Firle report

[H-J]

Hi,

I went to Firle on Sunday and had a nightmare! Had the journey from hell, had to borrow a friends lorry which I am very greatful for but it is very old and usually carries a 12hh pony 10mins up the road! Could barely get up the hills in tunbridge wells!! went to a stand still at one point. Got there and the horse was very upset and stressed, tied him up and he proceeded to go mad at his travel boot and bolt off round the lorry park! Caught him and went to walk the course.

All looked fine apart from the madness around the SJ!

Off to the dressage couldnt lunge 1st cos the rope was spooking him! horse never like this! Amazingly got the best dressage id had Novice got a 40 so getting better.

Could not believe the park and the swings, bouncy castle etc!! Warm was awful so many people cutting you up etc went in and he jumped the 1st few lovely but was just not concentrating at all too much going on and was soooo sooo windy, he then had three down, I was gutted!! This is the horse who has done 5 double clears Newcomers!

Then on to the XC it had been such a poop day mum said do you want to withdraw but I said no and went XC he started off great and had great control then got to number six he jumped the log then darted out to the left majorly spooking at the stream and the kids sitting there! So I tried to persuade him to go forward as I knew if he got close to the ditch he would jump it, couldnt get him near it to show him it!! he was just snorting, then I heard the jump judge say 2 stops so I retired, no way I wanted an elimination on his record!! walked back very upset and as I was un booting him saw a big cut on his hind coronet band, he had studded himself!! Sounds about right for this day!!! Then took us 3 hrs to get home for a 2hr journey and apologised lots to horse when I got back for the sharp breaks!!!! Had a well deserved day off yesterday and will put the performance down to the lorry and the surroundings and off to Purston on the 14th!!!

 

[Saf]

Hi Holly

The SJ was very busy all around, well done on the dressage score

Thats the same spot they gave me a stop too, always thought horse had to step back my girl had just planted no movement.
Good luck at Purston, wanted to go but lorry has plate this afternoon so have not booked anything till I know we have a pass

 

[Bossanova]

Sister had a horrid day there too and we certainly will never be going back.
Caught out by same jump judge as well- Grinder baulked at the ditch but didnt stop/step back or anything and she called out first refusal!!

 

[H-J]

Yes Fitz didnt step back the second time but I got 2nd refusal, I will certainly not be going back there. I dont think a country fair goes with a BE event!!!!

 

[vic07]

Sorry you all had horrible days.

As a local I always think that the sj arena is good experience. XC is tricky and sj takes some riding, all the eventers locally sj alot so the courses at events are tricky and up to height. People under estimate how difficult xc is - its deceptive but much softer than it used to be. that ditch is a b*******, but smaller and less spooky than it used to be, and the pn used to do it!

at novice when jump judging we were told that any hesitation in forward movment is a stop.

Good luck for your next outings.

 

[ElleJS]

To be honest if you ever 3DE you have to be used to jumping with atmosphere. There are normally country shows going on like at Blair last week and Hartpury CCI's.
Sorry that you didn't have good times there, thats eventing for you! ups and downs eh.

 

[H-J]

Yes but you expect it at that level really.

Just thought it was all a bit close and people who didnt know anything about horses were quite close!!

And yes that is eventing I should know, ive had many more lows then highs!!!

 

[Hattikins]

really sorry u all had horrible days

firle was my first ever event last yr and i went for the intro- yes it was very buzzy around the sjing but it was great experience and i didnt feel it affected either of us at all really-but then i like an atmosphere!

i think that that ditch fence in particular is difficult but tbh ur going to get harsh fences judges sometimes-and its just unfortunate when it is at a fence u have trouble at

i felt the ground conditions at firle and the preparation of the courses was fantastic so i guess-look on the bright side