A Quick Catch Up: Jacko & Tom

Right, time to do a quick catch up!

I have been out hacking twice since my last Common Ride – once on a new horse to me, Jacko, and once on my favourite fella, Tom. Both were fabulous, and in rather different ways.

Before I head off to Cumbria for my riding holiday on show hunters, I need some big horse practice. I rode a lot of big horses last summer, and apart from being uncomfortable on Ransom, adored it; I have only done it once since though! In terms of who to choose, I have dreamt of riding Buddy since I first saw him – he might well be the sexiest horse I have EVER laid eyes on! He is about 18hh, dappled grey (my favourite) and is like a featherless draft – think a Percheron, or really old-fashioned Irish Draft type (not the modern ones that look more like Cleveland Bays or chunky warmbloods). He is often the Cornet’s horse, leading Common Rides and being the most photographed horse in the season. My friend rode him the weekend earlier, so I was soothed that ‘normal’ customers were allowed to try him. So, I plucked up the courage, asked the boss, but found that the big fella had a hoof abscess. Ah well – it explained why he was in and it did give me a good 15min or quality time with him in the stable!

So, I had rattle down a few names of big horses, and the first one that was in was Jacko – a big orange hoss. I went onto the yard, and out came this handsome, ~17hh WB, with his thin stripe and gentle face. I mounted up, and realised just how long it had been since I had to lift my foot that high above the top step of the mounting block! Still, it was a lovely feeling being up there, and I was looking forward to setting off :)

It took ages to get my stirrups even, but finally they were sorted, and off a little private hack (by accident, not design) set off – L, me and an American girl on Nonny. We trotted to the river, but were told to wait there for someone. I figured we were getting another client coming out with us, but someone came to take Nonny and rider away to the lesson instead – she had just done a coast-to-coast trail ride of Scotland, but L said she didn’t even hold her reins correctly, so she didn’t feel safe hacking her out without some coaching first. So, off I went on a truly private hack – L on the lively Bianca, and me on my new friend, Jacko, who had actually napped on the yard and I had to get my crop out to make him move! Still, of we went on our temperamental red heads :D

I was honest with L – said I had a bumpy ride on Hutch a few months ago, and it put me off big horses a bit, but I knew I was being silly as I did almost all of my CR practice on Starsky last summer. I was nervous of being out with just L, as albeit safely and with control, she bloody well goes for it! I also said it was precisely what I needed – to go fast on a big horse I don’t know, as that’s what I’m doing next month. L and Jacko certainly didn’t disappoint!

The first canter was up the hill, and bloody hell, Jacko was smooth. He is also as fit as a butcher’s dog, still cantering by the point at which many ponies are walking. Common Riding has kept him sharp! The second canter started a bit later, as a cow was laying down, and Jacko was being a spooky twerp (as was Bianca); so, we waited until the horses had seen it to begin. Jacko’s walk to canter transition was easy to ride, and Jacko was stiff but reliable – he just plunders through puddles, and actually dodged tree branches before I could even ask; he carries his head quite high, and as I’m quite short, our heads were in a similar line when I was in the light seat. It was night and day, a horse looking out for branches and avoiding them without being asked, compared to Frankie where it is more fun not to disrupt her canter in order to steer, and just accept that you’ll get a face-full of tree every 30 seconds or so! lol.

After that, we cantered as we normally would – going for it! Jacko felt great, but he is a stiff big warmblood – he seems to find straight lines a bit difficult, and bananas his body sometimes. While that feels a little off-putting and uncomfortable, I didn’t have any problem riding it. I asked L at the end if it was normal for him and she said it was, but that I should ask for a flying change to switch the bend. So, on the way down we had a collected canter, I was to ask for either one or two flying  changes depending on what leg Jacko started on, and then we’d open up. We started on the correct leg, but I switched my shoulders, and put my leg behind the girth and sure enough, he switched – a bouncy big feeling on a big, round-paced horse. However, Jacko’s stride is so much bigger than B’s that by the time L turned around to check on me, I had to bring Jacko to a trot to maintain the gap. Still, it was a good feeling, and a great trick to have. L said Jacko was a SJ horse before the yard bought him, and he was sold as he lacked the scope for the higher levels. I’m not surprised, as he’s not a flexible horse, but his education is clearly still with him.

