A report full of BS!

FigJam

FigJam

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West Lothian, Scotland
teamhopalong.blogspot.com
BSJA that is! ;)

Decided to start the winter's plan of learning to stop flapping about the scary fally downy poles (TM Nic!) and go to Kingsbarn on Sat for their BSJA Intro show. Arrived far too early as 70cm/80cm classes were big and taking ages. Was convinced if I turned up at midday it would be quiet and I'd have missed my classes. :rolleyes: However Hopalong was happy with her haynet and I had plenty time for a bacon roll and was early enough to nab free day ticket so all good. :D (I don't subscribe to the Gamebird starvation competition plan although it probably wouldn't hurt me to! :o )

Eventually the first two classes finished and we slotted in somewhere in the middle of the mahoosive entries in the 90cm Amateur class. Think there were about 30-35 in the class. Warmed up and I thought she felt a little funny on the left rein in canter, bogpony was there on the ground and said I was just looking for an excuse to avoid the scary coloured poles and she was fine- get on with it! ;) (she didn't really, but I'm sure she thought it?! :p ) She was feeling a little nappy in the warm up (just wanted to go back to the "hanging about" corner with the others!) but keen enough when pointed at a jump.

Went in and had an ok clear first round. All videos courtesy of bogpony (and posted with her permission of course...!). Open to CC on them all. I think, actually, I know :rolleyes: :o , through them all I'm not riding forward enough and haven't got her canter opening up properly. Evidenced by the consistent 2 strides in 1 stride distance doubles. :o

So, first round;



And then back in for jump off about 5hrs later. Ok, not quite, but felt like it! ;) Some entertainment for you all as I nearly get jumped off over no.3 in this. :o It felt a heck of a lot worse than it looks somehow, obviously was just me being a numpty.



Sadly, the penultimate fence fell. Just touched it behind, although it took forever and a day to actually fall. :mad: May have been in with a chance of a placing here as not many DCs. Never mind, at least we got 1 stride in the double?!

Onto the next class, British Novice. A pretty similar first round, should have been more forward and positive. More 2-strided 1-stride doubles! :o



And then jump off. Made a tighter turn to the last three fences, managed to leave them all up and came 3rd. :D Out of about 20-25 entries, so not too bad. According to bogpony we were the only unregistered placed pair. :)



So a good outing, positives to take from it are that I didn't feel any of the fences were outwith my "comfort zone" although I don't think they were built particularly big or square for BSJA? Other good news is we have a lesson with David Gatherer next Monday where he can kick my arse and tell me to get the canter fixed and bigger. Poor H, I don't make it easy for her. :(

Another mammoth report, but some left over Starmix if anyone gets to the end?! ;) Thanks again to bogpony for morale support/videoing/cookie cake! :D
 
Sounds like a great day as for the hanging about that why im not keen in BS at least BE you get a time!! :D Are you David Gatherering at SNEC magic and i are in at 1pm, might see you and Hopalong?? Well done!!
 
applestroodle- we're in the last class at 8pm I'm afraid, so you will be long gone. :( Hope you have fun though. :) And yes, would much prefer getting a time and at least being able to judge better when to turn up. The hanging around is a total pain.

Babybear- thank you. :) Surprisingly I'm not! My legs were pretty sore yesterday, but I think that was from walking about all afternoon at the RC show and lugging jumps about. Hopalong enjoying a day off today though. Wish I was too! ;)
 
Great results, well done! You were right to turn up early as it's really hard to tell at Kingsbarns how busy it will be. We've missed the coursewalk before and other times been sitting about for ages.

On that subject, what's wrong with sitting about for ages at shows? Don't we go to get a day out by ourselves away from what we should really be doing at home and a natter to our chums? :)
 
Thanks measles. Have to 'fess up to not walking either of the courses, even though I was stood watching while they were open to coursewalk! :o I held my friend's horse while she walked them and just got feedback from her/watched a few!

I guess the large reason I was annoyed at the hanging around is that I had LOADS to do in the afternoon! I didn't finish up until 3pm, then had to get H home, repack for SJ/XC the next day, go out to Dalkeith to walk XC (as no time on the day), then back to feed H dinner, then home for an attempt at dinner then bed before 5.30am alarm went off...! Maybe better planning is required in future so that I just block out the whole day for BSJA?! I guess (in my head), I figure that 2 rounds of SJ really shouldn't take that long and so other stuff can be crammed into the day too...! ;)
 
MM2- thank you, she was definitely thinking like a pony on Sat and I wasn't doing much to convince her she was a horse and can do horse distances! Will give it another bach sometime over the winter and see if we can improve.

Hevs- thanks, but I'm not sure you want to take any tips or inspiration from these vids! :o I'm annoyed at myself for not getting the canter sorted and getting the extra strides in the doubles... only once out of 6 doubles did we get the right strides! :o Hope we can work on this next week in lesson.
 
