Fiona
Well-Known Member
Well we'll try the good bit first!!
Last Saturday Flo and I did our first intro event together (she did 2 in the spring with a pro rider), and had an absolutely fab day.
It was wet and slippy but she didn't turn a hair.
Did a reasonably good test in something resembling a ploughed field, just tapped 2 SJ fences behind with a really confident round, and had a really confident grown up XC round over a small but tricky course (2 water fences, bank, trakhener, steps).
Then had a slightly hairy SJ outing during the week where I decided to let the handbrake off a bit (but stupidly forgot to hold in to the front end) meaning we really hurdled a couple, and chipped in an extra stride to a couple more, before I wised up and started to ride properly.
I did do some more jumping the next night though to make sure I hadn't frightened her, and she was her normal confident self.
Well anyway,....here goes for yesterday's saga.
First point to note..she screamed for her stable companion all day.
Note to self...do not taken them out to the same comp again for the forseeable future, as don't know how much this lack of concentration had to do with her lack of success.
Thought she did as nice a test as prev week (and on far better ground), though the 2 canter 0's were slightly banana shaped due to other mare being in the warm up area (I tried my hardest to correct, but only so much can be done with the judge watching and no whip in outside hand). Got 6 marks worse though when scores put up (immaterial though really in the end.
On to SJ...
Warmed up fairly well except for 1 spread fence where we missed completely. Jumped plenty more after that though and going well off a long or short stride.
Once we got into the ring though and had jumped first fence nicely things began to deteriorate. My fault had apalling turn into 2nd fence and chipped in short one, disunited landing so had to just push on into 3 as not enough space to correct. The next fence was the double and was fairly deep into the first part (upright) so she shuffled in a second stride and cleared second part (spread). Five and six were an even 5 st rel dist, so jumped 5 well, sat down and ride for the 5, and nothing happened, so got 5 and a short one though cleared fence. Jumped 7 OK and rolled pole at 8 (as on curve from 7 and I don't think she saw it until the last minute).
So..pretty bad SJ as not going forwards, but still telling myself that the XC would be OK as would be going faster and not looking for strides and might switch on more.
Xc warmup fine, charged out of start box, 1 was OK, sticky into 2 as was downhill approach at an angle, but jumped it, 3 OK, next was double of rollers which she jumped though chipped in short one and felt v awkward, next 2 absolutely flew, then through small gap to immediately jump log and run into the water, out of the water and jump drop with ditch behind (all really bold and confident),...then the wheels fell off.
Next fence was sloping sleepers and pole with a downhill approach and drop after, not the nicest of fences, but not large in terms of size. Slammed on the brakes, got a smack and came in again (thinking that now she had had a look would be OK) and same thing. Had to let next rider through, gave him decent time, then represented, and she v stickily jumped. Cantered fine across the next field to a rel small trakhener, and she refused to even consider it, so had to walk home with only 3 more fences to go.
I have to admit I did ask the steward could I jump the XC practice fences before she was put away and she jumped them fine. Didn't want to leave things on such a bad note.
So where do we go from here..
My friend (who won a PN yesterday (so well done B)), has offered her XC fences to school over this week, and OH will bring his horse too (to see if she is being nappy or not). OH has also offered to take me to trainers also, to see if he can put his finger on a loss of confidence in either or both of us.
I am half tempted to have her back checked as well, as she was stretching out her front legs like a cat (odd description I know, but thats what it looks like) when taken off the lorry, also has small patch of fur removed from above her eye during the week (possibly cast).
So...
Reasons for disaster yesterday..
1. nappy individual who only jumped properly the XC fences that were heading back towards the lorry park
2. new venue, lacking confidence still even though behaved v grown up last week
3. possible physical problem with back +/- loss of confidence after bad SJ round on Wed.
Have just realised this has turned into "war and peace".
Big pat on the back to anyone who gets to the end without screaming, and any feedback greatfully received (even if its just to say chin up - these things happen).
I could enter the last intro of the seaon which is in a fortnight, but at the moment am inclining towards backing off a bit, and doing some small stuff, even poss a couple of hunt rides. An alternative could be to ask trainer to ride her in the intro and end the season hopefully on a better note (not as satisfying as riding her myself, but better than nothing perhaps)??
