Hitting the Deck at Aston 4/3/13 - Pictures!

Deefa

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Ok, so it sounds bad but other than hitting the floor (the first time ever off the elephant) we actually didn't have a bad day lol
We were running late due to traffic so arrived only 40mins before dressage so by time i tacked up, got on board and hacked the many miles to the dressage he didn't have long to settle, plus being his first of he season he was qiute happy about the whole thing so did a forward but a little tense test and ended up with a 40 (still better than last year!).
Tack change and popped up to SJ, even at 90cm he romped round like they were tiny, had a very unfortunate pole on 2nd part of double but the actual round was good.
Then XC, warmed up well and set off like a pro over 1-3, got to fence four and he was happily rolling along untill 2 strides out and the anchors went on big time! not entirely sure what happened, but i didn't ride strongly enough as he seemed to be flowing well. Fence judge said she had seen qiute a few having problems at it even tho it looked simple enough (going into the sun maybe?) Anyway the elephant went on a jolly back to the warm up alone where a lovely lady caught him and legged me back on. Took him back and showed him the fence and then he popped it happily enough. Then he flew around the rest of the course as if it was nothing! Even the water he flew through!

Soooo, not a ideal day but some good points at least!

Photos!

Prof pic
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The fall lol
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Oops! Least you were ok! Madam did the same to me when she was a 4yr old there at almost the exact same point...! Definitely the positioning of the fence into the sun I think!
 
Oh dear - what I fine quite disturbing though is that the walkers don't even break stride!! Hope you are not too bruised!
 
Black horse - I never knew he could go that fast lol

Its strange, I don't hurt at all, not even stiff, with him being 18 hands I expected to be in agony.
 
Wow it's a long way down from 18 hands :eek: how lucky you were unhurt, although as McN says, the people walking the course didn't even slow down:( It does look a fairly straightforward jump but maybe he was doing what he was doing on the 2nd sj pic. - closing his eyes :) Don't you just love horses! I'm looking forward to reading your next report and good luck.
 
18 hands?! Blimey! I'm struggling to imagine how tall that is!!
Looking good in the non-fall photos :)

Handsome horse and beautifully turned out.

There are good points to having a tall horse, mine was over 18h. When ejected you have considerably more time to consider your fate on the way down and arrange any sticky out bits to roll into a ball. In fact, the last time I came off my big boy, a spectator told me I got a complete sentence out on the way down - ok it was a short one of, 'you rotten fecking bar steward'. You can also see much more out hacking and I found the traffic was more cautious.
 
Oops :o Glad you're not too sore yet! Having ridden P (also 18hh) I can imagine how far down it must be - I used to brace myself for dismounting, let alone falling!

He does look lovely in the other pictures though, very handsome boy :)
 
I saw you! He is huge!! Poor you he really did come hell for lether back to the start!

Glad u had a better time once reunited
 
Thank IAP, he is massive isn't he, sometimes I wish I could chop a few inches off his legs but at least the fences look smaller from up there!
He is off to camp on the 15th at somerford so lots of practice time!
 
Handsome horse and beautifully turned out.

There are good points to having a tall horse, mine was over 18h. When ejected you have considerably more time to consider your fate on the way down and arrange any sticky out bits to roll into a ball. In fact, the last time I came off my big boy, a spectator told me I got a complete sentence out on the way down - ok it was a short one of, 'you rotten fecking bar steward'. You can also see much more out hacking and I found the traffic was more cautious.

... time for parachute to open :) :)
 
Can't believe that is your first unscheduled dismount from him! What a great job you've done... he looks fab and I'm glad you're OK. Good to hear you finished the course too. :)
 
Bad luck - he looks as if he was going so beautifully up til that point that at least you can put it down to just being one of those things.

Good luck with the rest of your season - what a fab horse you've got :)
 
Ouch! 18hh is a long way down in my opinion, but you are talking to the person who finds anything over 15.2 hh huge. Lovely horse though and glad you are OK. Mind you, perhaps an air jacket might be in order, it will have plenty of time to inflate while falling off that height.
 
Thanks everyone
ThoeryX1 - I am seriously thinking of getting an air jacket as yesterday the only places that felt a little stiff were my back, just above and just below were my body protector finishes. Just looking at the types you can get at the minute.
 
In fact, the last time I came off my big boy, a spectator told me I got a complete sentence out on the way down - ok it was a short one of, 'you rotten fecking bar steward'.
I'm sorry but that's hilarious :o :D

Bad luck to the fall Deefa, but at least it's out of the way now - hopefully the rest of your season will be more successful :)
 
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