Eventing 2024 Season Thread

[Chuffy99]

Yes classic isn’t it, two lovely new training sites in the East in Radley Green and Keysoe but when we’re all ready trained up, there’s no where to go and compete

 

[BACR]

Yes classic isn’t it, two lovely new training sites in the East in Radley Green and Keysoe but when we’re all ready trained up, there’s no where to go and compete

I know, I was out schooling last weekend in GW and he's ready but now I've got nowhere to go!! Is the all weather course open at Keysoe do you know? I keep checking their website and it's been "coming soon" for about a year.

 

[Chuffy99]

Big opening on Thursday I think

 

[Michen]

Our round from Sunday! I’m just chuffed to bits with him, I can’t stop watching it.

Definitely needed to get moving more around the first part of the course to make the time, but that’s on me. He was well up for it from the word go! Nice to know I’ve managed to get him fit enough as didn’t feel tired at all by the end.

You’d think he’d done hundreds of BE90s, not two 18mo ago which were horribly messy and just all over the place. Then spent the last 12mo at 80cm trying to get over a particularly nappy phase which knocked both our confidence.

I loved watching that! He looks great. I too remember your posts when things weren't great and you'd never know, he looks super on it with his job!

 

[RachelFerd]

Alas, I've had to withdraw from Osberton. S's head wound is healing up nicely from the outside, but just having the odd trickle of old blood nasal discharge still - vets have checked him out and he needs to continue to take it moderately easy for a few more weeks - no galloping or intense work. So doesn't look like we'll be out again until the end of May/early June at Belsay

Might manage to get the younger one out to Shelford the weekend before that if his SJ continues to improve. And because I was feeling sad about not getting to the fun big events, I've entered him for some little arena eventing at Chatsworth. I figured that would be a good test of whether he can retain his newly found SJ focus in a more pressurised environment (without any actual pressure - because the jumps will only be 90cm...)

 

[millitiger]

Well we've booked xc schooling at last!
Hoping to get eventing mid -May

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I'm hoping to go watch at Cirencester Park on Sunday

 

[TheMule]

Alas, I've had to withdraw from Osberton. S's head wound is healing up nicely from the outside, but just having the odd trickle of old blood nasal discharge still - vets have checked him out and he needs to continue to take it moderately easy for a few more weeks - no galloping or intense work. So doesn't look like we'll be out again until the end of May/early June at Belsay

Might manage to get the younger one out to Shelford the weekend before that if his SJ continues to improve. And because I was feeling sad about not getting to the fun big events, I've entered him for some little arena eventing at Chatsworth. I figured that would be a good test of whether he can retain his newly found SJ focus in a more pressurised environment (without any actual pressure - because the jumps will only be 90cm...)

That’s unlucky, what a shame when he's going so well

 

[Sail_away]

I’ve followed this thread for a while and finally can join in
We had our first run of the season at Osberton in the Novice - Viva my mare has been off since August 22, spent most of 23 in a very careful rehab and then so far in 24 our season has just consisted of getting all our events cancelled.
Dressage went well, high but not atrocious at 39, which considering excitement levels was fair enough.
Then XC walking time - immediate alarm at the size of fence 3, whacking great oxer going in to the woods. 4 also large but looked a bit friendlier with brush on top. 5 and 6 suspiciously small, but really just preparing you for 7, big open corner off a curving line. Further alarm. Then all nice until 10 AB, two triple brushes on a forward 4 strides. It’s a straight line which technically should be easier than the Intermediate version which is on a curve, but on a personal level Viva is absolutely aces at curving lines and angles, not bad at straight lines but quite the same. Ah well. Not much to do, just wrap your legs round and aim for the middle. By this point it’s apparent that nearly the entire course is shared with the 2* - not ideal as a starting point after a 20 month break. Nice water, no fence in the water which is a favourite of Viva’s but never mind. Course is starting to look more jumpable, and provided I can get past 10 without doing anything stupid I think we’re in the clear.
So I went in to SJ feeling a little rattled. The warmup was carnage, about 15 horses going round at speed, felt like trying to ride across the M1 at times. For some reason everyone wanted to warm up over 1.20, personally after walking the XC I felt up to about 90cm. Someone else managed to nab a fence and put an X pole out which I gratefully trotted over a couple times. By that point I had one before me, so I aimed at an upright, found a big pro name about to walk across my line, called upright, squeaked a thank-you as I rode in front and thankfully somehow had a nice jump on a good stride.
Viva was class and she deserved a clear really, I hadn’t been able to walk the course so my striding was off on a related and she had the first as well which I will put down to the less than ideal warmup. But 2 down is not bad for her, if she’s in the mood she will quite happily play skittles.
XC warmup I kept seeing long shots, Viva is very much a when in doubt take one out type of gal so didn’t mind overly. Decided it was best just to go before I overthought it.
Clever girl was absolutely spot on, fence 3 that I’d worried about she barely noticed, sailed over the corner at 7, had a bit of footwork to do at the triple brushes as the forward 4 became a tight 5. But we made things happen and left the flags up. Then we just had a nice cruise round the rest, special mention to Viva at the shoulder brush at 20 - fence before was a trakehner and one of Viva’s features is a complete disregard for ditches, drops, water or other terrain. As such I was pretty open to the trakehner, forgetting that 20 was very close after and consequently only just got her back in time to pop over it. Got carried away and saw a long one to the final fence, Viva said don’t be stupid, chipped in and sorted herself out. She’s a great combination of polite enough to listen when I get it right and smart enough to ignore me when I’m wrong.
We had some time in the end but I’d ridden slow and set her up a fair bit so not concerned about that. Next stop is Chatsworth and then Belsay, both Novices. I’d hoped to get my FEI membership sorted in time for the 2* at Belsay but no luck.
Currently pondering Catton Park for our first Intermediate so would welcome thoughts on that if anyone has been. Other option is Alnwick Ford the following week but as it’s an international I assume it will share a fair bit with the 3*.