The last canter in the woods was beside the cow, and this time we went for it. I did a lot of it one-handed, as sometime buzzed and landed on my neck. Whatever it was, I wasn’t allowing it to bite me! We were doing the ‘collect for 5, extend for 5’ canter exercise, and holy feck can Jacko do that – as a SJ horse, he had to have adjustable strides in order to make long or short distances. With just half-halts, I had a big horse collected, his hocks underneath him; it was a mighty feeling, as was the surprising comfort when he opened up.

The road work was interesting – lots of spooking from Jacko, which is apparently is unusual for him, but I think he just felt exposed as there was no horse behind him to protect the rear of the ride as it were. We got to the railway line, and were able to join the two canters together, getting a beautiful, long stretch. L was faster than me – her horse naturally is, but I had a great time on a keen Jacko. I can see why my friend says he has the kind of gallop you could sit too – it feels so smooth and relaxed, even at pace! When we saw pedestrians near the end, bringing Jacko back was easy as pie, and being prepared for the extra force braking on a big horse exerts on the rider, I was sat back far enough to be unperturbed. I mean, how dressage riders are sitting to GIANT WBs’ canters and bringing them back while still looking beautiful is just amazing!

Just when I thought it was time to walk and trot home, L said she knew of a new field that was free, and we could sneak off and do it as it was just me and her. It raised a few extra nerves, but I wanted to do it – I’m going to be galloping on stubble fields (weather permitting) on a big, unknown beasty, so this was perfect practice, even though I didn’t know how excited Jacko would get. Well, as it turns out, Jacko is a gent. We entered the field on the bottom left, and had to cross it to get to the track on the right. Jacko was not pulling or dancing – he waited until we were on the track, straightened up, and until I told him to go. I mean, this is a Common Riding horse – even holding wee Abbie on ‘grass means go’ stretches at Flodden was hard work, as we had to walk so many fields!  I had a go at sitting to his canter, and I definitely preferred the light seat – I felt more balanced and less bounced. Jacko also tripped when I started to bring him back, and I felt better prepared for it that way. I adored opening him up, and Jacko was chivalrous to the last – in fact, he’s so relaxed about everything, that he feels really casual in his attitude, even galloping across open ground :)

So, I had a fab private hack, did it on a big and alien horse to me, took a route I didn’t know, and galloped a field. I was beaming, thanked L for delivering just what this doctor ordered, and duly thanked Jacko when I’d warmed my ankles up enough to hop off safely. While Jacko’s stiffness and banana-shape in canter are a bit off-putting, he is a sweet, solid and biddable big horse, and I liked him a lot. Still, I am hoping to get Starsky in racing mode next weekend (as I enjoyed some private L hacks on him last summer at speed), or certainly on a different big horse at least as preparation.

Jack's hack track on Endomondo:

 

So, on came the next Saturday, and I had a lovely chat with an ex-policeman and a few new riders. We discussed Common Rides, good horses, and generally craiced along for nearly an hour. The boss arrived and into the office we went, and the copper who had only ridden Abbie so far, was given Jacko. It’s the start of rest season, with only one big Common Ride left to go, so not many horses were in; I wasn’t prepared to take Hutch out, so I went for my favourite horse and one I’d not been able to ride in months as he’s part of so many Official Parties – my beloved Tom J

LD took us out on this hack, and once I got Tom in front of Jacko, the hack split in two – LD, Ripper, Hugo and me tore off into the distance, whereas Jacko lead the other two horses in a steadier pace behind us. The canters were fab – on the muddier ground, Tom kept up, and on the longer stretches, I’d hold Tom up a little, then we’d gallop flat out to catch up. It was glorious, and I feel glued on that chap! (He’s only about 16hh though, so not a big fella, but bigger than Abbie certainly).

