Sarah_Jane
Well-Known Member
Longleat has to be one of the best settings for a horse trials and it always a privilege to come in the gate through the fantastic parkland. Eventing wise it was a mixed day but generally another step forward for Ash.
The day was hot which doesn't suit Ash being dark he really feels the heat. I didn't give him a huge warm up for dressage as I didn't want to knacker him out for the day. It was the same test as Mount Ballen and I really concentrated on being very accurate so I didn't throw marks away. I was delighted with the test and thought it was the best he had done to date. I was hoping for a score in the low 30's but you know what dressage is like, my idea of a good test and the judges is often quite different. Well I was a few marks out in this case as we were given a 24!!!!! That is equivalent to 76% and my best ever score. I think the sheet may be framed, all bar 6 marks were 8s the only disappointment was no mark of 9.
A quick change and straight down to show jumping. The course at Longleat was well up to height and with the ring undulating it was not jumping easily and I thought was pretty testing. Well with our improved canter he coped really well and jumped a cracking round. Unfortunately as we reached 8 I just lost the canter and he ran through my hand, I should have positively sat him back instead I let him bowl on down the hill and get a terrible stride to the spread and we went through it, it was then a related distance to the double which we hadn't recovered for so had the in on that down. Can't believe how much the jumping is coming on just need to get it for the whole course now and the rider to react a bit better to what is happening.
Another quick change and onto cross country. In the heat these quick changes didn't suit poor Ash who was finding the heat. At the start of cross country the lady asked me I was sure I hadn't already been as he was so hot! The cross country was very testing with problems well spread out on the course and there were quite a few places where I felt Ash would be really tested.
We set out over the first 4 straightforward fences and then came round to the double of logs off a tight turn which he popped through, a big hedge followed which he decided not touch but give plenty of air, we certainly took a while to come down. The first real test followed a double of skinny roll tops over undulating ground. I really got a bouncy canter in popped the first stayed straight for two strides and then turned to b which he popped nicely.
Down the hill to the water which was again causing problems as the first element was very bright.
He had a look and got in quite close but popped it and then through the water and to the coffin. The palisade in was big enough on dropping ground and variable light but he again had a look and popped it, I just kept my leg on and he made nothing of the ditch.
He was tiring and to my mind the biggest test was to come. I have to admit when I walked it I thought it was a tough question for an inexperienced horse. Pictured right is two narrow off set house marked a and b so no option to take a turn between the elements. There was a straight line through them but both elements needed to be taken at an acute angle and there was only a stride between the two.
I got a good approach but he was tiring and we were a bit short of gas, as we cane into I could feel his brain ticking and he was looking at the second part then the first and in the end poor boy just couldn't work it out went to almost jump but couldn't. Gave him a pat as was just something he didn't understand and not come across yet. Made a decision to jump them separately as I want to build his confidence and not knock it with things that are beyond his education at the moment. Popped the a then circled and popped the b element, the right thing to do on the day but frustrating as it shows another penalty on our record.
A few big fences to finish which he popped well and came back with a few time although I think without the problems at 15 we would not have been far off.
So generally really pleased with him and felt he has taken another step forward in his education. Will do some work in the school with angled fences so that he can cope if we meet a similar question in the future.
Certainly one very tired boy last night. He tried to give Sarnie a quick update but she was so disgusted with him, not about the jumping penalties but the 24 dressage.
All in all I cant believe how quickly he has come on but the penalties are bad timing. With what Sarnie costing to keep on the road (we are now entered for the CIC*** at Barbury!) we have come to the sad decision that it time to sell Ash and start again. I may do a few more events to get his record straight as I know people can easily be put off by xc penalties although in this case they were not ungenuine just novice. It such a shame we have to move him on as he is such a lovely easy boy to do, so sensible and straightforward to ride and keep but I am hoping he will find a lovely home.
Videos of the dressage and showjumping on my blog www.shoestringeventing.co.uk
The day was hot which doesn't suit Ash being dark he really feels the heat. I didn't give him a huge warm up for dressage as I didn't want to knacker him out for the day. It was the same test as Mount Ballen and I really concentrated on being very accurate so I didn't throw marks away. I was delighted with the test and thought it was the best he had done to date. I was hoping for a score in the low 30's but you know what dressage is like, my idea of a good test and the judges is often quite different. Well I was a few marks out in this case as we were given a 24!!!!! That is equivalent to 76% and my best ever score. I think the sheet may be framed, all bar 6 marks were 8s the only disappointment was no mark of 9.
A quick change and straight down to show jumping. The course at Longleat was well up to height and with the ring undulating it was not jumping easily and I thought was pretty testing. Well with our improved canter he coped really well and jumped a cracking round. Unfortunately as we reached 8 I just lost the canter and he ran through my hand, I should have positively sat him back instead I let him bowl on down the hill and get a terrible stride to the spread and we went through it, it was then a related distance to the double which we hadn't recovered for so had the in on that down. Can't believe how much the jumping is coming on just need to get it for the whole course now and the rider to react a bit better to what is happening.
Another quick change and onto cross country. In the heat these quick changes didn't suit poor Ash who was finding the heat. At the start of cross country the lady asked me I was sure I hadn't already been as he was so hot! The cross country was very testing with problems well spread out on the course and there were quite a few places where I felt Ash would be really tested.
We set out over the first 4 straightforward fences and then came round to the double of logs off a tight turn which he popped through, a big hedge followed which he decided not touch but give plenty of air, we certainly took a while to come down. The first real test followed a double of skinny roll tops over undulating ground. I really got a bouncy canter in popped the first stayed straight for two strides and then turned to b which he popped nicely.
Down the hill to the water which was again causing problems as the first element was very bright.
He had a look and got in quite close but popped it and then through the water and to the coffin. The palisade in was big enough on dropping ground and variable light but he again had a look and popped it, I just kept my leg on and he made nothing of the ditch.
He was tiring and to my mind the biggest test was to come. I have to admit when I walked it I thought it was a tough question for an inexperienced horse. Pictured right is two narrow off set house marked a and b so no option to take a turn between the elements. There was a straight line through them but both elements needed to be taken at an acute angle and there was only a stride between the two.
I got a good approach but he was tiring and we were a bit short of gas, as we cane into I could feel his brain ticking and he was looking at the second part then the first and in the end poor boy just couldn't work it out went to almost jump but couldn't. Gave him a pat as was just something he didn't understand and not come across yet. Made a decision to jump them separately as I want to build his confidence and not knock it with things that are beyond his education at the moment. Popped the a then circled and popped the b element, the right thing to do on the day but frustrating as it shows another penalty on our record.
A few big fences to finish which he popped well and came back with a few time although I think without the problems at 15 we would not have been far off.
So generally really pleased with him and felt he has taken another step forward in his education. Will do some work in the school with angled fences so that he can cope if we meet a similar question in the future.
Certainly one very tired boy last night. He tried to give Sarnie a quick update but she was so disgusted with him, not about the jumping penalties but the 24 dressage.
All in all I cant believe how quickly he has come on but the penalties are bad timing. With what Sarnie costing to keep on the road (we are now entered for the CIC*** at Barbury!) we have come to the sad decision that it time to sell Ash and start again. I may do a few more events to get his record straight as I know people can easily be put off by xc penalties although in this case they were not ungenuine just novice. It such a shame we have to move him on as he is such a lovely easy boy to do, so sensible and straightforward to ride and keep but I am hoping he will find a lovely home.
Videos of the dressage and showjumping on my blog www.shoestringeventing.co.uk
. But I know you really love him, so it would be great if you could find a way to keep him.