Santa_Claus
Well-Known Member
Today finally got back out eventing. Last event was back at the beginning of April at Larkhill, had planned to be at Tweseldown two weeks ago but a horse had escaped got into Fleur's field and kicked her about 3 or 4 weeks ago now so she had been off games and limited to hacking and schooling on grass only for a while. For those interested wound started as below
Had a nasty bit in the middle that was well rather yuck!
but now looks like this (a few days old pic but improving daily thanks to manuka honey
)
So happy that wound was now scabbing over nicely and Fleur obviously fit and sound I managed to get a late entry into Ascott Under Wychwood after getting in off the wait list. AUW is a new venue for me having moved a few months ago to Wiltshire and an easy just over hour drive which is always nice. Arrived in good time with it drizzling and set off to walk the XC. I cheated somewhat I started (and finished
) at fence 12 because of the layout of the course. Ground was hard and although there was good grass cover the drizzle was creating an ice rink situation, Bigger spikey studs were a must although couldn't go too big as no real give to ground but the little ones weren't even going to get past the grass!
Course itself was nice, nothing too big or imposing, a rather tight turn though from a wall/brush fence to a mini ski jump type fence but more to that later
Dressage first and the start of wishing I had front studs. As a rule I don't like front studs especially jumping so I don't use them. Today I wished I had them. She slipped slightly a good 3 times in the warm up so although she worked in very nicely I was being very conservative and not really pushing her up and forward as much as I could have.
Just before I went in stopped for a natter with another HHOer
The test itself was 'safe' but far better than Larkhill, she was softer but a big slip in the bottom corner of the arena which had a large dip meant I rode her very back each time we came back round that corner. No further slips and a generally pleasing test. Me and Friend watching (and photo taking) thought a 32/33 so slightly disappointed with a 35.5 but the judge wasn't being overly generous and we were easily top half so I was happy.
On to the SJ and wow poles flying everywhere and horses slipping all over the place. I told myself if at any time I felt her to be unsteady on her feet/slipping I would retire as I would far rather a happy confident pony than a disaster. Thankfully she is a naturally well balanced horse and she obviously appreciated the need to listen and jumped a lovely clear round. I trotted round the worst corners just in case which I think definitely worked in our favour as it kept her confidence. other than 1 or 2 fences where I misbehaved I thought my position was a lot better as well (thanks LouiseM 
) although still significant room for improvement.
Lastly to XC, I had already decided I would not be chasing time, the aim was a DC (trying to get Blenheim trizone qualifiers ) and a happy horse. Seeing the speed some were taking corners left me cringing I must say. So off we set although not dawdling round I was steadying for corners and being far more concious of turns and footing and not putting my foot down. Overall was a lovely round, she had half a look at the water (i.e. I had to put my leg on and give a 'grrr') but in no danger of stopping, but she did fly far too high over the top of the wall/brush fence meaning we were never going to be able to make the turn to the ski jump without ending up on her side so I brought her back to an almost halt staying in a straight line so she didn't slip then quickly turned and trotted up the ramp and over the mini ski jump, thankfully she is quick off the leg
Ended up with 17 and a bit time penalties (40 odd seconds over time!!) but only 1 in my section (the winner!) made the time and only 13 overall across the 4 full BE100 sections (so 150ish!). But I was thrilled as she gave a much better feel in the dressage and topped off with a good double clear in difficult conditions. The time penalties cost us a rosey but I really didn't mind as I have a sound happy horse to bring home.
Off to West Wilts now next weekend and seriously hoping the forecasted rain (which has started to fall!) will soften up the ground a bit!
Incase you can't see pics above (some people's computers don't like Flickr linked images apparently!) then link to whole album below which has the good the bad and the ugly!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiemortimore/sets/72157630015319922/
Had a nasty bit in the middle that was well rather yuck!
but now looks like this (a few days old pic but improving daily thanks to manuka honey
)
So happy that wound was now scabbing over nicely and Fleur obviously fit and sound I managed to get a late entry into Ascott Under Wychwood after getting in off the wait list. AUW is a new venue for me having moved a few months ago to Wiltshire and an easy just over hour drive which is always nice. Arrived in good time with it drizzling and set off to walk the XC. I cheated somewhat I started (and finished
) at fence 12 because of the layout of the course. Ground was hard and although there was good grass cover the drizzle was creating an ice rink situation, Bigger spikey studs were a must although couldn't go too big as no real give to ground but the little ones weren't even going to get past the grass!Course itself was nice, nothing too big or imposing, a rather tight turn though from a wall/brush fence to a mini ski jump type fence but more to that later
Dressage first and the start of wishing I had front studs. As a rule I don't like front studs especially jumping so I don't use them. Today I wished I had them. She slipped slightly a good 3 times in the warm up so although she worked in very nicely I was being very conservative and not really pushing her up and forward as much as I could have.
Just before I went in stopped for a natter with another HHOer
The test itself was 'safe' but far better than Larkhill, she was softer but a big slip in the bottom corner of the arena which had a large dip meant I rode her very back each time we came back round that corner. No further slips and a generally pleasing test. Me and Friend watching (and photo taking) thought a 32/33 so slightly disappointed with a 35.5 but the judge wasn't being overly generous and we were easily top half so I was happy.
On to the SJ and wow poles flying everywhere and horses slipping all over the place. I told myself if at any time I felt her to be unsteady on her feet/slipping I would retire as I would far rather a happy confident pony than a disaster. Thankfully she is a naturally well balanced horse and she obviously appreciated the need to listen and jumped a lovely clear round. I trotted round the worst corners just in case which I think definitely worked in our favour as it kept her confidence. other than 1 or 2 fences where I misbehaved I thought my position was a lot better as well (thanks LouiseM
) although still significant room for improvement.
Lastly to XC, I had already decided I would not be chasing time, the aim was a DC (trying to get Blenheim trizone qualifiers
) and a happy horse. Seeing the speed some were taking corners left me cringing I must say. So off we set although not dawdling round I was steadying for corners and being far more concious of turns and footing and not putting my foot down. Overall was a lovely round, she had half a look at the water (i.e. I had to put my leg on and give a 'grrr') but in no danger of stopping, but she did fly far too high over the top of the wall/brush fence meaning we were never going to be able to make the turn to the ski jump without ending up on her side so I brought her back to an almost halt staying in a straight line so she didn't slip then quickly turned and trotted up the ramp and over the mini ski jump, thankfully she is quick off the leg
Ended up with 17 and a bit time penalties (40 odd seconds over time!!) but only 1 in my section (the winner!) made the time and only 13 overall across the 4 full BE100 sections (so 150ish!). But I was thrilled as she gave a much better feel in the dressage and topped off with a good double clear in difficult conditions. The time penalties cost us a rosey but I really didn't mind as I have a sound happy horse to bring home.
Off to West Wilts now next weekend and seriously hoping the forecasted rain (which has started to fall!) will soften up the ground a bit!
Incase you can't see pics above (some people's computers don't like Flickr linked images apparently!) then link to whole album below which has the good the bad and the ugly!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiemortimore/sets/72157630015319922/
)
seriously crazy amounts I put it down to her being 1/4 freisian! 