The Journey to Badminton Part Two – 10 weeks to go

Image credit: Mane Focus Photography

In this new blog series, we follow eventer Lauren and her pony Cookie on their journey to the LeMieux Badminton Grassroots Championships. With 10 weeks to go, it’s time to get Cookie a new saddle and crack on with his favourite thing – jumping! 

Welcome back to our road to Badminton series! It’s been a really busy month since I first wrote –I’ve finally found the perfect jump saddle after trying six brands (I’m very fussy with saddles, is anyone else?!), and Cookie is really clear with his preferences, too. I’ve opted for a Kent & Masters Competition Series Monoflap XC – I felt very secure in my seat and lower leg, and Cookie’s frame was extremely relaxed and settled from the moment I got on. Happy horse = Happy rider! 

Our first jump of the year

Now Cookie has a correctly fitting saddle, we’ve been able to get jumping again, which is the best news because he’s not jumped since his Badminton qualifier at the beginning of October. Safe to say that he was (and still is) feeling very fresh, but to have him feeling so keen and eager to do his job is brilliant. Cookie usually takes at least five or six jump sessions to begin to settle down and let me ride him into a fence again. At the moment the strides are on Cookie’s terms and I’m holding on through the winter dragon phase – he can definitely move in his new saddle and is loving to buck at the moment, so I’ve managed to test how secure I feel ahead of our first event, which I guess is a good thing! 

I try to mix up our jumping sessions – last week I set up a grid of a small bounce to a double, which was great to keep Cookie’s focus on the job and get him moving athletically through his body. This week we jumped round a course with fillers – the aim was to back Cookie off slightly – he was completely game and loved it, and no filler is scary enough for this Badminton pony, it seems! 

A successful outing!

We need to keep improving our dressage ahead of Badminton, and I’ve been working with my instructor using EQ bands, which has really helped my position. I might have complained for a few minutes (OK, I complained the whole time they were on), but the difference was huge, so I’ll schedule a few more sessions in the weeks ahead. I could really feel the change in my riding and Cookie’s way of going, and definitely recommend giving them a go. They say the proof is in the pudding, though, so last week Cookie and I hacked to our local show centre, Parwood, for an unaffiliated dressage competition, where we scored a PB at Novice Level – 70% – which placed us 3rd. I was so proud! 

Working on my fitness

My own Badminton prep is well underway, too, and I’m focusing on my fitness and health. In all honesty, I’ve never taken it particularly seriously, but I know that Badminton will be the biggest test yet for Cookie and me, and I need to bring my A game. So, I’ve started power hooping classes each week – they’re hard work but great fun and a brilliant workout. I always leave feeling I’ve achieved something and motivated for the next class, too! I’m also making an effort to improve my diet. I’m a sucker for chocolate, so I’m really being mindful of what I eat, especially what I snack on. It wasn’t easy to begin with, but I’m really feeling the benefits when it comes to riding because I have more energy and stamina, and that’s the most amazing motivation to keep going. 

Now Cookie is in full work, and I’m fitter, we’ll stick with our regular weekly routine: one hack, one gallop or interval training session, one jump and three flatwork (including one polework session). We’re heading out cross-country schooling for the first time this year next week, so I look forward to reporting back on that when I write next month. I’m really looking forward to it, and I know Cookie will have a blast – I’ll make sure I wear my sticky bum jodhpurs! 

Missed part one of Lauren’s journey to Badminton series? Check it out here!

Next time, find out how Lauren and Cookie get on in their first event of the year!  

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