 

[sportsmansB]

I’ve followed this thread for a while and finally can join in
We had our first run of the season at Osberton in the Novice - Viva my mare has been off since August 22, spent most of 23 in a very careful rehab and then so far in 24 our season has just consisted of getting all our events cancelled.
Dressage went well, high but not atrocious at 39, which considering excitement levels was fair enough.
Then XC walking time - immediate alarm at the size of fence 3, whacking great oxer going in to the woods. 4 also large but looked a bit friendlier with brush on top. 5 and 6 suspiciously small, but really just preparing you for 7, big open corner off a curving line. Further alarm. Then all nice until 10 AB, two triple brushes on a forward 4 strides. It’s a straight line which technically should be easier than the Intermediate version which is on a curve, but on a personal level Viva is absolutely aces at curving lines and angles, not bad at straight lines but quite the same. Ah well. Not much to do, just wrap your legs round and aim for the middle. By this point it’s apparent that nearly the entire course is shared with the 2* - not ideal as a starting point after a 20 month break. Nice water, no fence in the water which is a favourite of Viva’s but never mind. Course is starting to look more jumpable, and provided I can get past 10 without doing anything stupid I think we’re in the clear.
So I went in to SJ feeling a little rattled. The warmup was carnage, about 15 horses going round at speed, felt like trying to ride across the M1 at times. For some reason everyone wanted to warm up over 1.20, personally after walking the XC I felt up to about 90cm. Someone else managed to nab a fence and put an X pole out which I gratefully trotted over a couple times. By that point I had one before me, so I aimed at an upright, found a big pro name about to walk across my line, called upright, squeaked a thank-you as I rode in front and thankfully somehow had a nice jump on a good stride.
Viva was class and she deserved a clear really, I hadn’t been able to walk the course so my striding was off on a related and she had the first as well which I will put down to the less than ideal warmup. But 2 down is not bad for her, if she’s in the mood she will quite happily play skittles.
XC warmup I kept seeing long shots, Viva is very much a when in doubt take one out type of gal so didn’t mind overly. Decided it was best just to go before I overthought it.
Clever girl was absolutely spot on, fence 3 that I’d worried about she barely noticed, sailed over the corner at 7, had a bit of footwork to do at the triple brushes as the forward 4 became a tight 5. But we made things happen and left the flags up. Then we just had a nice cruise round the rest, special mention to Viva at the shoulder brush at 20 - fence before was a trakehner and one of Viva’s features is a complete disregard for ditches, drops, water or other terrain. As such I was pretty open to the trakehner, forgetting that 20 was very close after and consequently only just got her back in time to pop over it. Got carried away and saw a long one to the final fence, Viva said don’t be stupid, chipped in and sorted herself out. She’s a great combination of polite enough to listen when I get it right and smart enough to ignore me when I’m wrong.
We had some time in the end but I’d ridden slow and set her up a fair bit so not concerned about that. Next stop is Chatsworth and then Belsay, both Novices. I’d hoped to get my FEI membership sorted in time for the 2* at Belsay but no luck.
Currently pondering Catton Park for our first Intermediate so would welcome thoughts on that if anyone has been. Other option is Alnwick Ford the following week but as it’s an international I assume it will share a fair bit with the 3*.
View attachment 138857

She’s a great combination of polite enough to listen when I get it right and smart enough to ignore me when I’m wrong. This is my idea of the perfect cross country horse Fantastic, well done

