Twiglet
Well-Known Member
Final outing of the year for us, a rather lengthy report (but hey, preferable to doing any work).
Tripped off the Felbridge, with remarkably civilised dressage times, at the most civilised of venues, with Buzz entered for the BE90 combined training, and in the BE100 dressage with his super-duper-flatwork-sharer.
Buzz, 7 yr old, lazy @rse, doesn't understand the meaning of the word careful, owner also on the lazy side, got into a habit of hitting the deck for a few months this year, leaving us with a minor disgust of jumping generally, and specifically over poles.
Was rather pleased with the dressage - wasn't going to set the world on fire, but it felt pleasant, and accurate, and he let me ride him. We both tend to turn into stoned slugs in a dressage arena, so it was nice to be travelling somewhere, and got a couple of 8s which are nice to see. Ended on 35, which was inside top 10 (first place was a 22 from a 4* rider
) .
Walked the course - which true to Felbridge form was up to height and with the world's weirdest fillers, it looks like a Disney store meets the Rocky Horror Picture Show - for the showjumping with heart literally hammering.
My nerves have taken over a lot this year, so been doing some sports psychology with terribly talented friend, and was trying to "harness my chimp", and "plan my strategy", and all the other things I had written on my bit of paper.
Entered the ring to the sounds of "more bloody canter" or words to that effect from my sharer, and just aimed to stay on board. Was suitably surprised to have a really rather lovely round - tapped the front rail of a spread to have one down but compared to our usual carcrashes (three falls this year, and always a run out!), I was absolutely thrilled. He met every one on what felt like a good stride, and I actually enjoyed it. Gave me such a confidence boost.
No pics or videos as one of my confidence strategies is to go off on my own and do a class with no spectators. Definitely felt better for it.
Couple of hours later, Buzz back in the 100 dressage with his sharer, who is a faaaar better rider than me, and they look a terribly pretty picture together. He was by this time a little on the tired side (he lacks anything even approaching stamina, despite being about as fit as he's ever been), but they did a lovely rhythmical test for 39, while I got to stand at the side, be proud and eat pork scratchings (could get used to this owner lark).
Next up was Woody - our eventing buddy, and other member of Team Toy Story (Woody and Buzz, you get the picture). About as polar opposite to Buzz as is possible to be - hot blooded, forward, workaholic, with a cracking jump, and a tendancy to boil over. Had 4 great double clears at 90/100 this year before lameness issues saw him off for the rest of the season. Now coming back with a bang, and his first SJ class in a few months.
The dressage was good albeit he got really. rather. excited. and a bit tense and rushy, but he's accurate and knows his job. 36.5 and midway through the class.
His appearance in the jumping warm up took the form of launching as far away as he possibly could from the warm up jump (he wasn't so much taking a stride out, as a mile). So after a quick pep talk where I suggested perhaps a constant hold on the front end maybe would result in them staying alive but wouldn't make for the prettiest round, they went in....and jumped probably the nicest round have seen from them. It's so typical with a forward going horse to forget to actually push them, but it's what he needs, and when he was charging, a tap on the neck with the stick actually reminded him that he had a rider on board and needed to listen. Lovely clear, and again a great confidence boost for his owner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAkqqK-yb4U
Next plans are XC schooling at end of Dec before gearing up for JAS in Jan, then it's all systems go!
Thanks for reading....happy Mondays all
Tripped off the Felbridge, with remarkably civilised dressage times, at the most civilised of venues, with Buzz entered for the BE90 combined training, and in the BE100 dressage with his super-duper-flatwork-sharer.
Buzz, 7 yr old, lazy @rse, doesn't understand the meaning of the word careful, owner also on the lazy side, got into a habit of hitting the deck for a few months this year, leaving us with a minor disgust of jumping generally, and specifically over poles.
Was rather pleased with the dressage - wasn't going to set the world on fire, but it felt pleasant, and accurate, and he let me ride him. We both tend to turn into stoned slugs in a dressage arena, so it was nice to be travelling somewhere, and got a couple of 8s which are nice to see. Ended on 35, which was inside top 10 (first place was a 22 from a 4* rider
) . Walked the course - which true to Felbridge form was up to height and with the world's weirdest fillers, it looks like a Disney store meets the Rocky Horror Picture Show - for the showjumping with heart literally hammering.
My nerves have taken over a lot this year, so been doing some sports psychology with terribly talented friend, and was trying to "harness my chimp", and "plan my strategy", and all the other things I had written on my bit of paper.
Entered the ring to the sounds of "more bloody canter" or words to that effect from my sharer, and just aimed to stay on board. Was suitably surprised to have a really rather lovely round - tapped the front rail of a spread to have one down but compared to our usual carcrashes (three falls this year, and always a run out!), I was absolutely thrilled. He met every one on what felt like a good stride, and I actually enjoyed it. Gave me such a confidence boost.
No pics or videos as one of my confidence strategies is to go off on my own and do a class with no spectators. Definitely felt better for it.
Couple of hours later, Buzz back in the 100 dressage with his sharer, who is a faaaar better rider than me, and they look a terribly pretty picture together. He was by this time a little on the tired side (he lacks anything even approaching stamina, despite being about as fit as he's ever been), but they did a lovely rhythmical test for 39, while I got to stand at the side, be proud and eat pork scratchings (could get used to this owner lark).
Next up was Woody - our eventing buddy, and other member of Team Toy Story (Woody and Buzz, you get the picture). About as polar opposite to Buzz as is possible to be - hot blooded, forward, workaholic, with a cracking jump, and a tendancy to boil over. Had 4 great double clears at 90/100 this year before lameness issues saw him off for the rest of the season. Now coming back with a bang, and his first SJ class in a few months.
The dressage was good albeit he got really. rather. excited. and a bit tense and rushy, but he's accurate and knows his job. 36.5 and midway through the class.
His appearance in the jumping warm up took the form of launching as far away as he possibly could from the warm up jump (he wasn't so much taking a stride out, as a mile). So after a quick pep talk where I suggested perhaps a constant hold on the front end maybe would result in them staying alive but wouldn't make for the prettiest round, they went in....and jumped probably the nicest round have seen from them. It's so typical with a forward going horse to forget to actually push them, but it's what he needs, and when he was charging, a tap on the neck with the stick actually reminded him that he had a rider on board and needed to listen. Lovely clear, and again a great confidence boost for his owner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAkqqK-yb4U
Next plans are XC schooling at end of Dec before gearing up for JAS in Jan, then it's all systems go!
Thanks for reading....happy Mondays all
