Lolo
Well-Known Member
Because Al has packed her bags, said her goodbyes and has headed off to pastures new and very exciting. I am so proud of her for getting this amazing opportunity, and I know she is going to have the best time there! She has returned to where she did her working pupil stint this winter to be a groom- she's been spending a lot of her summer travelling to events with this team getting used to how they work away from home, and now she's getting her dream career with them.
So Team Reggie headed off to Keysoe to have a bash at the BE90, and see how super Smokes would cope with the event. It's very busy, bold and bright and it would be a real challenge for him as he is still gaining confidence away from home.
The dressage started well, and he was going really sweetly. And then someone galloped past the hedge and scared the living daylights out of him. It's very much a known problem that he doesn't like people getting close and rushing round him and it's a massive throwback to his polo days we think. Al just tried to keep him going while reassuring him that he was fine and not about to get attacked by the hedge monster. It was very disappointing for her because he felt so good up til that point (and the judge agreed!), but he managed to hold himself together enough to complete the test which he wouldn't have a few months ago. They scored a fairly generous 43, and amazingly weren't near last after the dressage!
[youtube]Q4vKRXJVtvc[/youtube]
In the interest of 'open' reporting, here's the dressage in all its glory...
Onto the SJ which was big and bright as Keysoe always is, and causing a fair few problems. Al knew she was really going to have to be brave for them both now, which was daunting as she's only just getting her nerve back SJ! However Smokes swaggered into the arena and did a storming clear round. He was confident and forwards, and didn't even consider boggling at the spooky fillers
I think he did enjoy the more up to height fences too, he certainly gave them enough air!
[youtube]y_U8GlPEV04[/youtube]
And for those interested, here's Smokes in a lesson with John Adams, jumping some big old fences!
[youtube]C4DPBuoAOtM[/youtube]
And finally the XC- pretty much the opposite of Carlton with lots of interesting questions and bright fences. Al was particularly concerned about the penultimate combination, a plain fence on a turning line to a proper corner without much to guide you through it. And the final fence itself was blimmin' mahoosive too! Smokes set off with all the confidence in the world and produced an absolutely flawless round. Al said he felt like he knew his job exactly and was really enjoying himself, looking for his fences and listening to her. The cruised round under the time easily on one of those rides where every fence is right and you just can enjoy it. They finished with ear to ear grins and lots of pats and cuddles for a very talented little grey horse.
[youtube]XTpoZLjsUpY[/youtube]
Starting, you probably want to skip the first 30 seconds or so unless you enjoy watching him dawdle in a circle before going into the start
[youtube]rJLqzlr102U[/youtube]
And finishing over the corner combination of terror, and the mahoosive final fence. I love that you can see how big Al's grin is between fences, she looks like the Cheshire cat!
They finished 11th, and got another shiny foundation point. Next time they WILL get that frillie, he is Mr Consistent now and they deserve it so much!
So that's Team Reggie, over and out. There will be more reports hopefully, but it's not really Team Reggie- the main man is being spoilt rotten by everyone he meets in Suffolk, Al has disappeared off with the small grey one to Northampton to mix with the elite, and mum is enjoying being horse-free for the first time in 14 years. So much has changed in that time... I can't believe watching those videos the rider was the same child who refused to hold the reins and cried because it was "too fast" at walk (but insisted she loved riding!) at our local riding school.
Thank you to everyone who has cheered us all on, hopefully this isn't the last you've heard from us
So Team Reggie headed off to Keysoe to have a bash at the BE90, and see how super Smokes would cope with the event. It's very busy, bold and bright and it would be a real challenge for him as he is still gaining confidence away from home.
The dressage started well, and he was going really sweetly. And then someone galloped past the hedge and scared the living daylights out of him. It's very much a known problem that he doesn't like people getting close and rushing round him and it's a massive throwback to his polo days we think. Al just tried to keep him going while reassuring him that he was fine and not about to get attacked by the hedge monster. It was very disappointing for her because he felt so good up til that point (and the judge agreed!), but he managed to hold himself together enough to complete the test which he wouldn't have a few months ago. They scored a fairly generous 43, and amazingly weren't near last after the dressage!
[youtube]Q4vKRXJVtvc[/youtube]
In the interest of 'open' reporting, here's the dressage in all its glory...
Onto the SJ which was big and bright as Keysoe always is, and causing a fair few problems. Al knew she was really going to have to be brave for them both now, which was daunting as she's only just getting her nerve back SJ! However Smokes swaggered into the arena and did a storming clear round. He was confident and forwards, and didn't even consider boggling at the spooky fillers
I think he did enjoy the more up to height fences too, he certainly gave them enough air![youtube]y_U8GlPEV04[/youtube]
And for those interested, here's Smokes in a lesson with John Adams, jumping some big old fences!
[youtube]C4DPBuoAOtM[/youtube]
And finally the XC- pretty much the opposite of Carlton with lots of interesting questions and bright fences. Al was particularly concerned about the penultimate combination, a plain fence on a turning line to a proper corner without much to guide you through it. And the final fence itself was blimmin' mahoosive too! Smokes set off with all the confidence in the world and produced an absolutely flawless round. Al said he felt like he knew his job exactly and was really enjoying himself, looking for his fences and listening to her. The cruised round under the time easily on one of those rides where every fence is right and you just can enjoy it. They finished with ear to ear grins and lots of pats and cuddles for a very talented little grey horse.
[youtube]XTpoZLjsUpY[/youtube]
Starting, you probably want to skip the first 30 seconds or so unless you enjoy watching him dawdle in a circle before going into the start
[youtube]rJLqzlr102U[/youtube]
And finishing over the corner combination of terror, and the mahoosive final fence. I love that you can see how big Al's grin is between fences, she looks like the Cheshire cat!
They finished 11th, and got another shiny foundation point. Next time they WILL get that frillie, he is Mr Consistent now and they deserve it so much!
So that's Team Reggie, over and out. There will be more reports hopefully, but it's not really Team Reggie- the main man is being spoilt rotten by everyone he meets in Suffolk, Al has disappeared off with the small grey one to Northampton to mix with the elite, and mum is enjoying being horse-free for the first time in 14 years. So much has changed in that time... I can't believe watching those videos the rider was the same child who refused to hold the reins and cried because it was "too fast" at walk (but insisted she loved riding!) at our local riding school.
Thank you to everyone who has cheered us all on, hopefully this isn't the last you've heard from us
