Wacky Racers Feb Outings

21.02.16 Wacky Racers went off to Wellington Riding 

Alfie decided to roll in the muddiest patch possible in the morning so we couldnt get all the mud out of his mane. 

No worries he had winter hair length so time for a quick haircut and hope no one minds no plaits

He was tight through his back and a little unsettled in his contact using his old saddle. We had some teeth grinding in the tests but as always he tried his heart out in both N24 for the team and P12 for My Quest points

The main arena was fabulous to warm up in and I was really pleased with how Alfie went into the old indoor school and worked well. The old indoor has a spooky open corner where humans can suddenly popped up, luckily no pop ups to contend with in our tests but he still had a gd look over the wall as he went past just in case.

27.02.16 Wacky Racers went off to Checkendon EC

N24 again, not an easy one. Lots of movements to keep the mind busy and lots to concentrate on. 
What a difference a change of saddle makes. 
Much happier Alfie horse today, even if the cheeky monster anticipated his canter trot canter and only just about showed the judge trot steps.


I don't tend to go over to this centre in the winter as the warm up and car park areas are very tight on space. 

Luckily our team tests were on at the end of the day so after the few competitors in front of us were finished we had enough room in the warm up to push on and back through some working and medium exercises 

Second Open section with three riders so no drop score available. Well Done Team 

And now we have new Team Quest Colours from Kelly Equine to show off.
Mumaathel was sparkling his way round N24  

Sharon keeping an eye on Mumaathel's test whilst Lenny checks out the camera pointed at him.
Great pic from the Wacky Racers Quest Club BD outing today at the Checkendon Equestrian Centre
Pic taken by Elina Helenius

Saddles for Feb Dressage

We went off to meet our Saddler at Padbury. As I am not the straightest of humans I like to use one of my instructors when looking at changing or altering saddles. Because Louise rides everyday and rides many different horses she has a better feel than I do of what is going on underneath her. 
Three saddles and mine to have a look at. 
The Fairfax didn't sit well so we didn't try that one ridden. 
The Harry Dabbs was a reserve to try in case the Albion didnt work. 

We tried the Albion before we looked at adjusting my own Crown Saddle. It just look so much better on him we rode in that one first. Straight away Alfie lifted and stretched his shoulders with an impressive stride length.

We went back into my old my saddle just to make sure a new one was the right decision. A new saddle it was. Alfie looked uncomfortable and tight almost unsound on the right hind using his old saddle 


28.02.16 We went off to Threeways to join the Katie Johnston Clinic and to show off our new saddle
Hindsight is a marvelous thing. 
My poor boy has been trying to tell me something wasnt right. Over the last few weeks enough was enough, he was looking on/off lame and generally uncomfortable.
What a difference a saddle change makes.

The changes were too late for the Regionals but omg it just goes to show how much he tried his heart out on that day.
The day before the lesson we took Alfie to a show but we had a lot of teeth grinding, the only difference to the lesson was a very thin half pad. I thought I was doing the right thing using a half pad to soften the feel over his back whilst he was a little sore but he must like the closeness of the correctly fitting saddle.
In the lesson no half pad just simple saddle cloth and new saddle and he was a great; no grinding, no lameness, positively reactive and listening to the rider's aid and straight.

Rider now needs to learn how to ride in new saddle which is very straight cut with not a lot of knee roll. But it makes my legs look longer and makes me sit up and stay quieter.
Looking forward to next weeks competition .....
N22 here we come.

Brand Ambassador

Prefect Feb news

We have been selected as Brand Ambassadors for Kelly Equine

The Orchard Holding and Wacky Racers Adventures

I have been campaigning for support via the LUFT team scheme I belong to but I have to admit this month has been increasing frustrating with companies leaving me hanging for decisions. 
On a positive note they haven't said no. 

I am seeing all my lovely friends on the scheme gather momentum with their supporters and I have to admit to feeling a little left behind

Then came the message from Kelly Equine that we had been selected. 
Delighted is an understatement. I was jumping up and down like a kangaroo on hot coals. What a boost to my confidence. I can do this !

Let me introduce you to Kelly Equine
Kelly Equine was launched in 2014 with owner Esme at the tender age of 14 making stylish and top quality browbands 
Riders from all over the world are wearing these stunning browbands.
www.kellyequine.co.uk

I have also been on Google + and Pinterest and Sway for a while. I thought it was about time I started using Twitter and Instagram

Now we are Brand Ambassadors thought I would give it go.
I do love to talk so the character limit was a bit challenging to begin with but I am getting the hang of it now...
what do you think ?

