Rana
Well-Known Member
A long and busy weekend at Mattingley for me!
Started early on the Saturday - you wouldn't believe how long it can take 2 people and 1 small dog to get out of the house . But we were off eventually and popped over to sort my horse out before heading down to Mattingley. Luckily one of our most local events, so not too much of an early start
Arrived early for bacon rolls and met up with some of the other regular fence judges in the briefing tent. The usual briefing, extended a bit as there were some new FJ's there. Poppy Puppy made a friend in Bramble the terrier and they had a play fight under the table, so Pops was taken outside and peace was restored
Off to our fence, the log on top of a bank for the BE100. We were also a stop fence, so had a radio and made sure our flags were all in order. Made our way onto the course, feeling very grateful that OH had fixed the 4x4 as it was quite a trek out to the far side of the course Got ourselves all set up, found a timing point, and settled in for the day. A quick radio check and the XC course had a green light.
Nothing eventful during the BE100, except that Thistle and her daughter, and Aregona, all stopped to say hello - lovely to meet you all!
Then it was time to move down the course slightly, for the BE80. A lovely simple fence, but a slightly tricky approach as it was off a narrow track, after a fence with an alternative - those taking the alternative looked as if they missed the previous fence, so a couple of tricky moments when we weren't sure if they were coming to us or not! Had to be on the ball at this one.
Sadly, there was then a nasty fall in the SJ warm up, and the course was held while all doctors and paramedics helped the poor girl who had come off. I do hope she'll make a quick recovery (have posted in the other thread to send my best wishes).
Meantime, the XC steward drove round the course to check we could all stay late as they were hoping to get all competitors round. Fortunately all FJ's were able to stay, and I believe everyone was allowed to run XC.
No drama's in the BE80, a couple of refusals, and a lost shoe which took us 15minutes to find even though we'd seen it fly off! The competitor was more worried about the shoe than she was about having had a stop. One girl came trotting towards us, closely followed by a faster horse, so we let her know and she kindly stepped to one side to let the next one through. Had to stop one horse as there was a fall later in the course (nothing major, they just needed a minute to get the rider and horse reunited). Fortunately it went smoothly and we got the times right! Had a few come through close together, so a quick call over the radio to let the next fences know they had 2 coming quickly.
And finally it was 7.30 and it was back to the briefing tent for a much needed Pimms! We eventually got home at 8.30, having left home at 6.45am. A long day, but we'd have stayed for longer if it meant everyone could get round safely. Everyone was very friendly, several competitors said thank you as they walked the course, and nearly everyone had a smile and a hello We were well looked after with a good lunch, soup and sausage rolls in the morning, and cake in the afternoon. Poppy now recognises Margaret's distinctive white Landrover and knows that treats are coming (Margaret is lovely and brings dog treats with her on the tea run )
Then it was back on Sunday. I roped OH into sorting out my horse on Sunday morning, so managed to stay in bed til 6.30, before heading down to Mattingley to help in the start from 9am.
It was my first time in the Start, and I was the starting timekeeper (you have the Starter who counts down, then the start timekeeper who notes the number/description/time, the finish timekeeper who notes the finish time/time taken/penalties, and the "back up" timekeeper who does everything and double checks the adding up!). It was really interesting to see how it ran, and to see the XC from a different perspective.
There were a couple of holds on course - I think after Saturday's accident, everyone was being ultra cautious and calling for medics for any fall where the rider didn't just land on their feet. Definitely better to be safe than sorry! And another one when the radios broke and control couldn't hear the fence judges properly! We caught up though, and by the end of the day, we were 15-20 mins ahead. Thank you to all who went before their time and kept us running smoothly!
Not a late finish, and I was home by 6, for a nice relaxing evening of falling asleep on the sofa.
Mattingley is such a lovely event - for competitors, spectators, and volunteers. It is a real shame that it was the last ever event there, and I do hope it may be resurrected in the future. We feel very privileged to have helped there, and the commemorative paperweights we were given are a lovely memento of the event.
Hartpury next. We're there both days so camping overnight. I'm not sure how I feel about camping , I like my creature comforts too much I'm sure I'll cope though!
