Nationals Report!!!!!

FREESTYLER

FREESTYLER

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 January 2007
Messages
1,897
Location
Stafford
Visit site
Well, just got home and having a wee glass of wine!!!
blush.gif
tongue.gif


Phew what a couple of days....not sure where to begin or what to tell you!!!
laugh.gif


Well as you may, may not know our travel plans were all messed up... basically my friend was suppose to drive us Frid morn, but work committment etc. she could not take us up till Frid eve...late... panick... luckily hubby (bribed like anything!!) said he would take me up and my friend, bless, who knows nothing about horses but was willing to run around for me, would take her car so he could just drop us off Thurs night and then go back in her car to London (had to work the next day then on Frid eve go back up to Avon and get his stuff ready for Drag Racing his car...well suppose that is what hubbies are for eh???!!!).... so got there at 10pm and the Stable Manager was a star... (he remembered me from Winters... dont know how??
ooo.gif
grin.gif
!!!tehe!!) and obviously must have felt sorry for me as I waved hubby/groom bye bye wondering how I was going to cope! Well the Stable Manager together with a lady called Pauline were soooooo helpful and could not have made us feel more welcome and even asked the people who were doing to food to wait for us and not close as we were famished!!

Mister settled into his stable and we had a meal/wine then chatted to some people and ended up having drink at a horsebox where I met some "know top dressage riders" and their owners (not telling anymore!!)
wink.gif
but OMG how down to earth they were...and sooo funny!!!
ooo.gif
Then bed, we were suppose to be in "hostel accommodation" but as my driver and hubby did not come we decided to stay in box (no bedding but luckily someone lent us two sleeping bag). Got up at 5am after I had pressed the snooze button about 6 times and got myself and Mister ready to do arena walk.... he was like a cat on a hot tin roof... I was praying he was not going to get me on the floor...after singing "all things bright and beautiful"... dont ask me why???!!! for about half an hour we made it through the walk and then I put him back in his stable until 4pm when I rode him again just for 20 mins. He was a good boy and only spooked a little going to the arena (you have an area where horses walk only and it is behind the tents etc... to get to the arena...only spooky when they decided to wash up the cuttlery in the food tent!!)

So Frid eve all is well watched some "stonking" horses and riders... began to get a little nervous... ekkk!!!

Had a lovely meal of pasta in the new Pesso tent, glass of wine (medicinal purposes!!) and went to bed........frost set in.....boy did we freeze.... one skinny sleeping bag....in fact I thought my front teeth were going to drop out as they "chatted" so much!!! (I was wearing my jogging bottoms and tee-shirt and jumper too!!).. needless to say I felt like "poop" in the morn... but luckily Dan sheriffs groom had said she would plait up and tack up for me in the morn so I just got up at 6am FREEEZING ..... having woken up every hour or so waiting for morning !!!!!!!!and desperate for a cup of coffee....... mucked out, groomed and by 7am coffee shop was open.........Bliss..........2 cups later I felt better...thank god for caffine!!!!!!! I then was told by Dan's groom Stacey to not come back till 8.45!!!!! Heaven!!!!!!!! Had a lovely hot shower...... well must admit it was dribble .......BD got to sort your showers out!!! but warmed me up.......then the sun came out and thought I better get my make up on before my wrinkles and baggy eyes were on show for everyone!!!

Am I boring you yet??!!!

Ok, warmed up... he was a star....no fuss, no messing about... straight to buisiness.....Dan gave me some pointers....... I asked him for valium....!!! Trotted in... OMG .. I needed Sports psychology!!! It was a great feeling though but I think Mister (oka Freesyter!!!) felt it, he was a little tense too backed off me after about 2 mins and was not in front of my leg....(in reality I wanted to give him a "pony club kick!!" but did not think it an appropriate place!!)

We made one costly mistake, after freewalk and then medium walk up unto trot.... we went walk canter!!! but hey ho!! Rider error.....grhhhhhhhhh!!!