We came to a point on the ride where we always turn left to go through the country park, but this time we went straight on. We did about 15mins of road work at least, but then one of the other riders clocked where we were – at the VERY beginning of the old railway line. He explained that this gallop was several minutes in duration, maybe as many as 5, and we’d be sore enough to be ready to stop at the end. Well, he wasn’t wrong! LD, Ripper and Hugo were ahead, but given how much I value being able to see ahead of me to increase reaction time, I did the same thing with Tom – steadied him a little, galloped at what felt like Tom’s maximum speed, then gathered him up again to increase the gap… My friend was right – I was getting to the point that my joints were aching from the light seat, as much as I was enjoying going so fast, in such a straight line. We finally met pedestrians very close to where we naturally end our gallop, and rather than be disappointed at finishing up a wee bit earlier, I was achey enough to be glad. I have never done such a long stretch of gallop on a horse, and it was mighty! On one of the Common Rides there is a long, wide, flat gallop that’s over a mile in length; I regretted not doing it all summer in retrospect, and really felt it now. Rest assured, that one is on my hit list for next June! In fact, it should be on near to my birthday…

So, I had another great hack – fast, long, on my favourite horse, and with only a few riders. In fact, it was the first male-dominated hack I’d been on – it was 4-2 in all, with the other woman on the end so I felt like a rose between lots of thorns! It was a blast, and I was beaming – good for my confidence, but not so great in terms of big-horse riding. So, after a booking debacle, I have one more hack before my riding holiday – a 2hr tomorrow morning, this time with my best friend in tow. I need a big horse, and I hope that I dismount smiling again, feeling ready for Cumbria. Someone did a blog post about their holiday there last week, and it sounds like we’re in a mini-Common Ride – lots of galloping stubble fields on fit, big horses. Fab! Just as I’m starting to mourn the end of the current one…

Roll on September 7^th, and roll on Common Riding 2014! :D

Video Blog: 8/8/13 - The End of my Common Riding Season

Above is the helmet cam footage. Sadly, with such little cantering to choose from, and poor light as it was overcast, this isn’t as good a video as many of my others, but it still gives a nice flavour of the day nonetheless J

Today saw the last ride of my first ever Common Riding season, and for most riders in 2013. It’s been a fun one, with ups and downs, thrills and spills, and new riding territory entered. This last Common Ride was to be my biggest to date – not only in size (literally hundreds more horses than I’ve ever experienced before) and also my longest by nearly a couple of hours, with 7hrs spent Common Riding and 8hrs in the saddle in total. Sadly, it was a ride that left an overall taste of frustration in my mouth, but was a wonderful experience in so many other ways. Stick with me, while I try to get through it all!

I arrived in town with my friend, and while she spotted Ripper quickly, I clocked Frankie long before I saw Abbie. A little part of me dared hope that she was for me: that fate had meant that I was to have this quirky, characterful little mare today. A short walk later to put my lunch in the lorry, and I soon saw Abbie looking glorious – shining, plaited, and looking slim and fit after a busy Common Riding season, that started for both of us at my first ever ride in June, and that will be ending in a few weeks for her when she does the final ride of the season. Immediately I then knew that Abbie was for me; as the yard’s most subscribed ride of the year, I took an educated guess that Frankie was not here because someone loved her – Frankie was here because she was all that was left. It would turn out later that I was right, but I knew it deep down long before I saw any proof.

With so many riders to mount up, the yard staff got us on board an hour early. Normally I’m quite happy on a grazing horse, just chatting, but Abbie was a royal pain in the bum. Rather than put her head down and eating in one spot, she would take a bite and start walking off. She was hurting my back by tugging on the reins, and I didn’t want to be tired before I even set off. So, I’d direct her where I wanted on a short rein, then hold the buckle before she’d tug, allowing her to eat and me to socialise. She kept taking the mickey on that long rein though, and was so agitated by such a long wait that she just couldn’t stand at peace. We went through a cycle of eat, wander, long reins, short reins, and I was darn right grumpy by the end of it. It was 10am, it was hot, I was hungry and tired, the nerves were building because of the delay, and Abbie seemed incapable of eating in one spot like every single other horse I could see. I know impatience does nothing but harm when dealing with a horse, but I couldn’t avoid it. I did however tell myself that it was only temporary, and I would be a happy and praise-giving rider once we set off. Gosh wasn’t I glad to hear the Cornet’s horn!