 

[RachelFerd]

I’ve followed this thread for a while and finally can join in
We had our first run of the season at Osberton in the Novice - Viva my mare has been off since August 22, spent most of 23 in a very careful rehab and then so far in 24 our season has just consisted of getting all our events cancelled.
Dressage went well, high but not atrocious at 39, which considering excitement levels was fair enough.
Then XC walking time - immediate alarm at the size of fence 3, whacking great oxer going in to the woods. 4 also large but looked a bit friendlier with brush on top. 5 and 6 suspiciously small, but really just preparing you for 7, big open corner off a curving line. Further alarm. Then all nice until 10 AB, two triple brushes on a forward 4 strides. It’s a straight line which technically should be easier than the Intermediate version which is on a curve, but on a personal level Viva is absolutely aces at curving lines and angles, not bad at straight lines but quite the same. Ah well. Not much to do, just wrap your legs round and aim for the middle. By this point it’s apparent that nearly the entire course is shared with the 2* - not ideal as a starting point after a 20 month break. Nice water, no fence in the water which is a favourite of Viva’s but never mind. Course is starting to look more jumpable, and provided I can get past 10 without doing anything stupid I think we’re in the clear.
So I went in to SJ feeling a little rattled. The warmup was carnage, about 15 horses going round at speed, felt like trying to ride across the M1 at times. For some reason everyone wanted to warm up over 1.20, personally after walking the XC I felt up to about 90cm. Someone else managed to nab a fence and put an X pole out which I gratefully trotted over a couple times. By that point I had one before me, so I aimed at an upright, found a big pro name about to walk across my line, called upright, squeaked a thank-you as I rode in front and thankfully somehow had a nice jump on a good stride.
Viva was class and she deserved a clear really, I hadn’t been able to walk the course so my striding was off on a related and she had the first as well which I will put down to the less than ideal warmup. But 2 down is not bad for her, if she’s in the mood she will quite happily play skittles.
XC warmup I kept seeing long shots, Viva is very much a when in doubt take one out type of gal so didn’t mind overly. Decided it was best just to go before I overthought it.
Clever girl was absolutely spot on, fence 3 that I’d worried about she barely noticed, sailed over the corner at 7, had a bit of footwork to do at the triple brushes as the forward 4 became a tight 5. But we made things happen and left the flags up. Then we just had a nice cruise round the rest, special mention to Viva at the shoulder brush at 20 - fence before was a trakehner and one of Viva’s features is a complete disregard for ditches, drops, water or other terrain. As such I was pretty open to the trakehner, forgetting that 20 was very close after and consequently only just got her back in time to pop over it. Got carried away and saw a long one to the final fence, Viva said don’t be stupid, chipped in and sorted herself out. She’s a great combination of polite enough to listen when I get it right and smart enough to ignore me when I’m wrong.
We had some time in the end but I’d ridden slow and set her up a fair bit so not concerned about that. Next stop is Chatsworth and then Belsay, both Novices. I’d hoped to get my FEI membership sorted in time for the 2* at Belsay but no luck.
Currently pondering Catton Park for our first Intermediate so would welcome thoughts on that if anyone has been. Other option is Alnwick Ford the following week but as it’s an international I assume it will share a fair bit with the 3*.
View attachment 138857

congratulations - sounds like a great first run back, and in with a decent tough XC track for the level too. BEDE events do tend to have the novice share most of the 2* and have the intermediates share most of the 3*. Other events don't neccessarily do this - last time I walked Chatsworth they had entirely separate tracks for Novice and 2*.

I'm pretty sure you'd be able to sort FEI membership to move your Belsay entry into the 2* - I don't think those classes are very full and the BE office have always sorted mine out within a day or two? The 2* at Belsay has always very much been at the tough end and more like a mini intermediate, so a very good prep for move up.

I didn't do Catton intermediate last year, but one of my trainers said it was an ideal first intermediate run. I walked Alnwick Ford intermediate as I was in the 2* - it was very similar to the 3*, but it was a very kind 3*, if that makes sense?

I'm guessing you're based in the North, because the classic first intermediate runs are all at Aston. When I moved up last year we did Aston first, then Upton House, which was also very much on the gentle side for intermediate XC.

 

[ihatework]

Well done Sail Away!

My boy also only managed 1 run but will be in Aston Int next week, and we need to then decide on either Nunney or Catton Int …. At the moment I think Catton is winning, never been there before so can’t help on the course.

 

[RachelFerd]

Well done Sail Away!

My boy also only managed 1 run but will be in Aston Int next week, and we need to then decide on either Nunney or Catton Int …. At the moment I think Catton is winning, never been there before so can’t help on the course.

