GBO and I go SportJumping at Hand!

SpottedCat

SpottedCat

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Did anyone else venture out for the SportJumping classes at The Hand this weekend?

I did - all eventing off and yesterday weather was ok, plus I am hacking distance so would have been silly not to go down there.

I saw from the schedule that they were sportjumping classes - but aside from having amazing prizes in the finals it didn't really tell me anything more about them. Well. Great classes for all us eventers whose proper outings had been cancelled....not so loved by the SJers from what I overheard!

I thought it was amazing! The courses were tricky - lots of turn-backs and doglegs, fence 5 was a quadruple (?!) of 4 fences (uprights) with one stride between, fence 9 was a triple of uprights on a curve round the corner of the arena set as a closed combination (this caused havoc with some people missing the B element entirely and plenty of horses thinking they didn't like the look of it!). Fences 6 and 10 you had a choice of 2 fences to jump, with the choice at 10 being either a big watersplash or planks, but if you took the planks they had a red flagged fence you had to go past so you couldn't do a tight turnback to 11 whereas if you took the water you could.

I entered the 1m and the 1.05/1.10open (in the 1.05 section). Due to all the events cancelling, the very pleasant Mr Spidge was there (yes, I did buy some pictures, no I won't post them so you'll have to click links because some numbskull will button push even though I specifically purchased social media pictures, cannot legislate for stupidity sadly).

In the 1m, which was single phase so rapidly hit 1.10, I managed to have two down, one my fault (couldn't see a stride, took leg off), one his (tapped out part 2 of the quadruple at 5). Went and gave myself a stern talking to as Chatter1 has been drilling me for a good year now to kick rather than take leg off, and walked the 1.05. By fence 8 the 1.05 seemed to me (and the markings on the fences) to be a bit closer to 1.15, but the work we've done in lessons has paid off as although it looked big, it did not look unjumpable.

8 faultitis was our problem again - had the second part of the quadruple down - he barely touched it but down it went, and then I went for a tighter turn from 7-8 because he was jumping so well and he just took 7 behind. I probably sat up a bit early or something.

Pics:

First fence in the 1m class
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...910686874_533551873_11725709_1937406305_n.jpg

Fence 8 in the 1m
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...915506874_533551873_11725716_2054850274_n.jpg

Fence 4 in the 1.05
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...916931874_533551873_11725719_1608628039_n.jpg

Fence 7 in the 1.05 (the red and white behind it is 8 and I was trying for the turn!)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...1918291874_533551873_11725723_350217081_n.jpg

The whole thing was incredibly good fun, I really enjoyed it, and I usually hate SJing! The GBO and I are getting our act together now though, and although 8 faults isn't great, it isn't horrific either and I think the pics show how well he is jumping now. Amazing to think that in Oct/Nov 2010 I could not get this horse over a 70cm oxer isn't it?!

More about sportjumping here: http://sportjumping.com/
 
That sounds like a really interesting adaptation of SJ- is it taking off? I live in a backwater of nowhere (aka Norfolk!) so things like that will miss us for a fair old while!

GBO is so dignified looking, and you look very happy together :) Those jumps are feckin enormous!
 
I'd never heard of it before Lolo so no idea if it is taking off or not! Basically, The Hand was the only venue pretty much anywhere in the south/southwest running anything yesterday so the whole world arrived there, so it seemed v popular!

It did cause a lot of problems - but then I am always amazed BSJA by how many people will get E in a couple of classes, be totally unphased by it and go and jump a third, bigger class (and often do well!). I tend to think I can't ride for toffee if I have a fence, and if there is a stop I might as well give up, so I quite like being reminded it isn't the end of the world!!

ETA: I think the idea is to raise the profile/up the popularity of SJ as the final is being televised on H&C TV and will have live betting. I loved it, and would definitely make an effort to enter again, but it did favour bold horses, almost over careful ones. It made fantastically entertaining viewing too, really good.
 
Sportjumping has been running for the last few years near us and while popular some competitors have concerns about the handicapping as it is subjective, something not present in BS competition. All credit to Bill Alexander and his team for trying to get something new off the ground.

