NSEA National Championships

[Ample Prosecco]

Well as this was Dolly and Katie's last competition, I thought I'd do a competition report. It's been a very long time since I did one.

Katie has focused on eventing this year as she was hoping to make the U18s team. And also we don't really have a school team anymore as it all fizzled out last year and no-one except Katie rejoined this year. So she actually only did one qualifier - and placed third to qualify in the JwS 90/95 class. I was really excited for her as the qualifying classes are huge as all the team entrants automatically also compete as individuals. So to get to Champs as an individual was a big achievement.

In the meantime Kagtie has decided to sell Dolly to focus on her A Levels so this was their last competition. A very bittersweet weekend really. And just a bit surreal to be aware all weekend that this is the last time we will do this together.

We both told each other that all that mattered was having fun and coming home safe. But secretly we both wanted to go out on a good note! And Dolly delivered as usual. Lovely double clear with no time penalties. Lovely bold jumping and made nothing of the twists and turns. They placed 7th.

It was also our first stay away show in the new trailer and, as we were packing up to leave, Katie started organising her stuff into the cupboards and lockers then said 'those can stay in there till next time' and we suddenly stopped, looked at each other and welled up. No next time. It has been an absolutely fantastic journey together. We have had so many brilliant adventures. And Dolly has been a superstar pony who we will all miss so much.

I am sure there are horsey adventures in my future but Dolly will leave a huge hole.

An edit of their day for anyone interested.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CVdhLnQFeoD/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[Bernster]

What a super combination ! Bittersweet.

 

[Squeak]

Very bittersweet but how wonderful to have finished on a high. Dollys next rider will be incredibly lucky, she's always looked such a genuine and lovely pony.

 

[Upthecreek]

I’ve been through exactly the same with my daughters AE and it’s tough. One kept her pony, continued competing and smashed her A-levels. The other sold her pony, did different stuff and smashed her A-levels. Just support them in their choice and know that there will most likely be more horsey fun to be had in the future (though putting up with them stealing your horse is a pain in the arse).

 

[Caol Ila]

So bittersweet. I wish there was a way for Katie to balance the horse and university. Being outside, active, and doing something you love has benefits beyond grades. I know so many people who managed both, who are far more successful at life (and horses) than myself. My very elite, almost Ivy-uni had its own barn, so I knew (and still know) a lot of those people. Before COVID f*cked everything, I hung out with a lot of undergraduates via the mountaineering club, and like the terrible influence I am, I always told them that spending a whole weekend studying is probably less valuable than studying more efficiently during the week, and going on a mountaineering club meet at the weekend.

I wish I'd had more fun and worse grades. I think I would have been happier. God, we got stressed by grades during those undergrad years. And so long as I didn't totally bomb stuff, I don't think my high school or college grades made a blind bit difference. On the other hand, I made sacrifices for that damned horse, like not doing years abroad* or not spending winters being a ski bum in the Rockies/Alps or wherever. I wasn't as free as my peers. Maybe I missed out on something. Or maybe I just gained something else. I don't know the right answers, but those are tough decisions for 17/18-year olds. Really tough.

*Maybe this is more of a cautionary tale.... The other Americans who were on the one-year masters programs or even four/five year PhDs could easily go home, but not me, because I'd dragged the horse across the Atlantic... I got f*cking married after my PhD because the Home Office changed some rules, and they were going to eject me from the country because work visas for people with history PhDs were (and are) not a thing. What was I going to do with my 20-year old horse? Sell her? Send her back to the States? Nope.

 

[Squeak]

I agree CI, it's incredibly tough decisions for a 17/ 18 year old. I wonder how many of us look back and wonder what if about those years and decisions. There are pros and cons with big impacts to all the decisions at that point and tbh I think that all that can be done is letting someone make their own decisions and supporting them with it.

If Katie changes her mind then she can always get back in to horses albeit probably not with Dolly.

 

[Alibear]

What a wonderful way to end a fabulous journey for you all. Onwards and upwards to new ones

 

[oldie48]

Lovely pic and well done to Katie and Dolly on such a great result.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Your post definitely made me feel a bit teary. Such a brave decision to make, must be heartbreaking for you both.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Katie has given it a lot of thought. There are pros and cons of any decision. I wouldn't have chosen this if it were up to me and I am surprised that she has decided to stop after such a great season. But I can't cling to Dolly or to our pony adventures for my own sake and Katie is just finding balancing the work with the horses too difficult.

Dolly has been fab. I am sure we can find her a really lovely home. I forgot to say we saw Jenny at Champs! So that was lovely too. She is still as pingy and enthusiastic as ever.