I did the Novice Masters at Catton last year, intermediate followed mainly the same track and I didn't see anything unpleasant. Does involve a fairly steep climb and then a fairly steep descent in the middle section of the course. Water a bit dark, but not tricky.
Ground was on firmer side in the SJ, but it was during a heatwave-y bit of the year, and mine jumped very well on it. Pics are on XC app.

 

[SEL]

She’s a great combination of polite enough to listen when I get it right and smart enough to ignore me when I’m wrong. This is my idea of the perfect cross country horse Fantastic, well done

I loved that line too!!

Great write up Sail Away - really looking forward to hearing more this season.

 

[Sail_away]

congratulations - sounds like a great first run back, and in with a decent tough XC track for the level too. BEDE events do tend to have the novice share most of the 2* and have the intermediates share most of the 3*. Other events don't neccessarily do this - last time I walked Chatsworth they had entirely separate tracks for Novice and 2*.

I'm pretty sure you'd be able to sort FEI membership to move your Belsay entry into the 2* - I don't think those classes are very full and the BE office have always sorted mine out within a day or two? The 2* at Belsay has always very much been at the tough end and more like a mini intermediate, so a very good prep for move up.

I didn't do Catton intermediate last year, but one of my trainers said it was an ideal first intermediate run. I walked Alnwick Ford intermediate as I was in the 2* - it was very similar to the 3*, but it was a very kind 3*, if that makes sense?

I'm guessing you're based in the North, because the classic first intermediate runs are all at Aston. When I moved up last year we did Aston first, then Upton House, which was also very much on the gentle side for intermediate XC.

Thank you - that’s all really useful to know . I’ll call BE tomorrow as it’s been over two weeks without any reply.
I’m leaning towards Catton as we could then run Upton which is two weeks after I think. Whereas Alnwick to Upton would be a bit tight.
And yes we’re North East - I used to be very close to Aston so ran a few times with Viva. She can be a bit casual there as it’s so flat, she tends to zoom round with the autopilot on! But she hasn’t been in a while and the step up might back her off a bit (ha,ha…).

 

[ihatework]

We finally got out! Aston Int.
The little fella was rather wild & naughty (teleporting and waving not required!!) in the dressage but a really solid double clear in the jumping phases.

So we have now inked in Plan A for the season. Late entry to Little Downham Int, Catton Int, Aston 3S. Then a break. Then Frickley 3S, Cornbury 3S, Osberton 3L.

 

[kathantoinette]

So…who’s entered for Bishop Burton this weekend? I’m doing a mammoth dressage writing stint on the Sunday.
Good luck to any HHOs competing.

 

[Sail_away]

Welp. We did the Novice at Bishop on Sunday, or, actually, we did 2/3rds of the Novice, and I pulled up halfway round XC.
It was a complete mudbath. Viva was most unimpressed by the going in the dressage warmup and started doing her angry plank of wood impression. But I’d got there in good time so we could work through it, and just gave her walk breaks so she could decompress. We did a mostly accurate test and pulled a 33.5!. Fairly average! Middle of the pack! Tenth after dressage! Not perfect, but it’s a lot better than usual. And from a training pov just pleased that I was able to de stress her enough for a decent test.
Came back from dressage looking like we’d done a day’s hunting, there was mud up to her quarter marks. Ran round the XC course, the actual fences looked nice, not as big as Osberton but some good combinations. The going was mud, though. They’d done their best to grit the landing and takeoff, and fair play for running it when everything else is cancelling, but it was deep. Went back, thought I’d see how we started off.
There was a hold SJ so I curried favour with Viva and got off to hand graze her for a bit. Evidently this is a successful strategy because she put in a lovely round, one rider error pole when I didn’t get my shoulders back in time for an upright but otherwise really smart. Especially as I haven’t been able to jump her for a couple of weeks so we had a very exuberant pony.
So. 2/3. We’d done a decent dressage. Decent SJ. Sitting in a very respectable 7th place. Could we, maybe, finish on a top ten placing? Usually her dressage precludes this from occurring so it was quite a novelty. We said hello to the XC warmup steward, and Viva knows what’s what, immediately cantered off. Reminded her warmup really was necessary, there for a reason, etc, she begrudged a couple of trot laps, we popped a couple of fences. Going wasn’t great, didn’t love the feel over a fence but then the warmup did look worse than the course.
So we headed out. My only thought to fence 1 was ‘oh, #%^*, this is deep’. One of us is professional though and Vivs had already found a shot, met it well, on we went. Resolved to focus on the course now I was out there, however much I was regretting it. Two and three we had good shots but she twisted as she jumped them. She can do that but normally it’s when we’re on a funny distance. Hm. Four the takeoff was awful, tried to set her back for it, don’t know if that helped much. Next three were in the woods and the going was better under the trees. Coming out she twisted over the parallel rails at 7, knocked her hinds on it. She’s a scopey little horse but she was having to try very hard just to get across fences. That rattled us a bit, 8a and b was an upright then right angle turn to a skinny on a mound. Brought her back for 8a, turned up the mound, bounced off the skinny. Took me a few seconds to process this as, well, it’s never happened before. I’ve had her over 3 years, I’d never evented before her, she has put up with some truly questionable riding along the way, and she has never considered stopping. Milled around at the base of the mound for a bit whilst I considered this, popped her over the skinny on the top, then retired.
Now. Viva can be a quirky little sausage. But she’s clever, brave and scopey, and if she doesn’t want to jump, I’m not going to make her. I’m not soft, don’t get me wrong, I’m quite happy to kick a green horse round and make it happen, but that’s not Viva. She popped it fine second time, but whether she slipped going in, or just didn’t see it, it’s not like her. She’s like a little honing missile locking on to every fence she sees. (Terrified me in my second ever 90 by locking on to the intermediate table.)
So we hacked back, fed her post-comp strawberries (it’s a tradition) and went back home to regroup. Definitely lessons have been learned - in hindsight I would have withdrawn before XC. But also I went out on to the course without my mind made up, and so I didn’t help her out. If I wanted to get round I needed to give her confidence. If I didn’t, I shouldn’t have started. She’s a cracking horse, but she’s not a machine and I can’t take her for granted.
So a bit of a 2/3 day, just a different 2/3 than usual . Belsay cancelled too, so it looks like I’ll change my Catton entry to the novice for a confidence boost. And then plan for Upton Intermediate if all good at Catton. In future, will make better decisions. Hopefully.

