mil1212
Well-Known Member
I am going to attempt a bit of a round up update so this could be long, bare with me 
(appalling thread title because my mind is now goo!)
After being placed in almost all of our BE100's, I figured this summer was as good as any to make the move to Novice, but I decided I should probably wait until we had been to the RIHS as a show horse (he is the ultimate allrounder!) So with low expectation we trucked all the way to Hickstead and had the most amazing time (considering all we were doing was trotting about looking pretty). Galloping around the polo arena was a definite highlight! Showing did turn out to be fun when we set of for our gallop up the huge arena (sadly avoiding the working hunter fences!). Not placed but I was expecting that! No jumps in this photo but had to buy it as we are both grinning!
http://www.equinationalimagestore.c...-tuesday/ring-5/class-115/pages/BSP 2060.html
Couple of weeks later we did our first Novice at Bold Heath. He was a bit of a heathen in the dressage where going sideways was a shock to him, but still got a respectable 32 - http://youtu.be/DGn9_eM6P_U He then produced a double clear, amazingly enough within the time, to end up 4th. Big gulp, this meant no going back to BE100, and our first points :eek3: (thanks photojo for the photos!)
The following month our next novice was Llanymynech, another nice flat inviting course, with a couple of questions, mostly over the distances, which really confused me. Both of the 'coffin like' combinations walked on about 10 1/2 yards, which for me is neither 1 or 2 strides, and seemed to have riders head scratching. We covered all bases by doing the first in 2 strides and the 2nd in 1! Clever pony. Due to jockey error we rolled a pole showjumping, but we still slithered into 7th place, and yet another point :eek3: :eek3:
Not wanting to get his feet wet:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151876854407938&l=573b405fda
Fast forward to Kelsall, for which I had formed a cunning plan, as I realised it would be our biggest test to date. Dougal has always had a bit of suspicion over water, and he was pretty hesitant at Llanymynech so I thought we'd go on Kelsall farm ride a few weeks ago, the BE water jump is actually part of the farm ride. So I rang and they assured me the water was still in, booked in for the next day, to get to the water and find it taped off :rolleyes3: Never mind, best laid plans and all that! Next plan was not to walk the course early so I didn't dwell on the water jump only for Kelsall to put the whole course on facebook on Friday, leaving me 2 sleepless nights of riding that water jump in every possible way! (the only xc penalty Dougal has is from the water jump at Kelsall!) Sure the rest of the track was huge, but I was able to forget about that and focus all my worry on fence 7!
We got to Kelsall in plenty of time, in beautiful sunshine, so I got ready all relaxed, only to drop my studs at some point before I went to put them in. Cue me and mum scratching through the grass looking for them, before she casually mentioned that I had 15 minutes before my dressage time, oops. Plonked some over kills studs in and trotted off briskly to the dressage. The steward didnt think I was coming, and I explained that dressage warm up is over rated anyway. Cantered a couple of circles and off we went up the centre line. Not a bad test all things considered. First half was lacking suppleness, for obvious reasons really, but I was left with a respectable 31.5. I think the judge was blind though as she put 'fabulous little horse'. He's at least 17hh, and pretty substantial with it! She also gave me a 6 for riding, definitely not looking :biggrin3:
Showjumping seemed much smaller than the other 2 novices I have done, but always causes trouble at Kelsall, lovely bright spooky fillers and fairly technical course. The first handful of ONU18's made a bit of a mess of it too. Dougal had a complete meltdown in this very arena last year and nearly dumped me and ran off, so we marched in positively, but he showed his experience and jumped a lovely clear round.
Quick change and onto XC, where I spent my preparation time riding, and re riding the water! I have no idea why I pile on so much pressure to myself, despite realising the worst he could do was stop and I'd jump the alternative, what else could happen?! I was just relieved that the water came on early so I only had to hold my breath for 7 fences, and not 18 like Llanymynech where I was totally out of breath! Started very strongly, took a stride out at the combination at 4, a trakenher to a log pile, went of a huge stride over the enormous into space fence at 5, then I hyperventilated all the way to the water. This obviously conveyed to Dougal, I think I overrode it and on the stride before the drop into the water I growled at him and he just took off blindly!
(any idea who all the togs are in front of the water?!)
The Pro pics show the jump from the best angle, which is unfortunate as it's a photo I'd really like! (keep clicking next)
http://www.thefotografer.co.uk/Gall....jpg&album=Novice+Cross+Country+Fence+8+Water
Through clear and then I could really enjoy the rest of the course, on the way back towards home he started drifting (he has a 'homing' instinct!), which worked well through a line of owl hole 4 strides to a corner as he was drifting left to a right pointing corner, we weren't going to miss it! Over the huge box hedge at 19 then homeward bound, clear again.
What a star my cow pony is, just 1.2 time to add, I figured we couldn't be worse than 4th, but had to come home before the prize giving, only to be informed that we'd actually come 2nd. Can't believe it. and 5 more points :eek3:
This leads me to wonder what to do next year, I think we are going to have to trot a couple of xc tracks, I am not sure I've ever contemplated Intermediate with him. Possibly aim for some *'s, not sure. Going to finish the season with hopefully a nice confidence giving 100open at Weston Park, then a nice holiday for #Supercowpony.
