The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
Well, I havent done a comp report in eons, so here you go
Local EQ Centre popped up on faceache as hosting an unaff sj comp for today. So, when I saw this - being a day when the sun was out and it wasn't cold I popped over and dropped in my entry for class 1, 55cms
The last time I had taken NF round some SJ fences was at another huge local venue in a lesson at the end of Sept, where unfortunately, we had a heavy side rotational fall when popping a 75/80cm fence on a course
So, I felt that we really needed to get out and have a potter round a low course to see how our combined minds were feeling.
Rock on to this morning its damned cold at minus 1, so de-iced car and did early chores, bringing in the Fuzzies for a light breakfast and to their joy some hay! I also de-iced the horsebox & ran it up for a while to make sure no hidden refusals before we even got going.
Popped back home to thaw out, have toast, surf the net etc for an hour & thought Id better head back to yard as comp started at 10.30. I shuffled out the front door telling the dear husband that I might not go, but might just go for a hack instead. Ive never really suffered with nerves, but for some reason was rather apprehensive.
Arrived at yard, gave myself a talking to and promised myself I must drive there, hop practice jumps and then maybe go for a short hack instead.
So, lorry to sort, popped in my decent saddle that Id brought from home, grabbed yard tack too as needed to swap irons & leathers over, threw in hat bag, checked top boots were still residing in the corner of box & then pulled NF out onto the yard.
Oops v long mane now looking like an untidy hay bale, found mud on her knees that Id missed at 7am and a few other grubby patches too, all quickly dealt with by a quick dandy brush over.
Took NF to the ramp, she eyed it up and was considering other thoughts, but on growl one, she looked me directly in the eye and virtually said Ill just go up the ramp then, shall I? Shall I just turn at the top of ramp and stand ready for you to clip me to that rope? Excellent, occasionally-dodgy-loading-hairy-one is co-operative today :cool3:
Off we tootled for the 6 mile trip, pulled up in a part filled car park and did our usual of park up, unload and re-load, then I went off to collect number, leaving a cheerful 6 yr old from the next trailer, keeping an eye on NF.
At this point, I checked with organiser as to dress code. Hurrah informal!
So, keeping my Grassmeres on as was toasty warm in them, I pulled off my yard jacket, threw on body protector, tacked up NF in her yard tack (hoping my grubby tack was hidden by my large bottom and lots of mane :redface3: ) and trundled over to the warm up. Trotted aimlessly around a bit on both reins, had a few strides of canter and then popped over the 2 jumps in there happily.
All appeared good, so off we ambled to the SJ course. Cripes, there were 10 numbered jumps :eek3: with a double in which was off a short corner. Was asked if I wanted to walk the course, but as the saddle had now warmed up and I wasnt going to freeze off my undercarriage again for the 2nd time in quick succession, I settled for watching the one before me, whilst a helpful 10yr old pointed out which way to go
Shortly, it was my turn. As I went in, was told it was single phase, so the jump off followed straight on . sod that, I was more hell bent on remembering the turns on the first 10 numbers!
We pootled up the long side and the whistle went, so moving on briskly, we trotted on and I collected my thoughts and brought her round to fence one, a simple x pole but off a short corner going way from the gate. NF cheerfully lobbed over it and we pressed on round the course, only one moment of worry from her with an upright at fence 3 which was the 1st part of the double, I felt her hesitate, but with a gentle heel tap and a soft vocal gerron she popped it and then felt much more relaxed round the rest, even the planks (which she isnt a fan of anywhere). Fence 10 completed, I needed a respirator, NF was cheerful, and we got told to go straight into jump off when the whistle went which was immediately . Luckily, this was only 5 fences so we bombed round like a pair of eejits chasing a wasp, to the directions from a couple of very junior riders shouting which fences to jump next, my goodness that mare can turn sharply!
Phew, job done, we meandered out to the car park to catch our breath, cool down, have a ciggy, load her back up (straight on!).
Now, remember I said I used my yard tack and not decent saddle? Well, I wondered why I had got an odd look from the lady parked next door to me .. she asked if I had really just popped round jumps on it. Looked again & I hadnt given any thought to jumping on a 16 inch old fashioned show saddle. Fits pony well for general stuff, but its a bit board like and def no knee rolls at all as I first got it in the 70s from the lovely Keith Luxford. I also (very embarrassingly!) didnt even pull my pedals up, completely forgot, the sssssshame! :redface3: Mind you, she was jumping in a deep seat stressage saddle, so we both ended up laughing that neither of us were actually taking this sj lark properly
After a short wait for a few more to jump, I was amazed that not only had I actually beaten the under 10s, but also everyone else & NF had won the class fab frilly and also won our entry fee back! Hurrah!
A sense of relief too, as NF was cheerful enough to go off my leg round a set of jumps
I *think* thats my last outing for the year, I really suffer with my arthritis in the cold, I get really cant be arrised about travelling, unless its for xc or joining friends for hacks and the like.
