The Bradshaw Family

What a weekend.... 😴 So so busy

I'm training so much, with Woody. We are competing in a couple of weeks, and I find on the day of dressage tests (despite knowing the test inside out at home), my memory likes to go blank! So frustrating. So I'm working so hard to practice and learn this test before our next competition. I don't know why my mind likes to blank on the day as I know these tests backwards! If anyone has any tips for that? - It would be much appreciated! 😂
We are training hard though. I don't think there is one muscle in my body that isn't aching this morning.................................. 😂😂

The horses also went out on to summer turnout this weekend. The grass is rich, so lots to worry about there! I made sure Woody only did a few hours on that grass and he came back in for a while. He will be out on the grass over night and stabled in the day (as flies will drive him mad as the weather warms up to). I was checking the whole herd before work this morning to make sure no one had decided to colic as a result of the spring grass!

We were at the yard till 9.30pm last night, as one of the babies (9 month old) decided that the field next door looked appealing.... 🙈 Dan had to take the fencing down to get him back in, then re-build that part of the fence line. Luckily he appears to be still in one piece! Foals are such hard work; at least the older horses have more sense! 😂

And all of this was after a day of training and a day of racing (as our motorsport season has begun now too)!

Before I know it, it's Monday again and back to work. Can't wait til the summer holidays.


The piggies are fine. I was watching them on the camera last night, interestingly little Merlin seems to have developed a bit of friendship with Thor. Usually I have my three older boys sat together in the hay, and Merlin wandering around doing his own thing. Last night, Boris and Rufus were sat together and Merlin and Thor were sat together in their own hay pile 💕

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Woody has well and truly earned himself a day off today. We have worked so hard this winter; I hope it all pays off on competition days. He's not an easy horse, but he's definitely my horse of a lifetime. He's taught me so much 💕

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This was Koda and I on Saturday night after a very busy day. You'll have to excuse how dirty we are. Farm life is not easy. We managed to get the arena harrowed and graded again in the evening. After spending 3 hours on the summer fields picking out Sycamore saplings! There are loads of them this year! They are highly toxic to horses; so that was the priority over the last couple of weeks (pulling them all out by hand), as well as rolling fields and getting the fencing summer ready. Koda has had a brilliant weekend though, he loves farm life! Especially if there are mice/cats around the chase! 😂 He's brilliant with the horses, which is a bonus. He often sits in the arena and watches Woody and I training.

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Racing season has officially begun! Exciting times. Can't wait to get out with Dan to more circuits this year. Trying to balance both competition schedules is a task though!



Hope everyone else has had a lovely weekend. Looking forward to our upcoming bank holiday weekends
 
Always lovely to see your photos and hear about your furry family all your boys are gorgeous ! And your energy is amazing 😂

I know what you mean about the sycamore seedlings - I have a gravel garden but they’re everywhere 😱
 
Roselina said:
Always lovely to see your photos and hear about your furry family all your boys are gorgeous ! And your energy is amazing 😂

I know what you mean about the sycamore seedlings - I have a gravel garden but they’re everywhere 😱
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They are a pain. I think they've had perfect conditions last autumn/this spring, mixed with the windy weather we've had.....and so they are everywhere!
 
piggieminder said:
We've got sycamore coming up in our garden this spring and I can't find a tree anywhere in the vicinity, goodness knows where they are blowing in from.
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That's the problem we have with the horse fields :( Spent a good few weekends picking them out. Not sure where they have blown in from
 
I think the blank mind is probably nerves.
My mind certainly goes blank on those occasions.
I don’t really have a solution except to make sure you’re as relaxed as possible.
Take time out the day before, have a lovely long bath with some nice smellies and don’t panic when your mind goes blank.
Take a deep breath, count to 10 and go for it
 
Merab's Slave said:
I think the blank mind is probably nerves.
My mind certainly goes blank on those occasions.
I don’t really have a solution except to make sure you’re as relaxed as possible.
Take time out the day before, have a lovely long bath with some nice smellies and don’t panic when your mind goes blank.
Take a deep breath, count to 10 and go for it
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Thanks Heather! I agree, most likely competition nerves.
I really appreciate the support, thank you 🥰
 
No words for how much I love my boy 💙
Today was one of those days were I almost decided against riding, after feeling so tired and a bit run down. But I’m not one to ever miss a ride, and I’m so glad I didn’t!