 

[TheMule]

Welp. We did the Novice at Bishop on Sunday, or, actually, we did 2/3rds of the Novice, and I pulled up halfway round XC.
It was a complete mudbath. Viva was most unimpressed by the going in the dressage warmup and started doing her angry plank of wood impression. But I’d got there in good time so we could work through it, and just gave her walk breaks so she could decompress. We did a mostly accurate test and pulled a 33.5!. Fairly average! Middle of the pack! Tenth after dressage! Not perfect, but it’s a lot better than usual. And from a training pov just pleased that I was able to de stress her enough for a decent test.
Came back from dressage looking like we’d done a day’s hunting, there was mud up to her quarter marks. Ran round the XC course, the actual fences looked nice, not as big as Osberton but some good combinations. The going was mud, though. They’d done their best to grit the landing and takeoff, and fair play for running it when everything else is cancelling, but it was deep. Went back, thought I’d see how we started off.
There was a hold SJ so I curried favour with Viva and got off to hand graze her for a bit. Evidently this is a successful strategy because she put in a lovely round, one rider error pole when I didn’t get my shoulders back in time for an upright but otherwise really smart. Especially as I haven’t been able to jump her for a couple of weeks so we had a very exuberant pony.
So. 2/3. We’d done a decent dressage. Decent SJ. Sitting in a very respectable 7th place. Could we, maybe, finish on a top ten placing? Usually her dressage precludes this from occurring so it was quite a novelty. We said hello to the XC warmup steward, and Viva knows what’s what, immediately cantered off. Reminded her warmup really was necessary, there for a reason, etc, she begrudged a couple of trot laps, we popped a couple of fences. Going wasn’t great, didn’t love the feel over a fence but then the warmup did look worse than the course.
So we headed out. My only thought to fence 1 was ‘oh, #%^*, this is deep’. One of us is professional though and Vivs had already found a shot, met it well, on we went. Resolved to focus on the course now I was out there, however much I was regretting it. Two and three we had good shots but she twisted as she jumped them. She can do that but normally it’s when we’re on a funny distance. Hm. Four the takeoff was awful, tried to set her back for it, don’t know if that helped much. Next three were in the woods and the going was better under the trees. Coming out she twisted over the parallel rails at 7, knocked her hinds on it. She’s a scopey little horse but she was having to try very hard just to get across fences. That rattled us a bit, 8a and b was an upright then right angle turn to a skinny on a mound. Brought her back for 8a, turned up the mound, bounced off the skinny. Took me a few seconds to process this as, well, it’s never happened before. I’ve had her over 3 years, I’d never evented before her, she has put up with some truly questionable riding along the way, and she has never considered stopping. Milled around at the base of the mound for a bit whilst I considered this, popped her over the skinny on the top, then retired.
Now. Viva can be a quirky little sausage. But she’s clever, brave and scopey, and if she doesn’t want to jump, I’m not going to make her. I’m not soft, don’t get me wrong, I’m quite happy to kick a green horse round and make it happen, but that’s not Viva. She popped it fine second time, but whether she slipped going in, or just didn’t see it, it’s not like her. She’s like a little honing missile locking on to every fence she sees. (Terrified me in my second ever 90 by locking on to the intermediate table.)
So we hacked back, fed her post-comp strawberries (it’s a tradition) and went back home to regroup. Definitely lessons have been learned - in hindsight I would have withdrawn before XC. But also I went out on to the course without my mind made up, and so I didn’t help her out. If I wanted to get round I needed to give her confidence. If I didn’t, I shouldn’t have started. She’s a cracking horse, but she’s not a machine and I can’t take her for granted.
So a bit of a 2/3 day, just a different 2/3 than usual . Belsay cancelled too, so it looks like I’ll change my Catton entry to the novice for a confidence boost. And then plan for Upton Intermediate if all good at Catton. In future, will make better decisions. Hopefully.

