lex2501
Well-Known Member
This will no doubt be long, gushy and absolutely full of photos so look away now if likely to offend you 
All of the photos posted on here have either been taken by Ultimate Images and purchased specifically for use on social sites or by my Dad so please don't spoil the fun by pushing buttons...
So following our 4th placing at Munstead BE90 a couple of weeks ago, we headed off to Larkhill for another BE90. Munstead provided our third Regional qualification so the pressure was off for Larkhill and we went with the intention of having fun
We picked up Luce1 and her lovely new ride Jack and headed off to the Salisbury plain with our fingers and toes crossed that the ground would be ok. The Larkhill team deserve a huge pat on the back as the going and the courses were fantastic so I felt more than happy to run my special little chap.
Mum and Dad came along with Super-Groom-Stan in time for the dressage and Mum couldn't resist a few pre-dressage cuddles...
We strolled across to the warm up and bumped into Hattikins and the fabulous Jack as they were heading back. Sadly missed their test as it was an absolute cracker but was lovely to have a chat
I did my usual warm up of working Billy long and low for 15 mins, then picking him up and heading across to the arena. We certainly don't look terribly impressive bumbling around with his head on the floor but it works so I stick with it. He was his typical consistent self in the test and cruised around doing everything in the right places
He is never going to set the world alight, and is built completely downhill but judges seem to like him - I think he gives them a wink as he goes up the centre line and they can't resist that little face of his . I had seen a 21 had been posted in our section so I didn't have high hopes to trouble them, but hoped to crack the 20s
Dressage score hadn't appeared before I went across to the SJ warm up and soon noticed that they were reading out scores as people were going in - my pet hate! I noticed the parents coming our of score tent before heading across to the warm up so asked Mum and she eventually told me we had scored a whopping 22
yes... 22 so we were lying in 2nd, with a fair margin to the rest of the field I nearly fell of the grey scamp at the point! I tried my hardest to suppress the competitive streak in me but it reared it's ugly head and I felt the pressure! He jumped well in the warm up and I managed to get him to annihilate a front pole just before going in I had obviously fed some signals down the reins as Billy also got pretty nervous and needed a lead into the ring and then shot off like a rocket and dragged me around for a very ugly round but my goodness me - he was not going to touch a pole and we were clear
And just to show what a fiesty little monster I had on my hands....
This is one of my favourite shots of the day - please note that is not blood round his mouth... it's actually carrot juice and a little on his neck for good measure When cleaning his bridle this morning I noticed he had a sticky minty, carrotty bit... caught red handed!!! But you can't deny that he goes well when powered by carrots and polos
[Content removed]
SJ has definitely been our achilles heel so I was thrilled to have jumped clear - but some of our issues had re-appeared since Munstead so back to the drawing board slightly.
And then it was time for Billy's favourite bit We strolled across to the start with Star on her cracking orange pony who seems to share some of Billy's naughtiness about XC warm ups and start boxes In fact there were three of us with very lit up beasties in the warm up including a poor girl on a very nappy chap with no one on hand to help - cue Monty Roberts aka my very-unhorsey dad and fits of giggles from me and Mum watching him work his magic and tame the beast! Unfortunately he was so busy horse whispering that he missed my round... so not many pics for this bit... Whilst warming up I had heard over the tannoy that the horse with the dressage of 21 had incurred 5.2 time penalties so the win was within reach! After a lead into the start box (thank you John for stepping in whilst Monty Roberts was otherwise engaged!) we scooted off and got a good shot to the first. He hung slightly towards home on the right hand bend to fence 2 and 3 then whizzed up the hill to the 4th and I put the handbrake on and stuck us into the base. Gave myself a talking to and then saw lovely bold, forward strides from there on and Billy gave me a cracking round to finish clear inside the time!
[Content removed]
I came through the finish line to hear that we were unbeatable in the section and felt enormously emotional. My little horse who was bought to be a hack, fractured a leg a few years ago and has the conformation of a camel had carried me to one of my proudest moments eventing (sorry, I did warn you it would be gushy!!). I absolutely adore this little horse, he is without doubt one in a million with a heart of gold. This photo absolutely sums up what a very special part of our family he is... gosh, will need the kleenex soon!
So wow, what a day! That is now RF qualification number 4 - we physically cannot get to more than 4 so he has now maximised our chances of Badminton 2013 We will now step up to 100s - no pressure, just fun before the regionals start in August. A win is nothing if you don't come home with a happy sound horse so I was thrilled that Billy was very smiley this morning and enjoyed a mooch around the lanes on the buckle. Does anywhere know where I can buy cotton wool horse suits?
Another highlight of the day which needs a mention is meeting up with a great set of friends who I have made through this forum. Yes there are people who spoil the fun on here, but I have made some great friendships with people who make the eventing experience even more fun! Special shout outs to Luce1, Star, James6 , Hattikins and Santa_Claus. It was so lovely to see you all and thank you for all your kind words. It seems everyone came home with a rosette too so fab day all round
Easter eggs to all who got this far - bet there aren't many of you! Phew!
ETS: Quick turn around for Portman on Tuesday with Murphy for the Open Novice - I'm hoping Billy has given him a few dressage- judge charming lessons before hand - we follow Andrew Nicholson into the arena - DOH!!