This boy gave me such a mega ride, and I’m pretty sure he practiced our dressage test for us (me just a passenger)! Can’t wait to be out competing in a couple of weeks time

He’s just…. 🔥🔥🔥🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡


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How has everyone’s bank holiday weekend been?

Ours went by pretty fast…. Busy as always 😂

The piggies are doing great. All getting along famously 🥰 I even caught the husband sat in there with them yesterday… sneaking them extra romaine lettuce 😂🥰
And big news! Husband has finally got rid of the beard! :yahoo::yahoo: As you can see on the pic of him with Koda at the horse show yesterday.. I’ve been long awaiting this day… 😂😂

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Koda has enjoyed lots of bank holiday adventures… 🐾🐾🐾💙💙

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Woody has enjoyed a bit of down time this week as our training starts tomorrow for our next competition 🐴💕 he’s had a weekend of lots of field time with his friends, and some time following Koda around. He loves Koda!

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I was working yesterday as I’m photographer for Urmston&District riding club for this season. Of course my sidekick was there to help 🐾💙

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Full album from the show is on Facebook: Nichola Bradshaw Photography
Or Instagram:
Nichola_bradshaw_photography



What has everyone else been up to this weekend? 🥰
 
I am just catching up but I wanted to add my top tip for remembering dressage tests.
My trainer used to make me pick a song I liked (or a tune - classical can work for this) and would play it while I rode the test and ask me to hum along.
He always made me hum when riding dressage as it 'forces' you to breath in and out, which automatically stops you tensing up (which you do when you hold your breath).
Over time he stopped playing the music, but always shouted at me to hum, so I associated the humming with the specific manoeuvres of the test.
On competition days I would listen to the song right before i competed (I usually did my warm up with headphones) and then focus on humming he music while I competed - it stopped me tensing up and also reminded me of what was coming next as by that time it had become automatic.

Good luck this season - what level are you and Woody competing at?
 
Swissgreys said:
I am just catching up but I wanted to add my top tip for remembering dressage tests.
My trainer used to make me pick a song I liked (or a tune - classical can work for this) and would play it while I rode the test and ask me to hum along.
He always made me hum when riding dressage as it 'forces' you to breath in and out, which automatically stops you tensing up (which you do when you hold your breath).
Over time he stopped playing the music, but always shouted at me to hum, so I associated the humming with the specific manoeuvres of the test.
On competition days I would listen to the song right before i competed (I usually did my warm up with headphones) and then focus on humming he music while I competed - it stopped me tensing up and also reminded me of what was coming next as by that time it had become automatic.

Good luck this season - what level are you and Woody competing at?
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That’s a brilliant idea! Quite often I have music playing when riding, so I will choose a song for my test. Woody will think it’s freestyle time! 😂

Thank you :) we are competing Elementary and hopefully medium this season. Training some advanced medium at home.

I’ll definitely hum. It might help with Woody’s tension too. As that’s what massively affects his scores, he’s such a worrier! Though he is much more confident in our partnership now. Hard work pays off! 🥰
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
That’s a brilliant idea! Quite often I have music playing when riding, so I will choose a song for my test. Woody will think it’s freestyle time! 😂

Thank you :) we are competing Elementary and hopefully medium this season. Training some advanced medium at home.

I’ll definitely hum. It might help with Woody’s tension too. As that’s what massively affects his scores, he’s such a worrier! Though he is much more confident in our partnership now. Hard work pays off! 🥰
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I felt like an idiot at first as I wold pass my trainer and they would bellow 'I can't hear you humming', but honestly it is such a game changer.
I don't ride these days, but in stressful situations I still hum.
 
Swissgreys said:
I felt like an idiot at first as I wold pass my trainer and they would bellow 'I can't hear you humming', but honestly it is such a game changer.
I don't ride these days, but in stressful situations I still hum.
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That’s a shame you don’t ride any more. Can I not tempt you back into the saddle? 😊
 
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