It wasn't meant to be - Broadway RF & a reflection on my season

[lex2501]

As some of you will know, I have had a bit of a struggle with Billy's form over the last couple of months, right at the time when we are trying to make the most of our 4 RFs. Sadly I missed one due to a lost shoe, but thought 3 attempts should give us a really strong chance... oh how wrong I was

Our last attempt was at Broadway this weekend. I have really struggled with Billy's show jumping with him having 2 poles down at the last 3 events which is so out of character. So I took him to an unaffiliated SJ comp the weekend before Broadway to try and work out what was going wrong. Took him in the 90cms where he booted out 2 poles (again) being totally careless. I then took him in the 100cms where he jumped a super round to finish 3rd. It seems that we have slightly outgrown 90cms; they just don't back him off at all and I then struggle to see a good stride. Does anyone else find that the smaller the fence the harder to see a stride?!?!

Anyway, I spent all week hoping that the rain would force cancellation of Broadway so that I could spend the winter fixing our jumping demons in the hope that they would reschedule early spring. However, the text came through on Friday at 5pm giving the green light so I got Billy ready and headed to bed for an early night as we had to leave at 5.45am - ouch.

We arrived to a very muddy Broadway to be towed in by the tractor. So off to the dressage... The warm up was dreadful so I did very little with him and we headed over to the arena which resembled a ploughed field. My little soldier tried his heart out and did a very neat test for me. We ended up in 2nd on 31.5, with the best score being 30 so I was thrilled. Not bad at all for a RF on a little cheeky grey with minimal paces and appalling conformation

Then for the dreaded SJ. True to form, Billy kicked out 2 poles I was pretty gutted to put it mildly. With hindsight I totally over rode the course. Where I have lost all trust in him to pick his legs up, I was adding strides all over the place, and the 2 we had down I had buried him to. Bad Mummy, poor Billy

The cross country was one of the strongest I have seen for a BE90, and the ground was really influential with horses tiring easily and finishing with lots of time penalties. I thought a fast clear may well pay off so I decided to run cross country. He is such a super horse across the country and he skipped round making it much too easy as nothing was backing him off. We jumped the double before the house drop and I skimmed the corner and made an absolute mess of the turn and we ran past the drop without Billy even noticing we had just picked up the most ludicrous 20 penalties. I represented and he popped over without a second thought. He jumped the rest of the course easily, with just a handful of time penalties due to the stop. Thankfully we wouldn't have qualified had we gone clear but it was irritating to put 20 pens on his record, when both my boys hadn't had a single XC error all season 200% rider error - bad mummy , poor Billy

So there you have it - no Badminton for us. I would be lying if I said I wasn't totally gutted - this has been our goal for two years now and its devastating to think that 7 RF qualifications hasn't been enough. However, I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason so I'm just praying that the reason reveals itself very quickly to help me feel better. In my eyes, Billy is the national champion even if he doesn't go to Badminton to prove it Just having qualified for 4 RFs this year is a massive achievement in itself so he owes me nothing.

So what next... Well I now have to decide whether to keep Badminton as mine and Billy's pipedream which means holding off running Intermediate with Murphy for another season and sticking at CIC/CCI *s, or cracking on with both of them. Billy is more than capable of Novice by the second half of next season, and has shown that 90 is probably a bit too small for him so we will crack on with 100s in the spring. He has already racked up one 100RF for next year after his win at Iping I guess we will just play it by ear. Whatever I decide, it is clear as day that I owe it to them both to do some serious homework over coloured poles. I freely admit that I am useless in this phase, and also allow pressure to get to me too much, which I then pile onto my horses in the ring. Tons and tons of show jumping over the winter and hopefully I will come out next season a little stronger in this phase. I am perfectly capable at home, it just falls apart in the ring so BS here we come I am determined!!

Although this weekend was pretty galling - it has also given me a good opportunity to reflect on the season I have had. My boys have given me the most incredible year with some fantastic results which I am hugely proud of. The most important thing is that I have 2 happy and healthy grey boys who are probably just as excited about next season as I am. They are now having a well earned break but will start them up again in a month to really nail the show jumping.

Badminton or no Badminton, I have two fabulous horses who I absolutely adore ... bring on next year!!