We came out 17th out of 22......... bit disppointed with myself.....(need kick up butt!!!!!!! Steel toecaps I think!!!) but I know what I have to work on and apparently commentary by Anna Ross Davies was good and humerous.......... but she wondered where my red hair was!!!!!!! (tucked neatly under my hat I must add!!!) but must add Mister had a lovely "bling" browband with red and white crystal (bargin off e-bay hand made..!!) and I matched my nose ring and lip ring too! LOL!!! so, Bannanaman, unfortunately I could not bring the cup home.... but I did see it!!!!!!!! I wanted it...... but it didnt want us this time........I also wanted a rug......money....... rossette......Well I got a plaque and experience and kick up the butt!!! I had a lovely time, met some very nice people, and now realise that dressage is not as easy as it looks!!!!!!!!

Ps. Carthorse, it was fab to see you after my test, sorry I began to "blub" but it was soooooooooo emotional......!!!! (such a willy woosh I am really!!)
blush.gif
smile.gif
 
I felt as though I was there with you now
laugh.gif
Sounds like a great experience, sorry to hear the result was not as good as you deserved, but you live to fight another day and that day you WILL bring the sash and cup home
grin.gif
 
Awww what a lovely report!!! Sounds like it was well worth all the hassle of getting down! And I can fully understand how cold you was on the Friday night, I went to watch during the day/evening - I was so cold I had to buy 2 ariat jumpers (which wasnt a cheap experience!)

Sounds like he did a nice test too, you cant beat yourself up over a mistake, as something will always go wrong!

Besides all good experience for next year!

p.s when do we get pictures?
 
I was thrilled you saw me and spoke .I'm tearful now. You and Freestyler were stars,you did us all proud.I wish I had given you my phone number I could have bought you down some quilts.I loved your browband ,please pm me a link.I was amazed by some of the quarter marker, some had names on their backs and markings under that!He never curled round and he looked fab and so did you.It was a tough class and the marking was close.
WELL DONE hope to see you soon but maybe not until the winter champs,lets get qualifying. We are aiming for loads of classes.Well pet plan we have, doing 2 levels of comb. training in 2 weeks and trying regionals at prelim and novice , oh and of course dressage to music. Greedy but why not try,LOL
 
It was good fun, albeit next time I will take about 4 douvets for sure!!! There were some awesome horses and riders....and it was a great experience....at 5am there were people up and "doing".. it makes you realise how much effort and time is put into equestrian sports...whatever your level shame there is not so much sponsorship for this sport......there must be a way we can help this sport grow???!!It is not elitist at all like many think, there are so many hard working people out there who give up everything for this...many people are just "working class" as such but work their butts off.......
 
Ahhhhhh... thanks everyone........ it was good fun... so much of an eye opener.... the goings on late at night!!! LOL!!! There are so many people who are willing to help.. like on Friday afternoon, we were stabled next to a para. rider.. such a lovely lady and great team.. I asked if one of them could give me a leg up as my friend did not know how to and Mister being rather large, I needed one!! They offered, but when he came out of the stable they said... ummmmmmmmm. rather long way up.. so kindly offered the use of their mounting block designed for their rider at their horsebox...... mounting was a piece of cake!!! By the way...... watching the para. riders was so humbling and made you realise when you moaned about an ache here and there and pain ........... they rode their horses like true horsemen/women... one woman even fainted and passed out whilst still mounted and apparent the horse went into the warm up and bronked dismouting the rider, still unconcious.. apparently later none the worse from her fall she got back on.. laughed and carried on!!!!!!! Good form or what??!!
 
What a great report!
grin.gif


It sounds as if you really enjoyed yourself even if the reality on this occassion didn't match the dream.
We're all really proud of you on here. You were riding at the BD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, we weren't......so don't feel down.
smile.gif

Did you get your test videoed? I treasure my early ones but unfortunately the pro person completely c**ked up the Elementary and Medium ones.
frown.gif


Well now you've Patchetts to look forward to. Onwards and upwards as they say and let's have that massive HHO meetup at Hartpury.
smile.gif
 
Thanks Bannaman!! It was awesome and I do not feel too bad now... I just need another couple of years competing under my belt and then I will feel more confident and prepared... things have happend so fast I am just grateful I had the experience and my boy looked after me! I must not forget I have only competed him for a year and half and he needs time to build muscle/stamina and a relationship with me!!!