Well done for making the right decision- you have to run them in that ground sometimes as you can’t always avoid it, but it definitely is not fun! The dressage and SJ is really encouraging too. Shame about Belsay…. I was amazed to get a run today at Mendip Plains, it looked certain to cancel yesterday, but I was one of the first to go so had the best of it!

 

[TheMule]

We went eventing
Nova hasn’t been anywhere since last April () so this is a big deal for me. Just a 90 run at Mendip Plains to get us back in the swing of things to hopefully make a bit of progress this year.
Dressage he was a bit wild in the warm up and unfortunately my arena had the lorry track running the length of the long side and bumpy trailer track on the judge’s end which wasn’t entirely conducive to a great test, but he does know to go there, concentrate and he does try. 36 was a bit disappointing tbh, but her comments were right, he needs to be more supple and the balance needs to improve in the canterwork.

SJ he went a little bit spooky to fence 3 and I hit a bit of a duff shot to it so had it down, then jumped well round the rest but I need to get the canter a bit more punchy to jump 100 next time

XC he was just a delight- he is so sweet and he bumbles along in a lovely rhythm. No pulling, no spooking, no fuss. He is naturally a bit slow so I tried to take the tightest lines and angled a couple but the ground was properly tacky and he just isn’t the type to float across it so we were 4 seconds over

Finished mid-field but I’m very happy. 3 weeks now to slim him down, fitten him up and jump some bigger courses ready for Oxstalls 100

 

[Sail_away]

We went eventing
Nova hasn’t been anywhere since last April () so this is a big deal for me. Just a 90 run at Mendip Plains to get us back in the swing of things to hopefully make a bit of progress this year.
Dressage he was a bit wild in the warm up and unfortunately my arena had the lorry track running the length of the long side and bumpy trailer track on the judge’s end which wasn’t entirely conducive to a great test, but he does know to go there, concentrate and he does try. 36 was a bit disappointing tbh, but her comments were right, he needs to be more supple and the balance needs to improve in the canterwork.

SJ he went a little bit spooky to fence 3 and I hit a bit of a duff shot to it so had it down, then jumped well round the rest but I need to get the canter a bit more punchy to jump 100 next time

XC he was just a delight- he is so sweet and he bumbles along in a lovely rhythm. No pulling, no spooking, no fuss. He is naturally a bit slow so I tried to take the tightest lines and angled a couple but the ground was properly tacky and he just isn’t the type to float across it so we were 4 seconds over

Finished mid-field but I’m very happy. 3 weeks now to slim him down, fitten him up and jump some bigger courses ready for Oxstalls 100

View attachment 140226
View attachment 140227

Well done! He looks very pleased to be out . Mine is also on a slimming diet - getting back out eventing is not trimming her up as much as I’d hoped it would…

 

[TheMule]

Well done! He looks very pleased to be out . Mine is also on a slimming diet - getting back out eventing is not trimming her up as much as I’d hoped it would…

He was a very happy boy, though he doesn’t really know what eventing is all about yet so we're still in that blissfully ignorant phase where they don’t get any adrenaline before xc and you can just hang out in the start box

 

[RachelFerd]

He was a very happy boy, though he doesn’t really know what eventing is all about yet so we're still in that blissfully ignorant phase where they don’t get any adrenaline before xc and you can just hang out in the start box

Well done - great to be back out and lovely photos.

Ps Simon can still just hang out in the start box despite being in his 10th season eventing!

 

[TheMule]

Well done - great to be back out and lovely photos.

Ps Simon can still just hang out in the start box despite being in his 10th season eventing!

