SteveGG
Well-Known Member
We travelled up to Aston on Thursday for my 1st Intermediate of the year on Friday. The rain hammered down all night and didn't really insipre me! On arrival I walked the SJ and the ring was extremely boggy & Bina just doesn't jump in these conditions she prefers good to firm ground. The ground on the XC was better especially with the number of all weather take-offs so I didn't think this would be a problem.
Bina warmed up well for the dressage but tensed up in the ring especially when she spotted the lambs springing around. I didn't think the test was too bad & was a little disappointed by the 46.7 On to the SJ she warmed up ok but after knocking down fence 3 I took a pull before fence 4 which normally wouldn't be a problem but with the soft ground she stopped rather than just coming back to me. She tried really hard over the treble having one part down but then the next line of planks at maximum, followed by two spreads on related distances she tried hard again but had all 3 down and I could tell that she was loosing heart so I pulled up and retired. I was extremely disappointed ! Our show jumping is often our downfall but Bina has been jumping well recently and even on Friday I felt that she was trying hard but the step up from Novice plus the deep going meant that she had to find even more & it just wasn't there.
I must admit that I was a little put out at having to pay £20 starting fee. I know that the extra £5 was optional but it is difficult to say no. I thought that the starting fee was introduced to fund work on the course and it now seems that this is treated as part of the entry fee.
On a happier note I found out on saturday that my entry for the CCI* at Ede has been accepted by BE so I just need to get in a couple of confident Novice runs before then.
On Sunday I went XC schooling with Ginny. I have withdrwn her from the Mattingly Intro as I don't think that she is quite ready yet. On Sunday she at last started to give me the impression that she is learning and starting to enjoy the XC so hopefully she will be ready later in the year.
Bina warmed up well for the dressage but tensed up in the ring especially when she spotted the lambs springing around. I didn't think the test was too bad & was a little disappointed by the 46.7 On to the SJ she warmed up ok but after knocking down fence 3 I took a pull before fence 4 which normally wouldn't be a problem but with the soft ground she stopped rather than just coming back to me. She tried really hard over the treble having one part down but then the next line of planks at maximum, followed by two spreads on related distances she tried hard again but had all 3 down and I could tell that she was loosing heart so I pulled up and retired. I was extremely disappointed ! Our show jumping is often our downfall but Bina has been jumping well recently and even on Friday I felt that she was trying hard but the step up from Novice plus the deep going meant that she had to find even more & it just wasn't there.
I must admit that I was a little put out at having to pay £20 starting fee. I know that the extra £5 was optional but it is difficult to say no. I thought that the starting fee was introduced to fund work on the course and it now seems that this is treated as part of the entry fee.
On a happier note I found out on saturday that my entry for the CCI* at Ede has been accepted by BE so I just need to get in a couple of confident Novice runs before then.
On Sunday I went XC schooling with Ginny. I have withdrwn her from the Mattingly Intro as I don't think that she is quite ready yet. On Sunday she at last started to give me the impression that she is learning and starting to enjoy the XC so hopefully she will be ready later in the year.
