Thistle
Well-Known Member
Had a 2 and a bit hour journey, but didn't have to leave until lunchtime as her times were so late. Had to drive all the way there in heavy drizzle with the lights on, not good when you have your daughter going XC at 5.26, assuming running to time!.
Walked the seemingly enormous XC course, watched a bit of the SJ, but didn't see any clears and had lunch.
Dressage warmup was made exciting by a loose horse that couldn't be caught, having broken it's riders wrist whilst being mounted! willough settled and did her test. It was 122, long arena (never ride in one and fields too muddy at home to practice) with rein back (Willough learnt how to do it this week!, usually rears when asked!) and 2 lots of lengthened strides. Bee did an OK test, at least it was better than she expected, but still near the bottom. Got 2 7's for her free walk and the trans through trot to canter straight after, very pleased with that as have been working on it. Also got 6's for the lengthed strides which she has only just learnt do do.
Then off the SJ. Reported to very unhelpful steward who kept all the running order clutched to his chest on a piece of paper, to be told running 20 mins late! put Willough back on lorry, eventually SJ'd approaching 5'30. By this point the ground was badly cut up and had very deep take off and landings adding a good 5cm to each of the already huge and well up to, if not slightly over height fences. Found out that so far only 4 clears, out of a section of about 35. Well Willough was a superstar, she was so good, cleared everything by a good 6 inches, despite completely missing going into the treble, thank god for hunting! Bee just kicked and let her sort it out. By this time I was grinning madly and going blue in the face from holding my breath. Last 2 fences had fallen for many people, a lightweight upright, down hill, followed by a huge oxer, I could have parked my car in the spread!, on 4 strides, she met it perfectly and was clear inside the time (many got time faults).
Now I was just starting to believe that our 14.2 bog pony could indees make the move to Novice.
Quickest tack change we have ever done, then off the XC start only to find Bee has left number in lorry!, gallop back through lorry park and back to start, as she is approaching is given 30 secs and off she went.
When we walked course I thought fence 2 may stop her, a full up farm trailer with a sleeper in front, she flew, as she continued to do for the whole course, made everything look easy. However she really struggles to make the time being a Sec D X New Forest with short legs. There weren't really any short cuts she could take as the places that you could have taken a risk were strung.
When scores went up we found she was one of only 2 double clears, the other being Mary Edmunson, who is very experienced.
Unfortunately because her dressage and the time had penalties she wasn't placed, but we are delighted with her.
She was the only midget in the section, and we know Bee can improve the dressage now she has the need to.
Best thing is knowing the this was the inexpensive PC pony that we bought to take Bee 2'6 - 3 ft, which has answered every question we have ever asked her over 4 years.
Walked the seemingly enormous XC course, watched a bit of the SJ, but didn't see any clears and had lunch.
Dressage warmup was made exciting by a loose horse that couldn't be caught, having broken it's riders wrist whilst being mounted! willough settled and did her test. It was 122, long arena (never ride in one and fields too muddy at home to practice) with rein back (Willough learnt how to do it this week!, usually rears when asked!) and 2 lots of lengthened strides. Bee did an OK test, at least it was better than she expected, but still near the bottom. Got 2 7's for her free walk and the trans through trot to canter straight after, very pleased with that as have been working on it. Also got 6's for the lengthed strides which she has only just learnt do do.
Then off the SJ. Reported to very unhelpful steward who kept all the running order clutched to his chest on a piece of paper, to be told running 20 mins late! put Willough back on lorry, eventually SJ'd approaching 5'30. By this point the ground was badly cut up and had very deep take off and landings adding a good 5cm to each of the already huge and well up to, if not slightly over height fences. Found out that so far only 4 clears, out of a section of about 35. Well Willough was a superstar, she was so good, cleared everything by a good 6 inches, despite completely missing going into the treble, thank god for hunting! Bee just kicked and let her sort it out. By this time I was grinning madly and going blue in the face from holding my breath. Last 2 fences had fallen for many people, a lightweight upright, down hill, followed by a huge oxer, I could have parked my car in the spread!, on 4 strides, she met it perfectly and was clear inside the time (many got time faults).
Now I was just starting to believe that our 14.2 bog pony could indees make the move to Novice.
Quickest tack change we have ever done, then off the XC start only to find Bee has left number in lorry!, gallop back through lorry park and back to start, as she is approaching is given 30 secs and off she went.
When we walked course I thought fence 2 may stop her, a full up farm trailer with a sleeper in front, she flew, as she continued to do for the whole course, made everything look easy. However she really struggles to make the time being a Sec D X New Forest with short legs. There weren't really any short cuts she could take as the places that you could have taken a risk were strung.
When scores went up we found she was one of only 2 double clears, the other being Mary Edmunson, who is very experienced.
Unfortunately because her dressage and the time had penalties she wasn't placed, but we are delighted with her.
She was the only midget in the section, and we know Bee can improve the dressage now she has the need to.
Best thing is knowing the this was the inexpensive PC pony that we bought to take Bee 2'6 - 3 ft, which has answered every question we have ever asked her over 4 years.
