Baggy is back! Did you miss her bloggees? Well that's a little harsh, she missed you! But Hormonal Hannah in particular, benefitted from Clever Bird's decision that the last four days would be technology free. Well almost, anyway. Creative Clara did take her camera, but no phone, no laptop, no telly. It was a little odd to begin with, but actually was a brilliant decision. Four days away from all the stresses and strains and the pressure that Baggy has been putting on herself. Four days that Grotty Groom and Calum spent with each other, their beautiful horses and some other lovely people and their equines, at the brilliant
Ashen Equestrian Centre. It all started on Friday. Becky, the mastermind behind
Ashen, was coming to pick up Wesley and Joey at 2.00pm. Calum and Baggy had decided to really go back to basics, and unlike last July, when they stayed in a B&B, they were staying in Billy Bob Jalopy camper van. This required him to be packed, with not just their stuff, but with all the Boys' things too, as there wouldn't be the capacity for it all in the horsebox. Bearing in mind that this was Clever Bird packing, that was a LOT of stuff. So they were ready to load the horses exactly on time, or to put it another way, by the skin of their teeth!
The Boy Wessles did his usual, "Oh heck, really, you want me to get in that little box! Why? Where am I going? Is Joey coming?" Freda Fretter had removed Grotty from the scene, as they just make everything worse, panicking that Wesley won't load, or will hurt himself in the process. It was fine, both horses were on. Grotty travelled with Becky in the horsebox. Calum came behind in Billy Bob. Wesley travelled like a dream, munching his hay and looking out of the window. Joey travelled like a nightmare, ignoring his own hay, trying to eat Wessles' (hay and him) and kicking the living daylights out of the horsebox, when he failed at both. Grotty watched all of this on the live CCTV in the cab, with visions of Joey's hoof coming through the box into the back of her seat, every time he kicked. When Becky opened the doors at the other end, Joey looked as if he was standing under a shower he had sweated up so much and clearly some of the kicking was because he'd slipped in the sweat on the floor under him. But when they both recognised where they were, having enjoyed their stay at
Ashen in July, they were very happy to settle in their stables with a haynet. A relieved Hormonal Hannah was happy to unpack their tons of stuff and set Billy Bob up for the night. The Domestic Goddess had excelled herself and pre-made Calum and Baggy a healthy spaghetti bolognaise for their supper. It was so dark by 6.00pm that it felt like 10.00pm, so pretty early, with no telly or computers to amuse them, and feeling completely exhausted, they settled down for the night at 8.00pm!
It was freezing! Literally. But Calum and Baggy were snug as bugs in rugs under two duvets. They also had a little electric fan heater for emergency heat. It was very cosy (in more ways than one). Even the "rock-and-roll" bed was comfy with the two memory-foam toppers that Clever Bird bought, on top of it. Grotty's first lesson with Wesley was at 9.00am. Baggy wasn't too happy when the alarm went off at 7.00am. Clever Bird soon understood why Gypsies keep their caravans so immaculately and Calum does the same with his lorry - when you are living in a tiny space, it is so important. The Domestic Goddess has not yet acquired this skill! Pandemonium ensued as Grotty tried to get organised!
By the time Grotty and Wesley were ready, Baggy was a nervous wreck. Wesley wasn't far behind when he realised that he had to leave Joey behind in his stable and go into the arena. Grotty walked him around in-hand for a few minutes while they both tried to relax, with Wesley constantly doing his girly whinny to Joey! Against her better judgement Grotty decided to get on a rather wired Wesley. Clever Bird had entirely forgotten that she was told last time, NOT to do this, but Grotty thought she was doing the right thing. Wesley carried on calling to Joey. Baggy made Grotty grab hold of neck strap, R-stor, mane and anything else she thought might keep her in the saddle if Wesley took off.
She suddenly realised that she was being ridiculous. Yes she was terrified, but she needed to relax him. Becky asked if Grotty wished to dismount. Grotty didn't. It soon became clear that Becky has developed her classical training to another level, and that they would be riding differently to last time they were at
Ashen E.C. They had a lovely lesson for an hour, finding Grotty's position, directly over Wesley's centre of balance, by floating over his back, hands high on his neck. All rather technical, so Creative Clara won't go into details, but Baggy and Wesley were soon relaxed. Exhausted both mentally and physically, but relaxed. Becky hopped on Wessles too for a while and showed him how it was done, so that Grotty would find it a little easier when she got back on. Wesley was a superstar.
