BeckyD
Well-Known Member
Yesterday Bill and I did our first ever BE event a BE90 at Carlton. It was my (and our 2nd ever ODE/XC attempt, and I was so excited as Id been wanting to compete there, every year that it has run
I booked onto the Nick Turner course walk on Friday evening, which was really good and interesting. I learnt a lot (Im a total novice) and was relieved to hear his comments as to what horses will be looking at and doing at certain points on the course. Unfortunately (as Ill get on to!) I may have forgotten bits of that as I went round 
5am start for a 9.06 dressage saw me thinking why on earth am I doing this? Took longer plaiting than I meant to so we were 10/15 mins late getting to Carlton. Thankfully in my eager over-excitement I had everything ready where it need to be, so I grabbed my hat bag and legged it to the secretary. Legged it back to tack up and do studs, and actually got to dressage warm up on time!
Our flatwork has taken a bit of a nosedive lately Bill has got a bit tense and grumpy in the contact, and some days he forgets what my legs are for. Unfortunately yesterday was one of those days, but instructor had already said a week earlier, that were going to have a few bad tests before things start to improve. So I would have been happy with anything better than 45. Test was awful, couldnt get him going forwards, he tuned out my left leg, which led me to give him a big boot with it at one point, which at least he took note of although broke into canter (oops). Walk was a bit wobbly and lacking in consistent tempo. Quite surprised to get 37, but that did leave us in the bottom third of my section. Bill dressage videoThen had a looooong wait until 11.49 SJ. A friend from my yard (who Kerilli knows) who is an experienced eventer, came to help me then with my SJ and XC (he was fab! really helped me stay calm and focussed). Hes more used to competing than being groom and I think he found it far more nerve-wracking being on the ground
Warm up for SJ was
er
interesting. Really, REALLY struggling with bitting. Bill objects to just about every bit, but I cant hold him in a snaffle (NS tranz loose ring which he also objects to when I used it to stop/slow down). Safe to say the Pelham didnt work. Nearly collided with someone else whilst he had a temper tantrum at the bit (I apologised). First few warmup jumps were a bit of a car crash. Wasnt taking me forwards, then forgot to even jump at one of them. That made him pull his socks up and got a nice couple of jumps after that, so went into ring feeling quietly confident. The bell went, I cantered towards the first, and then this happened: 
(!) Bill SJ including wobblyI think I must have been riding very defensively after the stop as I got really left-behind over those jumps which never normally happens. He is still green and Im pleased that he finished the course sensibly. Unfortunately 19 time faults plus 4 for the stop, meant we were well out of contention at this point! Lots of pats for Bill and apologies for jabbing him in the mouth.
Quick change for XC and stirrups hoiked up, went over to warm up expecting Bills usual stuffy jumps over the first few XC warmup fences, but he warmed up brilliantly took me into both fences and got a great shot at them. Left it at that as couldnt have asked for more. Finally it was the count down and we were off! And WOW did we have the most amazing time! Popped the 1st nicely, then onto the lambs creep at 2, kept going and jumped it nicely, then I took it easy into the woods for fence 3 as he can be a bit spooky going into the dark, but he was ok with a bit of encouragement, popped out over the palisade from trot, and then tried to also jump the Novice fence, had to pull him away, then out across the bottom of the field towards the house, got in a bit close and then off up the field to the trakehner, steadied to a trot so he could have a look but neednt have worried, he jumped it huge and we ended up in the crop behind (whoops).
Steep hill down then and I couldnt see where I was going for fence 6, so we trotted down the hill, finally spotted the gap in the hedge for the ski jump, popped that and then tight left turn over the open ditch, which he leapt and from then on we were flying. Jumped the rails out of our stride (wow felt so good!). Had to pull him away from the 80 fence behind it as hed locked on, and then had to pull him away from the Novice fence round the bend, which took some doing as he was happy to do it without me I think. Then a long gallop with a chair in it, then on again to a little palisade, slowed down for that as it was a bit confusing which one to jump, but he locked on and flew it, then a gallop up the hill. He was puffing a bit by the top, so eased off a little to have a breather before the tricky triple rails (one long stride, to 2 v short strides, on an angle). Stood off the first part a long way but somehow made it through, then off at the gallop again, round the bend, again pulling him away from the (HUGE) Novice basket which he wanted to jump, down the hill over the table, then down to the angled hedge which had been worrying me but I neednt have worried as he flew it.
He knew where he was by now (weve schooled there twice) and the cheeky g*t tried to whip into the hedge line and jump the fence we normally do, but I managed to pull him back straight and do the one we were supposed to drop with ditch, followed by roll top (at the trot!), then on to the water, steady now as he felt a bit tired, then finally the last, coming towards it feeling good and he stopped!!!!!! I think I came in too tight an angle and didnt let him see behind it, which was the start and very busy, caravan and tents etc, and he just spooked really. Faffed it on 2nd attempt, but we were home. I was so pleased!!! What an exhilarating feeling it is.
Bill XC including refusal
I felt like we were really going some, but we ended up 54 seconds over! Allow 10 for the stop, thats still 44 seconds over. Watching the XC video we did look slow. Am not used to riding sturdy Irish Draught sorts, the TBs I'm used to ate up the ground effortlessly, whereas Bill feels like he's going fast but really isn't! At no point did I push him I let him bowl along in his own rhythm, and I did steady up/trot a few bits. I seriously need to learn how to ride at speed, and he needs to be a LOT fitter. Im not worried for now as hes young and green, Im inexperienced, and this season is about getting to know each other. Next year I hope well both be able to keep up a better pace, with a decent fittening schedule behind us. I wasnt sure I would enjoy eventing, but now Im possibly hooked.
Final score 101.6 I think. Finished second last, but actually very happy. SJ is a work in progress due to his spookiness, and the XC stop at the end was just silly, pilot error.
Sorry so long! Just so pleased!! Massive thank you to everyone at Carlton for running such a good event. The ground was very hard (esp dressage rings which were like tarmac) but everyone was so helpful and nice that it was a lovely day. Thanks also to everyone who helped me to be there yesterday. What a day!
