Lincoln Cathedral was a welcome sight after a nine hour journey.  The two horses had travelled well but we could have done without the detour through Coventry city centre. We’d crossed the UK from one of the furthest points west to one of its most eastern most points and it was a relief to get to Lincoln showground. As soon as we had parked up we unloaded the horses and took them for passport check and stabling.  Frank usually travels alone but on this journey he’d had a companion and was much more relaxed as a result – he hadn’t sweated up at all and I was pleased to see he’d eaten all his hay. I was asked if Frank was microchipped. ‘Er no…. I don’t think he is.  I’m not sure’, I said, feeling a bit stupid. Well, he doesn’t have anything to identify him. Now Frank is one of the most unusual of colours – I think he may actually be unique … his passport indicates he is a bay roan and I have only ever seen one other horse who is a similar colour so I looked at the steward with some incredulity as it took a few seconds for the query to sink in.  I was desperate to get my horse checked in, give him some water and get him settled down for the night as we were showjumping first thing in the morning  – now someone is questioning my horses ID. WTF. Frank’s travelling companion was having problems too, not with ID but with vaccinations which were out of date.  There was some question too apparently about the horse’s health as he was a bit rake like and had some rain scald. This fleabitten grey with a lovely gentle  manner had been discovered as a last minute late replacement for one of our team members who was unable to make the championships due to  being away on holiday. The horse had been prepared for the championship with some show jumping training, a rider had been found for him and he’d had some loading practice to ensure all went smoothly on the day of travel.  I’d even bought some white plaiting bands for him, so all was good to go. No one thought to check his vaccination record. It certainly didn’t occur to me and I guess no one had checked with his owner – no one was to blame here it was just an oversight but a bummer nonetheless.

By the time horses were bedded down, haynets filled, water buckets carried, course walked it was getting dark and time for bed. Our  first team member, Sarah was jumping at 0845 and my time was 09.22 . After mucking out the lorry I set out everything needed for the morning, cleaned my boots and then climbed up the luton into my bed of horse blankets and duvets  Putting R4 on timed I fell asleep listening to some discussion about the age of Saturn’s rings…. before I dropped off I heard a horse gallop by the lorry then urgent voices shouting ‘which way did he go?’ I don’t know why, but this made me laugh and then I think I must have fallen asleep.

Its 5am and I’m awake… I reach over and switch the radio on. I slither down from the luton put the kettle on and have a pee in a bucket. The tea tastes wonderful with a dark chocolate ginger.  I peep out of the window and see that dawn is breaking and there’s thick fog. It feels quite cold for September 2 – so, Autumn is here already. I pick up Frank’s breakfast bucket, throw a haynet over my shoulder, grab the grooming and stud kit basket and set off for the stables – some distance away. I notice that my left thigh is a quite achy and my knee feels stiff and sore.  This would be from the long drive up here, partly due to the exertion of holding a 7.5 ton lorry on the clutch as we crawled across Coventry stopping and lurching from one set of lights to the next.

Oh well, Frank looks like he’s had a good sleep and is covered in horse shit all down one side. I regret not having put his nightie on. While he eats breakfast I put studs in.  Every riders least favourite job so it feels good to get it done so early.  A quick muck out and it’s a long trek back to the lorry to get tack.  It’s 7am now and the rest of the team are stirring. I noticed on returning to the lorry that there were some parking spaces much closer to the stables and I decide to move.  This was a good call and it didn’t take long for the rest of my team to follow. With Frank being a bay roan he’s almost completely self-cleaning – in that he’s every single shade of mud from wet to almost completely dry.  The dark green horse shit however, took an aeon to sponge off….then there was plaiting.  It is 08.30 now and time for me to get ready – my show jumping round is in 45 mins and I have to warm up.

I’ve been up for four hours now.  I haven’t really had enough sleep. However, I’m starting to come up on tea and coffee and the adrenaline has perked me up somewhat.   OK Frank, here we go, lets kick ass.  Finding a warm-up area behind the stables Frank is very oingy boingy  – broncing and squealing as we canter round and round trying to take the edge off.  I jump off and remove my spurs  – clearly won’t be needing those.   He’s not listening to me, he’s coming up on his competition mix, feeling strong and wilful.  It’s time to go over to the warm-up area and pop a few practice fences …. in fact I’ve left it a bit late,  as he doesn’t feel ready yet, I feel we haven’t prepared for this… I look across to the arena – there’s thick fog and not all of the fences are visible.  As we move into the warm-up area I can hear my team members… where have you been? we’ve been looking for you… ah and there is my sister and great niece Robyn.  Oh I feel a bit anxious now.  Our first team member has gone round and incurred 8 faults  – oh shit,  the course must be really tricky for that to have happened.  I know there are some difficult related distances. Strides between fences will depend on how collected we approach them, is it four strides between the first part of the treble and the second or three….? where’s fence 11?  I can’t make it out in the fog. Oh, the steward is calling me in … 789, 789 you’re  next, you can go in now…come on Frank… I know you can do this…but the question is, can I?