Well that would be lovely- I’ve always had fruit loops

 

[iknowmyvalue]

We went eventing
Nova hasn’t been anywhere since last April () so this is a big deal for me. Just a 90 run at Mendip Plains to get us back in the swing of things to hopefully make a bit of progress this year.
Dressage he was a bit wild in the warm up and unfortunately my arena had the lorry track running the length of the long side and bumpy trailer track on the judge’s end which wasn’t entirely conducive to a great test, but he does know to go there, concentrate and he does try. 36 was a bit disappointing tbh, but her comments were right, he needs to be more supple and the balance needs to improve in the canterwork.

SJ he went a little bit spooky to fence 3 and I hit a bit of a duff shot to it so had it down, then jumped well round the rest but I need to get the canter a bit more punchy to jump 100 next time

XC he was just a delight- he is so sweet and he bumbles along in a lovely rhythm. No pulling, no spooking, no fuss. He is naturally a bit slow so I tried to take the tightest lines and angled a couple but the ground was properly tacky and he just isn’t the type to float across it so we were 4 seconds over

Finished mid-field but I’m very happy. 3 weeks now to slim him down, fitten him up and jump some bigger courses ready for Oxstalls 100

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Well done! You definitely got the best of the ground and weather! We were last to go in the 90 and the XC was an absolute mudbath (plus absolutely sheeting with rain!)

I think we must have been in the same arena with the same judge. I also got what I felt was a disappointing mark with fair comments for 35.8. Pepsi really doesn’t love the really deep mud and tries to avoid it which leads to a slightly wiggly test. And for all the same reasons as yours, a little distracted. Plus the rain didn’t help as he won’t turn his head into it

1 down SJ, I cut the corner to the double and didn’t get him straight. Paid the price. I’m kicking myself as I know this is something I do, and it quite often costs us poles. I need my instructor sitting on my shoulder telling me off as I’m going round Especially frustrating as he was jumping brilliantly, no sign of the napping we sometimes have issues with. Plus it now means we have to try and get our second DC for regionals somewhere else, and with Moreton gone I only have 1 possible run before then

XC Pepsi was amazing, the ground was awful. I’d have been thinking of withdrawing if it had been like it when I walked it. Proper mud bath, with patches of standing water. He went round like an absolute machine, didn’t look at anything, though given the way the rain was sheeting down I don’t think either of us could see much round the first half! Couple of questionable spots where my reins and gloves were too wet to actually be any use, but he saved me time and again for clear and 20s over the time.

Didn’t feel like we were going that slowly for the time pens, but suppose I was trying to stick to the slightly less bad ground and it wasn’t worth pushing him. Though we almost always are too slow, so I’m pretty sure the pilot has a lot to do with it, Pepsi would love to go everywhere at a flat out gallop!

But this is our final MER for Bicton 3DE, which was one of my major goals for this season, so I’m thrilled about that! And most importantly, I’ve got a sound and happy horse who loves his job!

 

[TheMule]

Well done! You definitely got the best of the ground and weather! We were last to go in the 90 and the XC was an absolute mudbath (plus absolutely sheeting with rain!)

I think we must have been in the same arena with the same judge. I also got what I felt was a disappointing mark with fair comments for 35.8. Pepsi really doesn’t love the really deep mud and tries to avoid it which leads to a slightly wiggly test. And for all the same reasons as yours, a little distracted. Plus the rain didn’t help as he won’t turn his head into it

1 down SJ, I cut the corner to the double and didn’t get him straight. Paid the price. I’m kicking myself as I know this is something I do, and it quite often costs us poles. I need my instructor sitting on my shoulder telling me off as I’m going round Especially frustrating as he was jumping brilliantly, no sign of the napping we sometimes have issues with. Plus it now means we have to try and get our second DC for regionals somewhere else, and with Moreton gone I only have 1 possible run before then

XC Pepsi was amazing, the ground was awful. I’d have been thinking of withdrawing if it had been like it when I walked it. Proper mud bath, with patches of standing water. He went round like an absolute machine, didn’t look at anything, though given the way the rain was sheeting down I don’t think either of us could see much round the first half! Couple of questionable spots where my reins and gloves were too wet to actually be any use, but he saved me time and again for clear and 20s over the time.

Didn’t feel like we were going that slowly for the time pens, but suppose I was trying to stick to the slightly less bad ground and it wasn’t worth pushing him. Though we almost always are too slow, so I’m pretty sure the pilot has a lot to do with it, Pepsi would love to go everywhere at a flat out gallop!

But this is our final MER for Bicton 3DE, which was one of my major goals for this season, so I’m thrilled about that! And most importantly, I’ve got a sound and happy horse who loves his job!

You definitely got the rough end of the deal there, I was done and dusted in brilliant sunshine and the ground was sloshy, but not mud.
Well done on a really positive sounding day- where do you go next?