A couple of hours later it was Calum and Joey's turn. Due to the house move, Baggy being in hospital, Calum being tired and life taking over, Calum had not ridden Joey for over two months (if not three). So it could have gone rather wrong. It didn't, but they were both exhausted. Joey didn't understand what was being asked of him, as the poor sausage has never had one consistent style of training, but he and Calum tried really hard to get it. Becky hopped on. Joey tried, but he nearly finished her off he was so unsure of what to do. Joey was better at understanding when Cal got back on, and they both did really well, but the front blocks on Joey's saddle made it hard to rise to the trot. Becky described how Joey was going, as being like an articulated lorry - bending in the middle. She asked Calum what kind of lorry was solid. "Rigids", said Calum. Giggles followed. "Right, well I need to make you rigid then Calum". Baggy piped up with, "You have my permission to make my husband rigid if you need to."
"Well being floppy means that he'll definitely feel the benefit of being rigid". Guffaws.
But Joey was such a good lad and Cal was delighted to be back on board. Grotty and Calum learned just as much from watching the other lessons and from the feedback videos and discussion. Baggy began to feel vaguely human again for the first time in days. Considering that on Thursday evening, Hormonal Hannah was thinking up excuses for Baggy to cancel the trip, she had a brilliant first day. Grotty just loved being with her horse, without any other pressure. She even enjoyed mucking out. That evening after Calum had removed the front blocks from his saddle, Calum and Baggy went into the local town with two other ladies from the course and had a brilliant evening. Baggy's diet went totally to pot. Copious amounts of wine drunk, plus delicious food and banoffee pie! Lovely! Once the horses were tucked up for the night, Baggy and Calum decided to do the same. Cal had to be up really early, as Becky had decided that Joey needed a little extra tuition and was riding him at 8.00am. He was going to get up at 6.30am. He actually got up at 5.15am! Baggy didn't. In fact, she swore at his alarm and went back to sleep again at 6.30am. She woke to the sound of large Irish Draught hooves plodding past Billy Bob. Flat-out panic ensued as Grotty was riding at 9.45am. She needn't have worried, Calum had mucked out both horses, so all she needed to do was get herself and Wesley organised.
Wesley still called to Joey, but was a lot more relaxed on Sunday than he had been on Saturday, that is until the cold wind went up his nostrils. But Grotty was more confident. There was much practising of floating and adjusting Wesley's and Baggy's balance points. It went really well. Baggy had no idea what peculiar faces Grotty and Wesley pull when they are trying to concentrate!
Once the walk was getting there, it was time to up the pace and try the same hovering, balancing, centreing technique in trot. Baggy's pony tail joined in with Wesley's tail!
Very happy Wesley, and a totally delighted Grotty went back to watch everyone else for the rest of the morning. Cal and Joey (who had a very peculiar look on his face when he saw the saddle for the second time that day) were on at noon.
After Becky's morning schooling, Joey was a little concerned about how hard he might need to work, but looked like a different horse.
Calum was delighted because he was so light and easy to ride; really keen and willing to go forward. Once Joey realised that he was doing it right, he started to enjoy himself too.
Very happy Calum. Tired Joey.
On Sunday afternoon there was a group session where everyone could ride together. Baggy was very inclined to duck out. At the lunchtime debrief Becky effectively gave her the okay to do just that. Which meant that Grotty instantly decided that whether Baggy liked it or not, she was riding. Calum, Grotty and one other rider went back into the school. Clever Bird forgot the camera. Joey couldn't believe it! It went well, but the temperature had dropped dramatically! Calum and Baggy ate heartily that night, at the same pub as the night before. Baggy was totally chilled!
Next morning (Monday), Baggy was awake at 5.00am! And raring to go. Cal was awake too, so The Goddess made tea and fried egg sandwiches. (None of Hormonal Hannah's nonsense of keeping Baggy in bed until noon!) Grotty's last lesson was brilliant. She loved every second of it. After practising what they had done previously in walk and trot......
they started to learn "shoulder-in". A lateral manoeuvre that Baggy has never done before. Okay, it wasn't even close to perfect and it wasn't pretty, but Grotty was chuffed to little mint balls that they had started on something totally new.
Grotty needs to figure it out, because Wesley was so willing.....
After big stretches......
trotting resumed.
Grotty was so happy to be with her gorgeous Boy!
Calum's final lesson on a tired Joey was even more successful, even though Calum's legs were like iron. Not only did they also do shoulder-in, but Calum got all competitive and did it in trot as well as walk!!
Very chuffed partnership!
It was such a brilliant break. Both Calum and Baggy benefitted from it no end and the horses certainly did! As you can tell, a lot of photos were taken - over 2,000 in all! Yep, Clara was tempted to put the lot in. Sorry bloggees, but be grateful she resisted that at least! Baggy's back and in a very happy place thanks to her break. They all can't wait to go back sometime next year..........
