Jo
Are you preparing for Stage 2 or are you having a rest!!

I have started preparing.......I had a jumping lesson on Tuesday, counting the strides and making the horse go when I wanted. I also encountered my first lunge on Wednesday with my instructors thoroughbred. It was a little scarey at first but I soon started to enjoy it. Oh well, my instructor said he would be about a Stage 4 horse so if I can manage him then I suppose a stage 2 horse should be easier ha ha.

How were you when you got home after the exam?? I was sooooo tired that I slept all Friday night and just about all Saturday afternoon.

I'm back to normal now and the horse that I'm loaning is going back this Monday. I know, I'm a bit sad but I'm scanning through ads at the moment hoping the right one will come along shortly!!

Anyway hope you are well & keep in touch
Helen

Hi Helen,

Good to hear you got back in one piece - I think I kind of floated home, it was such a relief to pass!

I've started going over my Stage 2 stuff (the handbook is on my Xmas list), I had been doing a bit of lungeing before my Stage 1, although it still needs work. Had a go at clipping - was going fine until the pony kicked the clippers and knocked a connection. They worked fine until you tipped them onto their side - which makes it kind of difficult to clip! The riding is OK, as I have done quite a bit of jumping anyway.

It doesn't seem so scary as Stage 1, 'cos I know what to expect now (mind you I probably won't be saying that just before the exam!). Planning on taking Stage 2 around Easter, after I've done my Riding and Road Safety.

Sorry to hear about your loan horse going back (think it was the right thing to do though). Good luck looking for another one. Have you looked on the BHS website? a lot of the ones advertised are down South but I think that there have been a few in Yorkshire recently.

Happy looking. (I'm very envious)