Jenny's next show - help me decide

ann-jen

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Jenny's back in full work after her injury and going really well. She's so far done 2 intro shows. She won the first one and came 3rd at the second one.
The next show we could feasibly get to is on Bank Holiday Monday at Richmond with a view to doing the 80cm open and possibly the 90cm amateur class. When I looked at the schedule there seemed to be an unfeasibly huge number of classes on and the 80cm was something like 8th class. I rang to see what time it was likely to start but it would seem there are going to be some classes held on grass in the field by the drive. Both the classes I was intending doing will be on grass rather than the arena.
We've had no rain here for weeks and the ground is rock hard. Apparently if it doesn't rain much over the next week Richmond have promised to water the area where the SJ will be and failing that it might be moved inside (which would be better for me).
There are a few reasons why I'm not keen to jump on grass, firstly because of Jenny's injury and secondly because she's a head the ball to jump on grass! I don't mind jumping on grass really its just I feel I need a few more shows under my belt before attempting it in terms of Jenny's general wappiness.
Am I being a total fanny? The other spanner in the works is Jenny's new saddle will be arriving the day before (hurray) but its so different to the wow that I'm not sure how I feel about going straight to a show in it. I could obviously just go in Jenny's old saddle but wonder if I should just miss this show and have a practice in the new saddle for a while and then go to our next show in a few weeks. The trouble is finding a show that has an "easy" class for me (not Jen) isn't that easy round here. I think there might be a show at Blue Sky in a few weeks but I haven't been there before and so don't know what its like. I could go to Holmside Hall in 4 weeks time but would have to do the BN there - but I'd have 2 weeks to get used to the new saddle for that...... I'm hopeless at decisions so any input would be great.
 
I bet your so glad she is back in work and prob keen to get out and compete in this lovely weather, but i agree the ground is a big problem atm. If you are questioning whether you should go, then maybe you shouldnt, i guess you dont have anything to prove to anyone if you get what i mean - your just doing it for you and your horse, and if you are getting your new saddle maybe just stay at home and play with that and build up your confidence so you feel more ready to go out and jump the BN, but your obviously doing well with her anyway! gd luck!
 
I second candy_pony. If it doesnt feel right dont go, im always wary of jumping on hard ground. Play at home, maybe you can take her schooling somewhere instead before you go and do the BN? Either that or pop by the place you havent been and take a look around, you might find a nice new venue!
 
i wouldn't risk jumping her on the hard ground just isn't worth it for the sake of doing a round plus ground can sometimes be a bit rutty
i quite like blue sky i know ive said this before - might be biased as never been unplaced which always helps in selling a place
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its often not really busy think the most in a class is 30 when ive been
the arena can be a bit spooky - flags on the walls but good change but something different round our way, jumps are pollyjumps
its maybe not as finished as richmond - they were building a tunnel to walk down from the warm up (outdoors which isn't always nice if its a windy cold day)
if thats not an option have some lessons either with normal trainer or try and find a group lesson i know northallerton have quite alot happening and get used to the saddle
 
Thanks everyone. I think in some ways I'd like the ground to be so bad they decide to hold the class indoors and if they don't I won't go.
Langside - does Blue Sky hold the class in their indoor arena even in the summer? It would be much better for me if they do because I can hold Jenny much better indoors than outdoors - she's feeling on absolute top form at the moment and as keen as ever! We've got some new fillers at home - I decided to pop over one of them today for the first time today. Jenny never looks at fillers no matter how funky they are so I thought there'd be no problem. I kept it really small the first time just in case and rode really positively - perhaps too positively as she pinged about 1.30m over it and it was only about 70cm LOL! I do love her but she does try to make my life interesting!
Anyway if Blue Sky do run indoors all year it'd be a good venue for me as Jenny is a much easier ride indoors.
As far as the saddle is concerned - it has a much flatter seat than the wow and a lot more blocking on the flaps so its really different to what I've got but it puts me in such a fab position and my lower leg is so secure in it that I'm hoping it won't take me long to get used to it and it'll make me feel more confidant jumping in the long run.
I train regularly with Philippa McKeever - I'm waiting for the saddle to come before I book another lesson but I'm sure she'll be able to get us up and going again in no time.
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il be very surprised if its not indoors they dont really have any fields suitable for anything other than turn out and would seem a bit odd to swap into their outdoor but might be worth checking
the fences are normally not upto height or at least dont seem to be but i think its the same course builder that richmond has (i can never remember his name but always talks, wears glasses and bsja cap)
the saddle sounds fab hope it works out for you like i said people i know seem to really like theirs im sure you'll be fine in at as soon as you pop your first fence

would you mind pm me philippa's number need to get some lessons in may - a good friend recomended her too i never seem to be able to book a lesson with peter as he always seems to be away at shows with the girls
 
The only other think I could suggest is ringing Richmond to ask if they have any spaces in the 80cm class for their ODE on Sun it's all on surface. Dressage warm up in the small indoor, test in the indoor by the cafe. SJ/WH/XC outside in the big outdoor arena with small outdoor for warm up, there were 28 fences last time though so course was quite hard to learn! Wasn't quite up to height last time and the course rode quite well imo.
 
Thanks for that idea but unfortunately I'm working Saturday and Sunday so I can't make it - and also the saddler is coming to fit the new saddle on Sunday evening.
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Is there any chance of jumping her on grass before hand?

If so I'd do that and take her to Richmond in your old saddle, if not leave it until the next show and get used to your new saddle.

Or book the arena at Richmond and go and jump round a few rounds after the competition.
 
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