Reacher
Dishonourable Member
Dear HHO
This is my second ever competition report. The first was about 5 years ago....well after that report his form went downhill, and the old boy was sadly diagnosed with KS and had to be retired. I'm very grateful to that horse for the experience he gave me, babysitting me around BE80s and 90s for a couple of seasons. Unfortunately I wasn't able to carry on competing (or even riding) due to not having a sound or sane horse, combined with rider injury and loss of confidence. Last August I bought a confidence giver, 12 yo 15hh PC type. We spent last back end and winter with physio sessions and working on muscling him up as he had back muscle wastage so working on muscling up his backside and getting him to push himself, rather than pulling himself along. This is still work in progress but he is a different horse to the one 12 months ago. So we had a rather late start to the 2017 season, just got going when he sustained a field kick requiring 5 stitches and a month off. Got going again, only to twist his fetlock in the field and needing several more weeks off! So we started back with a lessons a few weeks ago, unfortunately each time I have time off I lose confidence again and have to build back up. So that brings us to last weekend when we entered an unaffiliated arena XC 65-75 cm comp!
I was fairly nervous but knew that Mr Horse could do the job, providing I could keep the lid on his enthusiasm and speed and providing I didn't c*ck things up!
Got there in reasonable time but didn't get a chance to do a whole course walk. Watched several go around then warmed up and waited for our turn.
Start on the right rein (which is still his stronger rein, although left rein is improving with his physio and exercises). Over fence 1, got a bit close but no problem for Mr Horse who chipped in and hopped over it.
Around the arena to fence 2, no problem. Remembered to go the far side of the arena and behind the water complex and hop over number 3, the log. Back into the arena, still on right rein, Mr H spots fence 4, tries to accelerate, I try and steady him, arrive on a half stride but again Mr H hops over. Continue over fence 5a and b no problem (some horses werent keen on 5b).
Back around the arena, still on right rein, and unfortunately had a bit of a navigational error looking for 6, had to loop back and hop over.
Mr H starts to accelerate then runs out (to the right) at 7, a skinny, which took me by surprise as he is such a genuine horse who loves his jumping (he quite often locks onto a jump I had no intention of jumping!) Clear it on 2nd attempt, land on right canter lead, do a couple of flying changes as we negotiate our way around a couple of jumps (I have been trying to learn flying changes but hadnt intended trying it in public!) Back over fence 1 which is now fence 8, met it better this time, then a dogleg right to fence 9, a skinny. Youd think Id be on the ball this time but we had another run out to the right
Then jumped it on 2nd attempt
Cross the arena diagonal and back the far side of the water jump to pop the log in opposite direction (would have been the water jump but water was frozen so taken out of the course).
Back into the arena, over 11 and 12 and back onto the right rein. Back over 4, this time a better rhythm and jump on a much better stride. Back over 5a then turn right across the arena changing onto the left rein with another (unplanned) flying change onto his weaker rein! (Told you his muscles are improving!) and over 13 and 14 where we stood off it, I slipped the reins and Mr H tried to tank off, and through the finish (luckily I managed to pull up before we exited the arena!)
So apart from a navigational error and a couple of run outs I am very pleased, he enjoyed it, I enjoyed it and my confidence is boosted. Need to work on those skinnies, rhythm, control and my blaady position ..!
My aim for this year had been BE80 and we didnt quite get there but hopefully we are on course for next year.
Thanks for reading
PS the pics are from a video taken by Mr Reacher
This is my second ever competition report. The first was about 5 years ago....well after that report his form went downhill, and the old boy was sadly diagnosed with KS and had to be retired. I'm very grateful to that horse for the experience he gave me, babysitting me around BE80s and 90s for a couple of seasons. Unfortunately I wasn't able to carry on competing (or even riding) due to not having a sound or sane horse, combined with rider injury and loss of confidence. Last August I bought a confidence giver, 12 yo 15hh PC type. We spent last back end and winter with physio sessions and working on muscling him up as he had back muscle wastage so working on muscling up his backside and getting him to push himself, rather than pulling himself along. This is still work in progress but he is a different horse to the one 12 months ago. So we had a rather late start to the 2017 season, just got going when he sustained a field kick requiring 5 stitches and a month off. Got going again, only to twist his fetlock in the field and needing several more weeks off! So we started back with a lessons a few weeks ago, unfortunately each time I have time off I lose confidence again and have to build back up. So that brings us to last weekend when we entered an unaffiliated arena XC 65-75 cm comp!
I was fairly nervous but knew that Mr Horse could do the job, providing I could keep the lid on his enthusiasm and speed and providing I didn't c*ck things up!
Got there in reasonable time but didn't get a chance to do a whole course walk. Watched several go around then warmed up and waited for our turn.
Start on the right rein (which is still his stronger rein, although left rein is improving with his physio and exercises). Over fence 1, got a bit close but no problem for Mr Horse who chipped in and hopped over it.
Around the arena to fence 2, no problem. Remembered to go the far side of the arena and behind the water complex and hop over number 3, the log. Back into the arena, still on right rein, Mr H spots fence 4, tries to accelerate, I try and steady him, arrive on a half stride but again Mr H hops over. Continue over fence 5a and b no problem (some horses werent keen on 5b).
Back around the arena, still on right rein, and unfortunately had a bit of a navigational error looking for 6, had to loop back and hop over.
Mr H starts to accelerate then runs out (to the right) at 7, a skinny, which took me by surprise as he is such a genuine horse who loves his jumping (he quite often locks onto a jump I had no intention of jumping!) Clear it on 2nd attempt, land on right canter lead, do a couple of flying changes as we negotiate our way around a couple of jumps (I have been trying to learn flying changes but hadnt intended trying it in public!) Back over fence 1 which is now fence 8, met it better this time, then a dogleg right to fence 9, a skinny. Youd think Id be on the ball this time but we had another run out to the right
Then jumped it on 2nd attempt
Cross the arena diagonal and back the far side of the water jump to pop the log in opposite direction (would have been the water jump but water was frozen so taken out of the course).
Back into the arena, over 11 and 12 and back onto the right rein. Back over 4, this time a better rhythm and jump on a much better stride. Back over 5a then turn right across the arena changing onto the left rein with another (unplanned) flying change onto his weaker rein! (Told you his muscles are improving!) and over 13 and 14 where we stood off it, I slipped the reins and Mr H tried to tank off, and through the finish (luckily I managed to pull up before we exited the arena!)
So apart from a navigational error and a couple of run outs I am very pleased, he enjoyed it, I enjoyed it and my confidence is boosted. Need to work on those skinnies, rhythm, control and my blaady position ..!
My aim for this year had been BE80 and we didnt quite get there but hopefully we are on course for next year.
Thanks for reading
PS the pics are from a video taken by Mr Reacher
I need to start doing arena Eventing - my main worry is remembering where I am going.....
