The Label Loisir tests

Just got back, both the boys did really well and are now qualified for the Label Loisir! There are 3 levels, qualifié, Selectionné and Élite. Unfortunately for us it seems that half the marks go for the looks and movement of the horse and only half on doing the course of obstacles so it was a bit disheartening to see people on pretty fully papered horses who spooked at all sorts of things getting a higher mark than our two hairy fat unpapered cobs.

Never mind, we had fun and I was really proud of Ches (and Tanya) who did better than Gandalf on the course, G was difficult about going into the lorry and going over the tarp, neither of which is a problem at home, he was having a bit of an off day I think.

Tanya even got him to jump!

Gave my camera to Ali and she managed to miss us doing our stuff so good job Jo and Stewart were there, Stewart videoed everything thankfully.......

Our OHs turned up with a fabulous picnic lunch, including home made curry pies and sausages rolls from Tanya's Gary, and lashings of wine, which the boys proceeded to sit and quaff whilst we did our stuff As usual at these things there was a lot of hanging around before any action so they got absolutely sh*t faced

Jo's Socianda was a star too, and got Selectionné

More pics here and a (rather long) video here

Sorry about some of them being grainy, less than sober OH pressed the wrong setting I'm sure Stewart's will be much better!

Nice hacking this time of year.....

As we've got the Label Loisir coming up, I've taken both the boys out for long hacks this week. First Ches, with the other half jogging with us (!)

 we saw a few things along the way that may come up in the tests:

Then Gandalf's turn, at one point we came across a tree across the path, had to get off and jump up and down on it til it was low enough to step over.....

Lovely day for it!

More Label Loisir.....

....this time with Chester. He took it all in his stride:

we built him his own little obstacle course, here's a video. He even stayed tied up to the trailer without fidgeting too much which used to be his favourite thing to do.

Such a good boy!

Label Loisir

Had never heard of this before....until the other day when Isabelle at the Beaumont riding school told me there was a competition next month and asked if we were interested.....


Basically it's a series of tests to see how good you and your horse would be at things you'd encounter out and about. Bit like the "parcours de terrain varié" bit of Trec. So I have got hold of the handbook and thought we'd have a go at some of the stuff.

There's loads of tests you may get, like loading and unloading, standing still to be mounted from either side, going through water, gate opening, going round cones, reversing, going past flags, umbrellas, animals, building sites, over bridges, under hanging stuff etc etc.

Here's a little video of the stuff we've done so far, didn't think Ganders would be too bothered, and he wasn't.....

More to follow.......and we'll be doing some with Chester, he's coming along too!