Yes, I did get it videod... cant wait to see it... will try and download when I do get it... pictures are on web when they come out.. probably next week sometime..

I am now looking forward to Patchetts, although up one level!!! I have also entered for music.. ekk.. not done music yet though!!! If I cant get it ready in time I will just do Elementary........ would love to go to Hartpury... keep your fingers crossed!!
 
Great report Freestyler. It's amazing how being at the Nationals can get to you isn't it!!

I was so nervous yesterday morning wondering how you were getting on and had to wait till your score came up on the internet before I could go out!!

17th is a good result if you put it into perspective ie 17th out of ALL restricted novice riders in the whole country!! Seems a pretty good result to me. Most riders never get to the Nationals and to me it seems to get harder and harder each year. I went in 2000 and I know the horse I had then wouldn't stand a hope in hell these days especially in the open section.

So a huge well done to you and Mister and all the people who helped you and I hope to see you at Patchetts in a couple of weeks.
smile.gif
smile.gif
 
That was a really good report.. I too have spent a night in a freezing horsebox and ever after take a portable calor gas heater and spare quits in there just incase (no you can't sleep with the heater on but it at least warms you up for a few hours sleep). Well done for coping with the pressure after a sleepless and cold night!
I'd love to see some pics, matching nose ring and browband sounds inspired...
grin.gif

Well done, 17th is still something to be very proud of when you remember how many people actually atempt to get there; you did so feel good about it..
And what about next year, when you will be warmer, know what to expect and even more determined....
 
Well I think you did FANTASTICALLY WELL, I'd love to go to the Nationals but don't think it is ever going to happen in my lifetime, I'm really proud of you!
grin.gif
grin.gif
 
hi freestyler, was amazed how the red hair matched the brow band and earrings so well, was very impressed. Saw you as i was on my way to warm up. my boy was being a spooky bugger so you kindly let me pass. Really glad you had warm meal in pasoa tent as all of our meals were stone cold!!!!!!! will make sure i introduce myself next time but very well done and hope to see you there next year !!
 
Well done, Freestyler, that was a great report. i think you should feel incredibly proud of yourself for getting to the Nationals at all, (it is my ambition, but one that is a VERY long way off being fulfilled!) and I have no doubt that you will make it back again next year and do even better.

Love the matching browband and nose ring !
 
Loved reading your report! Sounds like you had a fantastic time - and well done too
grin.gif


I went up to watch yesterday and im SO glad i wasnt riding Archie - it was blowing a gale and very spooky! The horses (especially the YH classes) were all so well behaved, i couldnt believe it!!
 
Thankyou so much all of you for your kind words!!! Back to reality now and work!!!!! Poo!!!

Fanachapan, what were you competing in? How did you do? Scarey wasnt it!!! I did rather want to do it again though!!! Shame you cannot have a practice run!!

JLav see you at Patchetts, along with "the Spacehopper" gang!!! You know who you are!!!!!!!

PG it was quite windy and walking behind the tents most horses were having a good snort!!!! just sang a song and hoped for the best!!!!!

Ps. I hope some pictures come out so I can show you his "Bling"!!!!!
 
Hmm there has been a change of plan with Patchetts, I am now only going on the Sunday to do the Novice AF and Novice music and I'm not entirely sure I am going to make that either as I think I have broken my toe (don't laugh!) and I'm not too sure I will be able to drive the lorry.
frown.gif
 
Oh PG just get one!!!!!!!! I think they loook loverly if you get the right one for your horse, and no dangly bits or Big letters saying ARCHIE!!!!!!!! tehe!!!
 
I jumped off P on Sat and now can't walk! Riding is fine but really don't think I will be able to press the clutch on the lorry. Re not going on Saturday, I am having confidence and finance issues and thought it would be best for both if I just did the novice classes, I am going to try and strap toe up so hopefully I will be there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top