HufflyPuffly
Well-Known Member
Ok, ok maybe not :lol:
.
We unbelievably got selected to represent team Wales for the Senior Inter Regional Championships, held last weekend at Keysoe EC :eek3:.
Now this is a regional event, not an international event, but as Wales is a whole country on it's own as well as being a region for BD, my parents have been busy telling friends and family I'm now an international sportsperson
. Surely this is only the start of our meteoric rise to the top, no :lol:.
Had a quick lesson with the fabulous Di Breeze before we left, I surpassed my usual inadequacy by failing to co-ordinate my aids for half-pass, massive brainfarting happened
. Di is so lovely, and kindly pointed out if I don't get the inside bend using my legs it isn't going to go well . Asides from that, or maybe Di felt that if she was nice to me I might get a sudden stroke of brilliance and regain some idea of how to ride , as long as I keep the shoulders up and kick on it was all good :biggrin3:.
Then rode through my test, Topaz promptly tried to drop my on my head, by spooking into the first halt:eek3:... However the lovely judge roped in to give us pointers, was super lovely and gave me loads of tips of where to pick marks up when Topaz tries to drop me (on my head or otherwise :biggrin3
.
Looong journey down to Keysoe, think I know why I've never been before now! Settled Topaz in to the team Wales stabling, did the arena familiarisation (definitely did not accidentally twang the hedge and scare other horses), and then got on with meeting the rest of the team.
Up bright and early for a whirlwind day of helping out team mates and riding my warm up and team test.
Topaz said arena 3 was très scary, so really tried to focus on keeping the engagement and shoulders up, but tension obviously still in attendance, an obedient test but lacking some swing and rhythm. Decided on a super short warm up for the actual team test, as I really didn't want her to get tired as well as tense and behind the leg, as well I'm just lazy and don't 'do' actual kicking :lol:. Unfortunately for me, we seemed to get the awol judge who seemed to need varying amounts of unscheduled breaks... Half an hour after my time :rolleyes3:, and then nearly 8 mins trotting round the arena (this is actually a whole eternity in a dressage arena I checked the definition), we made it up the center line! I really think I worked much harder than Topaz in that test , have I mentioned I don't do working hard :eek3:!
So with my face now matching the very fetching Welsh colours, at least we had completed day one, I'd not fallen off, been a nuisance or really embarrassed ourselves and I'd not been banished to another team :lol: success I'd say :lol:. Small quoffing of a smidge of wine occurred that night, you know just to get in the team spirit of socialising, (though we did abandon the idea of a barbeque as the rain descended).
Day 2 of the team Welsh experience, arrived with no rain and a surprising lack of hangover, life wins were high! New arena for Topaz, but got her in front of my leg and was feeling confident when another horse whinnied to her just as we started... Topaz spent the whole test trying to spy where her new friend was, and saying "be my friiiiieend" back ...
However, we were super consistent with 65% in every test, ending up individual 15th in the medium class! Managed a good handful of 8s (not that the judges could agree for which movements and when, they should be given for :lol, and get this we had no unexpected flying changes :eek3:! Team Wales overall had some stonking scores and great team and individual placings .
Im so thrilled to have been selected and that we didnt disgrace ourselves, first champs of the season done and I think a great start. If anyone is thinking about going for teams I'd definitely recommend it, I had the best time! Plus got to briefly meet a fellow HHO'er .
.We unbelievably got selected to represent team Wales for the Senior Inter Regional Championships, held last weekend at Keysoe EC :eek3:.
Now this is a regional event, not an international event, but as Wales is a whole country on it's own as well as being a region for BD, my parents have been busy telling friends and family I'm now an international sportsperson
. Surely this is only the start of our meteoric rise to the top, no :lol:.Had a quick lesson with the fabulous Di Breeze before we left, I surpassed my usual inadequacy by failing to co-ordinate my aids for half-pass, massive brainfarting happened
. Di is so lovely, and kindly pointed out if I don't get the inside bend using my legs it isn't going to go well . Asides from that, or maybe Di felt that if she was nice to me I might get a sudden stroke of brilliance and regain some idea of how to ride , as long as I keep the shoulders up and kick on it was all good :biggrin3:.Then rode through my test, Topaz promptly tried to drop my on my head, by spooking into the first halt
:eek3:... However the lovely judge roped in to give us pointers, was super lovely and gave me loads of tips of where to pick marks up when Topaz tries to drop me (on my head or otherwise :biggrin3.Looong journey down to Keysoe, think I know why I've never been before now! Settled Topaz in to the team Wales stabling, did the arena familiarisation (definitely did not accidentally twang the hedge and scare other horses
), and then got on with meeting the rest of the team.
Up bright and early for a whirlwind day of helping out team mates and riding my warm up and team test.
Topaz said arena 3 was très scary, so really tried to focus on keeping the engagement and shoulders up, but tension obviously still in attendance, an obedient test but lacking some swing and rhythm. Decided on a super short warm up for the actual team test, as I really didn't want her to get tired as well as tense and behind the leg, as well I'm just lazy and don't 'do' actual kicking :lol:
. Unfortunately for me, we seemed to get the awol judge who seemed to need varying amounts of unscheduled breaks... Half an hour after my time :rolleyes3:, and then nearly 8 mins trotting round the arena (this is actually a whole eternity in a dressage arena I checked the definition), we made it up the center line! I really think I worked much harder than Topaz in that test , have I mentioned I don't do working hard :eek3:! So with my face now matching the very fetching Welsh colours, at least we had completed day one, I'd not fallen off, been a nuisance or really embarrassed ourselves and I'd not been banished to another team :lol: success I'd say :lol:. Small quoffing of a smidge of wine occurred that night, you know just to get in the team spirit of socialising
, (though we did abandon the idea of a barbeque as the rain descended).Day 2 of the team Welsh experience, arrived with no rain
and a surprising lack of hangover, life wins were high! New arena for Topaz, but got her in front of my leg and was feeling confident when another horse whinnied to her just as we started... Topaz spent the whole test trying to spy where her new friend was, and saying "be my friiiiieend" back ...
However, we were super consistent with 65% in every test, ending up individual 15th in the medium class! Managed a good handful of 8s (not that the judges could agree for which movements and when, they should be given for
:lol, and get this we had no unexpected flying changes :eek3:! Team Wales overall had some stonking scores and great team and individual placings . Im so thrilled to have been selected and that we didnt disgrace ourselves, first champs of the season done and I think a great start
. If anyone is thinking about going for teams I'd definitely recommend it, I had the best time! Plus got to briefly meet a fellow HHO'er .
Skylla is definitely the same size as Topaz still!!!!