Off we paraded through town, and despite it being 10:30am on a Thursday morning, the town was full of people. Unlike some other rides, these were not silent people either – they were laughing and cheering, egging on the Official Party to start their chorus of “Huzzah!” cheers. I also had people calling my name – fellow friends and ride leaders from the yard, who were here as spectators today, earning a few bob on the field by holding horses. Despite trying to get my OH to come to our local Common Ride and catch me on the beach, he refused, so this was the first time I’d heard my name called and received grins and waves at a Common Ride. I was touched, and certainly don’t want to ride near home next year without someone there!

From the first town, we rode behind a police escort to the next, crossing the border from Scotland into Northumberland. I have never ridden in England before, so was looking forward to my first English experience; I’d also never ridden from one country, to another, and then back again on horseback before!

Going through a couple of towns, then getting on to main roads surrounded by fields, all the riders and all the horses were getting worked up about the first canter. I always need the first canter to settle my nerves, and test out my stirrups. I knew that I was even today as I was using my own, brand new leathers, but I didn’t know if I was short enough; I was looking forward to getting myself sorted and settling down! I also met a girl who introduced herself to me thusly: “Hi, I’m the girl that trampled you when you fell off the bay pony.” I had no idea I’d been trampled while I was out cold on the grass; I’m quite glad I didn’t know at the time either! Still, I’m alright, and her and her pony were fine; no harm, no foul.

Much to everyone’s frustration and disappointment, we fed through a gate into a field, and we were made to walk. Not only do fields mean cantering and galloping on a Common Ride, but slowing or stopping to file through a gate is also a sign to a horse that you’re going to take off once you’re through safely. Despite being flat with an uphill finish, the Official Party didn’t even approach a trot. Abbie was snorting and bouncing, but was not disobedient. I could see a pony to the left of the exit gate though, dancing and prancing, napping and reversing, and doing some beautiful but unplanned dressage moves; I knew long before she turned to show me her face that it was Frankie. I was still with my friend at this point, and quickly told her “That’s what she was doing to me, but add in trying to buck me off for good measure!” I was also talking the man down, even though I was too far away to ever be heard. “Don’t aim for the gate, aim for the other horses – she’s fine when she’s in the queue again.” It took him several minutes before he got her facing the right way and going forwards, and I wondered if he was having a miserable time. I love that little horse, and all her quirks; she was merely expressing her forthright opinion that this field was for galloping, and her rider is a pillock for holding her back. I find that funny, because I know her; I bet it’s not so good when you paid the same cash as someone else on an obedient horse, and you don’t know the mare well enough to be amused!

It seemed like forever before we cantered, being taunted by fields and not being allowed to go. Finally, we came to a stubble field, and despite it not being overly long, I could see the Official Party galloping up it. I was so ready for this! Abbie was bouncing, but we were behind two little black cobs that weren’t going anywhere fast. With plenty of room at the gate, we went through and Abbie sped off – we were both happy to be going, although quickly the pace went down a gear as we were behind steadier neddies, and I didn’t want to pull out for an overtake when I could hear so many horses behind me. This gallop was so good for both our souls though – Abbie was letting out all that pent up energy from having been ready to go for hours, and I was enjoying the wind in my hair, and knowing that I felt steady on my little horse. I had high hopes of this turning into a good one! Turns out I was right to pass the cobs too – one of them napped at the gate, spooked and threw off its rider; definitely glad I was in front of that debacle and not behind it! Pony was caught at the end of the field though, and the rider straight back on – neither were hurt, thankfully.

There were one or two very small canters, but overall the pre-break ride was a let down. We were walking and trotting across fields that, on any other Common Ride, would have been canters. I can only imagine that it’s because of the record breaking size, that the OP and Marshals were being conservative and holding. However, I think that all the holding was winding horses up and causing more stress and risk than actually letting people take control and go as planned. This was never as striking as when we reached The Orchard, where the potential was so firmly wasted.

