SpottedCat
Well-Known Member
Ok, so I am pathetic about SJ, so LEC and I convinced ourselves that doing it for 3 days would solve all our fears - so easy to say in the warmth of the office!
I was slightly worried as my horse is a bit of a thug, so I had concerns he may trash temporary stabling, however, he took to it like a seasoned pro and was completely chilled out!
Thursday we did BN first, I rode like a fool, he made no effort and we had two down. Got my act together in the discovery to have one down in the first round and one in the JO (it was single phase). Friday was Discovery first, going much better, clear first round, one pole in the JO (two phase). Then the dreaded 1.10. I remained outwardly calm, but inwardly was hoping LEC might back out then I could too. In she went and jumped a beautiful round to just have two down, which put the pressure on for me (as even though I am a wuss, I am also horribly competitive!). In we went and he flew! Pinged the fences like they were nothing to also have just the two down, and thank god they were unlucky poles not my rubbish riding! So we celebrated with Champagne for managing to overcome our fears!
Saturday, hideous weather, holding ground. I was not riding forwards enough in the discovery to have one down in the first round. Last fence of the first phase too, typical. My fault though, I should have taken a better line. I did smack him after the first fence to try and get him going forwards more, but he just bucked and ignored me. So back to the lorry for some spurs for the 1.05 open. He still was not forwards enough in the first phase, and really helped me out over a couple of them, then suddenly copped on for the second phase to jump a beautiful JO and get our first DC BSJA! Sadly we were far too slow as I had taken wide lines so came about 7th or 8th and it was only rosettes to 6th, which I was rather miffed about!
So pleased though, I feel like I have conqured my fear of SJ finally! And very chuffed with ponio who jumped his socks off and had no more than 2 poles in any class all weekend - not bad for a big eventer with a wussy rider neither of whom have jumped classes that big before in their lives!
I was slightly worried as my horse is a bit of a thug, so I had concerns he may trash temporary stabling, however, he took to it like a seasoned pro and was completely chilled out!
Thursday we did BN first, I rode like a fool, he made no effort and we had two down. Got my act together in the discovery to have one down in the first round and one in the JO (it was single phase). Friday was Discovery first, going much better, clear first round, one pole in the JO (two phase). Then the dreaded 1.10. I remained outwardly calm, but inwardly was hoping LEC might back out then I could too. In she went and jumped a beautiful round to just have two down, which put the pressure on for me (as even though I am a wuss, I am also horribly competitive!). In we went and he flew! Pinged the fences like they were nothing to also have just the two down, and thank god they were unlucky poles not my rubbish riding! So we celebrated with Champagne for managing to overcome our fears!
Saturday, hideous weather, holding ground. I was not riding forwards enough in the discovery to have one down in the first round. Last fence of the first phase too, typical. My fault though, I should have taken a better line. I did smack him after the first fence to try and get him going forwards more, but he just bucked and ignored me. So back to the lorry for some spurs for the 1.05 open. He still was not forwards enough in the first phase, and really helped me out over a couple of them, then suddenly copped on for the second phase to jump a beautiful JO and get our first DC BSJA! Sadly we were far too slow as I had taken wide lines so came about 7th or 8th and it was only rosettes to 6th, which I was rather miffed about!
So pleased though, I feel like I have conqured my fear of SJ finally! And very chuffed with ponio who jumped his socks off and had no more than 2 poles in any class all weekend - not bad for a big eventer with a wussy rider neither of whom have jumped classes that big before in their lives!