FigJam said:
Hevs- thanks, but I'm not sure you want to take any tips or inspiration from these vids! :o I'm annoyed at myself for not getting the canter sorted and getting the extra strides in the doubles... only once out of 6 doubles did we get the right strides! :o Hope we can work on this next week in lesson.
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Getting over the jumps.....check
Not falling off...........check
horsey looking pretty....check
rider not looking terrified...check
no tell tale stains on joddies......check

yup Im inspired :D
 
Ha ha, yes. But I can't get away with riding the same way if the fences are over 1m. Those were only 90cm-1m which is within H's catlike ability to jump from stupidly deep spots. Bigger fences require bigger and better canter and take off spots. ;)

bogpony said filming from raised viewing area made the fences look smaller... shame the same rule doesn't apply to my backside in beige jods, eh?! :p
 
Hi FJ

being an ex BSJA'er, I'd like to congratulate you. I think your SJ rounds were great, you are both in a lovely balanced canter, and the jump off turns were really nice and smooth. As you say I think if you upped the forward movement a bit you'd have no problem in meeting the double distances but you should be thrilled, it looked super.

Am I right in thinking the second double was actually a two striding double anyway?

Maybe you should register with BS for 6 months and compete over winter :)

I used to loathe going to some BS shows as they often had 90 in each of the young horse classes and it took hours to get through them! At least now they have divided the shows into Intro/Progressive they have reduced the numbers a bit!

Would be nice to enter the BS classes the week leading up to a show and to get start times the day before though wouldn't it!
 
jumptoit said:
Nice to see you're still an eventer through and through ;)!
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lol.gif
Ha ha, I made sure to turn up wearing as much Joules as possible (jumper AND jacket!), skull cap with yellow tag on and not a bit of dead sheep/bling to be seen! ;) Only thing missing was tweed jacket, but that's 'cos I can't afford one. :(

carolinefox1 said:
being an ex BSJA'er, I'd like to congratulate you. I think your SJ rounds were great, you are both in a lovely balanced canter, and the jump off turns were really nice and smooth. As you say I think if you upped the forward movement a bit you'd have no problem in meeting the double distances but you should be thrilled, it looked super.

Am I right in thinking the second double was actually a two striding double anyway?
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Thank you, I was a bit :( watching them back as it just looked like I was riding a little backwards- I think because I know she'd rather a short/deep take off spot, I kill the canter looking for the deep spot which doesn't help!

I need to get her canter opened up a bit more so it's a proper 12ft stride length, not her preferred "pony stride" and then the distances in doubles will be fine. Related distances aren't so bad as adding 1 into a 5 stride distance is no biggie, although costs us time in JOs! ;)

And both doubles in both classes were 1-stride distances! :o She is so neat through them though that she makes it look like they should be! :o

Yes, pre entry the week before and some times would be fab. Even just a guaranteed "we won't start this class before Xam/pm", although you'd still be hanging about if busy and running late, you at least could be guaranteed not to miss it!
 
:-) ah well done! I'm sure the canter will come after a few more outings!

Know what you mean about the hanging about, its a complete pain in the bum! Think i'm away BS'ing this weekend with the ginger one as can now ride with said foot :-) xxx
 
FigJam said:
lol.gif
Ha ha, I made sure to turn up wearing as much Joules as possible (jumper AND jacket!), skull cap with yellow tag on and not a bit of dead sheep/bling to be seen! ;) Only thing missing was tweed jacket, but that's 'cos I can't afford one.


I need to get her canter opened up a bit more so it's a proper 12ft stride length, not her preferred "pony stride" and then the distances in doubles will be fine.
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LOL, I went to my first BS show in about 3 years a while back, I took my mum along who mainly goes to see my sister (as she lives closer - not because she likes her more......) who jumps BS, anyway while getting ready I looked at my old blue jacket and decided I didn't want to look like a SJ and opted for the tweed (shires do a very reasonably priced one - Mr FJ xmas prez perhaps?) - my mum asked why and I said that most BSJA'ers don't expect much from an eventer so at least I will look ok if I screw it up :-,

I'm surprised Sir David hasn't had you galloping down a line of canter poles! everytime he does that with me it feels like we are racing round!

Don't be disappointed, your round looks great - and if you had been registered you'd have money on his card too!

When's your next one :-D
 
tricksibell- glad your foot is feeling better, good luck if you do go! :) I will try be more positive next time out.

caroline- ha ha, my dressage saddle (purchased in July! :o ) is already my Christmass pressie from Mr FJ! :D Although if I don't remind him...! ;) St Gatherer has previously had us doing a good lengthening/shortening exercise with canter poles (12ft down one side, 9ft down the other) so I will need to try that at home to get the bigger canter. :) My calendar says SNEC have an intro show on 2nd Oct, so might aim for that.
 
