Baydale does BSJA and, shock horror, enjoys it

[Baydale]

I decided that I would finally practice what I preach and get those lazy Baydale Boys out for a much-needed showjumping session. It was tough dragging them away from their games in the field, which seemed to involve hurtling around at breakneck speed and then flinging themselves at each other; when the others had had enough HumungaHorse decided he'd see how many different acrobatic movements he could do without moving from a 3m square, quite some feat when you're 17.3hh and rather rotund.

But anyway, I shoved the reluctant pair (HH and little Hector) in the lorry, and got to Manor Farm in time for the 1.05m open - perfect timing for HH. It was bloomin hot by then and he was struggling a bit (or so he told me, I think he was just being bone idle), but warmed up ok. In we went and I did my best to be soft with my hands, keep the canter forward, wait with my body etc etc (can you tell I've had shed-loads of training lately?

) and was rewarded with a really fluent round, other than when we came round to a double disunited and with no time to correct (well it takes a long time to get the messages from the brain to the feet

). We got through the double ok but I had to chase him a bit to make the related distance to an oxer, so he flattened and had that down. Oh well, he's had the best part of a month off and only came back into work on Monday, so I was pretty pleased with him.

Little Hector had been kicking the proverbial out of the lorry while we were gone apparently - and that was with hobbles on

- so I tacked him up ready for the Newcomers. He is like putting an old pair of slippers on: so familiar now, and I really enjoy riding him. However, there is definitely an eighth of him that is pure Cleveland Bay (I can say this, knowing that StinkersStonkersMum is unlikely to read this

), and that eighth was being rather lazy. He woke up when we went in and did a really nice round, and I felt like I had the time and enough of a relaxed manner to be able to consider what I was doing, what needed changing and how - very different from my normal headless chicken impression when I go BE.

There were only 6 clears and I was first to go in the jump off, so I decided to put the pressure on. Well, he was brilliant, a bit shell-shocked at first but then embraced the "galloping at showjumps" concept and did a really cute and clever clear. And we won! Yay!

And 40 squids' worth of winning, so well worth the trip.

Obviously it was beginners luck, and I'm sure some will say he ought to be doing well as he's been jumping intermediate and advanced tracks BE, but today I couldn't be bothered to stay later for the bigger classes. I promise I will next time.

Cookies if you got this far.

 

[Hattikins]

WOO well done you!! Clever Hector

and well done to HH too! 17.3hh is a LOT of horse to hold together to SJ!!

On the dark side they get good winnings that more than cover the entry fee!!

You'll have to keep winning!!

 

[redmerl]

Well done! and 40 squid too, good day.

 

[Baydale]

I reckon the win was a message from God;

it was His way of dangling a carrot to make me do more BSJA so I can then do better showjumping BE.

 

[kirstyhen]

I wish your horses would stop being such girly swots, so you would get bored of one and send it my way!

17.3hh is just my size by the way...

(and after riding a 19.2hh the other day would seem tiny!!)

Well done to the Baydale boys, and the Jockette

Don't stray too far to the dark side though... The HHO Baydale Burghley/Badminton support team would find themselves without hope

 

[TarrSteps]

See!?!?! What did I tell you?? And £££ too!

After all that whining about crap show jumping . . .

No excuses now, especially since you emerged victorious on such a gruesomely hot (by UK standards) day!

Congratulations. Well done on all three of you.

 

[madhector]

Clever boys! Esp Hector

 

[Maloo]

Pointless post really but I had to share the fact that when in NEXT the other day I happened to notice that they are obviously getting behind you for you Burghley/Badminton aim ..... they are selling "I love Kermit" t-shirts!!!!! So how much sponsorship are they coughing up then??!!!!!!

 

[Baydale]

Don't worry T_H, I won't be straying to the dark side as I could never bring myself to look the part; I mean they don't wear hairnets!

I've got a big liver chestnut Baydale Boy that you might like, he's only 4 but must be 17hh already.

TarrSteps, allow yourself the biggest, smuggest "I told you so".

My problems sj stem from my brain, not my horses.

Maloo how funny! If only they were sponsoring me.

I shall go and buy one tomorrow and they can become Team Baydale uniform.

 

[icestationzebra]

Woooo! Just seen this. What an excellent result! Well done

 

[Baydale]

Thanks ISZ. You must go and get a Kermit t-shirt as it's your fault that name has stuck.

 

[MissDeMeena]

Tis a bit strange actually winning money isn't it!!