No food for anyone as I have spent so long typing, it's too late to make tea, but I'll crack open a bottle of white, cheers :biggrin3:
(appalling thread title because my mind is now goo!) After being placed in almost all of our BE100's, I figured this summer was as good as any to make the move to Novice, but I decided I should probably wait until we had been to the RIHS as a show horse (he is the ultimate allrounder!) So with low expectation we trucked all the way to Hickstead and had the most amazing time (considering all we were doing was trotting about looking pretty). Galloping around the polo arena was a definite highlight! Showing did turn out to be fun when we set of for our gallop up the huge arena (sadly avoiding the working hunter fences!). Not placed but I was expecting that! No jumps in this photo but had to buy it as we are both grinning!
http://www.equinationalimagestore.c...-tuesday/ring-5/class-115/pages/BSP 2060.html
Couple of weeks later we did our first Novice at Bold Heath. He was a bit of a heathen in the dressage where going sideways was a shock to him, but still got a respectable 32 - http://youtu.be/DGn9_eM6P_U He then produced a double clear, amazingly enough within the time, to end up 4th. Big gulp, this meant no going back to BE100, and our first points :eek3: (thanks photojo for the photos!)
The following month our next novice was Llanymynech, another nice flat inviting course, with a couple of questions, mostly over the distances, which really confused me. Both of the 'coffin like' combinations walked on about 10 1/2 yards, which for me is neither 1 or 2 strides, and seemed to have riders head scratching. We covered all bases by doing the first in 2 strides and the 2nd in 1! Clever pony. Due to jockey error we rolled a pole showjumping, but we still slithered into 7th place, and yet another point :eek3: :eek3:
Not wanting to get his feet wet:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151876854407938&l=573b405fda
Fast forward to Kelsall, for which I had formed a cunning plan, as I realised it would be our biggest test to date. Dougal has always had a bit of suspicion over water, and he was pretty hesitant at Llanymynech so I thought we'd go on Kelsall farm ride a few weeks ago, the BE water jump is actually part of the farm ride. So I rang and they assured me the water was still in, booked in for the next day, to get to the water and find it taped off :rolleyes3: Never mind, best laid plans and all that! Next plan was not to walk the course early so I didn't dwell on the water jump only for Kelsall to put the whole course on facebook on Friday, leaving me 2 sleepless nights of riding that water jump in every possible way! (the only xc penalty Dougal has is from the water jump at Kelsall!) Sure the rest of the track was huge, but I was able to forget about that and focus all my worry on fence 7!
We got to Kelsall in plenty of time, in beautiful sunshine, so I got ready all relaxed, only to drop my studs at some point before I went to put them in. Cue me and mum scratching through the grass looking for them, before she casually mentioned that I had 15 minutes before my dressage time, oops. Plonked some over kills studs in and trotted off briskly to the dressage. The steward didnt think I was coming, and I explained that dressage warm up is over rated anyway. Cantered a couple of circles and off we went up the centre line. Not a bad test all things considered. First half was lacking suppleness, for obvious reasons really, but I was left with a respectable 31.5. I think the judge was blind though as she put 'fabulous little horse'. He's at least 17hh, and pretty substantial with it! She also gave me a 6 for riding, definitely not looking :biggrin3:
Showjumping seemed much smaller than the other 2 novices I have done, but always causes trouble at Kelsall, lovely bright spooky fillers and fairly technical course. The first handful of ONU18's made a bit of a mess of it too. Dougal had a complete meltdown in this very arena last year and nearly dumped me and ran off, so we marched in positively, but he showed his experience and jumped a lovely clear round.
Quick change and onto XC, where I spent my preparation time riding, and re riding the water! I have no idea why I pile on so much pressure to myself, despite realising the worst he could do was stop and I'd jump the alternative, what else could happen?! I was just relieved that the water came on early so I only had to hold my breath for 7 fences, and not 18 like Llanymynech where I was totally out of breath! Started very strongly, took a stride out at the combination at 4, a trakenher to a log pile, went of a huge stride over the enormous into space fence at 5, then I hyperventilated all the way to the water. This obviously conveyed to Dougal, I think I overrode it and on the stride before the drop into the water I growled at him and he just took off blindly!
(any idea who all the togs are in front of the water?!)
The Pro pics show the jump from the best angle, which is unfortunate as it's a photo I'd really like! (keep clicking next)
http://www.thefotografer.co.uk/Gall....jpg&album=Novice+Cross+Country+Fence+8+Water
Through clear and then I could really enjoy the rest of the course, on the way back towards home he started drifting (he has a 'homing' instinct!), which worked well through a line of owl hole 4 strides to a corner as he was drifting left to a right pointing corner, we weren't going to miss it! Over the huge box hedge at 19 then homeward bound, clear again.
What a star my cow pony is, just 1.2 time to add, I figured we couldn't be worse than 4th, but had to come home before the prize giving, only to be informed that we'd actually come 2nd. Can't believe it. and 5 more points :eek3:
This leads me to wonder what to do next year, I think we are going to have to trot a couple of xc tracks, I am not sure I've ever contemplated Intermediate with him. Possibly aim for some *'s, not sure. Going to finish the season with hopefully a nice confidence giving 100open at Weston Park, then a nice holiday for #Supercowpony.
No food for anyone as I have spent so long typing, it's too late to make tea, but I'll crack open a bottle of white, cheers :biggrin3:
) the horses jumped it.
