With two weeks until Estrid’s first 40km I wanted to get in another ‘public’ outing. Thank you so much to the Team who made Freehay happen, despite torrential downpour the course ran beautifully and as usual, I think Derbyshire group must have the loveliest helpers going!
Estrid did a solid 19km at 10kph and really impressed me with her progress, she was taking the lead, she did more canter sections, her balance downhill was impressive. You could really see that she was getting more confident and forward. We were accompanied with Cat on Tissy and Izzy on Fluffy, the three went quite well together and it was a lot less frustrating than when we take Estrid & Fluffy out together.
It was a lovely course with lots of hills and lovely canter stretches, woodland and views. I was actually really impressed that despite the deep mud that all our boots remained on too!
Despite being so much better on the trail, I can’t say the same for her venue shakes. She’s much less stressed after traveling but as soon as we’re at a venue with lots of other horses she has her eyes out on stalks. When I take her out in the box for training she’s fine but there’s something about lots of horses together that she struggles to process.
Her HR was in the 90’s when I jumped off and then stuck in the 70’s for the 10mins after before I popped her back on the lorry to eat her food. I’m hoping that within the 30mins we have I can graze and calm her down enough to pass the vet for her first graded ride but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Beth Endurance 