Started early on the Saturday - you wouldn't believe how long it can take 2 people and 1 small dog to get out of the house . But we were off eventually and popped over to sort my horse out before heading down to Mattingley. Luckily one of our most local events, so not too much of an early start
Arrived early for bacon rolls and met up with some of the other regular fence judges in the briefing tent. The usual briefing, extended a bit as there were some new FJ's there. Poppy Puppy made a friend in Bramble the terrier and they had a play fight under the table, so Pops was taken outside and peace was restored
Off to our fence, the log on top of a bank for the BE100. We were also a stop fence, so had a radio and made sure our flags were all in order. Made our way onto the course, feeling very grateful that OH had fixed the 4x4 as it was quite a trek out to the far side of the course Got ourselves all set up, found a timing point, and settled in for the day. A quick radio check and the XC course had a green light.
Nothing eventful during the BE100, except that Thistle and her daughter, and Aregona, all stopped to say hello - lovely to meet you all!
Then it was time to move down the course slightly, for the BE80. A lovely simple fence, but a slightly tricky approach as it was off a narrow track, after a fence with an alternative - those taking the alternative looked as if they missed the previous fence, so a couple of tricky moments when we weren't sure if they were coming to us or not! Had to be on the ball at this one.
Sadly, there was then a nasty fall in the SJ warm up, and the course was held while all doctors and paramedics helped the poor girl who had come off. I do hope she'll make a quick recovery (have posted in the other thread to send my best wishes).
Meantime, the XC steward drove round the course to check we could all stay late as they were hoping to get all competitors round. Fortunately all FJ's were able to stay, and I believe everyone was allowed to run XC.
No drama's in the BE80, a couple of refusals, and a lost shoe which took us 15minutes to find even though we'd seen it fly off! The competitor was more worried about the shoe than she was about having had a stop. One girl came trotting towards us, closely followed by a faster horse, so we let her know and she kindly stepped to one side to let the next one through. Had to stop one horse as there was a fall later in the course (nothing major, they just needed a minute to get the rider and horse reunited). Fortunately it went smoothly and we got the times right! Had a few come through close together, so a quick call over the radio to let the next fences know they had 2 coming quickly.
And finally it was 7.30 and it was back to the briefing tent for a much needed Pimms! We eventually got home at 8.30, having left home at 6.45am. A long day, but we'd have stayed for longer if it meant everyone could get round safely. Everyone was very friendly, several competitors said thank you as they walked the course, and nearly everyone had a smile and a hello We were well looked after with a good lunch, soup and sausage rolls in the morning, and cake in the afternoon. Poppy now recognises Margaret's distinctive white Landrover and knows that treats are coming (Margaret is lovely and brings dog treats with her on the tea run )
Then it was back on Sunday. I roped OH into sorting out my horse on Sunday morning, so managed to stay in bed til 6.30, before heading down to Mattingley to help in the start from 9am.
It was my first time in the Start, and I was the starting timekeeper (you have the Starter who counts down, then the start timekeeper who notes the number/description/time, the finish timekeeper who notes the finish time/time taken/penalties, and the "back up" timekeeper who does everything and double checks the adding up!). It was really interesting to see how it ran, and to see the XC from a different perspective.
There were a couple of holds on course - I think after Saturday's accident, everyone was being ultra cautious and calling for medics for any fall where the rider didn't just land on their feet. Definitely better to be safe than sorry! And another one when the radios broke and control couldn't hear the fence judges properly! We caught up though, and by the end of the day, we were 15-20 mins ahead. Thank you to all who went before their time and kept us running smoothly!
Not a late finish, and I was home by 6, for a nice relaxing evening of falling asleep on the sofa.
Mattingley is such a lovely event - for competitors, spectators, and volunteers. It is a real shame that it was the last ever event there, and I do hope it may be resurrected in the future. We feel very privileged to have helped there, and the commemorative paperweights we were given are a lovely memento of the event.
Hartpury next. We're there both days so camping overnight. I'm not sure how I feel about camping , I like my creature comforts too much I'm sure I'll cope though!
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