star
Well-Known Member
OMG - what a bunch of nutters! I've never been so fast in all my life. I am however alive and buzzing to tell the tale.
So, off we went to Tweseldown in the rain. Explained to person next to me it was my first time and they gave me some pointers. Met a nice girl on a nice looking eventer walking across and she was also on her own so chatted to her for a bit. Stood around for 15mins getting soaked and cold while people nattered and drunk whatever it was in the shot glasses - I didn't try it. Llewi was shaking by this point - either cold or excited, but he certainly knew where he was and had to keep him moving so he didn't strike out or rear.
Eventually set off on the first line. I stayed near the back with the other people with green ribbons but soon regretted that as they had no brakes and the horses were pratting around. Anyway, first line was fairly short - only 3 jumps and I missed them out as just wanted to try and settle him a bit. Walked round in circles for another 15mins as he was standing on his back legs every time we stopped.
2nd line I started off in the first third thinking he might not pull as much and I wouldn't have so much trouble with other people but he was a frigging nutter. Kept yanking the slippery rains out of my hands and I was not having fun. We were going far too fast over jumps I had no idea of what they were going to be like so we gradually slipped back down the field and I bridged the reins on his neck which helped a bit. Steadied up a bit and jumped some logs, A-frames and down a big drop. Lost the field at one point, but was with others who were having braking issues and we soon caught them up again. Perhaps if I had the guts to go at their speed he wouldn't have yanked my arms out of their sockets but they go soooooo fast!
Another 15mins of walking in circles and then set off on the last line round the XC course. He was flying and we just went for it. We jumped the big log I couldn't get over last time we were there, then the brush with the ditch behind it (also couldn't do last time) then big tyre jump then the coffin (also couldn't do last time) then a right angled pair of logs which he neatly popped 2 strides in and jumped both on the angle like a complete pro. Then through the water, up the step, back down again and up and out over the big house. Up the steps and through the woods. Little did I know half the field had gone a different way, we were just merrily following the people in front. Come to a step up and then a solid looking 2ft9 fence and just before take off I realised there was one stride to a bloody great drop. Sat back and prayed, lost my knitting, madly scrabbled it back up as were headed at the next Intro fence on the course which he flew. Lost reins again - I had MacWets on which are meant to be grippy but wet leather is not good for grippiness. Completely lost control as he tried to catch up with the rest of the field. Popped small log jump and pulled him up with difficulty for quick breather then set off again and didnt jump anything else as didn't feel in control and didn't think he was looking where he was going enough to be safe. We only missed out a few at the end though. Never been so fast and never jumped from such a speed. Serious adrenaline rush! Llewi finished absolutely full of running, still bouncing around as we walked around to cool off and bounced all the way back to the trailer. He wasn't even blowing. Looked a little tucked up when I got off and was a bit cold so bundled him up in lots of rugs and got him home.
Hopefully photographer got a few shots of us - just waiting for pics to go up. Seriously need to find a better bit for stopping him - thinking maybe a gag to help raise his head. The pics I have of him from before I got him show him hunting in a snaffle. Perhaps normal hunting is more sane or he is just mega fit now. I would go again, but definitely need more brakes. Just got home and had long hot shower and am finally warming up and thawing out!
So, off we went to Tweseldown in the rain. Explained to person next to me it was my first time and they gave me some pointers. Met a nice girl on a nice looking eventer walking across and she was also on her own so chatted to her for a bit. Stood around for 15mins getting soaked and cold while people nattered and drunk whatever it was in the shot glasses - I didn't try it. Llewi was shaking by this point - either cold or excited, but he certainly knew where he was and had to keep him moving so he didn't strike out or rear.
Eventually set off on the first line. I stayed near the back with the other people with green ribbons but soon regretted that as they had no brakes and the horses were pratting around. Anyway, first line was fairly short - only 3 jumps and I missed them out as just wanted to try and settle him a bit. Walked round in circles for another 15mins as he was standing on his back legs every time we stopped.
2nd line I started off in the first third thinking he might not pull as much and I wouldn't have so much trouble with other people but he was a frigging nutter. Kept yanking the slippery rains out of my hands and I was not having fun. We were going far too fast over jumps I had no idea of what they were going to be like so we gradually slipped back down the field and I bridged the reins on his neck which helped a bit. Steadied up a bit and jumped some logs, A-frames and down a big drop. Lost the field at one point, but was with others who were having braking issues and we soon caught them up again. Perhaps if I had the guts to go at their speed he wouldn't have yanked my arms out of their sockets but they go soooooo fast!
Another 15mins of walking in circles and then set off on the last line round the XC course. He was flying and we just went for it. We jumped the big log I couldn't get over last time we were there, then the brush with the ditch behind it (also couldn't do last time) then big tyre jump then the coffin (also couldn't do last time) then a right angled pair of logs which he neatly popped 2 strides in and jumped both on the angle like a complete pro. Then through the water, up the step, back down again and up and out over the big house. Up the steps and through the woods. Little did I know half the field had gone a different way, we were just merrily following the people in front. Come to a step up and then a solid looking 2ft9 fence and just before take off I realised there was one stride to a bloody great drop. Sat back and prayed, lost my knitting, madly scrabbled it back up as were headed at the next Intro fence on the course which he flew. Lost reins again - I had MacWets on which are meant to be grippy but wet leather is not good for grippiness. Completely lost control as he tried to catch up with the rest of the field. Popped small log jump and pulled him up with difficulty for quick breather then set off again and didnt jump anything else as didn't feel in control and didn't think he was looking where he was going enough to be safe. We only missed out a few at the end though. Never been so fast and never jumped from such a speed. Serious adrenaline rush! Llewi finished absolutely full of running, still bouncing around as we walked around to cool off and bounced all the way back to the trailer. He wasn't even blowing. Looked a little tucked up when I got off and was a bit cold so bundled him up in lots of rugs and got him home.
Hopefully photographer got a few shots of us - just waiting for pics to go up. Seriously need to find a better bit for stopping him - thinking maybe a gag to help raise his head. The pics I have of him from before I got him show him hunting in a snaffle. Perhaps normal hunting is more sane or he is just mega fit now. I would go again, but definitely need more brakes. Just got home and had long hot shower and am finally warming up and thawing out!
You had fun then???? Their was a good turn out today, dispite the weather. Waitting around for a bit, is to make sure every one is o.k and have caught up. Have you the links for both photo's guy's!!