4yr olds first time dragging

niko

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Got the horsey loaded on Saturday and headed off quite early as it was soo icy and frosty but they secretary had said the ground was good- firm were we were going so we thought we might as well. Halfway up my long boot zip got stuck on my sock, finally got it off but it wouldn’t move! Had to then make a hasty entry to the saddlers 5mins away and see if they could do anything. After some brute force they got it free but said the zip might not be as strong, bought some black tape wrapped it around a few times and we were good to go.
Arrived and Scooby was bouncing up and down in the trailer with excitement, paid my cap and got the wild beast out, mounted and walked around for a bit as he wouldn’t stand. Then the horn went and we were off.
The first section you had to jump a small log from a concrete yard, but it was icy and needed to stay in the verge so he semi reared as didn’t want to stand with excitement, man beside said it wasn’t time for party tricks and did I want a lead, I was very grateful as his experienced eventer got us across some BIG fences.
There was a long gallop down the p2p track to the second which was a bank, one stride on and off again and after a growl of encouragement he was foot perfect then up a hill to another log and a short breather. The man shouted to follow and kick on as a double was coming up, the man beside me his horse refused and a good nudge of encouragement on the last stride from me he was over, 3 strides and a MASSIVE log, height of the 5 bar gate beside it but wide.
He was coming in nicely, faultered at the last stride, a crack from the whip and he leapt 7ft in the air and over (myself clinging) the man laughed and said he gave it some clearance, boy was I glad! After that we had a good rest while the rest of the field caught up and he felt tired so didn’t jump him in the ‘playpen’ with the others.
Off we went down a hill and missed out a back to front p2p fence as felt he needed what he had as there was bigger jumps to come. Off down the road he felt ok again and into another farm, I had lost my lead and I asked a guy behind me if we would oblige. Over a brush fence he felt great, 2 strides to a big ditch and he wasn’t so sure after another growl and a kick he was over, very much clear and near had me in a telegraph pole!
Down the field popped a lovely upright with another man falling beside him he didn’t even look and down the hill, the grey had stopped I was following and the fence had fallen on its side to make a spread into the other field with some wire eeek. I kicked on and he refused, turned him and gave him a wake up tap at the same time and the eventer was back shouting ‘hey girl tuck in behind now’ (made me chuckle everytime).
Over he went me praying he wouldn’t touch it and he gave a good feeling although starting to drain. Only a couple of fields to go I knew before I could pull off. Over a couple of steps and then the 2* fence, a log pile with a drop on the other side, needed a forward going stride and a decent height. Again I had no lead and tried him, he refused and put his leg through and hopped out again unscathed. I circled him tapped him up growling so he knew I meant business, kicked on and smacked his bum on take off and he went a flyer, pecked on landing but I was sitting back ready, picked him up and gave him a good pat and he pricked his ears and went at a steady pace.
We were behind the masters and wanted to stay there. There was a river to our right and a stile was coming up again a brave size for a horse that hasn’t done much xc. The eventer gave me a good lead and he popped it and the ditch no problem. Had a rest waiting for the rest of the field and I could feel he was tired but knew there was 3 jumps to go with no alternative. Over a telegraph pole in tandem with another horse and started the incline. The jump that caused lots of problems last year was next horses falling and people. A jump up 2 strides and a jump down into the other field but all a good size, people standing around looking at it so I kicked on slight growl and he was clear up the field over a small hedge and a very tired horsey was home safe.
I was soo proud of him, he was soo honest and didn’t touch a thing, and for a baby he did look after me and listened when it was critical. Im wrecked today ache all over haven’t worked that hard in a long time! Also tried my new kan body protector that I was given to trial. Fitted nicely under my mums jacket and looked unobtrusive. The other thing I liked (I never wear bodyprotectors) I didn’t notice it and I could take big breathes without feeling restricted. Drink out of my hipflask for getting this for and pics in gallery.
 

MICHAELA8228

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Bloody hell - bravo!!! Sounds like a cracking day - 10 out of 10 for bravery, and BIG pats for Scooby!!! :grin:

Oooh, I've just seen from your pics he's coloured too - HURRAH!!! Very handsome! :grin:
 

FINCH53

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10 December 2008
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Thats really encouraging, I am going to take my 4yo cubbing nexy year and have only every hunted on experienced things - safe to say I am peeing my pants already
 
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