MontyandZoom
Well-Known Member
So after the advice from CR peeps, I decided to step up a gear with Zoom and do the bigger class a the hunter trial at East Bysshe yesterday. (despite her bad behaviour last weekend).
Bit of background for those who don't know, Zoom is a 14.3hh one-eyed ex-polo pony I was give for £1. She had not jumped EVER, and I had only jumped a couple of times and was terrified! We started jumping 18months ago and have learnt together
Well on paper, it was a VERY bad day.......two classes - two eliminations
BUT - in reality, it was the best day ever!!!
We did the 2'3 pairs leading my friend on her very green horse. Zoomy jumped an easy clear without even trying, but unfortunately my friend's horse said no very adamantly at one of the fences. However, it was a great round for Zoomy and made me even more sure that I should do the bigger class.
I walked the course,
it was soooo scary. The first 2/3 was fine bar the coffin. It was rail, ditch, rail and, although the rails were small, the ditch was a fair size and we have never done a proper ditch so I was slightly worried. However, I then turned into the last field. *GULP* some big fat tyres , a hedge that was bigger than anything we have ever jumped (the rails in it were only 2'6 but it had a foot of hedge above that, someone actually complained to the organisers that it was overheight) and then a wide bench painted like a piano.
OH walked the course and said 'you've got 50/50 chance of getting round'....thanks darling
Zoom was raring to go in the start box, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GO! We bounced on the spot for a while then Zoomed off. The first 3 were easy-peasy, she hit the tiny log with her fronts but that was a good thing since it got her listening before the big 'uns. came over the next few then curved back towards the coffin, tried to trot through, Zoom had a tantrum and launched over the rail and then put a huge jump in over the ditch. We landed to the right far too close and so I pulled up and snaked back on ourselves before cat-leaping the second rail from a walk - not pretty but penalty free!
Then down the big step over two brushes back into the main field. She was going beautifully Then there was an angled upright next to the lake. It was very dark and you were jumping into the wooded area. 10 strides away, Zoom said no I couldn't get her near it, she was snorting and going mad. We were eliminated but the fence judge said I could continue. Luckily the next rider came through and we tucked in behind. Honest girl, she went over it (although about 5 foot too high). Round into the main field, opened her up and we were flying, popped over the tyres no problems at all then round the corner to the hedge. I was grinning from 4 strides out since I knew she was going to jump it She jumped the whole height eeeeek but she loved it. Then popped the bench, little brush and tiger trap to come home.
I was actually weeping!!!! Huge pats to a clever girl. I saw 4 more riders eliminated at the same fence when getting an icecream so not feeling disappointed.
Who knew that the little one-eyed poo-coloured pony that was dumped on me would get me jumping. Love her lots and lots and lots
More photos later but here's one for starters
http://www.horleydrc.co.uk/club1/photo-album/img-2299.html
Thanks for reading.
Bit of background for those who don't know, Zoom is a 14.3hh one-eyed ex-polo pony I was give for £1. She had not jumped EVER, and I had only jumped a couple of times and was terrified! We started jumping 18months ago and have learnt together
Well on paper, it was a VERY bad day.......two classes - two eliminations
BUT - in reality, it was the best day ever!!!
We did the 2'3 pairs leading my friend on her very green horse. Zoomy jumped an easy clear without even trying, but unfortunately my friend's horse said no very adamantly at one of the fences. However, it was a great round for Zoomy and made me even more sure that I should do the bigger class.
I walked the course,
it was soooo scary. The first 2/3 was fine bar the coffin. It was rail, ditch, rail and, although the rails were small, the ditch was a fair size and we have never done a proper ditch so I was slightly worried. However, I then turned into the last field. *GULP* some big fat tyres , a hedge that was bigger than anything we have ever jumped (the rails in it were only 2'6 but it had a foot of hedge above that, someone actually complained to the organisers that it was overheight) and then a wide bench painted like a piano. OH walked the course and said 'you've got 50/50 chance of getting round'....thanks darling
Zoom was raring to go in the start box, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GO! We bounced on the spot for a while then Zoomed off. The first 3 were easy-peasy, she hit the tiny log with her fronts but that was a good thing since it got her listening before the big 'uns. came over the next few then curved back towards the coffin, tried to trot through, Zoom had a tantrum and launched over the rail and then put a huge jump in over the ditch. We landed to the right far too close and so I pulled up and snaked back on ourselves before cat-leaping the second rail from a walk - not pretty but penalty free!
Then down the big step over two brushes back into the main field. She was going beautifully
Then there was an angled upright next to the lake. It was very dark and you were jumping into the wooded area. 10 strides away, Zoom said no I couldn't get her near it, she was snorting and going mad. We were eliminated but the fence judge said I could continue. Luckily the next rider came through and we tucked in behind. Honest girl, she went over it (although about 5 foot too high). Round into the main field, opened her up and we were flying, popped over the tyres no problems at all then round the corner to the hedge. I was grinning from 4 strides out since I knew she was going to jump it She jumped the whole height eeeeek but she loved it. Then popped the bench, little brush and tiger trap to come home. I was actually weeping!!!! Huge pats to a clever girl. I saw 4 more riders eliminated at the same fence when getting an icecream so not feeling disappointed.
Who knew that the little one-eyed poo-coloured pony that was dumped on me would get me jumping. Love her lots and lots and lots
More photos later but here's one for starters
http://www.horleydrc.co.uk/club1/photo-album/img-2299.html
Thanks for reading.
