AutumnRose
Well-Known Member
Argh i just wrote a whole long report and the bloody computer crashed!!!
Anyway very fortunately we were at Pulborough on Saturday rather than today due to the horrific weather..not that sat was bright and sunny either!!! After terrible weather forecasts on friday night i was suprised to find myself plaiting up in the sun. Needn't have worried though as it was peeing down by the time we arrived
It was Blues 1st ever BE, bearing in mind he only started proper schooling and jumping in August we were just doing the training as i thought it'd be a good outing and experience for him.
Went over to get number and by this time rain was coming completely sideways in a nasty wind...nice. For those of you who dont know it pulborough is just north of south downs across a huge valley and the wind comes from miles and miles away.
Got on for dressage and wandered over. they'd moved it this year to a huge open field in the middle of the gallops. Fortunately Blue was very calm and not too distracted by the other horses. Warmed up well, met the lovely KH1, and went in. Had a good spook at the flower pots of way in but mostly went well...as well as he's working at home atm which is all i can ask. Struck off wrong in left canter which was a bit annoying as was a big problems but he's got much better. Also i tried to correct a not quite square halt and he swung his quarters round...whoops!!!! Mostly v pleased though, got 42 which i thought was fair. I know he's got a long way to go on the flat.
Went off to walk course. very nice and inviting but plenty to look at and i thought it'd be very educational for him. Most worried about ditch and water as he has only seen one of each on his one and only schooling trip....Went back to get on for sj and he was asleep tied up to box - such a relaxed 5 YO!! Warmed up well and thought it looked a nice little course. The 4 in before me got eliminated and 2 fell off, not what you want!!!! In we went and he was soooooo sweet.... had a good look at them all and gave them lots of space to be safe but was never going to say no....CLEAR ROUND!!!!!! Loads of pats and polos.
Was sooooooo looking forward to xc now and they were calling for started so got changed and went straight over. Warmed up so relaxed again and went over to start. Blue thought starter man might have polos so tried to have a good rummage in his pockets!! In box and we were off.....1,2,3,4,5,6, all lovely....having a good look and again giving them lots of air but always going. 7 was ditch...argh stopped to have a good look, 1st refusal...he dithered and they called 2nd refusal v quickly so circled away and came back...he did a huge leap and just managed to stay straight for the roll top 2 strides away. over next few then the water.....slowed right down and snorted at it
stopped and 1st refusal. Saw another horse coming so asked jump judge if i could wait for lead...she said yes but made me wait ages and ages so didnt get one anyway!!! He went 2nd time though so now onto home run......popped them all nicely, up step to log and over quite big (well same as intro!) rail back into last field and over pumpkins to finish...
So so sooooooooooooo happy with him. Ditch and water is just babiness, a few more schooling sessions will sort it.
i could not have asked any more of him and i cannot wait for next season
He tried his little heart out and i think he's going to be so much fun next year. Sorry for the essay but here are some photos (sorry no jumping ones, will put up pro ones when they're up)
Anyway very fortunately we were at Pulborough on Saturday rather than today due to the horrific weather..not that sat was bright and sunny either!!! After terrible weather forecasts on friday night i was suprised to find myself plaiting up in the sun. Needn't have worried though as it was peeing down by the time we arrived
Went over to get number and by this time rain was coming completely sideways in a nasty wind...nice. For those of you who dont know it pulborough is just north of south downs across a huge valley and the wind comes from miles and miles away.
Got on for dressage and wandered over. they'd moved it this year to a huge open field in the middle of the gallops. Fortunately Blue was very calm and not too distracted by the other horses. Warmed up well, met the lovely KH1, and went in. Had a good spook at the flower pots of way in but mostly went well...as well as he's working at home atm which is all i can ask. Struck off wrong in left canter which was a bit annoying as was a big problems but he's got much better. Also i tried to correct a not quite square halt and he swung his quarters round...whoops!!!! Mostly v pleased though, got 42 which i thought was fair. I know he's got a long way to go on the flat.
Went off to walk course. very nice and inviting but plenty to look at and i thought it'd be very educational for him. Most worried about ditch and water as he has only seen one of each on his one and only schooling trip....Went back to get on for sj and he was asleep tied up to box - such a relaxed 5 YO!! Warmed up well and thought it looked a nice little course. The 4 in before me got eliminated and 2 fell off, not what you want!!!! In we went and he was soooooo sweet.... had a good look at them all and gave them lots of space to be safe but was never going to say no....CLEAR ROUND!!!!!! Loads of pats and polos.
Was sooooooo looking forward to xc now and they were calling for started so got changed and went straight over. Warmed up so relaxed again and went over to start. Blue thought starter man might have polos so tried to have a good rummage in his pockets!! In box and we were off.....1,2,3,4,5,6, all lovely....having a good look and again giving them lots of air but always going. 7 was ditch...argh stopped to have a good look, 1st refusal...he dithered and they called 2nd refusal v quickly so circled away and came back...he did a huge leap and just managed to stay straight for the roll top 2 strides away. over next few then the water.....slowed right down and snorted at it
i could not have asked any more of him and i cannot wait for next season