PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Played un-aff SJ yesterday just to really check out the hackamore and ease Otto back in to competing after his back problems.
Had planned to just do the 90cm and 1mtr but youngster I was jumping the earlier classes was running out of energy so transfered his entry for the 80cm to Otto.
First round was pure pleasure, no rushing, relaxed and just popping beautifully. I was last to go in the jumpoff. Several wizzy ponies had already gone clear with very fast times over the twisty course. Up till now I have never run Otto against the clock, prefering to get the BSJA double clears. Had nothing to loose yesterday so went for it.
His incredibly fast, turns in mid air and jumps at silly angles. We took a full second off the fastest time so he now has his first red one.
Paid the price a little in the first round of the 90cm as it took a few fences to get him to settle in to a rythm again (think he likes playing jump-off) but he did and clear again. JO I made a silly error turning too tight in to a wall with a black rail set above and behind it. Dont think he even saw it so 4 faults but still good enough for second place.
1mtr again a lovely clear in the first round. Last to go again in the JO. Owner rushes out just as i was going in and says "all you need to do is go clear, the other 2 both have 4 faults".
So i set off nice and steady for the clear. Lost the engine (numpty rider) on the turn in to penultimate fence and had the top rail. Too late to make up the time by then so 3rd place.
The hackmore really suits him. He's much more relaxed so brakes aren't an issue. My fears about stearing were unfounded as the Jump-offs proved. All in all a real pleasure to jump.
Looking forward to get out BSJA again now
Had planned to just do the 90cm and 1mtr but youngster I was jumping the earlier classes was running out of energy so transfered his entry for the 80cm to Otto.
First round was pure pleasure, no rushing, relaxed and just popping beautifully. I was last to go in the jumpoff. Several wizzy ponies had already gone clear with very fast times over the twisty course. Up till now I have never run Otto against the clock, prefering to get the BSJA double clears. Had nothing to loose yesterday so went for it.
Paid the price a little in the first round of the 90cm as it took a few fences to get him to settle in to a rythm again (think he likes playing jump-off) but he did and clear again. JO I made a silly error turning too tight in to a wall with a black rail set above and behind it. Dont think he even saw it so 4 faults but still good enough for second place.
1mtr again a lovely clear in the first round. Last to go again in the JO. Owner rushes out just as i was going in and says "all you need to do is go clear, the other 2 both have 4 faults".
So i set off nice and steady for the clear. Lost the engine (numpty rider) on the turn in to penultimate fence and had the top rail. Too late to make up the time by then so 3rd place.
The hackmore really suits him. He's much more relaxed so brakes aren't an issue. My fears about stearing were unfounded as the Jump-offs proved. All in all a real pleasure to jump.
Looking forward to get out BSJA again now