Scruffy horse didn't want to come in from the field to be plaited. Saved by posh @KellyEquine browband

Turmeric + Spirulina = Team Quest coloured nose to match new browband tomorrow @KellyEquine ‪#‎bespoke‬ ‪#‎browband‬ 

Even the Ninja got himself a Twitter video and a few posts

Nice and relaxed with ‪#‎prokalm‬ looking forward to getting out and about

Looking better thanks to @Feedmark Sarvoid

Spring is getting closer

Spring is getting closer

Although the boys don't technically suffer from Laminitis I am always aware of the Ninja's sensitivities and footiness.  

Laminitis is an extremely common disease, and the consequences mustn't be ignored. Our old jumping mare was misdiagnosed a long time ago and unfortunately I have witnessed the pedal rotation and the pain it can cause. 

Laminitis has many triggers and the Ninja is on as close to a natural diet as I can get him onto. Being in light work he only has a small fibre based feed to mix in supplements. He is quite greedy so a lovely messy mash also slows him down.
The Ninja is also very insecure in himself and often gives the I am left out look so if his field mate gets a feed its good to be able to give him a small bucket to. 

I am always very aware that we have excess weight bearing, we are still looking a but too tubby even coming out of winter. Hopefully once the ground dries up work can restart our fitness together.

His feet do take in a lot of moisture when the ground is wet so he often looks unsteady on his feet until they dry out and harden off. The thing I have to be careful of is bruising, this often comes with a full pulse. We have Rebound and Field paste on hand  for when needed. The soft sole can lead to infection, but so far, so good, just some bruising.

We had a few good sessions round the roads before the rain came back and hopefully it looks like we are ready to travel again !!!! 
20.02.16 Despite the Feb weather we ventured out with the Ninja for a 2016 plod. What to expect I had no idea. Was this a bit crazy considering the wind/rain, yes probably, but glad we took the chance. 

Trying out a new calmer with very pleasing result. We met a flatbed trailer on gravel, flapping bag, dog in a bush, noises behind a fence, fast car, surprise front door opening as we passed. 

We had our human comforter with us and we didnt go far, no point pushing a good experience, plenty of time to go further another day. experience, plenty of time to go further another day. 

Interesting reading to share with you 
I need this just as much as the Ninja.
The fruit smoothies are lovely but they just aint working so well on my diet.
We will be going green together.

Affluent Malnutrition-EMS/obesity/laminitis

February 11 · 

ions to develop. There are so many links with poor health and carrying too much weight, the two most well known are EMS and I/R, then leading on to laminitis and Cushings. Though horse owners know to restrict the diet, soak the hay and feed less starchy feed, they should be equipped with knowledge on what can be added, rather than being taken away or restricted. 'Green' foods are important and must be included in the diet to allow the horse's body to rebalance, recover and renew itself. In Chapter 5 of the free pdf download you can read exactly how plants inteact with the horse to achieve a good BMI or morphometric score.
http://www.phytorigins.com/index.php/blog

Mumaathel My Quest Wellington Riding P12

Winter Regionals

Build up was ok
Lessons not quite going to plan. but we were getting there and some nice work inbetween the stress moments. So all in all we were reasonably hopefully of a placing

Regional prep the day before was a very cold hack. It was really bitter in the air, hands freezing after cleaning tack. Had to pop home for a hot water monkey cuddle to warm up and I was a bit naughty and pressed the over ride for heating to come on. brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Unfortunately the main day was not our day: The sun did appear and was shining nicely on Alfie's back after the test, and we were dry. 

We tried our best just not good enough standard for a regional day. Wasn't our worst outing just Avg. 

Considering at 7pm the night before we werent sure we were actually going to make it I am pleased we did. 
Have made the decision to go back to UA and stay within our comfort zone for the start of 2016

Time Flies when your hoofing about having fun

Where has the time gone, is it really the 01^st Feb 2016

We decided to give the horses a lovely long holiday over Xmas so we could also wind down a little bit at home. When I say wind down, what I really mean is find time to do the odd house jobs that get pushed to the side.

We built shelves for the downstairs cupboard so all the camping gear could be put away neatly.

Home-made frames have been put over the herb pots to stop the cats digging the plants out.

Recipe books got a new shelf in the kitchen and we have started using them for lots of yummy smoothie and soup meals to start off a new healthier 2016

I have been a bit naughty in the Jan sales but I am looking at all as long term ‘discount’ investments.