A was favourite for one of the finals and was interviewed for a forthcoming Horse and Country TV programme about sportjumping. Good fun all round!
 
measles said:
Sportjumping has been running for the last few years near us and while popular some competitors have concerns about the handicapping as it is subjective, something not present in BS competition. All credit to Bill Alexander and his team for trying to get something new off the ground.

A was favourite for one of the finals and was interviewed for a forthcoming Horse and Country TV programme about sportjumping. Good fun all round!
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I didn't quite understand how the handicapping would work in the finals - it just said there would be some. I was presuming that in the unlikely event I ever managed to qualify for one, I'd jump first being as I am quite hopeless!

Not surprised A was a favourite - he can SJ well and his horses are bold enough to XC which is what I think you need for this class.

I really enjoyed it - if nothing else it was exceptional value for money, in the 1m class we got 17 jumping efforts!
 
Oo. That sounds really fun. Although no way could knobber jump a quadruple of anything. Unless, perhaps, if we trotted through :D

Lovely pics, although fence 8 in the metre class looks rather large for a metre :eek:
 
millitiger said:
Sounds like a really interesting concept.

Photos are great, you both look like you are having a lot of fun.
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It's quite cool really, I'd do it again. Thanks - we did both have fun - it's nice to actually be enjoying SJ (but shh, I didn't say that out loud).

jesstickle said:
Oo. That sounds really fun. Although no way could knobber jump a quadruple of anything. Unless, perhaps, if we trotted through :D

Lovely pics, although fence 8 in the metre class looks rather large for a metre :eek:
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I was a bit taken aback to see 4 fences in a line, but it jumped fine as long as you jumped in ok as was just an easy grid really.

I think by fence 8 we were technically in the 'jump off' section, giving them a 10cm leeway. They took full advantage of it ;)
 
SpottedCat said:
I think by fence 8 we were technically in the 'jump off' section, giving them a 10cm leeway. They took full advantage of it ;)
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That makes more sense. I was thinking holy cr*p, my radar is well broken if that is a metre! Quite relieved to hear it isn't as I'd never jump a metre class again if it were.
 
Sounds intresting and like you had a good day. I had to laugh at the little trees in the last photo nearly blown over.
 
Good way to keep ticking over! Sounds like lots of fun I've not heard of them before and agree plenty of jumping efforts.

Love your face in the last photo, where you are concentrating for the turnback!
 
Nice to meet you Spotted Cat and glad you like the piccies. Weather here today was poo, fortunately all jumping moved indoors which made the day feasible.

Speaking to the organiser today, he seems to have a well thought out concept and a good grasp of what it will take to make it successful. The handicapping allows a more experienced combination to be given time penalties to level the competition in favour of the less expensive/experienced horse and rider combination. It certainly livened up a standard BS show.
 
SpottedCat said:
The whole thing was incredibly good fun, I really enjoyed it, and I usually hate SJing! The GBO and I are getting our act together now though, and although 8 faults isn't great, it isn't horrific either and I think the pics show how well he is jumping now. Amazing to think that in Oct/Nov 2010 I could not get this horse over a 70cm oxer isn't it?!

Told u u could do it didnt I........ :D :D :D
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Lovely photos but I'm thinking you should drop the G from the GBO's name - he doesn't look at all grumpy :). Sounds like really good fun - hope it spreads to our part of the country.
 
dafthoss said:
Sounds intresting and like you had a good day. I had to laugh at the little trees in the last photo nearly blown over.
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It was so windy there on Sat!

dieseldog said:
I saw the photos on FB and thought they looked big!
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Thanks! You're a proper SJer too so they must be reasonably decent fences ;)

LJR said:
Fabulous photo's :D looks like a blast!
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Thanks LJR - it was good fun.

NR99 said:
Good way to keep ticking over! Sounds like lots of fun I've not heard of them before and agree plenty of jumping efforts.

Love your face in the last photo, where you are concentrating for the turnback!
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I never try for turnbacks/time usually, but as we'd had a couple down it didn't matter so I thought it was time to give it a go. It came off too, wish I had a pic over the oxer!

spidge said:
Nice to meet you Spotted Cat and glad you like the piccies. Weather here today was poo, fortunately all jumping moved indoors which made the day feasible.

