charlimouse
Well-Known Member
Now it has come to my attention that Pickle seems to have given people the impression he is perfect at all times. He sought to remedy this at the 2 day clinic with Blyth Tait at the beginning of the week :rolleyes3:.
The first day we were SJ and Pickle was fab, didn't touch a pole and made everything feel remarkably easy. We started off with a bit of grid work before moving on to some related distances and a dog leg, thinking about stride patterns and the canter required. The second day we were out in the XC field. This is where Pickle decided it was time to play the fool and proceeded to tank off round the field with me. To say my brakes failed would be an understatement :eek3:. So after not much jumping and a lot of galloping we gave up, as the more we did the worse Pickle got. The general consensus was to try a Pelham as he had no respect whatsoever for the NS Universal. The HHO'ers who were there were shocked by how badly behaved he was, apparently if they hadn't seen it they wouldn't have believed he was capable of being so naughty :mad3:!
So armed with a Myler ported Pelham (courtesy of DarkhorseB), and with threats of becoming a Tesco burger hanging over Pickle's head, it was time to head to Allerton.
Walked the XC the day before and thought it was lovely. A few questions interspersed with some lovely big fences. I couldn't wait to ride it.
First up was Pickle's dressage. He warmed up really nicely, went in and did his best test to date. Stayed really rideable throughout, and for once I came out happy with how we had done (and hoping the judge agreed with me!). Changed onto Jem, who was the compete opposite and was being very reactive. On the plus side this gave her plenty of energy in her paces, and she was really uphill in her way of going, however the suppleness and straightness suffered. I came out reasonably happy with how it went, but knew we would probably get slated for our inability to go in a straight line!
Off to the SJ. I rode Jem first. The SJ was causing quite a few problems, with poles flying. Thinking back to the clinic earlier in the week I just thought about riding the canter, and Jem somehow picked up her feet leaving all poles standing. Big pats for Jem. Switched onto Pickle. I kept him in the NS Universal for the SJ, and again thought back to the canter we had at the clinic, and just like Jem he popped round clear. I can't remember the last time I managed 2 clear rounds on the same day!
During this time Mum had checked the dressage scores. Jem was on 35 which was in the middle of her section. Pickle got 30, which left him about 5th after dressage with the best being on 28. Took Pickle XC first as he was tacked up (they share the same girth!), but switched to the Pelham hoping it might give me a small amount of control! In the warm up I tested out the bitting and all seemed good with Pickle being really responsive. Mum led us into the startbox and then we were away.
Fab over the first 3, then the first question came at 4.
The step had to be jumped on the angle, then 2 strides to the palisade. Pickle flew over no problem. Off over 5, 6 and 7 then we spooked our way over a bridge (apparently these bridges covered in yellow sand are very scary!), and turned to the skinny combo at 8.
Held the line well, and off we went to the water. Those that know Allerton will know the water is fairly unique in the fact you canter through the water onto and island, jump and fence on the island, then go back through the water and into the park.
Lots of horses were stopping at the house on the island. Pickle was a bit looky and dropped to trot, but we got over it no problem, before returning back into the park and over another house at 11 on the way out of the water. With not much time for a breather we reached another big question.
Feeder, 2 strides to decent step into the sunken road, 2 strides and out. The new brakes worked a treat and I got Pickle back to his SJ canter, and he popped straight through. Through the woods over a rail at 14, then out we came and flew the corner.
Over the picnic table, and white rails, then the trekhaner.
Next up was a combination on 4 curving strides.
Here I completely messed up, and buried Pickle on no stride whatsoever. Somehow he managed to jump the first, and we did a very undignified turn to the second part, somehow we made it over and Pickle got some big pats for saving my ass! On up the hill and to a skinny. We got a bit of a long shot, but Pickle is so tidy with his legs it wasn't a problem!
Finally found to the last which we took out of our stride and across the finish line. I was so pleased as barring the bit I messed up he gave me a lovely ride and made it feel so easy, plus he was so responsive in the Pelham he was a real joy to ride round.
Swopped onto Jem and off we set. She cruised round. Had a little look at the sunken road so added a stride, but over safely. Finished the course still full of running.
So with both horses jumping double clears we hung around for the results. They were both easily inside the time, finishing on their dressage scores. In the end Jem came 4th and Pickle managed to win :eek3::biggrin3:. So proud of my super horses, it would seem Pickle has managed to redeem himself!
