FigJam
Well-Known Member
So ventured down to do the BSJA intro show today and having dithered over what classes to do (and given a kick up the bum by Olivio!), decided on the 80cm and 90cm classes. 70cm would have been too wee for my horse, so think I made the right choice.
Was SUPER busy, so had a fair wait and placed myself near the end of the Senior 80cm Open class. Positive mental attitude reckoned this meant less hanging around and re-warming up for the jump off you see?!
There were 33 horses in the class and we were about 5 from the end. Managed a nice clear, although a little sticky and nervous to start (properly clattered no.2- had green paint on her hoof!!
- but it stayed up), got better through the course (managed to chip in 2 strides through the 1 stride double but left both parts up!)
Come out and was wandering around when a couple of riders later, someone came across a shoe in the main arena. Looked down to realise it was mine!!!
Front left and judging from location it was recovered, must have been after the fence 2 clatter. No hoof missing and she didn't feel any different round the other 9 fences on course, so quick straw poll of competitors said do jump off as surface so good she shouldn't miss the shoe.
Popped a couple warm up fences before JO and she did indeed seem happy without it, we were last in to JO and managed clear to come 3rd.
Got a rosette but no prize money as on class ticket, boo!
Again, a big class for the 90cm National Amateur championship qualifier class, must have been at least 40. Plonked ourselves near the end again and had an hour or so to chill out at the trailer inbetween. Went back in and did a really nice clear round, really pleased with how it felt.
Only 12 through to JO and we were last to go again! (only one on a ticket) Had a horrendous warm up, two horrid jumps at the spread and then a couple run outs as we'd both lost confidence. Then discovered it was actually sitting at 1.10m, so lovely person on ground (didn't know them at all) put it down to 1m for me and boosted our confidence again. No one I met today lived up to the "cliquey BSJA" stereotype and those folk in the warm up were very kind to me.
The lovely Olivio was also there to kick my butt and tell me to think forwards and quit pulling with my hands- total panic riding, all because of the two bad jumps at the start of the warm up.
Had a couple nice jumps and then went in for my JO. Tried thinking forwards and first 3 fences were fine, 4th was ok, but panic set in coming up to the 2 stride double and I bloody hooked coming into it when I should have left well alone!
However, lovley lovely pony who I truly do not deserve, managed to get 3 strides in the middle of it and still leave the 1m spread on the way out standing, goodness knows how, I owe her a million for being so agile/scopey/clever. Remembered to turn and made a better job over the last to stay clear and finish 6th. Commentator said "lovely round" to which I shouted "it's wasn't!" and when she commented on how she couldn't believe we left part B of the double up I just pointed at my horse and gave her big pats! She agreed that it was the clever pony to thank!
So came out with a double clear but was absolutely kicking myself.
Feel so bad I did that to her, there was no need.
We have a lesson with Caroline Powell in a couple weeks time and I will be asking her to kick my behind about my hooking antics and see what she can suggest. I just blind panicked and did everything I know I shouldn't do and nothing I know I should have done.
Pony seems happy munching on her haynet this evening so hopefully means she's forgiven me. Was lovely to meet Quadro (who did well today!
) and also huge thanks to Olivio for the morale support, so so appreciated.
Will also start SJ-ing in over reach boots me thinks!
No pics yet, but will try post some tomorrow.
(just looked at this in preview and turns out it wasn't quite as quick as planned when I started typing...!
)
Was SUPER busy, so had a fair wait and placed myself near the end of the Senior 80cm Open class. Positive mental attitude reckoned this meant less hanging around and re-warming up for the jump off you see?!
Come out and was wandering around when a couple of riders later, someone came across a shoe in the main arena. Looked down to realise it was mine!!!
Popped a couple warm up fences before JO and she did indeed seem happy without it, we were last in to JO and managed clear to come 3rd.
Again, a big class for the 90cm National Amateur championship qualifier class, must have been at least 40. Plonked ourselves near the end again and had an hour or so to chill out at the trailer inbetween. Went back in and did a really nice clear round, really pleased with how it felt.
Only 12 through to JO and we were last to go again! (only one on a ticket) Had a horrendous warm up, two horrid jumps at the spread and then a couple run outs as we'd both lost confidence. Then discovered it was actually sitting at 1.10m, so lovely person on ground (didn't know them at all) put it down to 1m for me and boosted our confidence again. No one I met today lived up to the "cliquey BSJA" stereotype and those folk in the warm up were very kind to me.
The lovely Olivio was also there to kick my butt and tell me to think forwards and quit pulling with my hands- total panic riding, all because of the two bad jumps at the start of the warm up.
However, lovley lovely pony who I truly do not deserve, managed to get 3 strides in the middle of it and still leave the 1m spread on the way out standing, goodness knows how, I owe her a million for being so agile/scopey/clever. Remembered to turn and made a better job over the last to stay clear and finish 6th. Commentator said "lovely round" to which I shouted "it's wasn't!" and when she commented on how she couldn't believe we left part B of the double up I just pointed at my horse and gave her big pats! She agreed that it was the clever pony to thank!
So came out with a double clear but was absolutely kicking myself.
Pony seems happy munching on her haynet this evening so hopefully means she's forgiven me. Was lovely to meet Quadro (who did well today!
No pics yet, but will try post some tomorrow.
(just looked at this in preview and turns out it wasn't quite as quick as planned when I started typing...!