Speaking to the organiser today, he seems to have a well thought out concept and a good grasp of what it will take to make it successful. The handicapping allows a more experienced combination to be given time penalties to level the competition in favour of the less expensive/experienced horse and rider combination. It certainly livened up a standard BS show.
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I think it was a smart move to go indoors, but am guessing the course had to be modified? The pics are great - those are the first pure SJ pics I have bought since 2007!

chatter1 said:
Told u u could do it didnt I........ :D :D :D
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You are wonder-trainer extraordinaire and I will keep providing cake ;)

Rosiefan said:
Lovely photos but I'm thinking you should drop the G from the GBO's name - he doesn't look at all grumpy :). Sounds like really good fun - hope it spreads to our part of the country.
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The GBO is never G at shows, he loves competing! He is very G at home though, poor unsellable creature who is only loved by me :( ;)
 
SpottedCat said:
The GBO is never G at shows, he loves competing! He is very G at home though, poor unsellable creature who is only loved by me :( ;)
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Sounds like mine! No one who sees pictures at shows can tell what a miserable fecker he is at home. What does B and O stand for?
 
jesstickle said:
Sounds like mine! No one who sees pictures at shows can tell what a miserable fecker he is at home. What does B and O stand for?
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Grumpy Bay One! This is because Chatter1 has a collection of nice bay ones so when he went to live with her, asking how the bay one was tended to elicit information about nice, friendly, useful horses ;)
 
SpottedCat said:
Grumpy Bay One! This is because Chatter1 has a collection of nice bay ones so when he went to live with her, asking how the bay one was tended to elicit information about nice, friendly, useful horses ;)
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Ha, using your logic BH would become GBH. Which actually wouldn't be too far off the mark :rolleyes:

Poor GBO, he looks very useful to me. Much more than mine anyway!
 
jesstickle said:
Ha, using your logic BH would become GBH. Which actually wouldn't be too far off the mark :rolleyes:

Poor GBO, he looks very useful to me. Much more than mine anyway!
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He is actually very useful and I quite like him even if no-one else did. I just wish the window of canter which leaves the fences up had just a bit more room for error in it.....he is very fussy!
 
I was one of the sjers who walked the course, decided against jumping and spent the morning moaning in the cafe with the other angry sjers lol! In fairness if i'd had a horse that would have done it (an eventer) i thought it looked like it could have been fun. The 1m class was certainly very entertaining to watch, never seen so many falls and eliminations in one class. I'd have been pleased to come away with 8 faults so well done!

I do think more should have been put in the schedule though as i wouldn't have bothered going up if i'd known it was going to be like that.
 
sassybebe said:
I was one of the sjers who walked the course, decided against jumping and spent the morning moaning in the cafe with the other angry sjers lol! In fairness if i'd had a horse that would have done it (an eventer) i thought it looked like it could have been fun. The 1m class was certainly very entertaining to watch, never seen so many falls and eliminations in one class. I'd have been pleased to come away with 8 faults so well done!

I do think more should have been put in the schedule though as i wouldn't have bothered going up if i'd known it was going to be like that.
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Thanks! I was pretty pleased with 8 faults.

I heard many many people saying the same thing, so you are not alone! I knew my horse wouldn't have any issues jumping round, but did think I'd be pushing my luck to go clear over that course.

It totally wasn't obvious that the course was going to be the way it was, and I was really taken aback when I walked it. Luckily having been over to Broomes doing the eventers challenge over the winter, the closed combination looked quite tame to me!

I did wonder about the watersplash bit though - I was not convinced that if you were forward enough to clear it you'd have any advantage on the turnback unless your brakes were very well lined, and I know the girl who won the 1m and she opted for the planks too (we were chatting about it before she went in).

I too have never seen such carnage in a 1m class. Think the main problem was people not realising the type of horse you needed to have in order to not rattle them. It was entertaining to watch, which was the point I guess.
 
Fabby pics! That sounds like a lot of fun... just to find somewhere up here that does it, as I reckon madam would love it!! You both look great though, and those fences are decent!!
 
KatB said:
Fabby pics! That sounds like a lot of fun... just to find somewhere up here that does it, as I reckon madam would love it!! You both look great though, and those fences are decent!!
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Thanks Kat! You should do one if you can, it was super-fun. I am quite pleased as usually I think fences look big enough and then on photos it is apparent I am only jumping sticks, so these were much appreciated (thanks Mr Spidge ;))
 
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