soupdragon71
Well-Known Member
Up until now i've purposefully avoided going to any affiliated showjumping. I find the shows rather scary (particularly the collecting ring) and far prefer eventing. However after a poor showjumping round at hutton, where i panicked when going into the sj arena, i decided i had to take drastic actions!
Darkhorseb told me there was a bs show at richmond today so i took a (very valuable) day off from work and trundled over in the farm pickup/trailer this morning.
Was pleasantly surprised by the bn course and thought that they weren't that big - hoorah, that was a positive start. Hadn't sat on horse for last 2 days and as we have no grass at moment i have been stuffing the horses full of feed, so he felt very well in himself! No silliness just very keen.
Were in time for the clear round over the bn course so entered as a warm up. Set off well and was determined to jump the water tray at 5 (there was an alternative which was an upright beside it) - he jumped it very well but think at the last second he saw it and left a leg so we had one down!! First water tray for us so pleasantly surprised.
Then went in to do the bn proper and he was great again, but had a silly fence down at number 8, a related distance. Again felt he was taking me into the fences which has sometimes been an issue in the past so very happy with him. Also felt strides were good and he got the one stride in doubles where in past he might have got 2. Also noticed hewas quite happy to give me flying changes where he just wouldn't before!
Then had a long wait til the discovery class. Turned a bit pale when i saw some very big fences being put up and realised it was a 2 phase course so there were 110cm fences at 10, 11 and a double at 12, fence 13 was same as fence 6 so 1m and fence 14 was smaller too. Thought we were bound to have a fence down in the 1st round (fences 1-8) so didn't need to worry about 9-14. Of course he jumped clear!!!! Seriously worried about 10 but got a great stride to it, however he rubbed it and it fell, as did 11. Then had a good approach and stride to the one strided double which he jumped lovely and was clear over 13 and 14 (even though we had a serious wobble to 13 after we over shot the turn from 12b). So 2 down in a seriously big (for me) jump off and very happy with him - it was hot today and i have the sunburnt arms to prove it (didn't have to wear jackets which was a huge relief but should have taken suncream). Feeling so much more positive about hopetoun pn now (famous last words!).
Darkhorseb told me there was a bs show at richmond today so i took a (very valuable) day off from work and trundled over in the farm pickup/trailer this morning.
Was pleasantly surprised by the bn course and thought that they weren't that big - hoorah, that was a positive start. Hadn't sat on horse for last 2 days and as we have no grass at moment i have been stuffing the horses full of feed, so he felt very well in himself! No silliness just very keen.
Were in time for the clear round over the bn course so entered as a warm up. Set off well and was determined to jump the water tray at 5 (there was an alternative which was an upright beside it) - he jumped it very well but think at the last second he saw it and left a leg so we had one down!! First water tray for us so pleasantly surprised.
Then went in to do the bn proper and he was great again, but had a silly fence down at number 8, a related distance. Again felt he was taking me into the fences which has sometimes been an issue in the past so very happy with him. Also felt strides were good and he got the one stride in doubles where in past he might have got 2. Also noticed hewas quite happy to give me flying changes where he just wouldn't before!
Then had a long wait til the discovery class. Turned a bit pale when i saw some very big fences being put up and realised it was a 2 phase course so there were 110cm fences at 10, 11 and a double at 12, fence 13 was same as fence 6 so 1m and fence 14 was smaller too. Thought we were bound to have a fence down in the 1st round (fences 1-8) so didn't need to worry about 9-14. Of course he jumped clear!!!! Seriously worried about 10 but got a great stride to it, however he rubbed it and it fell, as did 11. Then had a good approach and stride to the one strided double which he jumped lovely and was clear over 13 and 14 (even though we had a serious wobble to 13 after we over shot the turn from 12b). So 2 down in a seriously big (for me) jump off and very happy with him - it was hot today and i have the sunburnt arms to prove it (didn't have to wear jackets which was a huge relief but should have taken suncream). Feeling so much more positive about hopetoun pn now (famous last words!).
Can't remember it looking that big
Maybe I am shrinking in my old age...
Sounds like a very good warm up for Sat and the SJ will now look teeny tiny! 