The Back on Track sale wasn’t on for long and a missed the opportunity to get another rug so the boys didn’t have to share

Coffee has been getting better at picking up his back legs and allowing me to stretch them out a little further each time not quite an angel we are still snatching back and having a little kick the sides from time to time

I would do carrot exercises with him but he too foodie and I wouldn’t have any fingers left  

One on the 2016 wish list for Imperial Coffee would be to get back out enjoying hacking

We had a not great experience with cars getting too close from all directions and we parted company a while back. Luckily neither of us was hurt but both very shaken. 
Coffee knew his way home but watching him disappear off at speed leaving me to walk slowly behind is not something I wish to repeat.  

I have started a competition summary in some of my Face book albums. It will be interesting to look back at the 2015 albums and compare them to our 2016 progress

I will try and remember to also tag the show photographers to my posts

I went back to some of the 2015 photographers sites and took advantage of their January sale prices and got some great digital memories. 
Some of the pictures I wouldn’t have thought of buying at the time of the show, being able to look back without the actual competition in my mind I picked out some really nice character pictures.

Here are some of our 2015 Adventure links

Photos via Wayne Jones Photography website  

Photos via Fae Loudoun Photography

Photos via Daydream Equine Art.

Photos via Captured Moments

Welcome 2016

Where has the time gone, 01^st Feb 2016, sorry I have been neglecting my pages. 
Having already reached my first LegUpforTalent goal of 2,000 FB Friends early in 2015, I have been working hard over the last few months to raise the profile of my Facebook team page  The Orchard Holding and Wacky Racers Adventures

I am really lucky to have the support from Snuggy Hoods. We are running a like and share competition on my team page for a wonderful travel set Competition Link 

2015 I was thrilled to have been selected from 100's of talented riders, to be a LegUpforTalent Apprentice which is a Social Media programme, helping talented riders turn their dreams into reality. I was even more delighted when I reached my Star status in just one month

Then the hard work began, setting about selecting sponsors who will benefit from my Social Media presentations. 
We are limited to how many sponsors we can have, so the best fit for both Sponsor and myself is going to be crucial to the blogging.

LegUpforTalent Stars can offer an amazing 50,000 Facebook audience to the selected sponsors across the equestrian and rural communities

We decided to give the horses a lovely long holiday over Xmas so we could also wind down a little bit at home. When I say wind down, what I really mean is find time to do the odd house jobs that get pushed to the side.

We built shelves for the downstairs cupboard so all the camping gear could be put away neatly.

Home-made frames have been put over the herb pots to stop the cats digging the plants out.

Recipe books got a new shelf in the kitchen and we have started using them for lots of yummy smoothie and soup meals to start off a new healthier 2016

I have to admit the TV we had recorded for Xmas viewing got in the way of my blogging. Although after a few days of DIY it was nice to just sit and munch Xmas treats with hubby whilst watching a lot of Star Wars and Carry on Films. When he said he hadn’t seen them I jumped at the chance at another viewing. The old B&W Carry ons are so funny. Even after a few special Xmas drinks I found loads of references in the Star Wars films I hadn’t noticed before and it all started to make sense.

I have been a bit naughty in the Jan sales but I am looking at all the purchases as long term ‘discount’ investments.

Lots of healthy food from Holland and Barrett so we don’t snack on rubbish

The cats made sure the boxes were ok to open and then reused them once I have unpacked.

The Back on Track sale wasn’t on for long and I missed the opportunity to get another rug so the boys will have to continue to share

I have completely restocked my bras with various Shock Absorbers. I took advice from Less Bounce and got one to try. I loved it but I wanted to try out the other models so I went on an EBay hunt for some bargains.
Six Bras later I have picked the B4490 as my favorite


The boys have new supplements to try and new hoods to keep them clean. 

The humans got a few goodies from Sports Direct and Decathlon that included new footwear to keep our feet dry
We also splashed out and used up our Tesco vouchers on a few house goodies. 

I have been busy doing lots of EBay sales for me and a friend so the conservatory has looked like a temporary tack shop for the last few months. This project has been reasonably successful for me but really great for my friend. I haven’t told her how much I will be transferring to her bank account but I wish I could have a camera ready for when she sees the transaction; hopefully she will be super pleased.

I get a lot of clothes from my friend when she feels the need for a change so it was nice to give back a little.

I managed to sell a few of my own items and got myself enough for two extra lessons before our BD Regional outing in a few weeks’ time.

Some good news was our old Terrano passed its MOT so we were all set to start off our 2016 competitions.
We are now on the hunt to replace our trusted worker with a newer model. We sold our last 4x4 to someone who wanted to go off roading, this one will also give someone a great turn in the mud.

Exciting times ahead  I am really looking forward to having a great 2016.

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