Our first 3 day event.. H & H Grassroots Eventing Championship

[Girlracer]

What can I say? Other than WOW... what an incredible experience we have had this weekend, anybody considering entering this 3 day event (assuming that they run it again in 2018) I urge you to give it a go - whatever level you ride at!

This weekend was set to be a weekend of firsts, our first long journey in the new lorry (by long I mean a few hours, we are lucky that most venues are within 30 miles of home), our first away show, our first 3 day event, our first long arena test, our first visit to Keysoe and the first test of my now fiance's patience with me when the nerves are spread over 3 days instead of one!

I spent Friday morning buying, packing and panicking... it is amazing how much time this all takes, and just how much stuff you need!

But we were on the road on time at 1.30 and made our way to Keysoe. I have to say, the outward journey I found rather stressful, it was 25 degrees and I was convinced that we were either going to overheat and breakdown or we were going to get stuck in traffic and then overheat and breakdown. But I can't fault CeeCee, she may be old but she did me proud this weekend and all three of us enjoyed our journey both there and back.

We arrived in good time and went to find our stable, unfortunately at the rear of the stable there was a gap at the top where the exterior 'flap' of plastic on the marquee was clearly visible and in the wind it was putting on a good show! I have never seen him quite so upset, nor have I ever seen a horse manage to weave from literally one side of the (albeit small) stable to the other... This obviously wasn't sustainable for 3 days, so we asked the organisers if we could be moved, and I am so grateful that they let us as it would have been a miracle if he hadn't either done himself an injury or made himself ill!

Anyway after a short delay we were in and settled.

We then got to take part in 'arena familiarisation'... very exciting!

We had a nice early dressage time on Saturday morning, of 9.30... perfect for avoiding the prime heat of the day, except of course the thunder made an appearance just in time for my test - cheers great British Weather. That coupled with an unfortunate case of tractor and trailer the other side of a hedge we had a few mistakes and certainly no where near the relaxation we had at Moreton Morrell, that being said watching the video he is starting to look so much more balanced and SO much stronger, there were a lot of good bits, I was disappointed with a 40.25. That being said, I was just pleased I hadn't gone the wrong way, those extra 4 letters make a big difference!

continued...

 

[Girlracer]

We then had a long day in the sunshine watching lots of dressage and doing lots of walking... It's a tough life...

So day two... XC day!

Wow... 48hours for the nerves to manifest... nothing to keep me occupied - here was the real test for Mr now fiance!

I walked the XC a few times, definitely the strongest course we have jumped round. Lots of combinations, steps, ditches, corners and skinnies... I was very nervous, King however was VERY game, too game in fact and I retired from the warmup after two pops over a Show Jump as he was becoming more and more of an idiot...

Thankfully we didn't have long to wait, and we were soon circling the start box.

He really knows his job now, and he LOVES it... he never used to get gee'd up and I used to have to get after him a little to the first, now however he is as straight and as forward as is possible which is such a great feeling. He makes me think he wants to be out there as much as I do.

Here we are looking very happ over the first fence...

The pro photos are incredible too, I will be buying some more once they're online but for now you can see the one I bought already here -

https://www.facebook.com/awannabeev...407513742116/1909515209331345/?type=3&theater

Happy post XC faces!

And an awesome edit by my friend (who also took the photos)

So we just had 3.6 time (I seriously need to start letting the handbrake off, and actually remembering to look at the time would help...) to add to our dressage, on a course that caused SO many issues, there were eliminations and stops left right and centre and this bumped us up to the top third overnight (of 70 competitors) so I was thrilled with him. He really in incredible!

 

[Girlracer]

So the third and final day, started with a morning trot up - what fun glaming ourselves up!

I have to say I put A LOT of pressure on myself. I so wanted to compliment my XC round with a good round of Showjumping. And unfortuantely that is not what happened, it all fell to pieces really, and I was absolutely gutted.

To the point of having to walk up the road away from the stables in tears... this was it... our amazing weekend was over and not only was it over but it had ended negatively. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I know what I should have done differently, and I know that actually our mistake was only small. But I also know that once you have a mistake that results in a miss King becomes very unsettled, very tense and it all goes down hill. But what I can take away from this is that despite that, for the first time ever we managed to collect our thoughts and finish the round well, that is something I have never achieved with him previously. We are SO close, and it will be so worth it the day it all comes together!

The disaster round can be viewed here...

[video=youtube;oKlcjna39T4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKlcjna39T4[/video]

So there we have it... an incredible weekend, from camping to the evening entertainment, the amazing people I have met, and all that my incredible horse has given me once again. He is allowing me to finally live my dreams, and I hope in some ways I repay him, he has come so far... and we have reached points I never thought he and I would achieve. He is just so wonderful... now for a few weeks Show Jump training before our next event at Solihull where we hope to lie some XC demons to bed having been eliminated there last year!

