Birthday celebrations and a 'fresh' Milli....

Although the weather wasn't too great this weekend it didn't really spoil any plans we had for my birthday other than us getting rather damp when we out Saturday night as every time we went to a different pub it started raining, then stopped when we went back inside!! Typical English weather! 

It was nice to be riding Milli in the daylight for a change both Saturday and Sunday! Saturday morning I undertook the mammoth job of clipping her which I have to admit is not one my favourite jobs that's for sure, but luckily Milli is quite well behaved as it is a bit like being scratched and we all know how much she LOVES a nice scratch!! After clipping I always like to give them a wash off with some warm water which has vinegar in it......it's is great for giving them a nice shiny coat after clipping and gets rid of all the clipping oils from the clippers which so many horses can have a reaction too. After washing her off Milli had a big strop that I'd taken all her hair off and then made her wet!! It wasn't even that cold on Saturday and the water I used was warm but it just wasn't good enough apparently so she started bucking and squeaking whilst I was tryung to out her rug on when she was tied up on the yard!!! I then put her in the stable and she continued to buck and squeak whilst running around the stable, stopping for the odd mouthful of hay....typical Milli.  It was after seeing this acrobatic display I said to mum that I think I would be better lunging her as opposed to riding her.....Didn't really want to spend my birthday sore or even worse! 

After some thought I decided to ride her instead of lunging her and she actually behaved quite well, that is after the initial explosion several times around the arena because everything was 'so much scarier than normal now my hair has all been clipped' as far as Milli was concerned. She did go on to behave and work very nicely :-)

On Sunday I decided to give her a jump and although we behaved better initially, the jumping was the most exciting thing we've ever done apparently! On landing sides of the jumps there was many bucks, kicks and squeaks.....my trustee neck strap looked after me thankfully! There are some pictures attached of her both on the flat and jumping...

I have a lesson on Tuesday evening at Saddlesdane with the British Showjumping academy which I'm really looking forward to but slightly anxious as to how well Milli is going to behave back out in public for the first time......The blog after the lesson I feel is going to be a very interesting one to read! So remember to check back!!

With regards to the rest of the four legged mob, Roxie is continuing to make progress although the running around the field she did Saturday resulted in her being slightly sore and stiff when she came out Sunday morning! Star was ridden for the first time after her break by my sister Sophie yesterday and she was very well behaved and did some lovely work so we can't wait to get her back out again. 

I will let you know how it all goes after Tuesdays lesson later in the week and will hopefully have some lovely pictures of us jumping for you too look through :-)

So, until next time,

SG Eventing
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***Keep Calm & Canter On***