Annagain
Well-Known Member
Did my first ever 90 today, unaffiliated, so thought it wouldn't be that big - how wrong could I be!
Dressage arena was very slippery and Mont's a clumsy (gorgeous) oaf so we didn't do our finest.
We then walked XC... I was ready to turn round and leave. It was HUGE and very long! Got back to trailer, woman parked next to me told me she had switched to smaller class as she was so scared by it. I thought about doing the same but knew I'd be bored half way round as it was quite small. She'd also swapped before her dressage so even though it was the same test, it would be much more difficult for me. So, I decided to give it a go and told myself I could wuss out of individual jumps if I wanted.
SJ was right up to height but felt easy and we had a fab clear round.
Then came the sick feeling. I had to fight every urge to pack up and go but just kept telling myself I didn't have to do it all. I was particularly worried about a ditch and rail right at the end. As my friend and approached it when we were walking the course we said the rail looked really big...then we got closer and saw the big ditch in front of it
.I got much more worried when the girl in front of me in the XC said she normally does 100s with her other horse and would expect to jump that course in a 100!
Anyway we started and one by one cleared the fences, with just one sticky moment when he (along with many others for some reason) took a dislike to a skinny house fence, but a pony club kick and a growl saw off that danger. Then came fence 15. THE DITCH. I thought about jumping the smaller one but got my brave pants on and went for it. My head was saying "look at the tree up ahead" but my body somehow made me stare right into the ditch and poor Mont slithered to a halt. He was really tired by this point and really needed me to help him out but I rode it really badly
so I don't blame him at all. Took a deep breath turned him round, kicked for my life and we were over it! The last thee fences I practically had to carry him, but he tried his heart out and clambered over them somehow bless him. He's so chilled it's fab but it sometimes works against him as he has zero adrenalin so when the tank's empty there's really nothing left.
So, no rosette and not a perfect day, but I'm so pleased I was brave and know I'll do better next time. Mont is my share horse rather than mine, I'm so lucky to have him. I know I couldn't do it on another horse, he's such a star and the only one I trust when it comes to jumping. Tired but very happy tonight
Dressage arena was very slippery and Mont's a clumsy (gorgeous) oaf so we didn't do our finest.
We then walked XC... I was ready to turn round and leave. It was HUGE and very long! Got back to trailer, woman parked next to me told me she had switched to smaller class as she was so scared by it. I thought about doing the same but knew I'd be bored half way round as it was quite small. She'd also swapped before her dressage so even though it was the same test, it would be much more difficult for me. So, I decided to give it a go and told myself I could wuss out of individual jumps if I wanted.
SJ was right up to height but felt easy and we had a fab clear round.
Then came the sick feeling. I had to fight every urge to pack up and go but just kept telling myself I didn't have to do it all. I was particularly worried about a ditch and rail right at the end. As my friend and approached it when we were walking the course we said the rail looked really big...then we got closer and saw the big ditch in front of it
.I got much more worried when the girl in front of me in the XC said she normally does 100s with her other horse and would expect to jump that course in a 100! Anyway we started and one by one cleared the fences, with just one sticky moment when he (along with many others for some reason) took a dislike to a skinny house fence, but a pony club kick and a growl saw off that danger. Then came fence 15. THE DITCH. I thought about jumping the smaller one but got my brave pants on and went for it. My head was saying "look at the tree up ahead" but my body somehow made me stare right into the ditch and poor Mont slithered to a halt. He was really tired by this point and really needed me to help him out but I rode it really badly
so I don't blame him at all. Took a deep breath turned him round, kicked for my life and we were over it! The last thee fences I practically had to carry him, but he tried his heart out and clambered over them somehow bless him. He's so chilled it's fab but it sometimes works against him as he has zero adrenalin so when the tank's empty there's really nothing left. So, no rosette and not a perfect day, but I'm so pleased I was brave and know I'll do better next time. Mont is my share horse rather than mine, I'm so lucky to have him. I know I couldn't do it on another horse, he's such a star and the only one I trust when it comes to jumping. Tired but very happy tonight