 

[_EVS_]

I love your reports and the change in you and King in the last 12 months is huge! Don't beat yourself up about the SJ - you just both look a little tense and actually you finish nicely over the last few when you have calmed down! Strive for progress not perfection and I'm sure if you look back you are both doing amazingly well! Having your own transport will help you come on in leaps and bounds too as you will get out much more and get that consistency! Crack on! Looking forward to your solihull report x

 

[Fiona]

Love the pics

Well done.. What a great experience. I'll watch video later at home.

Fiona

 

[Nicnac]

Fantastic report as usual. Gosh he looks keen XC and you must frame that photo of you at the trot up standing in front of the ads on the back wall (just photoedit the grey out of it). Stunning.

I was expecting much worse SJ from your report. You had one down and he went very green on you before and after the stop. I can see how worried he gets when it goes a bit t*ts up but you held it together really well and he came back to you. Really well done to you both - lovely partnership and also to fiance and CeeCee.

 

[j1ffy]

Another who expected much worse in the SJ vid! Well done on getting him back together. It sounds like an amazing experience and your grin after the xc is fabulous! Out of interest, which class were you in?

 

[Bernster]

So, more work needed on the SJ but so many positives to take away. Great experience for you both and spends like an awesome event. Well done for all the good things, which far outweigh the sj, which even then really isn't that bad.

I've been there and that arena is quite spooky, and that course looks fairly full on in terms of distractions etc. Lovely pics and lots to be proud of.

 

[Jenni_]

I wouldn't call that a bad SJ round - more an 'unfortunate' one.

You did brilliantly overall!

 

[fatpony]

Dont be so hard on yourself. He looked tense when you came in. Made a mistake. Got upset. You kept riding forward calmly and kindly and sorted the problem. Well done.

 

[Bradsmum]

Another who thinks you're being hard on yourself - would you have been here this time last year? We all hopefully learn as we go along and I for one definitely couldn't do what you have done. Have to say the first photo on Day 3 made me giggle - the expression on King's face, has he not seen you in shorts before, lol

 

[iknowmyvalue]

He looks absolutely fab. I have been liking your photos on fb too, but thought I'd comment here too Don't beat yourself up about the SJ, I've seen (and ridden ) far worse rounds, and clearly it's still an improvement from where he was! Sounds like a great experience to have had, onwards and upwards!

 

[ahml100]

I think you should be so pleased for completing your first 3DE, after all it is no easy thing to accomplish! SJ was unfortunate but I agree with others by saying it was not a total disaster! Wishing you all the best for your next event 😊

 

[claracanter]

I think you are being very hard on yourself. You nailed so many firsts as you mentioned at the beginning and thats a massive positive. Looks like a really good event to go to. I'm tempted for next year.

 

[Orangehorse]

I was thinking of you over the weekend. Thanks for the report and the lovely photos. What progress you have made and so glad you enjoyed it. You did very well considering that the XC cause such problems. Even Mark Todd can make mistakes in the SJ (Olympics!).

Well done.

 

[humblepie]

Well done. I do like King and what a fab experience.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Well done I don't think the sj round was that bad sounds like you had a great time.

 

[PorkChop]

Really well done

You are absolutely right, one day, all three phases will come together! Stop being so hard on yourself, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Stunning pictures

 

[Newlands]

Brilliant report and pictures, thank you for sharing! Your showjumping was not as bad as you think, you finished positively! We are all too hard on ourselves at times and forget to look back at how far we have come. You completed and took lots away from a great experience! So gutted I didn't go, sure it says somewhere, but can I ask wha height that was? Thank you and well done!

 

[Girlracer]

I love your reports and the change in you and King in the last 12 months is huge! Don't beat yourself up about the SJ - you just both look a little tense and actually you finish nicely over the last few when you have calmed down! Strive for progress not perfection and I'm sure if you look back you are both doing amazingly well! Having your own transport will help you come on in leaps and bounds too as you will get out much more and get that consistency! Crack on! Looking forward to your solihull report x

Thanks so much, I have planned lots of training between now and then now that we are able

Love the pics

Well done.. What a great experience. I'll watch video later at home.

Fiona

Thank you Fiona, it was amazing.

Fantastic report as usual. Gosh he looks keen XC and you must frame that photo of you at the trot up standing in front of the ads on the back wall (just photoedit the grey out of it). Stunning.

I was expecting much worse SJ from your report. You had one down and he went very green on you before and after the stop. I can see how worried he gets when it goes a bit t*ts up but you held it together really well and he came back to you. Really well done to you both - lovely partnership and also to fiance and CeeCee.

