West Wilts report - sorry, only slightly late!

[Acolyte]

Had a fab time at WW on Friday - got 38.6 in the dressage (trot work was good, knew canter was going to be

and it was - got 5's!) which was 9 penalties better than my instructor

SJ was my usual disaster, I am obviously incapable of sitting and waiting for the fence so we had 2 down - and he ran away with me after fence 5 so I couldn't make the turn, had to do a circle so 4 more penalties and time faults

And XC he was just AWESOME as usual - a nice steady clear (ground was a bit hard so took it easy) which was so much fun. I expect the whole show ground heard me shouting at him as he started backing off approaching the water

but he did go straight through

I did my usual assessment today - what would have happened if I had done a double clear - and I would have come 5th (had I not been HC). So lots of SJ practice coming up before next season - and might even consider an easy Novice with him next year, he makes PN seem so much less frightening

 

[coedcae]

Oh didnt realise there was another fellow HHOer at WW on Friday, otherwise I would have come and said Hello

Well done, that water was tricky, nothing wrong with the voice aids

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Glad you had a good day ad enjoyed yourselves.

 

[Acolyte]

Neither did I, or I would have too! Any idea who the photographer was BTW - I have looked all through the schedule but can't find it?

 

[Acolyte]

Thanks! I feel a bit of a cheat doing PN on such an easy horse but I guess either we are HC or doing OPN so not pot hunting too much - and it is still a novelty not to feel totally petrified for each phase of the competition

 

[Bounty]

Well done! Was going to PM you for your report as I thought we weren't going to get one
Will expect to see you at Bromyard/Hartpury etc getting your SJ practice... and have you thought about doing OTECC at Hartpury on the 6th October (?). I was really looking forward to taking Boo, but it's not gunna happen!

 

[Acolyte]

I've been with the BF all weekend so hence the late report

I hadn't got as far as thinking about where to go SJ - I want to do unaff if I can, because it is cheaper, and I'm hoping that if I go somewhere where they also do aff SJ then the courses should be OK. What is OTECC? Can see if i can try & get transport there

 

[coedcae]

It was www.dpiphotos.com but dont think they are up yet.

 

[Acolyte]

Thats brilliant, thanks a lot, will keep checking

 

[Bounty]

OTECC - Oliver Townend Eventers Challenge Cup! What a mouthful! It's similar to JAS, so sj fences followed by XC style fences, but cheaper

You'd probably be best speaking to CotswoldSJ or StencilBum about SJ round here, from what I gather Summerhouse UnAf SJ courses are ok but horrificly busy. Hartpury do unaff. SJ every friday night through the winter, but that goes on until the early hours (from what I can remember

). Bromyard generally has really good feedback, but I don't know about their SJ specifically. It's been along time since I've had to worry about these things

 

[Acolyte]

Oh no, anything that involves any need to be stylish in any way when SJ, count me out

You've seen the pics to prove that!

Thats what puts me off about SJ to be honest - not only I'm rubbish at it, but it seems to be manically busy and you spend hours and hours waiting around, I just switch off completely then ride even more pants when I finally get in the arena

 

[Bounty]

I know exactly what you mean... it was the main reason that I was ready to pack the horses in when I found polocrosse, which is a much more relaxing waste of time!

SJ really isn't my thing though.. it was fine until I gave it up, but now walking round Blenheim/Badminton I find the thought of jumping a SJ round there much, much scarier than the though of the xc. There's something very wrong about that!

Boo and Rage should both be doing some SJ this winter, lets hope I can get back into the swing of things

Not sure what time you finish work, but Home Farm EC at Shurdington just outside of Chelt does CR on a tuesday night which is ultra quiet, so no hanging around

 

[seabiscuit]

Yayyyy!! So pleased for you I know what a huge milestone this is!
How fab to have such a good clear XC. You guys sound as tho your going to be a super partnership!

 

[Acolyte]

Aaarrgh, would be a Tuesday! I start college again in 2 weeks time so will be there until 8pm every Tuesday evening...

Never mind, will make myself go to lots of places and put up with hanging around - let me know where you are going, and I will try and get to the same places

 

[Acolyte]

Thank you! Can't even begin to describe how pleased I am that it is all working out - how typical that this season we lost so many events to the weather, but can't wait til next season now