Jo C
Well-Known Member
Well after meeting up with Finn McCoul at the M11 services, taking a tour round the HGV park and queueing to get out again for 10 minutes the Finn/Jo C convoy finally made it to Manor Farm. Have to say what a wonderful place - fantastic facilities and so so friendly. I will let FMC give you her report for the weekend.
I warmed up for the Novice Music feeling really sick and nervous, then a lovely lady who recognised me from Wix came and gave me a big confidence boost - thank you! Patrick went in and did a much better test than at Wix although he seemed to think flying changes were part of the test rather than changing leg through trot
came out with 68.9% and 3rd place (ok there were only 3 in it but I was only 0.5 of a mark away from 2nd) so I believe we have qualified for the regionals
I was over the moon with that score and after our recently low scoring outings it gave me a much needed boost. Tacked up again for Elem 57 and I have to say I don't really remember much about that test except Patrick did a very accurate and sweet test and came away with 63% and 2nd place. Finn and I put the horses to bed just in time to miss the rain that decided to fall for the rest of the night and the pair of us promptly hit the wine!
I got up Sunday morning with a 'slight' headache and feeling sick which I put down to nerves and not the empty wine bottle
and fed Patrick and Finn who had settled in very well with their stabling and new friends. Patrick was particularly intrigued by the mare and foal next to him and was desperate for a chat with the foal. He had his wish later in the day when the foal was allowed out and immediately came over for a sniff at Patrick, so so cute.
Anyway Nov 32 was up next and we managed a nice test, slightly on the forehand in places and medium trot was a bit lacking but came away with 63.7% and 3rd place so was pleased with that. Finn and I then raided the canteen (food was very tasty) and sat around for a few hours. We both met Ovidius who did extremely well in the 1st elem test and won the class on 67% - well done!
After some thought I decided to ride more aggressively in the last test to see if that improved our marks (I had had a good weekend so had nothing to lose at this point) as usually I sit there trying not to upset the balance. So warmed up beautifully and went in and did a smashing test, very round, actually felt like we were going somewhere for a change (except muppet here forgot to halt at x on the way in so was 2 marks down before we'd even started
) and was upset to see we had got 59.7% so figured we had blown it and I had overridden. It turned out we actually came 2nd and the winner was on 62.?% so I came to the conclusion that the more agressive style paid off.
It was a super weekend and a big thank you to the staff at Manor Farm who were so helpful and friendly. I am back at work absolutely exhausted and feel like I need another weekend.
I warmed up for the Novice Music feeling really sick and nervous, then a lovely lady who recognised me from Wix came and gave me a big confidence boost - thank you! Patrick went in and did a much better test than at Wix although he seemed to think flying changes were part of the test rather than changing leg through trot
I got up Sunday morning with a 'slight' headache and feeling sick which I put down to nerves and not the empty wine bottle
Anyway Nov 32 was up next and we managed a nice test, slightly on the forehand in places and medium trot was a bit lacking but came away with 63.7% and 3rd place so was pleased with that. Finn and I then raided the canteen (food was very tasty) and sat around for a few hours. We both met Ovidius who did extremely well in the 1st elem test and won the class on 67% - well done!
After some thought I decided to ride more aggressively in the last test to see if that improved our marks (I had had a good weekend so had nothing to lose at this point) as usually I sit there trying not to upset the balance. So warmed up beautifully and went in and did a smashing test, very round, actually felt like we were going somewhere for a change (except muppet here forgot to halt at x on the way in so was 2 marks down before we'd even started
It was a super weekend and a big thank you to the staff at Manor Farm who were so helpful and friendly. I am back at work absolutely exhausted and feel like I need another weekend.
