Hattikins
Well-Known Member
Well my motto for the end of this season was probably "if at first you dont succeed, try, try and try again"!! I had 5 BE90 regional final qualifications with Jack and was hopeful that although we made not have it as easy as last season where we qualified at our first regional, we'd still perhaps qualify again.
I was right in thinking it wasnt going to be easy! At West Wilts RF we jumped a double clear but a dressage of 33 where the judge said I was inaccurate throughout (Ive ridden BE92 for 2 seasons now and every other test comments on my good accuracy so perhaps she was watching a different test or having a doze!?). So we ended up 12th and moved onto Firle regional where for a test that felt as good as the West wilts test, we got a 36.5 (the worst mark I've ever had with him!) so we showjumped a clear and then withdrew from the XC as we werent going to qualify on a final mark of 36.5 so I thought I'd save his legs.
From that we had a blast round Munstead 90 where Jack jumped beautifully again for a double clear and 3rd place on a 30 dressage. Feeling a little more hopeful we then ventured to BCA 90 regional where he produced again a lovely test and jumped a super double clear but a 31.5 left us in 7th and with only 31 starters we missed qualification by one place!! By this point we thought we might as well give up! 3 regionals down and only 2 to go, with the final 2 being a good 3 hour journey away as well, the pressure was beginning to mount a little!
Little Downham was the 4th attempt and was the day before I headed back to Uni so I really felt it was now or never! J travelled well despite the scorching heat and after a quick dressage session the night before he came out and produced a great test despite being in a long arena which had flummoxed a few! A test of 33.5 was enough to slot us into 6th initially with the lowest on 31. Jack yet again popped round double clear and unlike BCA where pretty much everyone finished on their dressage score, here there were mistakes being made which in the end pushed us up to 3rd and after chipping away over the past few weeks we finally qualified for Badders 2012!!
Mum breathed a sigh of relief that we wouldnt have to drive to Broadway for the final qualifier or haul me out of uni to get there! and after a jam packed eventing season with a bit of pootling about in the show ring thrown in for good measure, Jack is now enjoying a well earned rest until christmas when I come back from uni
And a quick photo or 2 of this season's highlight (the first was taken very kindly by an HHOer)
I was right in thinking it wasnt going to be easy! At West Wilts RF we jumped a double clear but a dressage of 33 where the judge said I was inaccurate throughout (Ive ridden BE92 for 2 seasons now and every other test comments on my good accuracy so perhaps she was watching a different test or having a doze!?). So we ended up 12th and moved onto Firle regional where for a test that felt as good as the West wilts test, we got a 36.5 (the worst mark I've ever had with him!) so we showjumped a clear and then withdrew from the XC as we werent going to qualify on a final mark of 36.5 so I thought I'd save his legs.
From that we had a blast round Munstead 90 where Jack jumped beautifully again for a double clear and 3rd place on a 30 dressage. Feeling a little more hopeful we then ventured to BCA 90 regional where he produced again a lovely test and jumped a super double clear but a 31.5 left us in 7th and with only 31 starters we missed qualification by one place!! By this point we thought we might as well give up! 3 regionals down and only 2 to go, with the final 2 being a good 3 hour journey away as well, the pressure was beginning to mount a little!
Little Downham was the 4th attempt and was the day before I headed back to Uni so I really felt it was now or never! J travelled well despite the scorching heat and after a quick dressage session the night before he came out and produced a great test despite being in a long arena which had flummoxed a few! A test of 33.5 was enough to slot us into 6th initially with the lowest on 31. Jack yet again popped round double clear and unlike BCA where pretty much everyone finished on their dressage score, here there were mistakes being made which in the end pushed us up to 3rd and after chipping away over the past few weeks we finally qualified for Badders 2012!!
Mum breathed a sigh of relief that we wouldnt have to drive to Broadway for the final qualifier or haul me out of uni to get there! and after a jam packed eventing season with a bit of pootling about in the show ring thrown in for good measure, Jack is now enjoying a well earned rest until christmas when I come back from uni
And a quick photo or 2 of this season's highlight (the first was taken very kindly by an HHOer)
