Puissance Competition Report with Lots of Pics

[flyingfeet]

I did my first puissance at Cricklade show yesterday

I'd been practising like mad, but was somewhat limited as a) I'm a wus and b) my wall tops out at 1.15m.

So we went through the first few rounds (started at 2ft9"), a bit sticky in places as there were bangs going off, smoke from the rings of fire a motorbike stunt team were driving through, the VWH hounds, various fair ground rides flinging people around and finally a horse eating marching band.

So after quite a few round the triple went from this:

to this

To this where we finally wussed out at 1.45m. Having scrambled to get over the 1.38m wall I really don't blame him and I think we were both at our max!

Our final jump over the wall, which was crap riding on my part, but look at his hind legs. He tried his heart out and I was really proud of my home trained home bred!!!

Over 20 riders started and just 3 of us cleared 1.38m. In the 1.45m round I came third having had the run out at the triple. The other two competitors, one had both triple and wall down and the winner just took bricks out of the wall

Winners line up - mine was the smallest (winner was also a grade B

)

 

[FigJam]

Wow, well done! Those are very big fences!!!

 

[flyingfeet]

Well bearing in mind I haven't jumped higher than Discovery at BSJA.... was totally pooping myself.

 

[kerilli]

v well done, big fences!

 

[Nats_uk]

That's brilliant - a massive well done and great pics

 

[FigJam]

Ha ha, don't blame you- people who ride at a solid 1.38m wall are mad!!

 

[stencilface]

Wow well done!! That wall is huge!

I have only done one of those on my horse, when he was 5!

I honestly didn't know how big I got to, till the round I got knocked out in - the round before which I had cleared had been 1.30m! (got knocked out at 1.40). I know thats big for a 5yo, but he isn't traumatised by it, and as it was a one off, no adverse physical effects either

Haven't jumped that high since (4 years ago) and still just competing at discovery too

 

[flyingfeet]

Yes I was a bit worried that I may have "broken" my horse. However put him in the local riders grand prix after the puissance and he came third in that jumping 3 lovely clears. So clearly not ruined by the experience despite the muppet on top!!

1.30m on a five year is pretty impressive!

Will re-register BSJA shortly to start the blue chip campaign!

 

[Golden_Match_II]

I was there! I saw you

You did the Grand Prix at the end, didn't you! I did too - on my 15.3hh bay mare, Tamera Bay. I went clear first round, had two poles second round. Seriously well done for 3 clears, they certainly put up some silly-big fences (and some silly turns! 1 to 2 was just annoying!)

I remember seeing your horse

and watched the puissance.

It was a great show - my first on her. It was in preparation for my first intro at West Wilts. TBH, I already feel ready for PN!

 

[Befney3]

Wow! That's some fence. I've jumped 1.20 at home once & nearly scared myself to death so I think you're very brave. Your horse is lovely too.

 

[milliepops]

Fab pictures. How wide was the fence in the end - were any of our helpful guesses close?

 

[flyingfeet]

It was 6ft, so the person that looked up the jacobs ladder on the website selling BSJA jumps won!!

I remember hearing the name Tamera Bay - how did you get on in the end?

 

[SpottedCat]

That looks super-fun, well done! I am not sure I'd be brave enough to do it, but I'd be happy to lend someone my horse to have a go!

 

[Golden_Match_II]

CotswoldSJ - clear 1st round, 2 down second round, but dead chuffed, as it was my first competition on her (and on any animal over 14.2hh!) And so to get on and go straght for Grand Prix was pleasing. She jumped amazingly.

AND, I was dead chuffed when as I cam out the ring, people came up to me, and complimented my riding. I love getting told my riding is good

Also, round 2 was the biggest I have ever jumped in a comp, the only other time was on my 13.2hh pony in may

So, I enjoyed myself.

I hope the photographer didn't throw in the towel before the last class.

 

[flyingfeet]

Well done - that was a hell of a class to choose for your first competition!

It was up to height at 1.10m in the second round. The only bliss for me is that except the triple, the oxers were narrower than BSJA and the huge ring meant no related distances!

If you can do that - you'd deffo be ready to go BSJA if you wanted.

I was (am still) so knackered though - got there at 11.30am and left at 7.40pm!

 

[ann-jen]

OMG - you are definitely NOT a wuss!!!!

 

[kick_On]

BRILLIANT, looks like you had a cracking day yesterday can't wait to read your BSJA reports.

 

[stencilface]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes I was a bit worried that I may have "broken" my horse. However put him in the local riders grand prix after the puissance and he came third in that jumping 3 lovely clears. So clearly not ruined by the experience despite the muppet on top!!

1.30m on a five year is pretty impressive!

Will re-register BSJA shortly to start the blue chip campaign!

[/ QUOTE ]

Biggest I jump now is 1.20 at home, but thats with my heart in my mouth, don't feel competent to do more than disco/1m at a comp

Want to work up to Newcomers this winter, and more next year - but thats time (ie work) and money allowing

 

[Golden_Match_II]

Yeah, I'm zonked too, I was at the pub until 12 the night before for the pub quiz (we won!) and then had to get up at 7am, be leaving by 8.30am, and then got home at about 8.30pm. -yawn-

It was a good day

I was glad that most of the main attrations had gone from the adjacent arena - was very off-putting!

 

[JessPickle]

WOW :O seriously well done

you both look amazing.

 

[exracemad]

oo I was there too.
A huge well done!!

Aaaand, I think I remember seeing you around the show ground - I love his markings, they look like little stars

(I think this is the horse, not as clear in pics! lol)

 

[Cash]

Wow, that's amazing- wish i could jump like that

 

[flyingfeet]

Yes that's my horse - he is covered in stars and has lightening strikes on his ears too! However his skin doesn't usually see the light of day as poor boy has sweet itch.

Downside is that everyone remembers your horse, not so good if you make a total hash of things!!

 

[wonkey_donkey]

Blimey, your braver than me !!

Ver well done for coming third . . . did you get decent prizes ??

 

[flyingfeet]

Err £30 and a pair of medium sized woof brushing boots. Clearly they were expecting a smaller horse to come 3rd!!

Nice thought, but will have to put them on eBay as all of mine are definitely large size!

 

[exracemad]

Ah bless him, well I thought he was gorgeous

Well done again! Very brave, it's such a busy show.

 

[mat]

Well done! Been a while since Ive seen you! Looking awesome, and those fences are HUGE!

 

[MooMoo]

Caught my eye whilst snoozing in the lorry... Lol.

 

[Daisychain]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes I was a bit worried that I may have "broken" my horse. However put him in the local riders grand prix after the puissance and he came third in that jumping 3 lovely clears. So clearly not ruined by the experience despite the muppet on top!!



[/ QUOTE ]

Funny old world isnt it, you slated me the other day if i remember rightly for jumping my youngster over a log on a quiet fun ride, looking at these pics i would be far more concerned over the strain i would be putting on your horse due to the overfacing and bad take off points, and im FROWNED apon!

 

[flyingfeet]

Oh lovely pics MooMoo - I discovered if he can hang over the back and see everyone he spends less time pawing and telling me to get on with it!

Daisychain - I take your point, but he is 9 and been in months of training to get him fit for this. I still don't jump mine until they are 4 (also he's never been on a fun ride as I think they are too dangerous!)