Winkleigh Report

Santa_Claus

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 November 2001
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Wiltshire/Hampshire ish!
www.katiemortimore.com
Owww nto done one of these in a while!!

Well I survived and don't tell anyone I forgot to take Fleur's passport with me!
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Chucked her out this morning as they had a 1ft6mini course before main course and then I wasn't until class 3 on the main course.

She was on her toes to start with but nothing stupid.

Went into warm up put number down and was told would be 20th ish to go so lots of walking round warmup. Finally got near me so warmed up and over practice fence to discover no turning hmmmm oh well
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Got out of the start gate well, she napped into first but forced her over, napped again from second but again got over I think without technically stopping, she then started to get hang of it all. And flew 3-10 without issue. There was then a long run to 11 which you turned back on yourself to in a huge field to white gates with stop signs on. Fleur can obviously read as backed off a long way back. Slowly managed to edge her up but had to turn circle, jumped it nicely on second attempt though. Next was first water crossing. Basically barrel down about 2 strides water out then couple strides and another barrel. She jumped barrel landed spotted water and lept sidewards nearly causing me to errr dismount :LOL: stayed on and then stood infront of water for about 10-15 seconds trying to quietly persuade her and then she just lept into it bless her. was then clear over next 4 or 5 including open ditch. Then was table. annoyingly my class wasn't jumping straight on and off we had to trot up sharp turn across bank then off which lost all propulsion and fleur was like "errr what!?" after about 10seconds on top of bank I persuaded her off. from then we were nearly home through the woods jumped straight down tiny step into second water without a second thought and then over last few to the end.

Not a clue how we actually did, feeling we would have technically been eliminated but not sure as the water and bank for example she didn't (i think) step back fence 11 was the only one I know we circled at.

Really pleased with her as it was her first HT (other than 7 fences in a prenovice 2 years ago
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with V ). Onwards and upwards now! there is another nice 2"6 class in a fornight so think will aim for that. At the moment keeping it small for her to gain her confidence but shush don't tell housmate but if she continues to improve I might join up to the dark side sorry BE for the second half of the season to do a few intros
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Sounds great for her "very nearly" first attempt. At least she was bold into the water etc. I'm sure you will have a clear round the next time.

Fiona
 
tempting but at only a month away i think a little early LOL but yes i may well be tempted to join the dark side! was my first XC comp for 5 years as well Dan just never did XC fences (his attempts actually left me laughing!!) and before that was when I was on ponies when I did loads but it was all in jersey so a little more downscale
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Tell you what though Fleur can definetly move as she isn't 'that' fit in terms of stamina I was aiming for a gentle round but she settled into quite a fast canter to be honest about 450mpm at a guess for the majority of the course and I wasn't going to go messing with her rhythm!
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yes you indeed do know! definetly less pig headed these day but still very opinionated!

Pics are also now in the pic gallery
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Poor mare though got glancing kick today, walked it off but slightly short behind though no heat/swelling so hopefully just going to be a bit sore for a few days.
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