Grace's first BD report in a VERY long time :-)

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_jetset_

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Yesteraday morning I begrudgingly got out of my bed at 5am and made my way to the yard... it was the freakin' middle of the night!!!

I had plaited Grace up Friday night, so just had to give her a quick brush, put her boots on etc. and then it was time to set off at 6am. It was no surprise that there was absolutely no traffic whatsoever on the road and we got to Aintree in plenty of time
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I tacked up Grace and she was a bit electric about being out again... so I just let her stretch a lot in the warm up and relax. I didn't really get the chance to work her up much before going in for the test but just wanted it all to be calm for her as didn't want to blow her brain on her first time out
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There was a table with a dark blue velvet table cloth on just before the judges box. Grace decided it was a Grace eating monster and just flat refused to go past it
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So when the 20m circle in canter came at C she tucked her bottom under and ran away from it
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I was quite surprised she came out with 65.2%
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When I warmed her up for the second Prelim I expected her to be quieter and a bit more chilled about things. But she came over quite stressy and tight and I had to work her really quietly and sensitively
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I was doing a pretty good job of it, but then a few horses passed quite close and she just exploded, bucking and squeeling... the most embarressing part is that she set off three others too
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The second test went okish, but she was getting tired by then and onto the forehand. I need to work lots on getting her more on her hind legs now as I feel I can ask a bit more from her. We came out with 61.8% so the marks reflected this, but I was just so pleased that she coped with it all after so long away
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Warming up for the first test... look how dark it is!
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Getting ready for the second test...
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Trying to get her to pose for a picture but she wanted to get on with things...
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The second test...
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Spot the pony...
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Thank you
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She still has a lot of muscling up to do yet and transitions are needed to get her sitting back like she used to, but I feel as though we are getting there and she is such a sweetheart that I am really looking forwards to us moving forwards now we have our first one out of the way
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Wow Grace is looking wonderful (I haven't really seen pics of her since her op)
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Well done to you both
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Thanks Kao... I love her to distraction, so am quite biased
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I think she could be a really nice looking horse when she is fitter and had more topline as she has quite a weedy neck
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oooo how very posh - posh lorry, posh pony, posh arenas, blimey!
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well done

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I really liked Aintree... will certainly be going back again!
 
Very well done to you for getting out of bed so early on a Saturday morning! Grace looks very well
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Aintree looks amazing. I'm going there for the first time on Saturday for jumping so it's nice to see a sneak peek!
 
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She looks very well
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great to hear you out and about
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Thanks... I have never known her to eat the way she is doing at the moment
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She always used to leave her hard feed, but now it is gobbled up in one
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I was even worrying she was getting a bit porky but her work will be increasing too over the next month if everything goes to plan
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Very well done to you for getting out of bed so early on a Saturday morning! Grace looks very well
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Aintree looks amazing. I'm going there for the first time on Saturday for jumping so it's nice to see a sneak peek!

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It was not an easy fete I tell you... I almost passed out when I saw my time on Thursday
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It is a great venue, the main arena is just stunning!
 
Well done, R!! Great piccies too - I can spot that burger bar! was she okay with it? When I went to Aintree, the white railings had been put across half of the warmup, looks much better from your pics. Think I would have fainted at getting that time, tho!
 
I think I would have stayed in bed! Winter weekends are for lie ins not early starts which I save for eventing in the summer. The arena does look stunning. I've heard there isn't a cafe though or even somewhere warm to sit which is annoying as I'll be there from 8.30am to about 6pm.
 
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Well done, R!! Great piccies too - I can spot that burger bar! was she okay with it? When I went to Aintree, the white railings had been put across half of the warmup, looks much better from your pics. Think I would have fainted at getting that time, tho!

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I was lucky, it was quite quiet when I was in the main arena
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She was quite spooky at several things including the flower pots
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There were white fences in the warmup making a smaller area at the bottom for people to remove boots, get on etc etc. I think it was a good idea because it kept the warm up moving if that makes sense
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I think I would have stayed in bed! Winter weekends are for lie ins not early starts which I save for eventing in the summer. The arena does look stunning. I've heard there isn't a cafe though or even somewhere warm to sit which is annoying as I'll be there from 8.30am to about 6pm.

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There is a 'posh' burger van and tables and seats at the side of the arena...
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To me, a cafe would have been a good idea but the sausage sandwiches were lovely!
 
I had just assumed there would be a smart and, most importantly, warm cafe for all those who are hanging around all day. Hopefully it won't be too cold and we can get the heating in our horsebox to work!
 
Glad you had a good time! I did think of you yesterday - but not at 5am!
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Aintree looks lovely - I will have to find a comp there too! She looks really good.
 
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Glad you had a good time! I did think of you yesterday - but not at 5am!
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Aintree looks lovely - I will have to find a comp there too! She looks really good.

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Thank you... I am hoping to take her to the next one, so we could meet up for a cup of tea
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I was looking forward to your report and well done .
She looks massive against you in that picture then when you are on her you look great together. So what is next?

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She has definitely grown quite a bit since I first got her and is now standing at dead on 17.1hh (well, she was in March 2008).

This was her back in November 2007 on her second week of box rest:
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And 13th June 2007 at her first BD
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we could meet up for a cup of tea
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Good idea, that would be great, but I couldn't see any more BD dates on their website
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(Not checked BD website though........)
 
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we could meet up for a cup of tea
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Good idea, that would be great, but I couldn't see any more BD dates on their website
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(Not checked BD website though........)

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There was one in Feb but think it has been cancelled
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There is one prelim on 25th Feb I think.
 
Well done, I'm so pleased that she's back in buisness for you
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I love Aintree! Its so light and open - its never that quiet for the BSJA
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Well done! I did see your second test and I did mean to say hello but there were sooooo many people I knew there that by the time I'd stopped to chat to everybody it was time to leave!

EVERYTHING was spooking at that blue table!

Do you know where you finished up in the second class? I believe it was being marked quite erm firmly so that is a darn decent score.
 
No, I don't know where I came in the second, I just came away because it was quite low and I'd been there since 7am
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Her second test was too much on the forehand and I just didn't want to start correcting her or getting after her when she was being so good in there
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But next time I feel a lot more confident in her to push her more and start asking more of her as I do at home
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She has blown her brains on me in the past when competing, so a few pottery rounds will do her good if it keeps her head level
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Thanks hun... there have been times when I have questioned whether everything we went through was worth it
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But she was such a good girl on Saturday, I feel a lot more confident about starting to ask more of her out competing now
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I am umming and ahhing about whether to go an do the unaffil there this weekend, same venue so she will be a little more settled... what do you think???
 
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