Thanks so much, it never looks as bad afterwards as it feels at the time. But we are getting there.

Another who expected much worse in the SJ vid! Well done on getting him back together. It sounds like an amazing experience and your grin after the xc is fabulous! Out of interest, which class were you in?

I can never stop grinning with him, he is just the best! We were in the 80.

So, more work needed on the SJ but so many positives to take away. Great experience for you both and spends like an awesome event. Well done for all the good things, which far outweigh the sj, which even then really isn't that bad.

I've been there and that arena is quite spooky, and that course looks fairly full on in terms of distractions etc. Lovely pics and lots to be proud of.

Thank you, you're right it was very spooky and lots of people stood in the verander which I think is what distracted him on the turn to 5 - lots to look at!

I wouldn't call that a bad SJ round - more an 'unfortunate' one.

You did brilliantly overall!

Thank you Jenni

Dont be so hard on yourself. He looked tense when you came in. Made a mistake. Got upset. You kept riding forward calmly and kindly and sorted the problem. Well done.

Thanks FP, you're right - I think we were both a bit tense. It was a big atmosphere and lots of people, and I so desperately wanted it to go well.

 

[Girlracer]

Another who thinks you're being hard on yourself - would you have been here this time last year? We all hopefully learn as we go along and I for one definitely couldn't do what you have done. Have to say the first photo on Day 3 made me giggle - the expression on King's face, has he not seen you in shorts before, lol

It's very true, we need to remember how far we have come. I never thought we would be able to go and do things like this, and for him to be so happy and relaxed in this sort of environment - even just in the stables, goes to show how far he has come and how much happier he is now. Thank you

He looks absolutely fab. I have been liking your photos on fb too, but thought I'd comment here too Don't beat yourself up about the SJ, I've seen (and ridden ) far worse rounds, and clearly it's still an improvement from where he was! Sounds like a great experience to have had, onwards and upwards!

Thanks so much, I am so pleased with the photos, there are some gorgeous pro ones that I bought yesterday too!

I think you should be so pleased for completing your first 3DE, after all it is no easy thing to accomplish! SJ was unfortunate but I agree with others by saying it was not a total disaster! Wishing you all the best for your next event ��

Thanks so much, I am very pleased over all! He did me proud.

I think you are being very hard on yourself. You nailed so many firsts as you mentioned at the beginning and thats a massive positive. Looks like a really good event to go to. I'm tempted for next year.

Thank you, I would highly reccomend it

I was thinking of you over the weekend. Thanks for the report and the lovely photos. What progress you have made and so glad you enjoyed it. You did very well considering that the XC cause such problems. Even Mark Todd can make mistakes in the SJ (Olympics!).

Well done.

Thank you so much, literally living the dream! Someone also commented that I had 'done an Ingrid', so I am definitely not the first but then again they're under a touch more pressure!

Well done. I do like King and what a fab experience.

Thank you

Well done I don't think the sj round was that bad sounds like you had a great time.

We did, it was a great weekend. Wishing we could do it all again!

Really well done

You are absolutely right, one day, all three phases will come together! Stop being so hard on yourself, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Stunning pictures

Thanks so much, I am feeling a bit more positive about it now

Brilliant report and pictures, thank you for sharing! Your showjumping was not as bad as you think, you finished positively! We are all too hard on ourselves at times and forget to look back at how far we have come. You completed and took lots away from a great experience! So gutted I didn't go, sure it says somewhere, but can I ask wha height that was? Thank you and well done!

It was a great experience and I would highly recommend it. We did the 80cm class. Thank you

 

[scats]

I think you did fantastically! I was expecting a lot worse in that showjumping video.

 

[tatty_v]

I thought you coped with the SJ really well! Definitely finished lovely over those last few fences. That arena at Keysoe is really spooky - last time we were there I ended up in the middle of fence 3 in the SJ on my bum! Well done xx

 

[vam]

Great report and lovely pics.
Don't worry about the sj (easier said than done!) we have all been there at some point. I spend too much time over what if's if I'm not careful and end up in some big old pit of doom so I have to remind myself that its not a bad round but a good learning experience. Takes me while to get to that point but it does help!
He is fab and a real credit to you so don't be so hard on yourself.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I was expecting WAY worse than that!!

You guys have done brilliantly - I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your exploits since the beginning and loved seeing you grow as a team. He looks a million dollars and you should be so proud of how far you've come. It is so easy to put so much pressure on ourselves that when it goes wrong, you feel like you've completely failed. Watching that SJ round, the only thing that I will remember from it is how you patted him and tried to reassure him and that is a major positive. You got round and you rode him kindly. You can't ask for more than that. So you may not have gone clear but nothing dreadful happened and he won't have had a bad experience.

