, we were able to have a nice gallop across the beach.  And there was only one horse there that was faster than my little pony.  The advantage of being near the front is you don't get covered in sand kicked up the horses in front or to the side of you which can be a bit of a pain.

The other advantage of the pony I was riding is that she is used to jumping and inspired me to try a few small logs as I have not done any jumping to speak of and certainly not in lessons. I've only jumped a few times, more often than not unintentionally.  However, due to the high tide, a couple of our favourite little logs to jump had either disappeared or moved and were no longer in the right place to jump them, but there were still a few in the sand dunes which we had a go at. 

Anyway, all in all, it was a lovely day - fabulous weather, a great ride and good company and as I was feeling indulgent and am not working at the moment I decided to go again mid week.

Progess at last - albeit slow

Had another riding lesson today.  Was not looking forward to my horse as everyone said she was really lazy but was pleasantly surprised in the end and she seemed positively forward compared to the last two. 

The sitting trot without stirrups wasn't too hot because she was a bit bouncy but the canters went much better today.  I felt more confident because the horse was a lot more active in trot and acheiving the first canter without a problem meant I stopped worrying about whether the horse would go into canter and was able to focus on my position and managed to keep my heels down much more although still managed to let my feet slip through the stirrups a bit too far instead of keeping the balls on my feet in the stirrups but progress.

I figured the main reason I don't have these problems hacking out is because when I am cantering across an open beach, I tend to canter in a light forward seat rather than sitting to the canter but am feeling more hopeful that I will finally get there after today. 

Looking forward to Thursday when I am going to visit my friend and her horse which she has promised to let me ride although have to see what he is like before I try and canter as she has told me he likes to put in a few exhuberant little bucks before he canters and not sure how I will cope with that.

Canter Transitions :(

Had my fourth riding lesson at the new riding school today and it is not going well.  Having not been brilliant before the summer, I feel like I have lost a lot of ground after a few months off over the school holidays.

I just can't seem to get the canter transitions right.  I get really tense anticipating that the horse won't canter when I ask him to and then he keeps proving me right.  My instructor tells me I am gripping too much with my knees and that my heels are not staying down and my legs are going too far forward.  The more I think about it the more wrong it seems to go.  Last week, she said it looked liked I'd never cantered before and I wasn't safe to do so.

I'm sure when I am out hacking I am much more relaxed in canter but then it is so different.  I never have to do a canter transition as the horses are always raring to go on the beach and its just a case of giving them a slight squeeze and loosing the reins a little and they go from standing or walking straight to canter and then into gallop depending on the conditions.  It probably also helps that I tend to canter in light seat out on the beach instead of sitting to the canter like we have to in the lessons.   Even when I am leading the ride which tends to be more difficult, the horses there are still so easy to get into canter and a winding tree lined path at a fast canter doesn't phase me but a 20 metre circle in the school has me panicking.

I am must be one of the few people who seems to get more nervous in the school than out in a wide open space although ironically the worse falls I've had have been in the school.  Oh well, I will have to perservere or I will never progress to jumping lessons which I am quite keen to do as already done a few involuntary and unanticpated jumps when I have been out hacking.

Exam Results

My computer has been down for a while so haven't been able to post but thought I would update you on my exam results.  The riding was a bit of a nightmare.  The first horse I got was a lucky choice for me as I was used to riding him - a nice cob called patches who isn't quite as sluggish as some of the other cobs.  I thought it started off well and the sitting trot seemed okay although I messed up the first canter as he didn't respond to my aids the first time I asked for canter but thought okay I can still pass as long as I get it right on the next horse.  Unfortunately despite the fact all my lessons have been at the exam centre, I haven't really been given the chance to ride many of the thoroughbreds.  However, my instructor assured me it was highly unlikely I would get them in the exam as they are all quite big and I am only 5"2 but as luck would have it they gave me a 16"3 thoroughbred next the biggest horse in the exam.  Couldn't seem to get a ryhthum in trot and then he started shying so they stopped the exercise briefly and the caller was instructing me to hold the reins looser - oops.  Then I panicked a bit and didn't hear the instructions to cut from the back of the ride across the school to the front and left it too late and had to cut diagonally.

Think I knew I had failed for sure when the examiner decided to switch half of the exam onto a third horse before the canter and light seat trotting and cantering over poles.  Sure enough I failed the riding although was chuffed to pass the three horse care modules.

