No reins Required

Highs, lows and reality checks. Horses really are the best levellers in the world, the rollercoaster of show jumping trundles on and stops for no one. Okay, my very dramatic nature prevails as usual, the two dreaded words, four faults, is the content of my worst nightmares. Perception is a wonderful thing, only recently (after some very good advice) have I released our rounds can be such a whirlwind and I get so caught up in the moment that I don’t take the time to think what went wrong and how can I fix it? For me, I think this is what makes the good riders stand out, they have the mental strength to turn everything in a learning experience and come out better and stronger.

Melodramatics aside, Equestrian world have new products in stock, that’s something to be excited about. Spring socks, never heard of them? Me either, until this week, they are a game changer and exclusive to Equestrian world! Lucky me, as David gifted me two pairs to review. Two years ago while training a baby Paris, we had a fall, I broke my toe and damaged ligaments from my knee down, you can only imagine the theatrical scenes on my behalf, a few months later my leg wasn’t healing and I still resembled Bambi on crutches, the doctors discovered I had a blood clot. Although that’s all resolved now, my leg continues to swell and my boots are ready to explode, I have been riding with only one long sock. The new socks look great and they are made of a really strong material, spanx like for my chubby legs, I really didn’t think the socks would have more than aesthetic benefits, but they do. After a really hot day at the show Saturday I was shocked and delighted to discover my leg didn’t swell, the compression element really works and I didn’t have to resort to the type I remember my granny wearing. Spring socks get a thumbs up and I will be purchasing more. Find out all the details with the below link. Don’t forget every 20euro spent on the website qualifies you for a ticket for the amazing competition currently running on the website for the new Samshield Alcantara Chevron holographic with 5 crystal helmet! A showstopper of a hat!

https://www.equestrianworld.ie/product/spring-reveloution-calza-multi-texture-tech-726

Rocco is back! After nine long months out of the ring for various reasons and excuses, I decided I would bring him to Barnadown, promising myself and him. if he felt anyway off we would retire. Rocco had other ideas, he was thrilled to be back in the ring, he marched around the warm up delighted to be out and about again. Silly me decided to leave his curb chain at home, he’s older and wiser now, no way will he run away. Rookie mistake, Rocco decided he wasn’t going to let his younger stable mates have all the fun taking me for a joy ride and putting that little bit of fear that’s borderline addictive in me. Maybe I am crazy, but I think that sense of fear is part of the thrill of horses we are all so addicted to. By fence 12 the brakes well and truly failed and I was only there for steering purposes. Rocco decided he would test his speed skills and leave a stride out, uh oh, someone get the defibrillator for Dad. Four faults at the last, but he had fun and we are back in business! After a lot of woahing, he walked back to the lorry with a pep in his step. Dad and I were laughing discussing how he isn’t ready to retire yet, the audacity of us! A firm headbutt later I was back to the important task providing him with his well-earned treats. Paris had her fifth birthday and David kindly gifted us some new treats to test. Horze horse biscuits have went down a treat, Banana seems to be the winner, they usually get carrots so variety is the spice of life and according to my buddies Banana flavour tastes like more. Get yours here - https://www.equestrianworld.ie/product/horze-horse-biscuits---banana

Next up was Paris, after a super lesson mid-week, we decided to be brave and go straight into the metre with her, we had a miscommunication to the first, Paris was more interested in what was going on in the other ring and I didn’t have her engaged enough, however after a quick circle, she jumped a super clear round and made my job very easy, I was disappointed to begin with, but on reflection, Paris has made so much progress in a short space of time. Snapchat memories really drove this home, as a year ago my leg resembled barney, all the shades of purple after she turned me upside down into the hedge. She is still a green and weak five year old who doesn’t always understand what I am asking for. Fingers crossed for continued progress. Pixie was my last ride of the day, no pressure Pix, but a clear round would be nice. The key to Pixie is a good warm up, keeping everything calm and easy, practising control after the jump and lots of transitions. Into the ring we went, all was going well, putting all our theories into practise, until the last line, I saw a flyer, Pixie eager to please was on the same page. I let my reins slip and she stretched to make the back bar, one jump left on a dog leg and I have the buckle of my reins! What to do, obviously what my trainer has been telling me all season bend my elbows! My superstar of a mare, full of grit and heart jumped the last fence on her own and didn’t throw away our double clear. Note to self, there is 13 fences not 11 stay working!

When I think of Equiline, the first word that comes to mind is quality. You really can’t beat this brand for hard wearing and longevity. This weekend was incredibly warm for Ireland I was wearing my Catherine ladies show shirt with mesh sleeves, perfect for the warm temperatures. While browsing the website, I spotted it on sale, there is a few sizes left, don’t miss a bargain for a timeless shirt with the added details you would expect from Equiline like a pearl fastener and the 3 headed logo.

https://www.equestrianworld.ie/product/equiline-catherine-ladies-show-shirt.

If you managed to read this far, I think you deserve a treat, above I mentioned the fab draw currently running on the website for the new Samshield Alcantara Chevron holographic with 5 crystal helmet! I have some tickets for a free entry, all you have to do is follow equestrian world of Maynooth on facebook and Insta, like and share the post. Fingers crossed for everyone in the draw. It’s definitely a prize worthy of a happy dance!

Happy jumping,

Jade