Must take my camera with me

Sam and I had our first jumping lesson on Wednesday and despite me being an utter wimp (well it has been 14 years since I jumped) he was fabulous. We started off with a trotting pole and one cross bar and my instructor slowly brought the second jump up. By the end of the session we were still coming in in trot (apparently it is much better for them in terms of training) and the jump had gone up to about 2"9. I know that isn't alot but when you haven't done it for so long and you are a bit of a chicken it seemed enormous! Anyway Samuel was fab and Lucy thinks he has the makings of a jumper because each time he ploughed a fence (steeplechasers are taught to go low and flat not neat and round :) he would then carefully place himself over it the next time. Apparently that is the sign of a good jumper ... so shall have to get my camera sorted for next week's escapades.

We are famous (well ish)

I know it is sad but I couldn't resist ... Sam and I have made it into the hallowed pages of Your Horse! I know it isn't H&H but its a start. For anyone interested it is this months edition (Issue 287). Mark says he is thinking of disowning me :)

Found some family history

After chatting with a fellow H&H forum member who also owns an ex racer from the same bloodlines as Sam, I thought I would have a look to see if any of his family were any good at racing (unlike him bless him).

So ... have discovered that his sire won the Coronation Cup ridden by Lester Piggot in 1983 (Be My Native). If that isn't impressive I don't know what is! I shall have to have words with Sam about living up to the family name albeit in the world of dressage (not sure what Lester would think).

Back and raring to go!

In case anyone missed me (anyone ...) I have been away for the last three weeks and just got back at the weekend. I was in Bali on holiday for two weeks, which was fabulous, and then one week working in Bangkok. So Sam went back into full livery and all the grooms fought over who was going to ride him. The point of letting you know I have been away (apart from making you jealous about going to Bali :) is to compare the difference between coming back this time and coming back the last time I was away (see below). I rode a couple of times earlier this week and then had a dressage lesson last night and the three weeks off does not seem to have caused any problems. Sam, when he was concentrating, went very well and I am still feeling very positive about how we are improving (instead of stressing about not being good enough like I did last time). Plus one of the grooms, Kerry who is very nice, came up and told me how well I was doing bringing on Sam which is always good to hear. So all in all things are looking pretty rosy. My instructor even suggested thinking about going to my first prelim dressage competition soon but I will have to have a think about that one. She says we can go "just for the experience" and not take it seriously but knowing me I will get all competitive when I get there and then make myself miserable when it all goes pear shaped. Will let you know what I decide...

Before I forget - stay tuned for some photos of true horsemanship that will be posted on here soon. Whilst in Bali I convinced my boyfriend to get on a horse for a beach ride (only the second time he has ever ridden). And bless his heart he not only did the whole ride unled (he said it made him look like a child!) but he also did a canter because as he put it "I'm not getting on a stupid horse again so I might as well get this cantering thing over and done with!". Amazing.