If ever i'm feeling a bit poor from all this eventing, i go do a bit of BSJA, and win something back

Where are the boys heading to next??

 

[icestationzebra]

I will! I was going to make one but Next have clearly got wind of my excellent entreprenurial vision and beaten me too it

 

[Baydale]

Yep MDM, I think Hector might have to be my cash cow and HH can just go along for the ride.

I stupidly missed the ballot date for Burnham Mkt, so HH is going to Purston, Hector to Lt Downham then hopefully (if it runs) Witton. Is Ernie better now?

ISZ damn them for stealing your ideas, I told you you should have patented the Kermit brand.

 

[MissDeMeena]

I think he is, but he's lost so much work/fitness, i firgue there's no point in bringing him back in, with the poss. that he still may not be right!!
So he's out for the winter, but therefore will obviously be able to come in earlier than normal to work on the dressage

in his new double bridle

at a place i'm trying to get to work at!! watch this space!!

 

[wizoz]

Has HH grown some more??? 17.3hh now

(or is it just me thinking he was a bit smaller than that?)

Well done on your win, it's always nice to go home with a bit of a windfall for your efforts

I like your interpretation of what riding H is like, "a pair of old slippers" he sounds like every girls dream

 

[chester1234]

Clever HH & Hector :]
Peter and I will have to watch out for H on the circuit now

This SJ stuff can get quite addictive once you put winnings in perspective

Big pats to both BD Boy's from me

 

[kirstyhen]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't worry T_H, I won't be straying to the dark side as I could never bring myself to look the part; I mean they don't wear hairnets!

I've got a big liver chestnut Baydale Boy that you might like, he's only 4 but must be 17hh already.

[/ QUOTE ]

Show Jumping is for scruff bags

Is that the freak Cleveland Bay, that doesn't realise they are only supposed to come in bay!? I'll take him

 

[Baydale]

Oh MDM, I bet Ernie can't wait to do dressage....and in a double bridle too....you really do spoil him.

Wizoz our measuring stick goes up to 17.2 and he's that and a bit more. I'm not size-ist, especially as that American horse, McKinlaigh (sp?) that won a silver medal is 17.3 - I can see big horses will be making a comeback.

Don't think I'll get addicted TalaveraII, not until I enjoy sitting in ringside cafes for hours, then going out into the freezing cold to jump one (or if I'm lucky two) round(s).

T_H couldn't agree more *sniggers*. Yep, Arthur the Freak CB is ready to go: send me a cheque and I'll deliver him this week (he is v cute, been xc schooling, clear round jumping, will be autumn hunting soon, got a posh name too: Red Rock of Baydale.

)

 

[kirstyhen]

Oh he woud fit in perfectly, I would have a Henry and an Arthur, perfect and I could do with another hunter!

Loving the posh name, has more of a ring to it than "The Flying cow"

Will post cheque tomorrow, I assume you accept the rubber variety

 

[Baydale]

[ QUOTE ]
Will post cheque tomorrow, I assume you accept the rubber variety

[/ QUOTE ]

Is there any other variety?

and how posh would that make you, having horses called Henry and Arthur?!

 

[BBs]

Good grief, Baydale the SJer...

Must have been all that fancy grid work last week

 

[k9h]

Wow well done Hector & not so bad Ross & Obviously to you as well!

Liking the sound of the Kermit support team new uniform! I think they would look ace with us all wearing them!!

 

[TarrSteps]

[ QUOTE ]

TarrSteps, allow yourself the biggest, smuggest "I told you so".

My problems sj stem from my brain, not my horses.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oi! Not my point at all, oh paranoid one.

Just goes to show it's a circumstantial situation, they CAN do it, and you just have to get all the pieces to fit together at the same time, which will come with time, work and, dare I say it, self-belief.

Geez, some people . . .

 

[Rosiefan]

I am shocked - fancy straying over to blingland. However, winning proper money is definitely not to be dismissed lightly. Well done the boys and the jockey

 

[ASM2]

and how posh would that make you, having horses called Henry and Arthur?!

[/ QUOTE ]

What as opposed to Hector, Arthur, William, Ross - I forget the others......

Hi N - well done re sj. Now you just need the pink diamante spurs with matching whip, belt and earings, furry tendon boots (like my lovely furry headcollar) and those odd fold over pixie riding boots that appear to be "all the rage"

(oh and nothing else of course in honour of BSJA advertising)