Examiners comments were "Although showing awareness of the fundamental requirements of this section, as yet she does not have sufficient balance, security or co-ordination for the required standard.  Work is required to develop these key areas in order that she can more easily follow the natural movement of the horse, maintain a more elastic rein contact and give aids with greater clarity,  She also needs to develop more awareness when mounting, dismounting and adjusting tack whilst mounted [ I thought my mounting and dismounting was fine but who am I to argue the other comments were probably fair generally and especially so as I didn't perform my best in the exam],

My Favourite Horse

Some weeks ago, one of the trek leaders where I ride mentionned perhaps I should find a horse I like and stick with it because this year I have been riding lots of different horses, some of which I have got on better with than others.  Whilst this idea held a certain appeal, I have enjoyed trying different horses and because I ride at the same place most of the time, I was a little worried about getting in a rut and being scared to try new horses if I get used to riding the same one all the time.  At the moment, I am looking forward to my riding holiday in Spain so this wouldn't be good as I am going to have to ride a different horse there.  Also, of the horses I like, there are various reasons why I can't ride the same one all the time. 

Black Sam is lovely and although he can be a bit of a plodder, since my riding has improved and I borrowed him over the winter, he goes very well for me.  He will even canter quite fast when the opportunity arises unlike last year when I struggled to get him out of trot on some of the canters.  However, when they are busy and have lots of first timers, he is one of their stalwarts and is needed by the riders with less experience.

Jewel is another favourite and she is very nice too- a bit more forward going.  But she is used as a guide horse some of the time, which means she is not always available.

However last weekend I got to ride Penny again.  I have ridden her once before but on for a walk and a trot and she has a reputation for being one of the faster horses.  It has taken a while before I have been allowed on one of the faster horses again after my unplanned and uncontrolled gallop across the side of the mountain hanging on desperately for dear life the other month but finally had another chance to ride her this time, when we were going to do some cantering.  She is a beautiful bay horse, unusually though with blue eyes.

We had a lovely ride in the morning with a nice steady canter behind the trail guide and I enjoyed riding her very much.  She didn't put a foot out of place all morning.  Then in the afternoon, we had a smaller group.  Myself, the trek leader, two first timers and a french exchange student.  This meant I was closing the gates as there was only one trek leader and I love the chance to practise.  Penny was superb.  My control is not always the best and sometimes not sure the best way to approach the gates but she was great and didn't hesitate to go back to the gate to latch it etc. unlike some of the horses who don't really co-operate.  Then towards the end of the trek, I got to lead a couple of canters with the french student as the others were not up to cantering.  It was fantastic.  I turned her round to wait for the others to get ahead a bit so we could canter to catch up and literally all I had to do was turn her round and we went from stationery to a lovely fast canter.  I think I even hit a gallop briefly at one point.  I have to admit I did have a good handful of mane and found it quite difficult turning round to check on the other girl behind whose horse wasn't so fast but it was such a buzz.

I have definitely found my favourite horse.  The only blip was when I tried to put my coat back on towards the end when the rain started and she really didn't like it!  Nearly took me down a vertical slope.  It was strange because she wasn't bothered by me taking it off but they all have their quirks and I know flapping coats is quite a common one.

Beach Riding

Our group cantering on Newgale beach

I've just come back from the most fabulous riding ever.  A bit sore and achy but was worth every bit of it.  I went off to Nolton in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.  There were beautiful beaches, which were huge and the riding was fantastic.  I went with some people I met through trekking and a minibus of 13 of us arrived in Pembrokeshire Friday evening where we stayed in a lovely house with eight ensuite bedrooms and a vast living room and kitchen.  The weekend started with a trip to the local pub for dinner and drinks.  It was convieniently located about 2 minutes from the pub which was ideal.  The guy from the stables came down the pub to chat to us and allocate horses for the next day.  I was a little bit apprehensive to be assigned a horse called Thunder although I shouldnt have worried he was lovely.

Me and Thunder cantering on Newgale beach

Due to the tides, we had an early start the next morning 9am at the stables.  We collected our horses and set off for Newgale Beach, about a twenty minute walk on horseback, where we spent two hours cantering up and down the beach.  I was advised my my riding friends to be honest and to make sure I asked for a quiet horse.  At first, having been initially put in the slow group with another relative beginner, I was worried I had played it down too much after a very very short and steady first canter.  However, once they saw we were comfortable with that, we joined another group although still slower than some of the others (thankfully) and had some lovely canters.  My horse was great and although I was worried I would either end up with a horse that was so slow I struggled to keep up or one that was too fast and strong for me to handle, they seemed to have found the perfect horse for me.  The sun was shining and it was absolutely superb.  I have never had the opportunity to do so much cantering, even on the few hacks I have done.  The beach was fantastic and it was so flat and the canter on the sand was a lovely and smooth motion.  It really gave me the opportunity to concentrate on my position, rather than worrying about the horse stumbling on uneven ground and holding onto the mane, just in case.  I didn't actually manage a canter in the water the first day as we were advised that sometimes the horses spook at a wave so we would be better off stayin


Thunder and I paddling in the sea

 g on the sand unlike the more advanced groups.

