Broadway OPN report... too depressed to post until now

[Acolyte]

Not a good end to the season - my worst dressage score of the season (43.5) - the judge just didn't like anything about him!

4 fences down SJ - 3 of which were my fault, not collecting him up enough and letting him get long & flat

Eliminated XC -

- he is a machine XC, he should never get eliminated! He was jumping OK but not brilliantly, got to fence 8 (a skinny in the middle of a field) and he ducked out. I sat there like a lemon and let him duck out twice more - 2nd time was from trot for gods sake

- then the long walk home...

I know I am very lucky that I have ended the season with a fit sound horse, but such a shame after he has been so awesome XC at our other events. My friends tell me its not surprising - I have got a chest infection/virus at the moment so was paying people to ride him for me during the week leading up to the event because I felt too rubbish to ride - but still feel really disapointed. Never mind, off to plan for next season now!

 

[Sneedy]

Don't dwell on it, its done with now and you both survived to fight another day!!
I did exactly the same last year if it makes you feel any better, we had a good BE record for most of the season then at the last event I had 2 sj down and a stop xc - I was also suffering from a chest infection so it just goes to show how weak we are when not firing on all cylinders!!!
Look forward to next season

 

[I_A_P]

yep move on and focus on the good points.

thats why i retired at Keysoe xc as i had no adrenaline and felt sick...and i so didnt want to risk losing either of our confidence so i just pulled up..rather than her stopping as i was literally like a lemon and wasnt helping at all!

 

[mememe]

lifes 2 short 2 have regrets!! dont worry about it! u will hav a fit healthy horse 2 start next season with!!

 

[Acolyte]

Thanks guys I know you are right - and have now read about WFP's horse at Boekelo so I feel I have nothing to be depressed about

Going to give Josh a few days off until I have stopped coughing, then off to practice my dressage and SJ all winter

 

[Bounty]

Hey... I've been neglectful lately, have been meaning to PM since the forum reappeared, but RL keeps getting in the way

Don't worry about your results.. you know that the pair of you are much more capable than that, and that it was just a one-off. Youv'e got a looong winter to polish up on everything now.

I've already started my winter campaign to get my arse into gear *polishes halo* and have been to a flat/pole work clinic with Boozle and am about to book myself into a Mandy Kent jumping clinic

I WILL get my horses up and running this winter!!!

Hope everything else is good with you. X

 

[Silgram]

A lot of people have trouble with that fence so I wouldn,t get to hung up about it. Plenty of time to practice jumping skinnies ready for next season.

 

[seche]

Was it the Owl's Nest? - My nag was eliminated at the water, arent they sods? - but I supose they cant be good all the time - annoying though when he was in contention after the dressage - then it went down hill there after! Off hunting this season to braven him up abit (hopefully) and lots of indoor SJ!!!! Chin up - there are lots of us in the same position! Roll on next season!

 

[cobwithattitude]

Try and forget the day - you obviously have a good horse and just were not feeling right on the day - re dressage score; friend went and also got score in the 40's. She normally gets late 20's early 30's. Some of the comments were a little oddly phrased too...you were not the only one! She was placed on that score and a double clear.

 

[henryhorn]

I wouldn't beat yourself up about it as riding when not feeling 100% is so difficult.
CCj did that at bricky and she had an run out which is very unusual for Chocolate.
Illness is a bu** r, looks like we may miss Aldon this week, she has been in bed for two days with a virus, being sick frequently, high temp and shivers.
I would put it behind you and plan for next season.. get loads of training in over the winter perhaps BSJA him, and feel confident next year.
Looking at your horse's record he can be a monkey SJ, so I wouldn't blame yourself entirely!

 

[Acolyte]

Hi M! I'm the same - RL is just rather hectic at the moment but thought when I jumped on to post last that I must PM you! Yes, things are good other than feeling rather coughy (is that a word?) but touch wood it seems to be passing now - onwards and upwards

As far as planning my winter campaign well, you are far more organised than me

 

[Acolyte]

Someone suggested I should try JAS to practice skinnies, corners etc but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to make an idiot of myself! Will def be practicing in the field at home....!!

 

[Acolyte]

Thanks HH - yes, he isn't the best at SJ and neither am I, so we don't exactly help ourselves! Mind you seeing a long one at the final SJ fence and pushing for a HUGE stride was possibly not the best thing to do

I'm going to have to be brave, have a few lessons then try some BSJA - somewhere where no-one will be watching I hope

Sorry - ETS - hope CCJ feels better soon!

 

[Acolyte]

Yes I think that was what it was called - a tree branch in the middle of the open field! He had even gone the 'direct' route (if you can call it that) over the brush fence before... I heard lots of other people having problems, but they all seemed to make it over at the second attempt

I was so looking forward to trying the bank-to-skinny combination too! (Mind you, would probably have run out at that instead if we had got that far!!)