Not so good Aston-Le-Walls BE100 report!

[Harrie123]

OK so after our 6th place at Carlton BE100 two weeks ago and as 5th place at Keysoe’s unaff 100cm ODE last weekend we set off to ALW with high hopes! Grim had other ideas!!!!

Dressage he warmed up really nicely, forwards and supple. We went down the centre line and switched off! As you aren’t allowed whips I couldn’t wake him up so he trolled round the whole test with minimum effort whilst I kicked him until I was very red in the face! I was very grateful to get a 36 (it doesn’t sound quite so good when you find out someone else got a 23!!!!).

Here is the video…
http://www.youtube.com/user/harrietturtoneventin?blend=9&ob=5#p/a/u/2/vFQTI8UaFXc

Onto the SJ, the warm-up was the most chaotic warm up I have ever seen with the fences going up and down like yo yos, riders jumping whilst people are still fiddling with the fence, lots of shouting and horses spooking! The ground either side of the fences was very deep but no one dared move them for fear of being run over! Thankfully Grim doesn’t need much of a warm up and it was quite a long hack over so I just popped a couple and went down to the ring. Our round was very good on paper but he didn’t feel 100% he was strong in parts and not listening in others, I have been meaning to purchase a stronger bit so that was more of an incentive! We did manage a clear round although I’m not quite sure how!

Here is the video…
http://www.youtube.com/user/harrietturtoneventin?blend=9&ob=5#p/a/u/1/RBoLVw3zfVo

Onto the XC! Warmed up well went to the start box, did my usual walk canter walk transitions. Now this is the part where I should explain that I have been eliminated A LOT at the first fence either SJ or XC (Grim isn’t fussy). He just stands there rearing, bucking until I run out of time! I have spent a lot of time this year manning up and dealing with it. So over fence one round to fence two… Stop! Ah right! Thanks Grim! So I get angry he mucks about then carries on as if nothing happened! From there he was going really well. Came to fence 7 a brush with 2 strides to another brush that looked like a land rover and you jump over the bonnet, he was dead straight and on it, had a great stride and at the last minute he runs out! Great, thanks, very helpful, so turned him round jumped it no problem! Back to the helpful grim, flew over the other fences until we get to 10 where oh yes we have never seen a white fence before! Mucked about then jumps it does a very nice line to the skinny brush! Back once again to the helpful Grim until we get to the open ditch with 2 strides to a rail! No he is not a ditchy horse, but I was having a communication problem! So I am saying ‘woah woah there’s a ditch’ but Grim says ‘no I’m fine I have seen the rails!’ So guess what? He stops and I do a delicate dismount! Bugger! Back on over the ditch (helpful Grim is back) and complete with no further issues!

Its all been caught on Camera! Apart form the poor fence judge giving me a leg up! …
http://www.youtube.com/user/harrietturtoneventin?blend=9&ob=5#p/a/u/0/ioLdvGj6sms

So not a great end to the day but I am very glad I got him round, if nothing else he didn’t win that one! The most annoying thing is that he jumps everything else nicely. He is never going to be an easy horse. I am going to get a slightly stronger bit in the hope that he will start listening.

 

[AandK]

Sounds like your day was as good as mine!! Although I encountered problems in the SJ and XC (horse took exception to a couple of fillers and one fence on the XC!) and I was feeling quietly optimistic after a few good runs too, that'll teach me!

But on the plus side, we completed safe and sound as did you. Horses eh, it's so frustrating when you know they can do it but just decide on that day that they don't want to!

Where are you off to next? (I'm trying to watch your vid but it keeps buffering..)

 

[brushingboots]

I'm very jealous of all of you lot who actually got into the start box

His SJ looked really good though, and you carried on and made him do it XC

 

[Sarah_Jane]

How frustrating! Was the ground a factor? Or just the brain?

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Oh dear naughty Grim! Well done on 'winning' the fights. From the video they seem very odd as he looks so happy and flying till he's not.
It was a very elegant dismount

I hope you get your issues sorted soon.

 

[BeckyD]

Ooo how frustrating! That corner from 1 to 2 must have been a nappy corner, as Bill didn't want to go round there either, although he merely expressed it by slowing down, rather than throwing a wobbly! Well done for getting round. Your dressage and SJ looked really good! Hope the dismount hasn't made you too sore.

 

[Harrie123]

Thanks guys I’m glad I’m not the only one with problems! It is definitely his brain, he is quite good at being a bugger. He is very strong and very very bright!

Off to do the BE100 at Keysoe next (I love Keysoe). I am going to have some lessons and maybe do some BSJA and see if we can get the jumping a bit neater and more confident. Then hopefully a good run at Oasby to finish off the season.

 

[Bubbles]

Naught Grim! (Hi Harrie, tis Wendy with Buddy ) I saw you go over the ditch palisade, turned my back for 1 minute and then heard you'd parted company, glad you were ok. He's obviously going to keep testing you just for the fun of it... maybe stronger bit and a cattle prod???

 

[pinktiger]

oh dear, all i could think was what a stunning grey horse and ignored the naughty bits coz hes sooo beautiful!!! BUT looking at yr vid he looks soo green! bless not sure what he did at the ditch, dont think meant to do anything naughty he just looks unsure and shocked it was there dont think he ment for you to jump it first then him follow!!!!!

 

[Harrie123]

Naught Grim! (Hi Harrie, tis Wendy with Buddy ) I saw you go over the ditch palisade, turned my back for 1 minute and then heard you'd parted company, glad you were ok. He's obviously going to keep testing you just for the fun of it... maybe stronger bit and a cattle prod???

hmmm cattle prod! Might be the way forward!

I just dont think it was our day! Going to go have some lessons and do some BJSA to get some confidence back and get us jumping better.

 

[Firewell]

Oh dear, well done you for pushing on and completing. Maybe his head just wasn't in the game that day? He does look a bit cheeky with his ears all pricked and naughty looking!

 

[Rosiefan]

I'm no expert and I'm probably totally wrong but it looked to me as though he was taking the mickey. I can't really see from the video but did you have a whip or does he react badly to being smacked? He's very handsome and well done for making him finish. Better luck at Keysoe .

 

[Harrie123]

I'm no expert and I'm probably totally wrong but it looked to me as though he was taking the mickey. I can't really see from the video but did you have a whip or does he react badly to being smacked? He's very handsome and well done for making him finish. Better luck at Keysoe .

Yes I definitely carry a whip, he is very good at taking the p**s! I have been working really hard at manning up and being quicker at not letting him get away with this behaviour, he is a big, clever boy and he knows it! I hope I am getting there!

 

[Flashpaddler]

Our last pony was a Conny Cross and very, very, clever - had plenty of inconsistent issues with him XC. Replaced him with a TB who is a lovely horse. But, if he ever goes to the pub quiz, he'll be the one doing ALL the trips to the bar!!! Take him XC though and he jumps everything - he just doesn't have the capacity to think too much so does what he's told (that's my theory anyway!)

 

[star]

glad I'm not the only one with a nappy little monster! Fortunately so far mine keeps it to protesting about going into the ring (SJ or dressage) or the start box but I'm waiting for it to happen mid course. Well done for getting him going again and completing!