tigers_eye
Well-Known Member
Had a fabulous day at Gt Tew with the two boys. Stefan stayed at home to sort out last minute stuff with the wedding (he said, think it was the early start he was avoiding tbh), but a new girl at the yard who also events kindly very abley groomed for me.
So, first up William in sec K. Rolled over to dressage 10 mins before we were due in, but he was nicely warmed up the way I'd driven the last stretch to the event! Did an ok test, although the give and retake the reins in canter was an exercise in damage limitation. Judge obviously couldn't see as far as X as he got a 34.8
. Hared round the xc on foot at a million miles an hour, fuelled by cigarettes and red bull.... Beautifully built course but was a little concerned about the accuracy questions for Liberty, what with it being his first Novice. Tacked up William for sj, went over, did the same routine as at Mattingley ie. didn't jump him over any higher than 3'. And it worked: he went clear
, one of 5 in his whole class! Changed boots for xc, went over, set off and he gave me a cracking round, jumped the drop to skinny in copybook style, wobbled a little at the skinny brush as I hooked too much (note to self:
), and hit the next (turning double of narrow houses), then screwed slightly at the next fence, but overall a great round. Finished with 4.4 time penalties which left us 4th!!! So he won his first ever points, and a welcome bit of prize money! Just seems it hasn't all come together on paper at other events for us, but really pleased with today's result.
On to Liberty who is looking rather podgy these days
. Also didn't warm up for long for dressage with him, but at least it was intentional with him! Did a cracking test, really active (paticularly in our first canter transition
), did a LOVELY give and retake (with me grinning madly towards judge - LOOK I can do it really well on this horse!), got a 33.3 which left him in =4th. Long wait until our sj so went to find some food and catch up with BBs and her mum and meet Jiffy. Off to sj which was very bright and had me quite worried for spooky pants! Warmed up very brightly, went in, got a smack going to first, then hared round the next 3, relaxed a little for 5 a plain white upright but he did back off it, chipped in a tiny one and took the pole out with his knees. Jumped the next two fine, got another smack coming into the treble as it was riding long and he was backing off all the scary dolphins under each element! Cleared it all, and the next, then just tapped off a pole on the oxer going into to the double at the last. Wasn't too disappointed as he is braver each time and both mistakes can be put down to inexperience. Off to xc, set off after quite a long hold and he went really well
, did chip in a couple of short strides when he wasn't completely sure about a fence, but he actually jumped the skinny brush and the houses better than William! Felt like we just hacked round, what with it being so hot and having had two rails, but only got 9.6 time faults. Ended up 12th, absolutely ecstatic with his dr and xc, and the sj will be ok with time.
So a great day in all! Would definately recommend as an event...
So, first up William in sec K. Rolled over to dressage 10 mins before we were due in, but he was nicely warmed up the way I'd driven the last stretch to the event! Did an ok test, although the give and retake the reins in canter was an exercise in damage limitation. Judge obviously couldn't see as far as X as he got a 34.8
On to Liberty who is looking rather podgy these days
So a great day in all! Would definately recommend as an event...