 

I came third. I was second after dressage. There were just four in the class.  So, what happened? First, I was really pleased with our dressage effort. It was the first time I had ever managed to get Frank to do any proper medium work in trot and canter as I have only recently managed to achieve this whilst maintaining something resembling an outline. Up until recently ‘medium’ trot was just Frank trotting a bit faster and going a bit hollow.  Lots of practice riding without stirrups and sitting trot has, as far as I can feel, enabled me to get Frank to work more  from behind and really stretch out to

produce some longer strides. This was acknowledged on the test sheet and I got a 7 for a medium trot, and 8 for give and re-take (see pictures above). There was an 8 for the first movement – enter at working trot and an 8 for the halt and four second immobility. Another reason I was so pleased with the test was that Frank provided correct canter leads despite not being able to do these on the left rein in the warm-up.  I had a good tip from Ceri Rees-Coe about leg yielding to the outside track just before asking for canter and this seemed to work in the test. I spent most of the warm-up without stirrups – this means I can go two holes longer in the leathers  which means I can achieve a deeper, more effective seat and a more effective lower leg.  I’d rather ride without stirrups at all – at the moment they just get in the way but I am getting better with them.  More practice needed. One of the boards marking the edge of the arena by F was pointing, at an angle, into the arena  so I had to go round it in my test.  I wish I had noticed it when I was warming up.  After my test I jumped down and straightened it ready for the next competitor. I thought I might get a good deed mark for that.

Showjumping

After the dressage I untacked Frank and gave him water,  feed and some hay. I then walked the XC course.  Feeling hot, tired and hungry now I spotted some friends by the clubhouse. Trying to decide what to eat (given that I can get a bit nervous before jumping) I was just contemplating how a fried egg sandwich might go down (and stay down) when I looked at the time and suddenly jumped up. Shit! I’m jumping in 10 minutes, Frank isn’t tacked up, I have to put studs in, get changed and walk the course. Running back to lorry and finding some choice swear words I self-flagellate myself with these… what was I thinking of? Fried egg fcuking sandwich WTF?! So, as we rush from lorry to arena I can hear an impatient voice calling my name over the PA. The bell rings and it’s time to get going but I haven’t tightened my girth – just manage to hoik it up a bit before the first fence.  Not sure of the way, we waver a bit between five and six and as a result knock it down. bugga. That’ll learn me not to walk the course.

Cross country

This is uneventful until fence 21 – the newly creosoted dark palisade which must look to all intents and purpose to a horse like a deep dark hole. It’s not at all inviting and is just downwind of the pig farm. So the hole appears like there might be a pig in there  or even  be full of pigs.  On the approach to this fence, we are galloping alongside a 4×4 and trailer leaving the event. As we both approach the crossing I’m wondering if I should stop and give way or if the vehicle will give way -its all a bit muddled but we approach the ‘hole full of pigs’ by pulling up and backing off giving Frank all the opportunity he needs to run out. Jumping it a second time after cracking his ass – he then ran out at the next fence.  This is so annoying as Frank does not normally run out.  Later on, I discovered that Frank had lost a shoe (at fence nine) so this may explain why he was  a little reluctant to get airborne. I was so disappointed with the run outs when he had gone so well up until then and had jumped some tricky and narrow skinny fences earlier on.

So, that was our Gower Riding Club ODE. Better than last year for sure – when Frank pulled off a shoe in the dressage warm-up. At least this year it didn’t fall off until the end.

The end.

