Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Amazing day at Frickley. It was Brigante Cup Championship day which I had just missed out on for the 80. But decided to go up anyway to do our first 90 instead, as they had an open classes as well as the Championship classes. I was going alone and felt really sad about that as it’s been so lovely sharing eventing with Katie. And also a bit daunted at the thought of getting up at 3:30am navigating a long trip and coping all day alone. But once I was up and out, it felt better. And of course I was not alone – I was with Lottie.
Then I walked the course. It looked ENORMOUS. The first challenge was a rail with a hedge over which I went up to and realized was 110cm. But it was not very wide and had a nice approach so I told myself not to worry about it. The next challenge was a trappy roll top with brush on the brow of a hill but again I thought it would be ok if I came in with a balanced, bouncy canter. But after that there was a big roll top/brush to a skinny corner which needed a very accurate line. Oh help.
Then there was a frankly ridiculous open ditch, brush which was black-flagged. It was even black-flagged on the Championship 90 course. I looked around for the alternative hoping it would be a lot more forgiving but that was also really imposing. Big, wide and on a tricky line. Though I did not dare go right up to it so I’m not sure how big it actually was! But at least I was spared the ditch in front. By this time I was regretting doing Frickley as my first 90! And honestly just did not think I could possibly get round. Then there was an A-B-C element that was a big brush in over A then increasingly skinny through B and C. I needed Lottie to come right back to me after the first to keep her on her line - which is a work in progress. But by then I was like ‘I won’t make it this far so I don’t need to worry about it!’
I am glad I did not walk it the day before as I honestly believe I might have withdrawn. The whole thing just felt overwhelming anyway and that might have been the last straw. It was such a big step up from 80. I thiught I was prepared as I’ve done what instructors assure me are 90s in training but nothing I have ever jumped on Lottie was anywhere near as big as the bigger fences yesterday. But I was there anyway so figured I might as well give it a go.
Lottie was not great in the dressage. Not really sure why. She was inattentive and we just had a few silly errors. And a non-halting halt which is annoying as she normally nails that!
The SJ was straightforward and it felt like a nice, controlled round. She caught the planks at number 9 so I probably lost the canter quality towards the end of the round.
Then we headed XC and Lottie was just AMAZING. She was so calm standing in the start box that I wondered if I’d get her going quicky enough as you start round a corner and then number 1 comes up quickly. But she launched instantly into her lovely ground covering canter, locked onto the first and gave me more confidence with every fence. She just did not hesitate or deviate from her line at any fence. She was bold but listening and we flew round clear. The final question was a skinny roll top out of the water but she was fine over that and then I just needed to stay focused while jumping the fun, flowing ones on the way home. Did not want last-fence-itis. Or silly 'phew it's fine from here' mistakes.
An annoying handful of time pens as we missed the turn back into the woods but I am ecstatic with no XC jumping faults. Literally can’t believe it. So, so proud of her. And really excited now for next year. I need some GOALS!!
Next up Norton Disney BE90 for our last run of the year.
Then I walked the course. It looked ENORMOUS. The first challenge was a rail with a hedge over which I went up to and realized was 110cm. But it was not very wide and had a nice approach so I told myself not to worry about it. The next challenge was a trappy roll top with brush on the brow of a hill but again I thought it would be ok if I came in with a balanced, bouncy canter. But after that there was a big roll top/brush to a skinny corner which needed a very accurate line. Oh help.
Then there was a frankly ridiculous open ditch, brush which was black-flagged. It was even black-flagged on the Championship 90 course. I looked around for the alternative hoping it would be a lot more forgiving but that was also really imposing. Big, wide and on a tricky line. Though I did not dare go right up to it so I’m not sure how big it actually was! But at least I was spared the ditch in front. By this time I was regretting doing Frickley as my first 90! And honestly just did not think I could possibly get round. Then there was an A-B-C element that was a big brush in over A then increasingly skinny through B and C. I needed Lottie to come right back to me after the first to keep her on her line - which is a work in progress. But by then I was like ‘I won’t make it this far so I don’t need to worry about it!’
I am glad I did not walk it the day before as I honestly believe I might have withdrawn. The whole thing just felt overwhelming anyway and that might have been the last straw. It was such a big step up from 80. I thiught I was prepared as I’ve done what instructors assure me are 90s in training but nothing I have ever jumped on Lottie was anywhere near as big as the bigger fences yesterday. But I was there anyway so figured I might as well give it a go.
Lottie was not great in the dressage. Not really sure why. She was inattentive and we just had a few silly errors. And a non-halting halt which is annoying as she normally nails that!
The SJ was straightforward and it felt like a nice, controlled round. She caught the planks at number 9 so I probably lost the canter quality towards the end of the round.
Then we headed XC and Lottie was just AMAZING. She was so calm standing in the start box that I wondered if I’d get her going quicky enough as you start round a corner and then number 1 comes up quickly. But she launched instantly into her lovely ground covering canter, locked onto the first and gave me more confidence with every fence. She just did not hesitate or deviate from her line at any fence. She was bold but listening and we flew round clear. The final question was a skinny roll top out of the water but she was fine over that and then I just needed to stay focused while jumping the fun, flowing ones on the way home. Did not want last-fence-itis. Or silly 'phew it's fine from here' mistakes.
An annoying handful of time pens as we missed the turn back into the woods but I am ecstatic with no XC jumping faults. Literally can’t believe it. So, so proud of her. And really excited now for next year. I need some GOALS!!
Next up Norton Disney BE90 for our last run of the year.
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