I had heard months ago that one of the fastest and most picturesque gallops of this whole Common Ride was on the grass towards the manse, with the orchard trees lining each side. I was riding with folk who were representing other towns as visiting Official Parties, and they were saying the same: “Through this gate is The Orchard gallop – it’s the best bit of the whole ride!” Well, this was not the best part, although sadly, it could and should have been. Unlike all the years before, where the gate was used as a natural filter because it limits horses to filing onto the grass in ones or twos, the leaders held. They held and held and held until hundreds of us were on The Orchard before going, meaning that we had to hold steady so that we weren’t up the backsides of the people in front. Being in the middle, I ended up having to hold out in trot to find space. My friends cantered on the outside, but I knew from other Common Rides that The Marshals can get on your case about that, so trotting is what I did, and I regret it. In fact, I regret not being at the very back of the 460 odd riders: they were so strung out by that point, that they were getting at least steady canters over fields that we were forced to walk on.

Things were also compounded by two falls on The Orchard – one horse spooked, which set another off, and the second rider was peeled off by a branch as his horse dived for the trees; the almightly crack of the wood breaking rang out along the grass. Thankfully both riders were fine, the one that hit the tree was winded so was seen to on the floor for a while, but it meant The Marshals were shouting “Steady up, but keep moving forward.” I have no problem whatsoever with slowing for fallers, and was not in any way cursing them; all this merely compounded the misery of wasting this opportunity. Finally, we got to the wide gate later down The Orchard and I could let Abbie go, but by then most of the stretch was over. It was official – we had missed out on the best gallop of the ride because the leaders were being so cautious. Quite how the extra 130 or so horses called for cutting out a wide, straight, safe gallop I don’t know. It did rather set the tone for the ride though: frustrating capable riders by the leaders assuming we couldn’t hold for gates safely when we could see lead horses taking off up to 10mins before it was our turn, at the most strung out points of the ride.

Shortly after this, we could see the cars parked and various tents up at Flodden. The battlefield was on the top of the hill, and I was hoping for a run up towards it. After many more fields of walk, we finally came of the road onto an uphill field: with space to go, Abbie and I tore through the gate and it felt glorious to be moving again! Upon reaching the top, I realised that my stirrups were about a hole too long to make downhill work comfortable, and I felt like I’d dressage length leathers when we were going down any undulations. Having just realised my stirrups weren’t quite right, we were also approaching a blind gate that called for at least a 90o turn. Abbie however, the usually submissive and giving little horse, was not listening and would not slow; it turned out that the gate was more a U-turn, almost doubling over on ourselves, and we motorbiked around it at pace. It was a horrible feeling, being a little unbalanced at that speed, but we straightened up and went for it again in no time. Finally, we had a proper gallop of decent lengths; it made for a much nicer note to go to the break on!

A little further up the road, The Cornet collected the town flag and we passed The Memorial on the hill. It was moving to see so many pay tribute, but it was hard to look too much at it, as the OP had cantered up the hill, but The Marshals were holding the rest of us riders. There is just no easy way to explain to a horse why other people can go and they can’t! I also had a flash of just how much work Frankie would be on a day like this, and just what a good job I did do with a difficult little horse when I took her Common Riding.

Finally, we could hear the roar of the crowds, and the cheers going up. We were at Flodden, and we were to gallop past the crowds and onto the break. I waved for most of that gallop, totally buoyed by the cheering, and touched by the number of people that had come to welcome us ‘safe oot’, and to observe the remembrance ceremony there. The noise was like nothing I’ve experienced before, and might never since. I also went past a face I recognised from far away, in a blue checked shirt: it’s someone I loved from my childhood days, when Mum let me stay up late once a week to watch Soldier Solider with her – Robson Green! He had a TV crew there, but I never got to ask them what for. I guess it’s a local show, as we were in Northumberland, as it certainly wasn’t for Extreme Fishing – we could see for miles around, and not a drop of water was visible!

Arriving at Flodden:

My commemorative Flodden Common Ride badge:

As I expected, the man riding Frankie hated her! There were some people only riding to lunch time though, due to time restrictions or not fancying the faster afternoon, meaning that Jeffry was free. I was not surprised when the man switched to Jeffry, or that he ended up loving him; like Frankie, he will tow you along in a gallop, but will stop when everyone else is, and while he won’t slow up early despite your requests, he won’t go into diva mode at the mere suggestion. Abbie was a pain to hold while I was trying to have lunch, and a little part of me wanted to ask for Frankie. However, Abbie was being glorious when we were on the go and was really enjoying herself; I couldn’t take that away from her. Besides, while Frankie is fit for an old girl, what turned out to be 7hrs of work might have been a bit much anyway!

