Worried1
Well-Known Member
Had a fantastic day - can't believe how far Diva and I have come in just 9 months!
Left the yard with perfect plaits at 8am this morning and travelled down the M26 to be hit with a jam on the M25 but it soon cleared and we made good time. Pulled into the showground with sister behind who had managed to catch us up on route.
Most of you know how badly I was suffering with nerves but with Rescue Remedy and regular outings I think I have the upper hand. I was excited but not stressing and manged to eat some breakfast on route - a real first.
This was a real first for Diva and I - it was the first venue I or OH hadn't been to previously with her. So it was real virgin territory.
I faffed around getting dressed and telling Casper our fox terrier and Hamish the cocker spaniel where I was going in the test while 'Team Butler' dressed Diva.
Diva was her usual Mrs Chill and stayed on the lorry until I was summoned to mount
Got on and wandered round to the warm-up to get ready for our first test which was a warm-up, prelim 10. She was great, went in did what I thought as smashing test with just one pilot error from me.
Was then dragged back to the lorry and told to get off and have a drink while they sorted Diva out - No sooner had I taken a very soggy jacket off then I was told to get back on and get ready for the area test!
Went back round and she felt even better, keot aking if my last score was up and Team Butler kept saying: "No not yet, now shut up and concentrate on getting Diva off your leg!"
Friends who were in the novice arrived just in time to see my test so they waved me in with a loud rendition off: "WHIP!" Which I duly dropped at A.
She was excellent and did a really lovely test - just one blip she poohed in her right canter and broke. This is the horse that never poohs under saddle. Not once in 9 months!!!!!
I was so shocked I had to look behind me, I could feel her backing off and for a split second thought she was lame. Team Butler said it was very funny and real Pony Club stuff to see me looking behind.
Finished and went back to the lorry and got undressed as I really thought that the break in the canter would cost us a place. While I was sweating heavily and peeling off layers OH said what do you think you got in your first test. I said about 62-63% I was very shocked to be told I actually only got 58% he said and wisely so we didn't want to tell you before you went in. I thought it was quite harsh but thats dressage. I thought that if I only scored that then there was no way I was going to be placed in the area.
HOW WRONG!?!?!?!?!?!
Scores went up and I got 66%. I was gobsmacked. We were fourth for ages then the last person pipped me to 5th. Got redressed and clambered back on.
I can't tell you how proud I was. We went forward for the mounted prize giving which was ace. Diva was in her elelment and strutted her stuff in the lap of honour with me grinning like a demented cheshire cat
The break in the canter cost me about 6 marks as I got a 3 and a 4. I just missed out on qualifying for the finals but the comments were so encouraging. One juge said she was "An elegant, impressive horse with much to like!"
She got a plaque for her stable door as well!
Sis took some fab photos which I will post in the gallery. They really show how much she and I have improved as a team which is entirely due to my 'Mother Theresa of the horseworld Diva' and my OH's patience and dedication.
Six months ago I was struggling with the idea of doing a walk and trot test - the idea of acheiving what we did today a distant dream. So although we didn't win we did in my eyes
Left the yard with perfect plaits at 8am this morning and travelled down the M26 to be hit with a jam on the M25 but it soon cleared and we made good time. Pulled into the showground with sister behind who had managed to catch us up on route.
Most of you know how badly I was suffering with nerves but with Rescue Remedy and regular outings I think I have the upper hand. I was excited but not stressing and manged to eat some breakfast on route - a real first.
This was a real first for Diva and I - it was the first venue I or OH hadn't been to previously with her. So it was real virgin territory.
I faffed around getting dressed and telling Casper our fox terrier and Hamish the cocker spaniel where I was going in the test while 'Team Butler' dressed Diva.
Diva was her usual Mrs Chill and stayed on the lorry until I was summoned to mount
Got on and wandered round to the warm-up to get ready for our first test which was a warm-up, prelim 10. She was great, went in did what I thought as smashing test with just one pilot error from me.
Was then dragged back to the lorry and told to get off and have a drink while they sorted Diva out - No sooner had I taken a very soggy jacket off then I was told to get back on and get ready for the area test!
Went back round and she felt even better, keot aking if my last score was up and Team Butler kept saying: "No not yet, now shut up and concentrate on getting Diva off your leg!"
Friends who were in the novice arrived just in time to see my test so they waved me in with a loud rendition off: "WHIP!" Which I duly dropped at A.
She was excellent and did a really lovely test - just one blip she poohed in her right canter and broke. This is the horse that never poohs under saddle. Not once in 9 months!!!!!
I was so shocked I had to look behind me, I could feel her backing off and for a split second thought she was lame. Team Butler said it was very funny and real Pony Club stuff to see me looking behind.Finished and went back to the lorry and got undressed as I really thought that the break in the canter would cost us a place. While I was sweating heavily and peeling off layers OH said what do you think you got in your first test. I said about 62-63% I was very shocked to be told I actually only got 58% he said and wisely so we didn't want to tell you before you went in. I thought it was quite harsh but thats dressage. I thought that if I only scored that then there was no way I was going to be placed in the area.
HOW WRONG!?!?!?!?!?!
Scores went up and I got 66%. I was gobsmacked. We were fourth for ages then the last person pipped me to 5th. Got redressed and clambered back on.
I can't tell you how proud I was. We went forward for the mounted prize giving which was ace. Diva was in her elelment and strutted her stuff in the lap of honour with me grinning like a demented cheshire cat
The break in the canter cost me about 6 marks as I got a 3 and a 4. I just missed out on qualifying for the finals but the comments were so encouraging. One juge said she was "An elegant, impressive horse with much to like!"
She got a plaque for her stable door as well!
Sis took some fab photos which I will post in the gallery. They really show how much she and I have improved as a team which is entirely due to my 'Mother Theresa of the horseworld Diva' and my OH's patience and dedication.
Six months ago I was struggling with the idea of doing a walk and trot test - the idea of acheiving what we did today a distant dream. So although we didn't win we did in my eyes