All of the photos posted on here have either been taken by Ultimate Images and purchased specifically for use on social sites or by my Dad so please don't spoil the fun by pushing buttons... So following our 4th placing at Munstead BE90 a couple of weeks ago, we headed off to Larkhill for another BE90. Munstead provided our third Regional qualification so the pressure was off for Larkhill and we went with the intention of having fun
We picked up Luce1 and her lovely new ride Jack and headed off to the Salisbury plain with our fingers and toes crossed that the ground would be ok. The Larkhill team deserve a huge pat on the back as the going and the courses were fantastic so I felt more than happy to run my special little chap.Mum and Dad came along with Super-Groom-Stan in time for the dressage and Mum couldn't resist a few pre-dressage cuddles...
We strolled across to the warm up and bumped into Hattikins and the fabulous Jack as they were heading back. Sadly missed their test as it was an absolute cracker but was lovely to have a chat
I did my usual warm up of working Billy long and low for 15 mins, then picking him up and heading across to the arena. We certainly don't look terribly impressive bumbling around with his head on the floor but it works so I stick with it. He was his typical consistent self in the test and cruised around doing everything in the right places
He is never going to set the world alight, and is built completely downhill but judges seem to like him - I think he gives them a wink as he goes up the centre line and they can't resist that little face of his . I had seen a 21 had been posted in our section so I didn't have high hopes to trouble them, but hoped to crack the 20s
Dressage score hadn't appeared before I went across to the SJ warm up and soon noticed that they were reading out scores as people were going in - my pet hate! I noticed the parents coming our of score tent before heading across to the warm up so asked Mum and she eventually told me we had scored a whopping 22
yes... 22 so we were lying in 2nd, with a fair margin to the rest of the field I nearly fell of the grey scamp at the point! I tried my hardest to suppress the competitive streak in me but it reared it's ugly head and I felt the pressure! He jumped well in the warm up and I managed to get him to annihilate a front pole just before going in I had obviously fed some signals down the reins as Billy also got pretty nervous and needed a lead into the ring and then shot off like a rocket and dragged me around for a very ugly round but my goodness me - he was not going to touch a pole and we were clear
And just to show what a fiesty little monster I had on my hands....
This is one of my favourite shots of the day - please note that is not blood round his mouth... it's actually carrot juice
and a little on his neck for good measure When cleaning his bridle this morning I noticed he had a sticky minty, carrotty bit... caught red handed!!! But you can't deny that he goes well when powered by carrots and polos [Content removed]
SJ has definitely been our achilles heel so I was thrilled to have jumped clear - but some of our issues had re-appeared since Munstead so back to the drawing board slightly.
And then it was time for Billy's favourite bit
We strolled across to the start with Star on her cracking orange pony who seems to share some of Billy's naughtiness about XC warm ups and start boxes In fact there were three of us with very lit up beasties in the warm up including a poor girl on a very nappy chap with no one on hand to help - cue Monty Roberts aka my very-unhorsey dad and fits of giggles from me and Mum watching him work his magic and tame the beast! Unfortunately he was so busy horse whispering that he missed my round... so not many pics for this bit... Whilst warming up I had heard over the tannoy that the horse with the dressage of 21 had incurred 5.2 time penalties so the win was within reach! After a lead into the start box (thank you John for stepping in whilst Monty Roberts was otherwise engaged!) we scooted off and got a good shot to the first. He hung slightly towards home on the right hand bend to fence 2 and 3 then whizzed up the hill to the 4th and I put the handbrake on and stuck us into the base. Gave myself a talking to and then saw lovely bold, forward strides from there on and Billy gave me a cracking round to finish clear inside the time![Content removed]
I came through the finish line to hear that we were unbeatable in the section and felt enormously emotional. My little horse who was bought to be a hack, fractured a leg a few years ago and has the conformation of a camel had carried me to one of my proudest moments eventing (sorry, I did warn you it would be gushy!!). I absolutely adore this little horse, he is without doubt one in a million with a heart of gold. This photo absolutely sums up what a very special part of our family he is... gosh, will need the kleenex soon!
So wow, what a day! That is now RF qualification number 4 - we physically cannot get to more than 4 so he has now maximised our chances of Badminton 2013
We will now step up to 100s - no pressure, just fun before the regionals start in August. A win is nothing if you don't come home with a happy sound horse so I was thrilled that Billy was very smiley this morning and enjoyed a mooch around the lanes on the buckle. Does anywhere know where I can buy cotton wool horse suits?Another highlight of the day which needs a mention is meeting up with a great set of friends who I have made through this forum. Yes there are people who spoil the fun on here, but I have made some great friendships with people who make the eventing experience even more fun! Special shout outs to Luce1, Star, James6 , Hattikins and Santa_Claus. It was so lovely to see you all and thank you for all your kind words. It seems everyone came home with a rosette too so fab day all round
Easter eggs to all who got this far - bet there aren't many of you! Phew!
ETS: Quick turn around for Portman on Tuesday with Murphy for the Open Novice - I'm hoping Billy has given him a few dressage- judge charming lessons before hand - we follow Andrew Nicholson into the arena - DOH!!
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