Mounting up again for the second half, I found myself hoping for more cantering; I couldn’t take a whole afternoon of the same degree of frustration, especially not now that my stirrups were a little shorter so I could take on any ground. I don’t know what switch flipped with the OP and Marshals, but finally they were allowing gates to be natural filters and for us to go! There were some glorious fields, including The King’s Hill. I loved that stretch, but noticed that I couldn’t really see the field’s horizon past a certain point. Out of uncertainty I slowed Abbie, and sure enough it was a sleep hill. I walked and trotted Abbie down it, although she objected to the slow pace all the way down. One of the people I hack with was on Hugo though, and as he’s done the ‘mad’ Common Rides, he cantered down the hill like it was a mere plateau. I soon heard some ladies who could not hold their horses and ended up following him: “I can’t believe we just cantered down it – The Marshals always make us walk!” Everyone was smiling though, and all safe. That would go on to happen a few times, we’d be heading down a field in walk, some of the advanced crew would canter down, and it would upset the horses. As time went on, I found myself allowing Abbie to strike up into canter further and further up the hill, but I’m still not a big fan of cantering down even though I’m capable of it, not when walking is still an option! lol.

The afternoon’s ride was not frustration-free however. While we’d get a good couple of fields, we’d then walk a few golden opportunities (some literally, with the stubble fields a beautiful shade of harvest gold). We’d then be allowed to go, but on a field fringe; unlike my smaller Common Ride with Frankie, we were not belting along these fringes. Rather, it was all collected and steady work to avoid an avalanche of horses piling up.

I also experienced something new: wanting this ride to be over. Towards the end of the ride, my joints were aching – my gammy ankle from falling off was the worst, but my knees and hips were not immune either. I usually love one more gallop on the way home, but this time I prayed for no more, especially as what turned out to be the last canter was a long strip of adjoining field fringes, that constantly undulated and tried out every joint I had, and even my little toes were not hurting from the stirrup iron pressing against them. I was sore, and I was tired; I was not however alone, and many official riders from other towns expressed the same feelings, and they have vastly more CR experience than me. I was glad to walk most of the way home: turns out that 7hrs of Common Riding (8hrs in the saddle including the early mount up and waiting) is LONG, even when you’re Common Riding-fit.

Just when I thought that the ride was going to end on a low note however, we crossed the border back into Scotland and back our original town. I thought the crowd on the way out had been a sight to behold: at 6ish in the evening, the sun out, the streets contained even more people and even more noise. It felt like we were the cavalry, coming home from the battlefield to a hero’s welcome. Later on, I heard pedestrians describe us in the same way – that they could only imagine seeing so many horses all together if it was the cavalry itself. All the photographs of me coming home contain a Cheshire Cat’s grin – I was beyond delighted at the welcome we had, and party atmosphere that radiated from everyone there. The yard folk were still there, still calling my name and waving. Being close to the pipe band, I could feel the drums resonate in my throat, and enjoyed the feeling and noise of the band being one of unadulterated celebration, and not sectarian nonsense (I come from N.I., so parades behind bands with crowds and bunting equalled Orange Lodge marches for me growing up). Thankfully the photos don’t show it, but I welled up and shed a few grinning tears on the way home, I was so taken aback by it all. I cannot express how annoyed I am with myself for not getting the reception on film either!

Grinning all the way home:

So, while it was a day of frustration, of wasted opportunities, of a wound-up horse that wouldn’t settle and fought me on gates, it was also a day of emotion, of pride, and one that I will never forget for so many good reasons. Without the reception in town, my Common Riding season would have ended damply; instead, it ended in rapturous cheers and endless smiles. It’s another 8 months until Common Riding starts again, and I miss it already.

I am more than ready for my September riding holiday in The Lakes now. I’ve already booked my weekend hack, and will be buttering up the staff to get some practice in on a big horse like Buddy. Bring on the next riding adventure – I need my fix already!

Hack track: 24.2 miles covered, with a top speed of 27.4 mph. I wish I’d a proper gallop on good stirrups that I could have kicked on for!