squiz22
Well-Known Member
After the disaster that was West Wilts I was absolutely adamant we had to get round Burnham Beeches. Having enquired about the venue I had received a lot of mixed feedback from people so I wasnt expecting too much. To the contrary though when I turned up to walk the course I was really impressed. It looks like they have really pulled their finger out and made a good job of it, The course was fenced off and really well prepared and I thought the going was good. The jumps were all fairly kind and the course flowed nicely.. The show jumping was also nice and not massive. I thought it was a little bit tight in the arena but thats only because I go flying round on a big 17hh horse and find most things tight!
The dressage was located in another field a short hack down the road which was a minor downer. The only real issue on the day was that no oen was manning the gate into and out of the field. Whilst there was someone stood on the road stopping traffic the gate was always open so it went from the warm up onto a busy road. Winnie has had a good few bronks in the dressage warm up so I am always a bit conscious. Anyway, on the hole I was impressed and keen to give it a go. We also had lovely times 12.04 dressage. There were good times between the phases too which was perfect..
On the day Winnie was impeccable chilled, had manners and really did me proud. It was like riding a different horse to the one I took to WW. The dressage was ok. I made the mistakes mostly and he cantered before he should have done and we ended up with 40.5 which was a shame but it wasnt catastrophic! We seem to get consistently bad marks for our walk.. must practice!
Show jumping despite the massive bronk and running backwards because of the generator by the warm up he was amazing! Best round yet, flowing, soft in my hand but forward.. the boy went clear woohoo!
I was sooooo determined to complete a BE90 on him last two we eliminated in the xc, first one I fell of, second one, he just panicked and wouldnt go.
Anyway, the course was nice and I couldnt wait to start which he do did just fine. The first two jumps went really nicely! The third was a horrid carrot jump that you approached down hill (after a lot of rain) and under a low branch and we scrambled over it. The fourth a house jumped fine, the fifth the rails also fine all the way up to 8 which was a big hedge.
We had out first refusal which was gutting but it was a big old hedge with a big drop the other side. I gave him a whack and he shot off side ways. I could hear the tannoy saying number 82 had gone on a diversion back to the course! Haha Oh dear! But he went over on the second attempt and carried on to jump a wall with humpty dumpty sat on and up some steps!
It was like the penny suddenly dropped and he started to enjoy it, he was no longer tense and he found his rhythm and popped from fence to fence perfectly all the way home. I could hear my friends cheering on the last one which made me giggle!! So pleased with him!!
Hes come so far from the gangly baby I bought 2 years ago. The most satisfying thing is that Ive taught him myself. Its not the quickest way of doing it and there are times when I wished I could afford two and have one slightly more experienced go round one but thats the way it is and now hes catching up! I dont think the height is going to be an issue with him it was more his brain and him getting used to it all. So Munstead is next. We need a better dressage score and a double clear this time. I am so excited by him because everything weve thrown at him hes starting to get and take in his stride.
I can't put a piccy in here!! Heres the link to winnie on Ultimate Images - He's the one in the first 5 pictures - bay horse, I am no 82!
http://www.ultimate-images.co.uk/cg...ay/BE90/XC/Sat BE090-XC 15-00 to end Camera 2
The dressage was located in another field a short hack down the road which was a minor downer. The only real issue on the day was that no oen was manning the gate into and out of the field. Whilst there was someone stood on the road stopping traffic the gate was always open so it went from the warm up onto a busy road. Winnie has had a good few bronks in the dressage warm up so I am always a bit conscious. Anyway, on the hole I was impressed and keen to give it a go. We also had lovely times 12.04 dressage. There were good times between the phases too which was perfect..
On the day Winnie was impeccable chilled, had manners and really did me proud. It was like riding a different horse to the one I took to WW. The dressage was ok. I made the mistakes mostly and he cantered before he should have done and we ended up with 40.5 which was a shame but it wasnt catastrophic! We seem to get consistently bad marks for our walk.. must practice!
Show jumping despite the massive bronk and running backwards because of the generator by the warm up he was amazing! Best round yet, flowing, soft in my hand but forward.. the boy went clear woohoo!
I was sooooo determined to complete a BE90 on him last two we eliminated in the xc, first one I fell of, second one, he just panicked and wouldnt go.
Anyway, the course was nice and I couldnt wait to start which he do did just fine. The first two jumps went really nicely! The third was a horrid carrot jump that you approached down hill (after a lot of rain) and under a low branch and we scrambled over it. The fourth a house jumped fine, the fifth the rails also fine all the way up to 8 which was a big hedge.
We had out first refusal which was gutting but it was a big old hedge with a big drop the other side. I gave him a whack and he shot off side ways. I could hear the tannoy saying number 82 had gone on a diversion back to the course! Haha Oh dear! But he went over on the second attempt and carried on to jump a wall with humpty dumpty sat on and up some steps!
It was like the penny suddenly dropped and he started to enjoy it, he was no longer tense and he found his rhythm and popped from fence to fence perfectly all the way home. I could hear my friends cheering on the last one which made me giggle!! So pleased with him!!
Hes come so far from the gangly baby I bought 2 years ago. The most satisfying thing is that Ive taught him myself. Its not the quickest way of doing it and there are times when I wished I could afford two and have one slightly more experienced go round one but thats the way it is and now hes catching up! I dont think the height is going to be an issue with him it was more his brain and him getting used to it all. So Munstead is next. We need a better dressage score and a double clear this time. I am so excited by him because everything weve thrown at him hes starting to get and take in his stride.
I can't put a piccy in here!! Heres the link to winnie on Ultimate Images - He's the one in the first 5 pictures - bay horse, I am no 82!
http://www.ultimate-images.co.uk/cg...ay/BE90/XC/Sat BE090-XC 15-00 to end Camera 2
You sound so pleased! I heard good things about the ground this year too, so I may try there again next year (went in 2009 and ned didn't like the hard XC)