Fiona
Last Saturday Flo and I did our first intro event together (she did 2 in the spring with a pro rider), and had an absolutely fab day.
It was wet and slippy but she didn't turn a hair.
Did a reasonably good test in something resembling a ploughed field, just tapped 2 SJ fences behind with a really confident round, and had a really confident grown up XC round over a small but tricky course (2 water fences, bank, trakhener, steps).
Then had a slightly hairy SJ outing during the week where I decided to let the handbrake off a bit (but stupidly forgot to hold in to the front end) meaning we really hurdled a couple, and chipped in an extra stride to a couple more, before I wised up and started to ride properly.
I did do some more jumping the next night though to make sure I hadn't frightened her, and she was her normal confident self.
Well anyway,....here goes for yesterday's saga.
First point to note..she screamed for her stable companion all day.
Note to self...do not taken them out to the same comp again for the forseeable future, as don't know how much this lack of concentration had to do with her lack of success.
Thought she did as nice a test as prev week (and on far better ground), though the 2 canter 0's were slightly banana shaped due to other mare being in the warm up area (I tried my hardest to correct, but only so much can be done with the judge watching and no whip in outside hand). Got 6 marks worse though when scores put up (immaterial though really in the end.
On to SJ...
Warmed up fairly well except for 1 spread fence where we missed completely. Jumped plenty more after that though and going well off a long or short stride.
Once we got into the ring though and had jumped first fence nicely things began to deteriorate. My fault had apalling turn into 2nd fence and chipped in short one, disunited landing so had to just push on into 3 as not enough space to correct. The next fence was the double and was fairly deep into the first part (upright) so she shuffled in a second stride and cleared second part (spread). Five and six were an even 5 st rel dist, so jumped 5 well, sat down and ride for the 5, and nothing happened, so got 5 and a short one though cleared fence. Jumped 7 OK and rolled pole at 8 (as on curve from 7 and I don't think she saw it until the last minute).
So..pretty bad SJ as not going forwards, but still telling myself that the XC would be OK as would be going faster and not looking for strides and might switch on more.
Xc warmup fine, charged out of start box, 1 was OK, sticky into 2 as was downhill approach at an angle, but jumped it, 3 OK, next was double of rollers which she jumped though chipped in short one and felt v awkward, next 2 absolutely flew, then through small gap to immediately jump log and run into the water, out of the water and jump drop with ditch behind (all really bold and confident),...then the wheels fell off.
Next fence was sloping sleepers and pole with a downhill approach and drop after, not the nicest of fences, but not large in terms of size. Slammed on the brakes, got a smack and came in again (thinking that now she had had a look would be OK) and same thing. Had to let next rider through, gave him decent time, then represented, and she v stickily jumped. Cantered fine across the next field to a rel small trakhener, and she refused to even consider it, so had to walk home with only 3 more fences to go.
I have to admit I did ask the steward could I jump the XC practice fences before she was put away and she jumped them fine. Didn't want to leave things on such a bad note.
So where do we go from here..
My friend (who won a PN yesterday (so well done B)), has offered her XC fences to school over this week, and OH will bring his horse too (to see if she is being nappy or not). OH has also offered to take me to trainers also, to see if he can put his finger on a loss of confidence in either or both of us.
I am half tempted to have her back checked as well, as she was stretching out her front legs like a cat (odd description I know, but thats what it looks like) when taken off the lorry, also has small patch of fur removed from above her eye during the week (possibly cast).
So...
Reasons for disaster yesterday..
1. nappy individual who only jumped properly the XC fences that were heading back towards the lorry park
2. new venue, lacking confidence still even though behaved v grown up last week
3. possible physical problem with back +/- loss of confidence after bad SJ round on Wed.
Have just realised this has turned into "war and peace".
Big pat on the back to anyone who gets to the end without screaming, and any feedback greatfully received (even if its just to say chin up - these things happen).
I could enter the last intro of the seaon which is in a fortnight, but at the moment am inclining towards backing off a bit, and doing some small stuff, even poss a couple of hunt rides. An alternative could be to ask trainer to ride her in the intro and end the season hopefully on a better note (not as satisfying as riding her myself, but better than nothing perhaps)??
Fiona