P.S. Sorry for no photos from Broadway - I haven't been able to bring myself to look at them yet

 

[Alfami]

What a shame. But you know the most important thing is that you have two healthy happy horses who will be looking forward to next season as much as you.

You are also far from the only eventer who struggles with the coloured poles bit . Perhaps we should start a new sport - dressage and XC only!

Enjoy your winter's SJ.

 

[Leg_end]

How gutting for you. As for Badders vs cracking on.. Only you can make that choice but is it 'easier' to qualify at 100 than 90? If its just as competitive I personally wouldn't hold back two horses.. I suppose you would have to ask yourself if ou would be more gutted never moving to Int (as we know horses can go wrong so easily) or not going to Badders...

 

[Rach_W]

I'm so sorry for you, I know how gutted you are feeling now, having been in a similar position at Little Downham RF and had two down SJ (could have been second if clear), despite a double clear at BSJA earlier in that week!

I've had a bit more time to get over it now and have resolved to get my showjumping as strong as my dressage and XC over the winter so that we are strong in all three phases next year ready to try it all over again!

Well done for all the qualifications and sounds like you have had a fab sesaon despite not qualifying.

 

[BeckyD]

Really gutted for you, I had my fingers crossed that this would be it, that you'd make your Badminton trip at the last opportunity. I just can't believe your luck. To be honest, and you've said it yourself, having 7 RF qualifications in 2 years just goes to show what an amazing pair you are, as 1 RF can be put down to a fluke, but not that many! The problems you have experienced have instead been flukes.

I think you might have more luck trying to qualify at BE100 level - there seem to be fewer people qualifying at that level so the competition pool is smaller, if you know what I mean. Plus if he needs 1m to back him off, then you've got a good chance of jumping clear in the SJ.

Here's to a fit, healthy and happy winter BSing and then to a fabuolous 2013 season. And well done, by most standards you've had an absolute corker of a season

 

[Ali16]

Totally gutted for you, but bring on Intermediate!!

I know exactly what you mean re the SJ - it's so easy to get tense going I to the ring, worry about not finding a stride & hence the poles fall... It's only recently that I have felt more confident about my SJ. It will come... Might see you out SJ this winter!!

Lots of love to you and the grey boys & roll on 2013!!xxxx

 

[Firewell]

Aw bless you, you really have had a super year though so try not to feel too down. Things do happen for a reason and just think if you did qualify something may have gone terribly wrong at Badminton. It might be fate's way of saying that isn't your path.
I think you should crack on next year, especially if 90's are too easy now for Billy. I love your horses they are such stars .

 

[luce1]

(((
so gutted for you as Bily so deserves to strut his stuff in front of the infamous badminton house!!!!!
When do he 100 RFs start??

Are you allowed to have a go then if you qualify crack murphy on at Int?

 

[almostthere]

ahhh...soooo gutted for you and Billy but when the dust has started to settle a little take some time and sit down and a read back through all your posts on here this year and you will be reminded of what a fab sesaon you have had with your boys. I KNOW that is no consolation now but you clearly adore your horses (as do I from afar ;-)) and just seeing how many smiles they have brought you this year all in one place may well make you feel a bit better.
As for whether you go for Badders or not? I am not qualified to comment but how about a list of pros and cons? Helps me sort things out sometimes.
Good luck BSing and thank you for all the fab comp reports his season - they make me smile every time )

 

[lex2501]

What a shame. But you know the most important thing is that you have two healthy happy horses who will be looking forward to next season as much as you.

You are also far from the only eventer who struggles with the coloured poles bit . Perhaps we should start a new sport - dressage and XC only!

Enjoy your winter's SJ.

Yes - totally agree with you! Qualifying would have been a cherry on the top of a brilliant season so I can't complain really. I am so lucky to have had so much fun with my boys this year Hmmm... will try my hardest to enjoy my winter SJ although "enjoy" and "SJ" don't often go together in any sentences uttered from my mouth! Who knows though, we might just crack it and find that we quite like it

How gutting for you. As for Badders vs cracking on.. Only you can make that choice but is it 'easier' to qualify at 100 than 90? If its just as competitive I personally wouldn't hold back two horses.. I suppose you would have to ask yourself if ou would be more gutted never moving to Int (as we know horses can go wrong so easily) or not going to Badders...

