_MizElz_
Well-Known Member
We went to a show today, and had THE most amazing time 
The day didnt start too well. I put Ellie's double bridle on as it was my intention to enter her for the working hunter. However, within seconds of starting to trot round, it became clear she was not at all happy in it. I tried to work her through it initially, but I know Ellie well enough to know when she's simply being naughty and when she is actually trying to tell me something, so off we headed to the car to change into her snaffle bridle. She was MUCH better after that
Decided not to enter the working hunter as it was going to clash with everything else, so we went in the Veterans. Our show was appalling - having not shown properly since I was about 5 (!), I got completely lost and ended up doing my gallop in a very strange place! Her canter was awful as per usual - she spent the whole time looking for jumps - but the judge really liked her and asked lots of questions about our time together. And I was totally shocked when we were pulled in 2nd out of eight! We've also qualified for the South West Veterans Championship, although I'm not entirely sure what that means...!
We went in the 2'6 jumping, and I was very nervous
She was going well though, until I made the fatal error of looking back after hearing her rap a pole of the first element of a related distance (upright to a double). She then got a bit unbalanced and rolled the pole of the 2nd element of the double So we entered the 2'9, with me feeling a lot more positive - this round was much better, but this time I was riding her almost too forward, and she flattened over a stile off a corner. I was really gutted, as she has never been a four faulter - she's so careful that I've always known any knockdowns she may have will always be my fault!
So we entered the 2'9 speed class, as I was absolutely determined to finish on a clear....and we did She was so naturally forward going that I just let her bowl on - I wasnt interested in trying to be the fastest, but even so she jumped beautifully. I was so pleased with her!
I have now set us a target - I want to qualify again for Trailblazers at Stoneleigh. I know we dont have a hope of doing as well as we did all those years ago, but I'd like to think we might be able to qualify for one of the lower classes and 'relive the dream'
Some of my favourite pics; I will post the rest in PG!
The day didnt start too well. I put Ellie's double bridle on as it was my intention to enter her for the working hunter. However, within seconds of starting to trot round, it became clear she was not at all happy in it. I tried to work her through it initially, but I know Ellie well enough to know when she's simply being naughty and when she is actually trying to tell me something, so off we headed to the car to change into her snaffle bridle. She was MUCH better after that
Decided not to enter the working hunter as it was going to clash with everything else, so we went in the Veterans. Our show was appalling - having not shown properly since I was about 5 (!), I got completely lost and ended up doing my gallop in a very strange place! Her canter was awful as per usual - she spent the whole time looking for jumps - but the judge really liked her and asked lots of questions about our time together. And I was totally shocked when we were pulled in 2nd out of eight! We've also qualified for the South West Veterans Championship, although I'm not entirely sure what that means...!
We went in the 2'6 jumping, and I was very nervous
She was going well though, until I made the fatal error of looking back after hearing her rap a pole of the first element of a related distance (upright to a double). She then got a bit unbalanced and rolled the pole of the 2nd element of the double So we entered the 2'9, with me feeling a lot more positive - this round was much better, but this time I was riding her almost too forward, and she flattened over a stile off a corner. I was really gutted, as she has never been a four faulter - she's so careful that I've always known any knockdowns she may have will always be my fault!So we entered the 2'9 speed class, as I was absolutely determined to finish on a clear....and we did
She was so naturally forward going that I just let her bowl on - I wasnt interested in trying to be the fastest, but even so she jumped beautifully. I was so pleased with her! I have now set us a target - I want to qualify again for Trailblazers at Stoneleigh. I know we dont have a hope of doing as well as we did all those years ago, but I'd like to think we might be able to qualify for one of the lower classes and 'relive the dream'
Some of my favourite pics; I will post the rest in PG!
