David Gatherer training day- Oatridge (with pics)

[FigJam]

Oh my word, the man is a God!

Had a XC training session with David Gatherer over the BE courses that were used in yesterday's ODE. Was meant to be group of 5 but arrived to find I was in a group of 6.

Turned out that 3 of them were competing at PN looking to move up to Novice, another happy at PN and the late addition was someone looking to do the 2** at Blair and really just wanting water practice!

So figured it might not be too bad and I may actually end up being the numpty of the group considering I've only EVER done 3 x HT and 4 x XC schooling in my entire life!

Warmed up and after popping the Intro first fence as warm up, David decided we could all set off over no.1 and no.2 and we were all to do the Novice first fence! I was informed to do the PN no.2 also and both jumped well, no issues.

Went round the rest of the course doing technical fences one at a time (or isolated ones!) and stringing others together a couple at a time. Did a mixture of PN and Novice fences the whole way around, only Intro fences we did were the ones shared with PN!

Considering my novice-ness, I am really chuffed with my pony and I must have had some bravery pills slipped to me this morning!

We also did some interesting more technical stuff by combining PN and Novice fences to make combinations (such as the brush skinnies near the end of the course) which meant everyone felt like they'd really achieved something.

So here's some pics that the lovely Mr FigJam got, poor guy had to hike around after us up and down all the hills!

Checking for scary monsters in the ditch;

Then 3 strides to this (PN);

PN flower box fence;

Novice combination (2 strides between each and they were slightly offset);

PN road crossing/drop (we did the Novice skinny log in the forest just before this and then the PN hedge that was just on the other side of the road crossing before reaching this drop);

PN flower table before water;

And house after the water;

Flew the PN corner fab (think this is one of my favourite shots!);

Then did the PN to Novice skinny brush combo;

And Novice wall/drop to Novice chair to finish;

So so happy, I know Oatridge isn't known for being the biggest XC tracks in the world, but the fact I jumped so many of the Novice fences and all others PN is very exciting for me!

All people in my group were lovely and we had a fab day!

 

[Nic]

Yay well done you. I was there yesterday, didn't realise you were stewarding.

You weren't in with a girl on a chestnut mare were you, my pal was there today training too?

 

[langside]

well done you both look like your having loads of fun

ive had the same day as you and the way i look at it is if it was novice fence in the BE then its a novice fence and thats all that matters

 

[FigJam]

Thanks!

I think I may have been riding with your pal- red/yellow XC colours and lovely (but very mareish!) chestnut mare? She did well too.

Were you just watching yesterday? Have fun?

 

[now_loves_mares]

Great pics! Well done

 

[Olivio]

OMG!!! You had better get your entry into Strathallan now!!! So well done - you look fantastic and what a confidence boost. If you're jumping blooming novice fences I do hope we're not in the same sections

!!

 

[FigJam]

Thanks, how are you doing? Hope recovery of chestnut one is going well and am a little scared to ask about young 'un...?

Hope all is well.

 

[FigJam]

Ha! I think I've more to fear of you- dressage divas with their 8's scare me!

I'm still buzzing, was so much fun and I honestly can't believe what got into me this afternoon, I was actually wanting to take on the N fences!

(well... apart from the corner and table of course...!)

 

[now_loves_mares]

Madge (the chestnut) is doing great, started doing a wee bit of trotting, but she's on a serious diet now

The youngster (Handbag) is still off work with her splint. However, I did take her along to Oatridge yesterday just to stand in the box and take it all in, then led her about for 5 or 10 mins to see all the activity. She was good as gold, stared with extreme interest at the xc.

I have a semi-back-up plan for her, but she needs to come sound first. I was given hope by how calm she was yesterday though, so maybe she has a future after all

 

[FigJam]

That's good to hear, glad the young 'un was on good behaviour yesterday, long may it continue! Also good to hear M is continuing to get back into work well, you'll be out and about again before you know it!

 

[jules89]

looks like you guys are having great fun! what a cool pair you guys make. Were a few of those fences on a left handed turn cos horse looks like it cocks it's head to the left, or am i going mad!?

 

[FigJam]

Thanks, she was really in the zone today!

The skinny brushes were being angled to the left and we were heading left up the hill after the wall/drop to a big chair, I think those may be the photos you're referring to re: the head cocking?

She can also be a little spooky about things too and on a few fences was chipping in a deep stride just to get an extra chance to check them out, so jumped a little skewed to clear them? Shoudl I be concerned about the head cocking?

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Fantastic!! Glad you had a good day and the weather was dry! You make those Novice fences look easy!

Good to meet you yesterday too. Had a day of catch up with the Scottish H&H clan!

 

[FigJam]

Ha ha, that's 'cos they are, in Novice terms!

Big step up for me mentally though.

To be honest, there wasn't often a huge amount of difference between them and the PN, certainly nothing like the Scone Novice fences!

Lovely to see you as well and a shame the ground wasn't good enough for you to get to do the fun bit, but you have Burgie to look forward to! Good luck there.