 

[RachelFerd]

We also went eventing on this rather sombre day today.

Yesterday we were at Barrowcliffe XC schooling and both boys were fantastic -

Simon having his first xc jump since his face fracture that happened at the start of April -

Isaac having his first grass xc school since last year (started a little overenthusiastic but did settle and was super super straight and brave)

Then, after an overnight stay, Isaac went to Shelford today for his first run since his cumulative knocking down of every jump elimination panic at Frickley last August. He did a 33 dressage in a harshly marked section - his score mainly marred by the fact a 100 test is extremely boring compared to a Medium and he couldn't quite believe just how few things I was asking him to do

SJ was a better round than the score if that makes sense. He had 3 down, but he stayed rideable and felt confident enough. I need to ride with more trust to help him leave the poles up - but it felt confidence building rather than draining so I'll take it.

He then flew round the xc like a very happy boy and didn't give anything even the remotest second glance.



We've got a bit of a silly situation where his dressage is ready for 3*, his XC is ready for novice, but his SJ is still not established at 100 - but we WILL keep chipping away at it!!

Got back to the lorry to discover Belsay is cancelled - absolutely gutting for Simon... Did a quick entry for both of them at Catton instead. Just hoping hoping hoping for weather to keep everything OK. The ground on XC at Shelford was brilliant today at least - a few soft patches out the back, but super everywhere else.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

You definitely got the rough end of the deal there, I was done and dusted in brilliant sunshine and the ground was sloshy, but not mud.
Well done on a really positive sounding day- where do you go next?

Yeah, they actually took fence 12 (the ski jump) out while I was in the warmup and sent people over the 80cm one instead because the landing was that bad

Yeah really positive, I have a back burner aim to do a 100 before the end of the year, which is currently looking more and more achievable (though think I need to grow a pair first!)

We are off to Bramham next week! So today was a really good prep run, that’s only 80cm but championship level so hopefully will look pretty similar to what we’ve been doing at 90cm

 

[TheMule]

We also went eventing on this rather sombre day today.

Yesterday we were at Barrowcliffe XC schooling and both boys were fantastic -

Simon having his first xc jump since his face fracture that happened at the start of April -

Isaac having his first grass xc school since last year (started a little overenthusiastic but did settle and was super super straight and brave)

Then, after an overnight stay, Isaac went to Shelford today for his first run since his cumulative knocking down of every jump elimination panic at Frickley last August. He did a 33 dressage in a harshly marked section - his score mainly marred by the fact a 100 test is extremely boring compared to a Medium and he couldn't quite believe just how few things I was asking him to do

SJ was a better round than the score if that makes sense. He had 3 down, but he stayed rideable and felt confident enough. I need to ride with more trust to help him leave the poles up - but it felt confidence building rather than draining so I'll take it.

He then flew round the xc like a very happy boy and didn't give anything even the remotest second glance.

View attachment 140233

We've got a bit of a silly situation where his dressage is ready for 3*, his XC is ready for novice, but his SJ is still not established at 100 - but we WILL keep chipping away at it!!

Got back to the lorry to discover Belsay is cancelled - absolutely gutting for Simon... Did a quick entry for both of them at Catton instead. Just hoping hoping hoping for weather to keep everything OK. The ground on XC at Shelford was brilliant today at least - a few soft patches out the back, but super everywhere else.

Both boys are looking fab

 

[Cloudcomet]

We went eventing
Nova hasn’t been anywhere since last April () so this is a big deal for me. Just a 90 run at Mendip Plains to get us back in the swing of things to hopefully make a bit of progress this year.
Dressage he was a bit wild in the warm up and unfortunately my arena had the lorry track running the length of the long side and bumpy trailer track on the judge’s end which wasn’t entirely conducive to a great test, but he does know to go there, concentrate and he does try. 36 was a bit disappointing tbh, but her comments were right, he needs to be more supple and the balance needs to improve in the canterwork.

SJ he went a little bit spooky to fence 3 and I hit a bit of a duff shot to it so had it down, then jumped well round the rest but I need to get the canter a bit more punchy to jump 100 next time

XC he was just a delight- he is so sweet and he bumbles along in a lovely rhythm. No pulling, no spooking, no fuss. He is naturally a bit slow so I tried to take the tightest lines and angled a couple but the ground was properly tacky and he just isn’t the type to float across it so we were 4 seconds over

Finished mid-field but I’m very happy. 3 weeks now to slim him down, fitten him up and jump some bigger courses ready for Oxstalls 100

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Lovely photos!! And you had sun!
My daughter was in that dressage arena too and our horse is very traffic shy, but apart from one huge spook before he went in, he held it together really well. I was so proud!