Toodle pip
Local EQ Centre popped up on faceache as hosting an unaff sj comp for today. So, when I saw this - being a day when the sun was out and it wasn't cold I popped over and dropped in my entry for class 1, 55cms
The last time I had taken NF round some SJ fences was at another huge local venue in a lesson at the end of Sept, where unfortunately, we had a heavy side rotational fall when popping a 75/80cm fence on a course
So, I felt that we really needed to get out and have a potter round a low course to see how our combined minds were feeling.Rock on to this morning its damned cold at minus 1, so de-iced car and did early chores, bringing in the Fuzzies for a light breakfast and to their joy some hay! I also de-iced the horsebox & ran it up for a while to make sure no hidden refusals before we even got going.
Popped back home to thaw out, have toast, surf the net etc for an hour & thought Id better head back to yard as comp started at 10.30. I shuffled out the front door telling the dear husband that I might not go, but might just go for a hack instead. Ive never really suffered with nerves, but for some reason was rather apprehensive.
Arrived at yard, gave myself a talking to and promised myself I must drive there, hop practice jumps and then maybe go for a short hack instead.
So, lorry to sort, popped in my decent saddle that Id brought from home, grabbed yard tack too as needed to swap irons & leathers over, threw in hat bag, checked top boots were still residing in the corner of box & then pulled NF out onto the yard.
Oops
v long mane now looking like an untidy hay bale, found mud on her knees that Id missed at 7am and a few other grubby patches too, all quickly dealt with by a quick dandy brush over.Took NF to the ramp, she eyed it up and was considering other thoughts, but on growl one, she looked me directly in the eye and virtually said Ill just go up the ramp then, shall I? Shall I just turn at the top of ramp and stand ready for you to clip me to that rope? Excellent, occasionally-dodgy-loading-hairy-one is co-operative today :cool3:
Off we tootled for the 6 mile trip, pulled up in a part filled car park and did our usual of park up, unload and re-load, then I went off to collect number, leaving a cheerful 6 yr old from the next trailer, keeping an eye on NF.
At this point, I checked with organiser as to dress code. Hurrah informal!
So, keeping my Grassmeres on as was toasty warm in them, I pulled off my yard jacket, threw on body protector, tacked up NF in her yard tack (hoping my grubby tack was hidden by my large bottom and lots of mane :redface3: ) and trundled over to the warm up. Trotted aimlessly around a bit on both reins, had a few strides of canter and then popped over the 2 jumps in there happily.
All appeared good, so off we ambled to the SJ course. Cripes, there were 10 numbered jumps :eek3: with a double in which was off a short corner. Was asked if I wanted to walk the course, but as the saddle had now warmed up and I wasnt going to freeze off my undercarriage again for the 2nd time in quick succession, I settled for watching the one before me, whilst a helpful 10yr old pointed out which way to go
Shortly, it was my turn. As I went in, was told it was single phase, so the jump off followed straight on . sod that, I was more hell bent on remembering the turns on the first 10 numbers!
We pootled up the long side and the whistle went, so moving on briskly, we trotted on and I collected my thoughts and brought her round to fence one, a simple x pole but off a short corner going way from the gate. NF cheerfully lobbed over it and we pressed on round the course, only one moment of worry from her with an upright at fence 3 which was the 1st part of the double, I felt her hesitate, but with a gentle heel tap and a soft vocal gerron she popped it and then felt much more relaxed round the rest, even the planks (which she isnt a fan of anywhere). Fence 10 completed, I needed a respirator, NF was cheerful, and we got told to go straight into jump off when the whistle went which was immediately . Luckily, this was only 5 fences so we bombed round like a pair of eejits chasing a wasp, to the directions from a couple of very junior riders shouting which fences to jump next, my goodness that mare can turn sharply!
Phew, job done, we meandered out to the car park to catch our breath, cool down, have a ciggy, load her back up (straight on!).
Now, remember I said I used my yard tack and not decent saddle? Well, I wondered why I had got an odd look from the lady parked next door to me .. she asked if I had really just popped round jumps on it. Looked again & I hadnt given any thought to jumping on a 16 inch old fashioned show saddle. Fits pony well for general stuff, but its a bit board like and def no knee rolls at all as I first got it in the 70s from the lovely Keith Luxford. I also (very embarrassingly!) didnt even pull my pedals up, completely forgot, the sssssshame! :redface3: Mind you, she was jumping in a deep seat stressage saddle, so we both ended up laughing that neither of us were actually taking this sj lark properly
After a short wait for a few more to jump, I was amazed that not only had I actually beaten the under 10s, but also everyone else & NF had won the class fab frilly and also won our entry fee back! Hurrah!
A sense of relief too, as NF was cheerful enough to go off my leg round a set of jumps
I *think* thats my last outing for the year, I really suffer with my arthritis in the cold, I get really cant be arrised about travelling, unless its for xc or joining friends for hacks and the like.
Toodle pip