Four months ago I was despairing at the state of Frank’s trotters. As discussed in earlier posts, I have documented bruised soles, flaky feet and lost shoes. When I bought Frank three years ago, the five-stage vetting advised remedial farriery  – particularly to his near fore. In the couple of weeks leading up to my buying Frank he didn’t seem to be able to keep a shoe on that left foot. By the time I had acknowledged this, it was too late, I had already fallen in love and handed over the cash.  As soon as Frank arrived at Crickton my farrier, Stuart Jacobs, was summoned and I was anxious to know the verdict.  Stuart  frowned, and just shrugged, when I asked him to tell me what he thought. The foot looked smaller than the right foot and a slightly different shape, it had a raggedy edge from having lost a shoe the day before whilst cross country training and the angle of the dangle looked all wrong.  ‘Well? what do you think? is it really bad or what?’ I scrutinised Stuarts face for clues – I was sure he was avoiding eye contact – he was thinking how to give me bad news.  Stuart just shook his head and I couldn’t tell whether that meant yes or no. ‘Oh God Stuart, is it that bad then?  can you do anything? Please tell me you can do something….’ Anyway, Stuart trimmed the foot and found some wall upon which to nail the shoe. There he said, it’s done. Six weeks later and the shoe was still firmly in place.  Stuart Jacobs you are a genius!  Since that shoeing ‘miracle’ Franks feet have weathered a couple of wet Welsh winters and have waded through deep bog mud on the Bryn which I’m sure is full of all kinds of bacteria from all the shit from all the cattle, sheep and ponies that graze it.  Frank has suffered with persistent  mud fever (which I have now figured out how to manage and prevent) and his front feet have become progressively weakened by the environment.   The foot situation is not helped by the fact he has weak soft soles and has had a couple of bruised and punctured soles in the last couple of years.  He feet have gradually deteriorated, so much so that since March/April both front feet have become quite friable and the  situation not helped by Stuart breaking a leg and Frank having  to be shod by other farriers.  I decided that something needed to be done here… I started to look into hoof supplements and asked friends for advice about Frank’s flaky feet.  My good friend Sarah Russell-Wedgbury suggested application of something called ‘Anti-bac’ . I ordered this online and it arrived in a couple of days.  I bought a range of hoof oils, and sprays from Nettex and thought I’d give cornucrescine a try – especially as it smells so good. That Frank might be suffering a bacterial infection in the wall of his feet made sense given the constant mud fever he seems to have if measures for prevention are not taken.  I ensured that Frank’s feet were hibi- scrubbed clean and dried and when he came in from the field or a ride and I made sure he had a deep clean shavings bed.  Just for good measure I also applied fresh frog – as his feet did not smell so sweet.  I was determined to eradicate any bugs or fungus. Four months ago, Frank also began a course of Nettex VIP Hoof Builder again, on recommendation from a friend. I have discussed in earlier posts my scepticism of supplements in general since few are based on research from randomised controlled trials but I suppose in desperation I hoped it might be worth a try.   It says on the tin that results may be visible after three months but that it is best to take for at least nine months given the rate of horn growth.  Six weeks ago there was barely any hoof on Frank’s left foot to attach a shoe, he was lame for three weeks after bruising a sole, he’d managed to pull a shoe off his right foot just one week after being shod and on Sunday he lost his left shoe halfway round the cross country course at Gower Riding Club one day event. I am surprised that it managed to stay on as long as it did. I was worried that he wouldn’t be able to go to Lincoln for the Riding Clubs showjumping finals  on 2nd September.  Boo hoo 😦

So, I was unexpectedly elated yesterday when Stuart declared 100% improvement in wall strength and density and sure enough Frank’s feet did indeed look fairly fabulous.  Of course, we can’t be sure if this is down to the Nettex supplement, the twice weekly applications of anti-bac, the thrice weekly massaging of the coronets with cornucrescine or simply due to good farriery and a bit of hoof oil.  Anyway, it is early days and it’s Summer.  Hoof horn always grows faster and stronger in the summer months.  The real test will be in Winter. However, for now, Frank’s feet have never looked so good and despite what I have said in earlier blogs I think I do now believe in miracles 😉