Shhh, don't remind him then ;) just keep leaving the catalogue out on the page with the tweed jacket circled...... seems to work for me!

2nd Oct, I think I was possibly going to that before I totally rough my hoss off. Not sure yet as my sis has just come out of hospital after falling off a horse and might need to go to cumbria to help her a bit.
 
Ha ha... and the Thermatex... and the stirrup irons/leathers (since at the moment still swapping one pair between two saddles!)... I could just leave the order form filled in?! ;)

Maybe see you at SNEC if we both end up going, hope your sis gets well soon. (and not just so that it doesn't interupt your comp plans! ;) )
 
well done FJ, i think it was a very reasonable start to your BS season :D

i am positive st gatherer will kick your butt to sort it all anyway, shame we cant take him with us to comps, mind you i think he would seriously kick my ass if he seen me SJing lol :D

p.s new pony has arrived :D
 
he is settling in great, total dude :D seems wise beyond his little four years. went out for a play with his new pals this morning and has a little blonde girlfriend already. We had a little lunge session then a wee ride round the arena, which unfortuately has lots of puddles due to weather and needing a drain unblocked but he was like a pro not fazed just took it all in his stride! :D really pleased with him!

will get some pics and stuff sorted over next week or so to show off my gorgeous boy! Not quite planned out our training schedule yet but was planning first outing being a wee stressage clinic in october. YO has said i have to come do baby BS with his wife, she just got a 4yo mare. But their idea of baby and mine will be different i thnk (wuss here!) will have a sit down tonight and try a plan!! :)
 
Ooooo well done for getting out to BS so promptly. I think i'm going to avoid it this winter, although i will do BD. Much more fun and you get times ;)

You and H remind me of me and B show jumping, in that the canter could do with opening out a bit and they are both good at going from the very deep spots :) Your rhythm is much better than mine though...i get a nice big canter then close it down with my stupid fiddling etc etc....you and H just keep coming and it's lovely to watch :) :)
 
Well done again :D A frilly = RESULT! :D

Interestingly in the BN first round video Heidi made a very definite choice before the first part of each double to allow her to put in 2 strides. It was not even really a case of her backing off either. Has she ever been frightened do you think struggling to get the distance in doubles? B does this too but with him I put it down to greenness as we have done very few doubles thus far and never a treble.

Like you say she did actually jump much better out of the forward JO canter so maybe you do need to go up a gear? She does look like she does a bit of cheeky spooking when you are slower when you are faster she doesn't bother LOL!
 
kez1001 said:
he is settling in great, total dude :D seems wise beyond his little four years. went out for a play with his new pals this morning and has a little blonde girlfriend already. We had a little lunge session then a wee ride round the arena, which unfortuately has lots of puddles due to weather and needing a drain unblocked but he was like a pro not fazed just took it all in his stride! :D really pleased with him!

will get some pics and stuff sorted over next week or so to show off my gorgeous boy! Not quite planned out our training schedule yet but was planning first outing being a wee stressage clinic in october. YO has said i have to come do baby BS with his wife, she just got a 4yo mare. But their idea of baby and mine will be different i thnk (wuss here!) will have a sit down tonight and try a plan!! :)
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How lovely to hear you have a new boy kez - do let us see some pics when you can :) Tell us a bit more about him when you can too.
 
kez- so pleased he is settling in well and I am sure you are going to have lots of fun with him. Look forward to lots of photos as soon as you get camera person organised. :D

AR- yeuch, even with allocated times I think BD would be FAR worse! :p We will venture out to some unaffiliated stressage nonsense at some point... if only the dates didn't clash with more fun things?! ;)

Thanks for the comments on the SJ, I guess I just don't get the big canter in the first place- at least you get that far?! ;) I am probably just being lazy/unconfident and letting her pick the pace/strides rather than dictating or being more assertive. Need a happy medium I guess of not hassling her but getting her more forward with bigger stride to make life easier all round.

DHB- thank you, it is indeed always nice to get a frilly (and not just at a RC thing where there's more frillies than competitors...! :p ) You are right, she deliberately chips in a short stride before the doubles and her natural jumping style is to really bascule "up" the way, so this makes it easy for her to get the two little strides in the middle. I guess I need to be pushing to stop her getting that sneaky stride in before the double, then the middle stride will happen as she'll make a better arc over the fence?

I can't think of us ever getting a double horribly wrong. Her natural stride length has always been short/ ponyish, so I think it's just we've both got into a bad habit/comfort zone of doing this. At low heights we can get away with this, but we'll struggle over 1m so need to really work on it. Will see what St.G says and will be doing polework at home I think.
 
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