We did it - our first British Novice

[ann-jen]

Jenny jumped absolutely fab - I was a shambles LOL! I didn't give myself enough time in the warm up for a start so we had only popped the practice fence twice and then had to go straight in. Jenny jumped really well but she was giving them loads of extra height (possibly because of cr@p warm up) and she jumped huge out of the double and I lost my stirrup and by the time I got it back we were past the turn to the next jump and had to go round the arena and start again. She jumped the rest of the course like a star. We got 4 fts for our lap of the arena and some time penalties - I feel like Jenny went clear and the faults were all mine though. I am still very pleased with how she went and I will make sure I'm a great deal more organised next time. I am very excited and now looking forward to the next one. There is a British Novice at Stainsby Grange next week so I might give that a go - has anyone been and know what its like? I've heard its a bit tight and twisty in there and the warm up gets quite crowded so I'm not sure whether to go or not. It would be nice to hear if anyone has been before.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Well done. Glad it went well - you know you are both more than capable and with more experience it will become easier and easier.

 

[mickey]

Well done you!! Bet you are thrilled. Sounds like Jenny is very confident in you....
Regarding the glitch, it's all a learning experience I guess. Keep us posted on your progress...!!

 

[NewHeights_SJ]

Well done, sounds like you jumped really well. Dont worry about the extra lap, i remember the first few times i jumped BSJA i was so nervous i made all sorts of mistakes like that, including forgetting the course in a JO!

 

[ann-jen]

Thanks all of you - you are all really kind!

I'm so pleased with Jen and will make sure I ride her better next time LOL! At least now I know what to expect I can be a bit more organised next time. Very excited.

 

[lucysnapshot]

Well done. Iv been to stainsby and the arena is a little small but I like it there.

 

[Skhosu]

well done, sound like it went well!

 

[ann-jen]

Thanks guys.
Lucy - do you think the arena/course is as tight/twisty as at Centurian because if we don't go to Stainsby our only other alternative is unaff at Centurian which I know will definately be tight and twisty but obviously smaller.
I'm going over to Teesside to see my Mum and Dad on Wednesday so I might pop into Stainsby on my way back to Durham to see the unaff jumping they do there on the night time. I have done dressage there in the past and remember thinking how narrow the arena was.

 

[Peanot]

Well done to you. It is like a clear round really with no stops or knock downs, its just petty little things.

 

[ann-jen]

Thats how I'm trying to look at it too - she jumped everything - gave everything plenty of height and wasn't phased by anything. If only I hadn't lost my stirrup........

 

[beatrice]

Congratulations!!!!!!!
Sounds like Jenny went well!

I havn't been to Stainsby so can't help you there.

Was nice to meet you and Jenny at the weekend and well done (you had a much better day than i did!!!)!!!

 

[ann-jen]

Thank you - it was lovely to meet you too.

It was partly how she went at HP that made me decide to get on and do it - there was me all worried about jumping that stile and water tray and when I actually had a go she didn't look at either - so then I thought maybe I should just get on with it! Josie let me walk the course the night before to help me make my mind up - although a lot of the jumps had gone up and been pulled wider apart the next day LOL.
How did your lesson and the dressage go?