I am so so proud of Pidge

Pidge

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OMG I'm still in shock
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I have successfully completed my first ever hunter trial
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and am still in one piece
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Was very nervous this morning, which wasn't helped by mum giving us wrong directions to get there so we took a bit of a detour through Cannock
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Got to Eland Lodge at 9.30am and I was off at 10.09am so it was all hands on deck to get Pidge ready. BIG BIG thanks to sis, mum and dad, Cate21, Rachel and Aunty Carol
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Warmed up and popped 2 fences.
Well I was a tad nervous but Pidge did me proud there was no attempts at all of running out, mind you we did stop at quite a few of them early on and he either walked over them or stepped up on them and then went over them – good job they build them solid
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but at least no run outs or stops, bar the very last fence which was up to height and had those damn shrubs behind them
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We did take 10.06 and the time was 5.05 so had about 120 time faults as I did a reasonable amount of walk and trot to start with. And they also had me down for 2 refusals but don’t know where the second one was?
I got overtaken just after the second water splash and then Pidge decided to ping as it was too exciting following the other horse so I had no option but to let him go so we flew between the leap of faith fences, over the double of logs, never even looked at the trakenher (this was the black flag option you could miss it out on purpose but incur 20 penalties) or crocodile, flew the log pile and then it was my fault that he stopped at the last one
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but we scrambled over it somehow and then galloped over the finish line. Was absolutely shattered but so so pleased we had completed the course. I know it isn’t brilliant by some people’s standards but we got round in one piece which was the main aim of the day, especially seeing as in May I didn’t think he would ever come sound again
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Pidge then thought it was highly entertaining back at the box to stand with his front legs on the ramp so he could get a better look at what was going on, didn’t manage to get it on camera though.
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1. brush fence
2. log
3. brush fence
4. house
5. water splash
6. double of log and slatted fence
7. narrow roll top
8. pheasant feeder
9. wonky log uphill
10. step up and small log out
11. log downhill
12. 3 small steps downhill
13. water splash
Go inbetween the leap of faith fences
14. double of logs – short stride
15. trakehner
16. crocodile
17. log pile
18. big log with shrubs behind it

Sis had a few stops with Sunny but went round the whole course she just missed the logs up and downhill out and the last one as Sunny was tired as the course was just over 2000m and it was a tad hot.
 
Well done & bet you are raring to go for the next one!
LOL at the idea of Pidge just walking over some of the fences!
Do you have any photos?
 
Photos will be later when I can get them downloaded from mum and friends cameras. Professional ones come through the post.
Oh yes we walked over the first 4 fences, through the water and the walked over the first part of the double and then jumped the second part, the rest of the fences we did actually jump bar the pheasant feeder where we did step up on it and then over
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At least we provided the entertainment
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I know it's a lot of money £25 and a long day but I think we achieved a lot as he wasn't fazed by the atmosphere or the flags or judges and I will know next time to push on and just let him go as when I took the handbrake off he was fantastic
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going Somerford on Wednesday with a mad chestnut mare
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Eccelshall annual show Saturday, Stafford Riding Club show Sunday and the following Saturday mini HT at Ranton
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shame really as the next mini one at Eland Lodge clashes with SRC October show
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Brilliant!! Well done the pair of you!

A cunning plan before your next XC, take a quick trip across to Burghley and walk the course. Then when you go to your comp the fences look weeny!!
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didn't have to as the size of some of the open fences today was like
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think I'll stick to the mini one's at 2'3" at least if we stop he can walk over them so no penalties incured
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Lol stop it you're making me jealous lol as I wish I had the means to do more on my lads lol.
Have just packed job in as well only got a few weeks to work now. Tad relieved in one way so I can spend a bit of much needed time with the horses then going to look for something full time to get more money in, learn to drive and then I can start doing more with them as it is hopeless at the moment.
I am still up for Somerford next year though please keep me updated on that nearer the time though Sue as I would love to come
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best wishes
Cazx
 
Thnaks Caz
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once you can drive things will be much easier, can you do one of those intensive courses for a week? would make finding a full time job a lot easier if you could drive.
Do what i do with the horses, take one day at a time and things will start to happen, if you'd have ever said to me I would be doing a HT I would have had said I'd have more chance of winning the lottery as my biggest fear was jumping fixed fences
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However Pidge has given me the confidence to jump them so I owe him an awful lot
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Aw thanks Sue yes I know but sometimes it feels like a big uphill struggle. I think having horses is harder to manage than having kids personally lol.
I was going to do that. Learn to drive in a week but I could not raise enough money from the house last year when remortgaged to pay off ex as there was a difference of opinion between our estate agents valuation ( as were originally going to sell) and the valuation of the mortgage company. Personally I think they were being pedantic as I didn't and still don't agree with their valuation but there you go you cannot do much about it. Anyway as a result it took off about 3 grand off what we were going to borrow as extra and as I wanted the horses so much the driving went on hold.
Mistake really as I should have learned first and then I would have been in a better position now lol. Mindyou if we had then we would not have gone and bought Mcfly ( as Dougal was free on loan) and I love the cob to bits so I don't regret getting him.
Lol I dream a lot of winning that soddin lottery and have even seen my dream house in Yorks I want. Near the sea, stables, land, 4 beds, detached. Perfect and only just under half a million which I think is cheap for the accommodation, position and land lol.
I used to like jumping when I was younger Sue but have not jumped in ages and at the yard where I am now there is not the opportunity to really as Doug is such a big horse and the paddock you can go in is pretty small. It's ok for the ponies on the yard as they don't need the space to get around corners, and line up etc. Anyway part rant over lol.
I'm so pleased for you though Sue as I know after reading this forum you have had a fair bit of heartache over Pidge this year and it's great to see the pair of you well and truly turning a corner for good x
Cazx
 
Sounds like you had a great time with Pidge today.

I'm so happy for you Sue, I really am. He's a star, as is Sunny.

(Is it still ok to admit his name still tickles me though?
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Aw thanks sorry didn't have much time to chat as was running late prior to going round and was a tad nervous
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Am going to try his present on tomorrow, it won't hurt him if I ride him tomorrow will it? Usually give them a day off but the way he has been feeling think he needs the work
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Somerford is lovely and we have several free weekends coming up so let us know if you want to meet up there?
 
Yes we did thanks Clare, I know we walked over the first part of the course, fences included, but I feel so proud to say he's my horse as people there couldn't believe how genuine and honest he was to just walk over them. It makes me realise how much he has going for him and to not worry about his lack of dressage ability
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Go on tell everyone why you laugh everytime you say or hear his name.
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Congratulations hunny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I can just picture your lovely huge smile now!!!!!!!!

Pidge is a stunning boy and has done you proud as you have of him.

I'm really chuffed for you and think it is only fair that you have had such a fab day!!!!!
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Well done to both of you, isn't it great when you can put the rough times behind you and move on? Hope you go on from strength to strength.
 
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