After we returned to the stables, we went off for a pub lunch before the afternoon ride which would take us into the woodland and the valley where there were some bridle paths and through some fields.  Talk at lunch turned to the cross country jumps in the valley - a narrow bride path with six low jumps.  The rest of my group persuaded me that I should give these a try even though i had never jumped before as they were very small, but when we went back to the stables they said they wouldn't let me try the jumps.  I was happy to take their advice but at least because they told me no I felt I was being sensible rather than chickening out of something I might have loved.  I ended up in a very small group with one other trekker and two guides which was great although I did feel like we had a big label on our backs saying crap rider: needs 1:1 supervision.  I was surprised, I found the afternoon a bit more challenging as it was more the type of riding I am used to although not quite as many canters normally. Going into the field from the road, my horse spooked momentarily, at some ballons someone had tied to the fence by the road.  After he had calmed down we rode through some fields, where we cantered around the edge, splitting up into small groups to ensure we all got a decent canter.  If the group is too big, you don't seem to get much of a canter at the back so this was definitely a good move.   Then in the valley, the groups diverged in different directions as some people went off to jump and the rest of us cantered round the various woodland bridlepaths before going into some big fields for a canter up and across the fields. canter felt very bouncy after riding on the sand and the cantering in the field was very different to the bridle path through the woods but after a canter or two in each I quickly got used to it, although my horse was being a bit lazy and I could have done with a crop.  This was soon remedied in the wood, where the guide found the perfect stick.  Just holding it seemed to make all the difference, although I used it a few times.

After returning from the stables, we drank champagne and ate strawberries before heading off to shower before dinner at another pub.

Sunday morning, we awoke to persistent and heavy rain but this didnt deter us from our last ride of the weekend. Off to Druidstone Beach and some more time in the valley.  Today. we split up into groups of four of our choice with a guide.  Druidstone Beach was slightly smaller partly but only due to the tide of the day and rockier than Newgale Beach.  We had lots more canters across the beach and tried my first canter in the sea, although it didnt last very long as my horse wasn't keen and ended up on the sand eight foot wide of the  the rest of my group rather than directly behind as I was meant to be.  It was great fun despite the wind and rain although I didnt relish the sand blowing in my eyes and mouth as we cantered into the wind.  Having got thoroughly soaked, despite our waterproofs, we headed off to the valley to find some shelter.  We had a few more canters through the valley before a quick trip down to the beach opposite our accomodation to wash the horses feet in the sea.  The rest of the group then headed off for a last canter through the fields.  I was told by the guide, I should skip the last bit as the fields were pretty slippery and along with a couple of others who were fed up of the rain we trotted back to the stables quarter of an hour or so before the rest.  Whilst I was a little disappointed to miss the last canter, I was soaking wet and could feel the water squelching in my boots despite having a pair of chaps over the top and my ankles were killing me.  I decided,against arguing, because I had managed the whole weekend without falling off and didnt want to tempt fate in the last ten minutes.

Cantering in the rain at Druidstone Beach

Back at the house, we all stripped off our soaking wet gear.  Even my underwear was soaking despite several layers of clothes under my waterproof jacket.  The showers were luckily very hot and very powerful and after a quick change, we headed off for a three course sunday roast to debrief the weekend before the journey home.  Without doubt, it was a fabulous weekend and I was chuffed to hear the stables had told our group leader they were impressed with my riding after having only been riding a year with no lessons.

Making the most of the weather whilst it lasts.

After the bucketfuls of rain on Friday, I was not feeling overly optimistic about pony trekking all day Saturday.  I envisaged getting very wet and cold up in the mountains for four hours.  I am delighted to say the weather lifted and we had a lovely day, where it only rained during lunchtime when we were in the pub.

I was quite excited about the trek as I was riding Prince, who I have only rode once before and is something of a step up from the beginners horses that I normally ride.  Definitely required a bit more concentration, than some of the other mounts and I can't say my handling of him was expert in any sense of the word. 

We set out with a group of about twelve of us and I took my preferred position near the back of the trek.  May be not the best logic, but I always feel there are less horses behind to tread on you if you fall off during the canter.  Once again, we were heading for the Queens Head pub, Cmvoy for the usual pub lunch so set off down the bridle path before joining the road for a short while before hitting the forestry path.  As a tractor approached, they shouted a warning to me to rein in because Prince didn't like tractors.  I could feel him tensing up and was hoping we wouldnt end up in the middle of the road but fortunately he only moved a couple of feet up the grass verge.

We trotted along the forestry and managed a short canter at one point before starting to descend for the road down the hill for lunch.  Once again I had my hands full as Prince took a dislike to some motorbikes behind us although to be fair they were being driven very considerately and got off and walked the bikes past the horses.  We dismounted then and walked the ten minutes to the pub as the road is very steep and slippery so not ideal for riding down.