It’s the end of a long hot day. We’ve just finished our XC round  –  I throw a bucket of water over Frank and start to load tack into the lorry.   Nathan, who having only just returned from holiday, is wearing a nice new white T shirt, leads Frank into the lorry before I had chance to remove the studs  – it’s OK, says Nathan, I’ll do it – hand me the tools. ‘Oh no what’s this?  Frank has lost a shoe Jools…’ ‘left one is it?  Oh I’m not surprised – I’m amazed it stayed on for as long as it did’. Picking up the right fore, suddenly, Frank begins to pee all over Nathan who is stuck between Frank and the lorry partition…. I leap down the ramp to grab a bucket and manage to catch most of it.  Nathan, splattered in horse piss is not best pleased as he wearing his Sunday best.   Kurt, returning from taking my number and medical armband back to the clubhouse finds Nathan jumping up and down in disgust.  Kurt’s strictly  non-horsey, so is bemused by Nathan’s golden shower experience but Nathan is not so amused.   I’m a bit surprised when Nathan suggests we go and look for the shoe and he marches off in the direction of the last fence of 24. Kurt and I follow behind. I’ve already walked the course once, and flown around it on Frank so I’m a bit tired – I’d quite like to go home…maybe even eat something before I pass out. The shoe has studs in it (Supastuds) I tell Kurt, so it’s kind of worth retrieving… sort of. However, the ground is quite poached in places and there’s a deep and fairly tangled  cover of long dried mown grass which has dried to approximately the same colour as the lost shoe. The shoe could be buried in the ground, could be on the ground or of course could have been flung off and even be in a hedge – we’d be very lucky to find it.  Kurt asks innocently ‘What does this thing look like exactly?’ Shuddup….? Are you kidding me, Kurt? ‘Well, he said, I’m thinking of a football boot type of shoe with studs… does it look anything like that?’  No Kurt, its a fcuking horse shoe – y’know,  metal horse shoe shaped shoe  kind of thing, meant to be lucky, as in, we will be lucky to find it as it’s a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack! ‘.  Anyway, the shoe doesn’t appear to be anywhere down at the end of the XC course, so we turn to walk up hill, eyes down still hopeful we might be lucky.  Halfway up the incline I look up to see that Nathan isn’t even walking the course, he’s on the track by the lorry park. ‘Nathan!  what are you doing?  the hoofprints are over here – this is where we might find the shoe’.  I glance at Kurt and comment that Nathan is obviously bored now… having suggested we look for the shoe he’s now wishing he hadn’t … look at him Kurt, he’s not even looking anymore…. OMG how do you put with him – he’s so mauve*.  Kurt just shrugs, bless him, and keeps on looking for the horsey boot lucky studded shoe thing.  Reaching the water jump Kurt call’s over to Nathan and suggests he wades in because he’s sure it could be in there – in fact we think we can see something glinting . Nathan gives us a look like, that’s not even funny, and continues to wander far off the hoof beaten track.  ‘It’s not going to be easy y’know Kurt… keeping Nathan on the straight and narrow’.

Reaching the steps, at fence eight, I think this is a likely place to lose a shoe – but so far no cigar. After the steps, Nathan suggests we divide into two search parties. He’ll walk over to the warm up area which is quite close and a short distance beyond fence nine.  Kurt and I, he suggests, can back track fence 10 through to the first fence.  Feeling here we’ve drawn the short straw and watching Nathan disappear in the direction of the clubhouse I wander over from fence 10  to fence nine and Kurt who’s looking a bit fed up now is torn, I can see, between following Nathan and staying behind with me to remain loyal to the lost horse shoe cause which, to be honest, seems fruitless.   As fence nine is at an odd angle, on a fairly steep slope I think back to riding the course.  Sometimes you just know when a horse has lost a shoe, the horse goes lame, may even pull up, sometimes you hear it go – especially if the back foot has pulled the front shoe off.  Bit like driving when you get a flat tyre, sometimes you know instantly or  sometimes you might be driving along for hours wondering why drivers are pointing at you and flashing. Anyway, when the adrenaline is flowing it can be hard to recall but I had a feeling it was about here the shoe was cast – and sure enough, there it was,  just on the take off for fence nine.  Poor Frank had gone round half the XC course without his lucky shoe on his recently poorly bruised left foot.  This might explain why we had a couple of stops at the bottom as its not like Frank to duck out. I don’t know how Nathan could’ve missed the shoe… there it was, lying in full view on top of the ground, lucky horse shoe shaped complete with both supa studs. It was a nice feeling to have found it.  Maybe I was meant to find it.  May be it will bring me some luck after all…. success at ODE doesn’t come easily… it involves a lot of practice and some more… however a little bit of luck never goes amiss.

Hoping that Frank is sound and ready to rock at the Riding Club showjumping finals in Lincoln next weekend.  It had better be a supa lucky horse shoe!

*Fans of the film ‘Withnail and I’ will know what is meant by this term.  Anyone who hasn’t seen this film should watch it. Immediately.