I agree, I have such a rare opportunity to go Intermediate on one of the best cross country horses out there so I would probably kick myself if I looked back in a few years and realise I had wasted that opportunity. Ultimately, I will learn far more from moving up through the grades then I will going round Badminton (and probably not being competitive anyway!). On the other hand, there is no major rush so maybe we will just take things as they come. I could even pick an early 100RF for Billy, and then if it doesn't go our way then Murphy can cheer me up round and Intermediate We shall see but I will be sure to keep you all posted with whatever happens... I have learnt with horses that it is best not to make a plan anyway

I'm so sorry for you, I know how gutted you are feeling now, having been in a similar position at Little Downham RF and had two down SJ (could have been second if clear), despite a double clear at BSJA earlier in that week!

I've had a bit more time to get over it now and have resolved to get my showjumping as strong as my dressage and XC over the winter so that we are strong in all three phases next year ready to try it all over again!

Well done for all the qualifications and sounds like you have had a fab sesaon despite not qualifying.

Oh Rach, sounds like me and you can sulk together! These knock backs will only make us stronger though and actually, if I had qualified then I probably would have ignored the fact that my SJ needs serious work. So me and you can look on the bright side and say that this has really motivated us to come out next season really polished

Really gutted for you, I had my fingers crossed that this would be it, that you'd make your Badminton trip at the last opportunity. I just can't believe your luck. To be honest, and you've said it yourself, having 7 RF qualifications in 2 years just goes to show what an amazing pair you are, as 1 RF can be put down to a fluke, but not that many! The problems you have experienced have instead been flukes.

I think you might have more luck trying to qualify at BE100 level - there seem to be fewer people qualifying at that level so the competition pool is smaller, if you know what I mean. Plus if he needs 1m to back him off, then you've got a good chance of jumping clear in the SJ.

Here's to a fit, healthy and happy winter BSing and then to a fabuolous 2013 season. And well done, by most standards you've had an absolute corker of a season

Thanks so much Becky - you are right though, I am so lucky to have had such a brilliant season so I need to focus on that. It was hard not to daydream about the possibility of having a blast around Badders but this will have given me a really good kick up the backside to really focus on my weaknesses over the winter. Fingers crossed the 100RF might be just what he needs so I will try and sneak a couple more qualifications early in the season and see how we get on.

Totally gutted for you, but bring on Intermediate!!

I know exactly what you mean re the SJ - it's so easy to get tense going I to the ring, worry about not finding a stride & hence the poles fall... It's only recently that I have felt more confident about my SJ. It will come... Might see you out SJ this winter!!

Lots of love to you and the grey boys & roll on 2013!!xxxx

Ahh thanks Ali Never mind hey, onwards and upwards!

I become totally inept as soon as I enter the SJ ring and I ride like a complete wally. It has become such a mental issue to me now that I go in the ring, panic and over ride my poor horses, which in turn piles the pressure on them so it's no wonder we have poles. It's become a bit of a downward spiralling, vicious circle. I am now trying to turn the weekend into a positive as now I am actually going to do something about it, and I am bloody determined to come out next season with a new mindset. I am perfectly capable of jumping good rounds at home, it just falls to pieces in the ring so I do think I need to work on my head rather than necessarily what my body is doing

I'm sure I will get there though Lots of love right back at you and your lovely yard of 4-leggeds p.s. we think Stanley's wifey is preggers!!! xxxx

Aw bless you, you really have had a super year though so try not to feel too down. Things do happen for a reason and just think if you did qualify something may have gone terribly wrong at Badminton. It might be fate's way of saying that isn't your path.
I think you should crack on next year, especially if 90's are too easy now for Billy. I love your horses they are such stars .

Thanks Firewell. I totally agree with you and that's what I'm going to tell myself! Also considering booking myself a holiday in the sunshine somewhere in May next year

(((
so gutted for you as Bily so deserves to strut his stuff in front of the infamous badminton house!!!!!
When do he 100 RFs start??

Are you allowed to have a go then if you qualify crack murphy on at Int?

