Start-time

[glenatron]

Our test is at 9:16 on Saturday. Extrapolating back that suggests we should be on-site for 8:16 to allow for checking ourselves in, Zorro being a tit, tacking up, warming up and being generally prepared. That suggests we should be away from the yard by 7:45 which suggests in turn we should be at the yard for about 6:45.

So, how do I achieve this without compromising my Saturday morning lie-in?

Also, does anyone know where my dressage clothes are? I could find them perfectly well before we moved house...

Comments

[gnapp.livejournal.com]

Dressage contests doesn't ever come together with sleep; you might as well learn.

[gemmabowles.livejournal.com]

You go to bed early enough the night before that you wake at 6 and simply cant sleep any longer.
hope youve learned your test!
whereabouts is the show?

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

It's in Tilford (http://www.trrc.co.uk).

I've got a fair idea of the test, had a little run through this evening ( we've only practiced the whole thing a couple of times, for the obvious reasons ) and only forgot one thing, so hopefully will be alright.

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

You can draw yourself an arena on paper and run through it that way. Or mark out a rectangular space in your yard and walk it. (I tend to "practice" tests with a finger in the air in front of me while I'm walking to work, though mostly only in the mornings because I start early enough for there not to be too many other people on the street to look at me like I'm a crazy person.)

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

I have it sketched out in my vector graphics app of choice, which has really helped a lot especially as it really shows the ways in which the test is symmetrical.

[allezbleu.livejournal.com]

youll be too excited/nervous/scared to sleep anyway - i never sleep well knowing i have to get up, wash all the buggers stable stains ( whyyyy grey!! whyyy? ) plait up, boot up and load, load the lorry, pack 2 of everything, check supplies of first aid kit, check lorry, make haynets, fill up water container and fuel up. Oh and have a shower, pack dressage clothes, and take all my piercings out ( earrings can get you eliminated ) . If i give myself an hour, i normally take 2.

Good luck!! please get pics and vids ( as if you wont! )

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

So any extra Saturday lie-in I do get will largely be thanks to having a black horse? Winner!

Of course, the benefit is probably negated by having half a tonne of mane, tail and feathers to comb through. For the first time this year.

[allezbleu.livejournal.com]

are you plaiting? if so use quic braid - has saved my life. even ify ou doo a running plait the judges will appreciate it.

its weird but furniture polish works really well as a detangler ( believe it or not! ) and wash and bandage his legs the night before if hes in to keep his feathers clean

I have a black horse too, but she really shows up the dust for some reason!

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Of course, you have a Trakehner don't you?

Zorro shows the dust, if you gently pat him on his hindquarters a few times a grey hand-print will start to appear.

I would imagine the active ingredient in both detanglers and furniture polish is probably silicone so that does make sense. I think we have some Cowboy Magic, which is fantastic but usually doesn't get as far as the ponies because it is good for people too. Saturday counts as enough of an event that it will make it off the yard...

[allezbleu.livejournal.com]

yup my silly trakky dakky girl - shes still up for loan if you know anyone whos looking :)

shes the same - i dare not pat her too much or ill choke on the dust lol ( she lives out, hence the filthiness ) but when i want her to look shiny i wipe her with a warm wet towel - really goes the trick!

I have cowbot magic too but i found it causes me dermatitis so i dont use it.

Cant wait to see pics/vids and am so jealous! it wont be for another month that i can compete hero...

[allezbleu.livejournal.com]

oh and my 24 year old welshie is black too :)

[evil-c.livejournal.com]

Your dressage clothes are still in one of those boxes you haven't yet unpacked, or are in the loft packed away. Thats where I always find ours.

The Cowboy Magic is love! But i can't see a plait staying in for long once that stuff is put in the mane :) Tari's is still looooooovely and knot-free this morning after using it on her yesterday.

Good luck! Its a bit early for Asher to be up, but I'll try to get us over there.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

I'll be happy if you can make it but I shan't be offended if you can't...

[penella22.livejournal.com]

Good luck! Both in finding your clothes and riding the actual test. :]

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

I think the clothes crisis is over, but I haven't found my ones, so I will technically be wearing girls jodhs. Fears of a VPL may prove well founded.

Fears of a massively inadequately-prepared horse and rider team are most certainly well founded. We will, however, have a lot of mane, tail and feathers on show, which will make the epic bronc moments even more spectacular...

[stu-the-elder.livejournal.com]

CinderMoxon.. you SHALL go to the ball! ;)

Good luck, man.

- Crump

[oifonly.livejournal.com]

I am loving that my 'being-a-tit' description of pillock-like behaviour on the part of our equine friends is propagating....

ahar, ha har...world domination, here I come. w00t.