I learnt a valuable lesson the other day - focus on the positives and learn from the negatives. I am so good at focusing on the negatives and that's wrong. Just learn where you went wrong and move on. And totally focus on the good positive stuff!! Easy to say I know but it has taught me not to dwell on the bad stuff and if you learn from it, chances are you'll do it differently next time whether that be more leg on, a different warm up, more gin for yourself/less gin for yourself etc!!!

Be proud of yourselves.

 

[[59668]]

Wow I think you did amazingly well! I love the pride that comes through in your post, and the lovely kind way you dealt with the stop in the SJ. That is worth SO much more than if you were a hard rider and won.

 

[Durhamchance]

I too was expecting much worse, you recovered really well, especially after knocking the front pole in the double. You're doing so well and I love following your outings. Keep up the super work!

 

[monte1]

what a great report, like others have said I was expecting far worse in the Sj from your description
sounds like you made a pretty good job of the whole thing and take away lots to work on for next time
he is very handsome, love the photos !

 

[Amye]

I think you did brilliantly! I don't think the SJ was a disaster (was expecting worse like everyone else), I think you handled it lovely and finished the round well

I think I must follow you on instagram too as I recognise your pictures and signature - I knew they looked familiar

Honestly, I would really focus on the positives. You sound like you did really great together despite the nerves. A 3 day event is a big thing! I would love to have the confidence to go out and do what you did! Be proud

 

[Girlracer]

I think you did fantastically! I was expecting a lot worse in that showjumping video.

Thank you

I thought you coped with the SJ really well! Definitely finished lovely over those last few fences. That arena at Keysoe is really spooky - last time we were there I ended up in the middle of fence 3 in the SJ on my bum! Well done xx

It is very spooky, and he's never been anywhere like that before so I was actually really proud of him. Thank you.

Great report and lovely pics.
Don't worry about the sj (easier said than done!) we have all been there at some point. I spend too much time over what if's if I'm not careful and end up in some big old pit of doom so I have to remind myself that its not a bad round but a good learning experience. Takes me while to get to that point but it does help!
He is fab and a real credit to you so don't be so hard on yourself.

Thank you very much, it is important to concetrate on the positives - and there were lots of those!!

I was expecting WAY worse than that!!

You guys have done brilliantly - I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your exploits since the beginning and loved seeing you grow as a team. He looks a million dollars and you should be so proud of how far you've come. It is so easy to put so much pressure on ourselves that when it goes wrong, you feel like you've completely failed. Watching that SJ round, the only thing that I will remember from it is how you patted him and tried to reassure him and that is a major positive. You got round and you rode him kindly. You can't ask for more than that. So you may not have gone clear but nothing dreadful happened and he won't have had a bad experience.

I learnt a valuable lesson the other day - focus on the positives and learn from the negatives. I am so good at focusing on the negatives and that's wrong. Just learn where you went wrong and move on. And totally focus on the good positive stuff!! Easy to say I know but it has taught me not to dwell on the bad stuff and if you learn from it, chances are you'll do it differently next time whether that be more leg on, a different warm up, more gin for yourself/less gin for yourself etc!!!

Be proud of yourselves.

Haha, I like the sound of the more gin!! Thank you very much, hopefully I can put it into practice at Solihull (the more leg, not the gin )

Wow I think you did amazingly well! I love the pride that comes through in your post, and the lovely kind way you dealt with the stop in the SJ. That is worth SO much more than if you were a hard rider and won.

That means a lot, thank you. I try to be kind to him, I know he is never naughty through wanting to be, only ever through stress or mis understanding. I hope that it keeps everything positive for him.

I too was expecting much worse, you recovered really well, especially after knocking the front pole in the double. You're doing so well and I love following your outings. Keep up the super work!

Thank you very much

what a great report, like others have said I was expecting far worse in the Sj from your description
sounds like you made a pretty good job of the whole thing and take away lots to work on for next time
he is very handsome, love the photos !

Thank you, yes lots of positive to take away and so many amazing memories! I am so happy with all the photos they're beautiful!

I think you did brilliantly! I don't think the SJ was a disaster (was expecting worse like everyone else), I think you handled it lovely and finished the round well

I think I must follow you on instagram too as I recognise your pictures and signature - I knew they looked familiar

Honestly, I would really focus on the positives. You sound like you did really great together despite the nerves. A 3 day event is a big thing! I would love to have the confidence to go out and do what you did! Be proud

Haha, if you follow me on Instagram then you will have seen A LOT of King, I'm a sucker for a picture! Thank you.