I know It's rubbish isn't it! We had so much support that I feel I have let so many people down too. The RFs won't be until Aug next year now. I only have 1 RF at the moment so will see how we get on in the Spring, but I will probably focus Murphy on CIC/CCI*'s in the first half of the season, then will go Int after the RF if Billy hasn't qualified. If by some miracle he does qualify, then I think Murphy will have to wait until after Badders 2014 to go Int!!! We shall see, plans with horses never work out how they are meant to so not counting any chickens just yet

ahhh...soooo gutted for you and Billy but when the dust has started to settle a little take some time and sit down and a read back through all your posts on here this year and you will be reminded of what a fab sesaon you have had with your boys. I KNOW that is no consolation now but you clearly adore your horses (as do I from afar ;-)) and just seeing how many smiles they have brought you this year all in one place may well make you feel a bit better.
As for whether you go for Badders or not? I am not qualified to comment but how about a list of pros and cons? Helps me sort things out sometimes.
Good luck BSing and thank you for all the fab comp reports his season - they make me smile every time )

Thank you thank you! Such a good idea to get a piece of paper out and put my thoughts down in black and white as it's all a bit emotionally driven at the moment! My instructor made the very good point that there is no harm in polishing my dressage and SJ on Murphy for another year before going Intermediate and I can always get my "bigger course kicks" over some CCI*s (already earmarked Hartpury ).

We shall see but whatever happens I promise to keep you updated.

Finally, I want to say an enormous thank you to you, and everyone else who has provided continued support throughout the season. It is so lovely to know that people are behind me, and enjoy hearing about the success I have had with my lovely boys I have no doubt that it has contributed to what has been a very memorable and special year

 

[Rach_W]

Oh Rach, sounds like me and you can sulk together! These knock backs will only make us stronger though and actually, if I had qualified then I probably would have ignored the fact that my SJ needs serious work. So me and you can look on the bright side and say that this has really motivated us to come out next season really polished

You sound much more pragmatic than I did! I actually sulked to such an extent that I withdrew after the dressage the following week at Tweseldown Unaffiliated Champs and went home as I just couldn't put my heart into it!!

Maybe see you SJ'ing this winter!

 

[lex2501]

You sound much more pragmatic than I did! I actually sulked to such an extent that I withdrew after the dressage the following week at Tweseldown Unaffiliated Champs and went home as I just couldn't put my heart into it!!

Maybe see you SJ'ing this winter!

Don't worry, it is taking some serious effort on my part not to spit my dummy out

Definitely - I think we must be in a similar area if Tweseldown is within your reach! Would be lovely to meet up and we can moan about SJ together

 

[sabel]

Ah lex2501, I was so sorry to read that Broadway didn't go well for you, I was so hoping you would get the qualification you and Billy deserve. I , like others, have thoroughly enjoyed your reports this season and look forward to reading many more next year.
Here's to a productive winter SJ and cracking on next season with plenty of clear rounds! (For me too!)

 

[James6]

I really admire you, you are so philosophical about it all. I think you have achieved so much this season and should look forward to 2013 with the 2 fantastic boys! x

 

[PorkChop]

Gutted for you

But like others have said, how fantastic to have had four qualifications, I just think you're being greedy Others would have been thrilled with your season, and you should be too. But we all are guilty of setting high goals for ourselves, and rightly so.

I am sure you will have a fab season next year

 

[star]

100RF's are so much easier to qualify from - the hardest thing is qualifying for them. I reckon you'll easily get another RF qual at beginning of the season so can then give them a go and if all fails crack on with Int with Murph. Totally gutted for you - was living my dreams through you. Maybe next yr we'll both live the dream!

 

[Orangehorse]

You are doing well, but you are frustrated that you aren't doing even better.

Why not go and have a series of lessons with a show jumping trainer, not a dressage or eventer, and concentrate of doing lots of show jumping during the winter. Try and analyse what is going wrong and think about how you can correct it.

Jolly good results generally though, well done.

 

[carthorse]

Move on. Dont waste time trying the same stuff.
Work at the sj jump a fence and halt in a straight line, turn jump another halt in a straight line. Work at this exercise until its easy. This improved my eventer so much and he started to balance after a fence on his hindlegs instead of forehand.Good luck