Our first BD report

[Saf]

Hi all
Well today was the day of our first ever BD at Merrist Wood.
To say I felt out of place was an understatement and very intimidated by the posh horses and riders and one rider wearing a union jack and an ear piece for her instructor

I crept around to the arena and asked if I had to declare to be met by someone who knew me "Hi Clare what the hell are you doing here, YOU JUMP"

So where were the jumps.....................oh yeah thats those caveletti's placed around the arena

With all those flowers.

Elles kindly came to support and I'm glad she did, Saf warmed up like a mad cow and we went in for the first test nov 21 and things did not improve, there was only one shining moment when she did the perfect flying change (not required but saw it in the mirrors and it was fab

) Well the score tells the story 54.5

At this point wanted to cry and wondered why I had bought membership but a huge thanks to Elles who kicked my ass and told me to get out there and make Saf work instead of spending my time thinking I was not good enough. Also big thanks to Sarahs who came to read this test and support

Cue lots of canter and actually using my legs

and back in for nov 32. Saf felt like a different horse, softer although still tense but managed all 6 and 7s and scored 62.17

Did not get placed but have a shiney point? I think?

So........maybe I will give it another go

Thanks for reading

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Congratulations. You didn't get a point you got 2

 

[Saf]

Thankies, even better, how nice, thats double my BE points

 

[Ferdinase514]

2 Shiney points my dear

Progress directly to Advanced Medium and demonstrate flying changes

Seriously, well done

 

[Jemayni]

sounds like a good effort! Technically now she's seen all the atmosphere - the only way is up (not literally)!

 

[carthorse]

You made me smile ,well done ,well written

 

[Weezy]

Oh you BRAVE bunny! Well done, nice to have good kick-up-the-arse people on hand too, I could do with a constant one

 

[BBs]

WOOO HOO!

Clever Saf

You at Munstead tomorrow??

Good luck.

2 points woo hoo

 

[FREESTYLER]

I think you did great!!! Dont worry about others.. concentrate on yourself..... look how much better you did in your second test!!!!!!!

You are as good as you think you are!!! D

ont waste your energy on worry about others and how good they look, get yourself videod then maybe you may realise that you can look that good too... whatever horse you ride!!!

 

[star]

2 very shiny points - well done!

dunno about you feeling out of place there - i used to hack down there in my fluorescents down the main road there on my hairy, often slightly muddy footed pony, turn up and somehow manage to beat the posh warmbloods - MW is my lucky venue - so glad I'm moving back to surrey! People used to ask in the warmup if it was me they saw riding down the road and got a lot of funny looks riding into the car park in bright yellow, stripping it all off and replacing with white! dont worry about them - think about you and you are obviously good to get points on first outing! i bet horsey picked up on your nerves for 1st test and then once you chilled out a bit then 2nd test was much nicer.

 

[_jetset_]

Two points... just wait until those points are put on the BD wesbite, I was soooo excited when mine went up this year

I was exactly the same at my first competition... I felt very intimidated as had never affiliated before and I was on such a novice young horse, but once I had one or two under my belt I stopped worrying about everyone else and just concentrated on me and Grace.

Keep going, and keep the reports coming. It was a lovely one to read

 

[Worried1]

YOur report made me chuckle!
I know exactly what you mean! It can be very intimidating warming up especially when people are warming up for a Novice tests doing what's required for a medium.
I am very jealous of your flying changes though - maybe next time I go to Patchetts Diva and I could watch?

Well done!

 

[lizzie_liz]

Well done thats brilliant.
I was there too, doing the same 2 tests. Didn't realise you were going there.
I noticed the girl with the union jack etc, turns out she was on this years junior or young rider european team. Only those people can get away with their horse spinning around about 4 times and get 68%.
I may have been warming up about the same time, as there was someone who looked very much like an eventer there.

 

[elles]

Another HUGE well done to you both, you did really well! I think the first test actually done you a favour in making you realise how you need to ride her and how you need to warm up. Your 2nd test was absolutely lovely and I think Saf really enjoyed herself.

I'm one very proud aunty, so roll on the next one!!