Jingleballs
Well-Known Member
Casper and I attempted our third ever XC this weekend at Craigie.
Entered the Adult Minimus class (approx 2ft) but they accidently put us in the Junior class but were kind enough to let us keep our time and just put our results in with the senior class (neither of us could pass as juniors unfortunately!)
It was running about 45 minutes late so we were hanging about a bit. Started warming up just as the last riders from the prior class were starting but unfortunately the last rider had a fall and broke her collar bone so another significant delay waiting for an ambulance etc.
Finally started at about half 4 ish we were supposed to be on at 2:55pm.
Casper was more fizzy than usual which I put down to this being the first time he has travelled to a competition with another horse so he was very shouty in the warm up happy to leave his friend but very fast and generally shouting his head off at his friend or any horse that remotely resembled his friend. By the time we were called to go though he'd settled down and I was worried all the hanging about might have sent him to sleep!
We set off and he jumped the first two well enough Im learning that he is always a bit sticky when he starts jumping. He takes a few jumps to get his confidence up and find his stride.
At jump 3 he stopped but I didnt turn him away he was made to jump it from a standstill he cat leapt it, I nearly fell off and I lost my stirrup but recovered quickly and he jumped the next two nicely!
Got to the next jump and there was a bit of a traffic jam the two riders in front of me werent going very forward. One was my friend and the other a junior who just couldnt get her horse to jump and was constantly getting in my friends way despite the stewards shouting at her to move over and let her pass. I was going pretty fast and just shouted at them to move and Casper passed them but stopped at the jump which I suspect was due to him being distracted by the other two horses. Turned and popped it nicely second time around and then jumped the next few beautifully!
Next came the water it was a simple trot in and out with no step but hes never done water before and stopped to have a look! At that moment the little junior came up behind and overtook (no call to let us know she was there!) Luckily, Casper took his cue from that horse and cantered through the water! I then pulled him up a little as I didnt want to be on her tail for the rest of the course so we walked over the gravel road and then galloped the rest of the course including an over height box filled with scary white bags
He flew to the finish line Ive never felt him go like that before hes been a bit unsure at our last two cross countries but I think he might have finally got the idea!
Anyway, it was ages before the adult class was running and there were 24 in the class so we loaded the lorry and headed home because we had a long journey! Got a text from my friend later on to say wed left something behind our 6th place rosette!!!!
I am over the moon with that jumping has never been our strong point but Ive persevered with him because he seems to enjoy it and Ive always said thats the main thing! To actually get a rosette in such a big class is the icing on the cake! Just shows what a little bit of time and patience can do!
I dont have any piccies of us on the course (pro ones arent up yet) but Ill post some warm up ones later!
Got another XC next weekend so Im hoping his form continues
Entered the Adult Minimus class (approx 2ft) but they accidently put us in the Junior class but were kind enough to let us keep our time and just put our results in with the senior class (neither of us could pass as juniors unfortunately!)
It was running about 45 minutes late so we were hanging about a bit. Started warming up just as the last riders from the prior class were starting but unfortunately the last rider had a fall and broke her collar bone so another significant delay waiting for an ambulance etc.
Finally started at about half 4 ish we were supposed to be on at 2:55pm.
Casper was more fizzy than usual which I put down to this being the first time he has travelled to a competition with another horse so he was very shouty in the warm up happy to leave his friend but very fast and generally shouting his head off at his friend or any horse that remotely resembled his friend. By the time we were called to go though he'd settled down and I was worried all the hanging about might have sent him to sleep!
We set off and he jumped the first two well enough Im learning that he is always a bit sticky when he starts jumping. He takes a few jumps to get his confidence up and find his stride.
At jump 3 he stopped but I didnt turn him away he was made to jump it from a standstill he cat leapt it, I nearly fell off and I lost my stirrup but recovered quickly and he jumped the next two nicely!
Got to the next jump and there was a bit of a traffic jam the two riders in front of me werent going very forward. One was my friend and the other a junior who just couldnt get her horse to jump and was constantly getting in my friends way despite the stewards shouting at her to move over and let her pass. I was going pretty fast and just shouted at them to move and Casper passed them but stopped at the jump which I suspect was due to him being distracted by the other two horses. Turned and popped it nicely second time around and then jumped the next few beautifully!
Next came the water it was a simple trot in and out with no step but hes never done water before and stopped to have a look! At that moment the little junior came up behind and overtook (no call to let us know she was there!) Luckily, Casper took his cue from that horse and cantered through the water! I then pulled him up a little as I didnt want to be on her tail for the rest of the course so we walked over the gravel road and then galloped the rest of the course including an over height box filled with scary white bags
He flew to the finish line Ive never felt him go like that before hes been a bit unsure at our last two cross countries but I think he might have finally got the idea!
Anyway, it was ages before the adult class was running and there were 24 in the class so we loaded the lorry and headed home because we had a long journey! Got a text from my friend later on to say wed left something behind our 6th place rosette!!!!
I am over the moon with that jumping has never been our strong point but Ive persevered with him because he seems to enjoy it and Ive always said thats the main thing! To actually get a rosette in such a big class is the icing on the cake! Just shows what a little bit of time and patience can do!
I dont have any piccies of us on the course (pro ones arent up yet) but Ill post some warm up ones later!
Got another XC next weekend so Im hoping his form continues
Does Craigie not normally have a wee tradestand tack shop on site that could have sold you boot tape? If not, it's always worth smiling and asking a neighbour nicely if they have any, I have shared random things like stud taps (even studs to a friendly Nic-shaped person! 