After lunch, we returned along the forestry hoping for a few canters.  I was a little tense about the canters having not cantered on Prince before and the others at the back found it very amusing that they see my position change and my body tense everytime they announced the next canter.  Unfortunately for me, the horse in front was not very keen to canter and preferred to keep to a trot whilst the others cantered off ahead.  To say Prince didnt like it was an understatement.  After holding him back for a while as we are not allowed to get out of line, Prince had had enough and decided he was going to overtake whether I liked it or not.  My ensuing yells of Oh Shit! Oh Shit! Oh Shit at an increasing volume prompted much laughter from the trail guides at the back and a quick glance from the guide at the front who saw I was just managing to pull back in line after overtaking about three horses.  Thats the only problems with being a regular and mates with all the guides is that it is going to take me a while to live that down and I will probably never convince them I didn't think I was going to fall off.  I was just worried how far we would go before he stopped!  Having used all my strength to pull back and bring him out of the canter, I was pretty sure that in the end it was still his decision not mine to slow down.  That said it certainly added a bit of excitement to the day's horseriding.

Back at the farm, we untacked and sorted the horses out and I decided to stay for the evening and go to the pub.  The only problem was that with over an hours drive home, there was no alcohol for me.  That said lovely evening was had by all and one of the guys drove back up the valley in front of me to the main road.  This was very reassuring seeing as there are seven miles of windy single track road with no lights and no mobile reception so if you broke down on your own it would not be fun, especially at nearly 1 o'clock in the morning.

Mastering the Canter

Finally made it up to Trevelog for a days ride, after what seemed like a very long three weeks during which I was definitely having withdrawal symptoms..  Weather was lovely and sunny, but not too hot.  Can't ask for more in September.  There was a surprise when I got to the stables.  Two new 17 hand thoroughbred horses, an unusual sight in the valley where the horses are predominantly welsh cobs.  I am glad to say though I was not riding one of them, and was more than happy with Apollo who I enjoyed riding last month.  Don't think I am quite ready for an ex-racehorse and it is a lot further to fall from a horse that size.

A slightly blurry photo of the new thoroughbred taken from horseback

So anyway, set off up the mountain for a ride over the top.  After a long haul up, we finally reached the top.  After the horses had recovered we had a long trot along the ridge.  Finally, it was time for a canter.  Surprisingly, only five of the fifteen of us held back for the canter. Although, I think some of the others intended to canter but were unable to hold their horses back and ended up trotting along behind the beginners instead.  Wasn't my best start to cantering for the day as managed to nearly lose my reins on the first canter but somehow managed to recover them and completed the canter without any mishaps.  It's lovely cantering along the top, but a bit unnerving sometimes as the ground can be uneven and when the horse steps in a dip, it is a bit too easy to lose your balance but a good handful of mane seems to do the trick and I avoid falling off.

Along the way, I spot my friends new foal - only three weeks old it is so cute and we pass several wild horses on the mountain who look very bemused to see the horses with riders on.  We also spotted some beautiful toadstools.  They were the quintessential toadstool, red with white spots like you see in the fairy tales.  Very beautiful and very poisonous, known I believe as the fly agaric..  There were also copious amounts of blackberries and elderberries.  Unfortunately, too difficult to pick from horseback though.

Wild horse on the mountain

We reached the lane and dismounted to lead the horses down the steep slope to the pub for lunch.  After lunch, one of the ladies decided she had had enough and couldn't manage the afternoon trek back to the farm.  Her horse, Floss, a beautiful Hanoverian cross, is very placid and knows the trek well  so headed back with the rest of the trek, riderless.  She was a star and didn't even need to be led just followed along with the rest of the herd, even when we got on to the road for the last haul.  We did get some funny looks from walkers along the way, who seemed to think her rider had fallen off and been left behind.

Apollo and I, ready for our afternoon trek after an hour at the pub.

On the way back, we headed up to the forestry path for some canters.  I was chuffed because I managed the last long canter without holding onto the mane for the first time for more than an a couple of seconds.  I felt so much more in control than with two hands on the reins than with one hand for the reins and one to hold onto the mane.  Although, I'm not sure I would want to try it, on rough ground.  I had a real sense of achievement to think that when I started pony trekking in the Brecon Beacons six months ago, I couldn't even trot without holding onto the saddle and now I managed a decent length canter with sufficiently good balance that I didn't feel the need to hold on.

Arriving back at the farm, it was time to untack and give the horses a well deserved wash down before their dinner.  Horses dealt with, time for a quick cup of tea in the farmhouse before the drive home.  What a fantastic day!