The first day we were SJ and Pickle was fab, didn't touch a pole and made everything feel remarkably easy. We started off with a bit of grid work before moving on to some related distances and a dog leg, thinking about stride patterns and the canter required. The second day we were out in the XC field. This is where Pickle decided it was time to play the fool and proceeded to tank off round the field with me. To say my brakes failed would be an understatement :eek3:. So after not much jumping and a lot of galloping we gave up, as the more we did the worse Pickle got. The general consensus was to try a Pelham as he had no respect whatsoever for the NS Universal. The HHO'ers who were there were shocked by how badly behaved he was, apparently if they hadn't seen it they wouldn't have believed he was capable of being so naughty :mad3:!
So armed with a Myler ported Pelham (courtesy of DarkhorseB), and with threats of becoming a Tesco burger hanging over Pickle's head, it was time to head to Allerton.
Walked the XC the day before and thought it was lovely. A few questions interspersed with some lovely big fences. I couldn't wait to ride it.
First up was Pickle's dressage. He warmed up really nicely, went in and did his best test to date. Stayed really rideable throughout, and for once I came out happy with how we had done (and hoping the judge agreed with me!). Changed onto Jem, who was the compete opposite and was being very reactive. On the plus side this gave her plenty of energy in her paces, and she was really uphill in her way of going, however the suppleness and straightness suffered. I came out reasonably happy with how it went, but knew we would probably get slated for our inability to go in a straight line!
Off to the SJ. I rode Jem first. The SJ was causing quite a few problems, with poles flying. Thinking back to the clinic earlier in the week I just thought about riding the canter, and Jem somehow picked up her feet leaving all poles standing. Big pats for Jem. Switched onto Pickle. I kept him in the NS Universal for the SJ, and again thought back to the canter we had at the clinic, and just like Jem he popped round clear. I can't remember the last time I managed 2 clear rounds on the same day!
During this time Mum had checked the dressage scores. Jem was on 35 which was in the middle of her section. Pickle got 30, which left him about 5th after dressage with the best being on 28. Took Pickle XC first as he was tacked up (they share the same girth!), but switched to the Pelham hoping it might give me a small amount of control! In the warm up I tested out the bitting and all seemed good with Pickle being really responsive. Mum led us into the startbox and then we were away.
Fab over the first 3, then the first question came at 4.
The step had to be jumped on the angle, then 2 strides to the palisade. Pickle flew over no problem. Off over 5, 6 and 7 then we spooked our way over a bridge (apparently these bridges covered in yellow sand are very scary!), and turned to the skinny combo at 8.
Held the line well, and off we went to the water. Those that know Allerton will know the water is fairly unique in the fact you canter through the water onto and island, jump and fence on the island, then go back through the water and into the park.
Lots of horses were stopping at the house on the island. Pickle was a bit looky and dropped to trot, but we got over it no problem, before returning back into the park and over another house at 11 on the way out of the water. With not much time for a breather we reached another big question.
Feeder, 2 strides to decent step into the sunken road, 2 strides and out. The new brakes worked a treat and I got Pickle back to his SJ canter, and he popped straight through. Through the woods over a rail at 14, then out we came and flew the corner.
Over the picnic table, and white rails, then the trekhaner.
Next up was a combination on 4 curving strides.
Here I completely messed up, and buried Pickle on no stride whatsoever. Somehow he managed to jump the first, and we did a very undignified turn to the second part, somehow we made it over and Pickle got some big pats for saving my ass! On up the hill and to a skinny. We got a bit of a long shot, but Pickle is so tidy with his legs it wasn't a problem!
Finally found to the last which we took out of our stride and across the finish line. I was so pleased as barring the bit I messed up he gave me a lovely ride and made it feel so easy, plus he was so responsive in the Pelham he was a real joy to ride round.
Swopped onto Jem and off we set. She cruised round. Had a little look at the sunken road so added a stride, but over safely. Finished the course still full of running.
So with both horses jumping double clears we hung around for the results. They were both easily inside the time, finishing on their dressage scores. In the end Jem came 4th and Pickle managed to win :eek3::biggrin3:. So proud of my super horses, it would seem Pickle has managed to redeem himself!
hence bucking up his ideas pretty quickly!!! Glad my bit bank played a part in your win 
