Sarah_Jane
Well-Known Member
Just about back in the land of the living after getting home at 2am yesterday morning.
Weston was my first 3 day and quite an eye opener. Weston Park was a lovely venue but not blessed with the best weather particularly early in the week. The stable area became a mud bath and I dont think the lorry or contents will ever be the same again!
We had a fantastic time. First trot was on Wednesday which went fine and then dressage on Friday. Being a 1* test it was easier than what we have been doing lately with no lateral work. She tried really hard and made no major mistakes although there is still plenty to be improved on. We scored 53.8 which I was really pleased with and put us in 31st position in a field of over 80. Top half!
The cross country had some quite tricky combinations and 3 waters. In particular a corner to a sunken road to a corner and a skinny to trekenner to skinny on a turn caught some out. What really worried me was the optimum time of 8.42 the course was just under 3 miles and the going sticky would she be fit enough? She jumped a super clear round 3 seconds inside the time she was a bit green at a couple of combinations but jumped the waters really well. She finished a bit tired but when the vets checked her heart rate she had recovered pretty quickly which was good. So after XC we were in 18th which with rosettes to 20th was getting me very exited.
She was fine for the final trot up it was amazing how many stiff horses were evident. The show jumping was big and causing massive problems. The ring was on a slope and the going still a little sticky and the course was right up to height. Average score seemed to be 12-16 faults particularly as time was also tighgt.
Sarnitas SJing is her strength but it is very different jumping on the 3rd day of an event. She warmed up nicely despite my nerves. She went in and jumped a super round we made one mistake when I saw an impossible stride and she came down on the back rail but finished with 4 faults. I felt this should be good enough to keep us in the rosettes but hadnt realised just quite how badly it was jumping we moved right up to 7th. I was over the moon and we won the prize for the most improved position after dressage. A fantastic end to a brilliant season for us. Im trying to persuade her it is time for a holiday but she doesnt like time off so we will see.
Anyway back to reality I have about 10 loads of washing to do and the washing machine has just died!!
Weston was my first 3 day and quite an eye opener. Weston Park was a lovely venue but not blessed with the best weather particularly early in the week. The stable area became a mud bath and I dont think the lorry or contents will ever be the same again!
We had a fantastic time. First trot was on Wednesday which went fine and then dressage on Friday. Being a 1* test it was easier than what we have been doing lately with no lateral work. She tried really hard and made no major mistakes although there is still plenty to be improved on. We scored 53.8 which I was really pleased with and put us in 31st position in a field of over 80. Top half!
The cross country had some quite tricky combinations and 3 waters. In particular a corner to a sunken road to a corner and a skinny to trekenner to skinny on a turn caught some out. What really worried me was the optimum time of 8.42 the course was just under 3 miles and the going sticky would she be fit enough? She jumped a super clear round 3 seconds inside the time she was a bit green at a couple of combinations but jumped the waters really well. She finished a bit tired but when the vets checked her heart rate she had recovered pretty quickly which was good. So after XC we were in 18th which with rosettes to 20th was getting me very exited.
She was fine for the final trot up it was amazing how many stiff horses were evident. The show jumping was big and causing massive problems. The ring was on a slope and the going still a little sticky and the course was right up to height. Average score seemed to be 12-16 faults particularly as time was also tighgt.
Sarnitas SJing is her strength but it is very different jumping on the 3rd day of an event. She warmed up nicely despite my nerves. She went in and jumped a super round we made one mistake when I saw an impossible stride and she came down on the back rail but finished with 4 faults. I felt this should be good enough to keep us in the rosettes but hadnt realised just quite how badly it was jumping we moved right up to 7th. I was over the moon and we won the prize for the most improved position after dressage. A fantastic end to a brilliant season for us. Im trying to persuade her it is time for a holiday but she doesnt like time off so we will see.
Anyway back to reality I have about 10 loads of washing to do and the washing machine has just died!!
