AprilBlossom
Well-Known Member
So marmalade76 brought her pone over for a sleepover this weekend, as finally there was a fun ride that wasn't cancelled to attend, and logistically it was easier to go from one yard.
Handily, a couple of keen teens (everyone needs these in their lives) took G and S for a nice hack on Saturday, followed by a bath so we had shiny steeds with the edge taken off for us old, less brave riders
After a worrying drive across Cheltenham, we arrived about 15 minutes before last horses so whilst marm parked up I went and paid our entries, thankful we weren't too late! It was here I met a very friendly lady named Kay (if you're on HHO, hi!!) who was by herself and looking for company, so we agreed to mount up and move off together.
Billy Big Balls here decided she'd try to mount her 17h + steed from the ground...did not go so well...and after a failed attempt clambered on from the trailer ramp, happily finding G was not in a 'hoorah, let's go sideways everywhere very fast' mood! Marmalade, owning a much more suitably sized pocket rocket of a pony hopped on board with ease and we met Kay and her beautiful grey IDx.
The sun was shining and there were no other riders nearby - in fact, I only saw about 6 others in total - BIG advantage to turning up at last orders those of you who are nervy of being passed/passing others and although there weren't many jumps in sight, there was a nice gradual hill that had 'gallop here' almost written on it. G then decided to launch himself off at warpspeed before quickly remembering his age, proceeding to be overtaken by both others then huff and blow for a good 5 minutes, worrying me a little that I was asking a bit much of him :S
Saw a few fence lines handily placed along a seperate track running parallel to the main route, but decided was too much of a weener to jump any yet so continued merrily past in search of a nice friendly first fence. Luckily, Kay decided she was going to jump a reasonably sized but inviting roll top and pootled off over it, causing enough peer pressure for me to stop faffing and point my horse at a jump - he was fab! Marm also hopped over neatly, with a little whoop of surprise at herself for just getting on with it I think
Feeling more in the zone, we arrived at the hill crest looking down at Deer park XC course, where the rest of the jumping activity would take place (crapped myself a little bit if I'm honest!). The entrance to the park was over a small fence upon which a sign said 'kick on and sit back!' EEEK! I don't know why I worried, we were all over fine, although I need much more practise jumping drop fences as jarred my knee a little on landing whoops.
Kay showed us up by making it through (literally!) a hedge both of us failed to ride at with enough guts to even hint at a jumping attempt, so defeat was admitted as we went round and through a gate. Boo.
After a swift refreshment stop we were let loose on the XC course, which by being late, we had to ourselves. Kay went off by herself for a play, cleverly realising her superior braveness, whilst Marmalade and I set off at a gentler pace, occassionally with I taking the slightly bigger neighbouring fence, purely because I was on a much bigger mount!
We tackled a few logs and a ditch combination, the water was no problem, however I failed to ride up a set of steps on my ex SJer who was not impressed with a) my riding and b) the obstacle he had to carry me up.
After gradually increasing in confidence and jump size, we had a lovely run of a few fences which I think we both actually rode confidently over, ending on a massive high, and two rather tired steeds. A nice wander back to the finish for our only rosettes of the year and a chat about how we'd have confidently jumped the aforementioned hedge after the XC sesh.
We have plans to go back and have another bash soon, hopefully with a cameraperson so pics to follow - wont be exciting (unless I fall off!) but a 'normal' wuss's report - there must be more of you out there like us!
Handily, a couple of keen teens (everyone needs these in their lives) took G and S for a nice hack on Saturday, followed by a bath so we had shiny steeds with the edge taken off for us old, less brave riders
After a worrying drive across Cheltenham, we arrived about 15 minutes before last horses so whilst marm parked up I went and paid our entries, thankful we weren't too late! It was here I met a very friendly lady named Kay (if you're on HHO, hi!!) who was by herself and looking for company, so we agreed to mount up and move off together.
Billy Big Balls here decided she'd try to mount her 17h + steed from the ground...did not go so well...and after a failed attempt clambered on from the trailer ramp, happily finding G was not in a 'hoorah, let's go sideways everywhere very fast' mood! Marmalade, owning a much more suitably sized pocket rocket of a pony hopped on board with ease and we met Kay and her beautiful grey IDx.
The sun was shining and there were no other riders nearby - in fact, I only saw about 6 others in total - BIG advantage to turning up at last orders those of you who are nervy of being passed/passing others
and although there weren't many jumps in sight, there was a nice gradual hill that had 'gallop here' almost written on it. G then decided to launch himself off at warpspeed before quickly remembering his age, proceeding to be overtaken by both others then huff and blow for a good 5 minutes, worrying me a little that I was asking a bit much of him :SSaw a few fence lines handily placed along a seperate track running parallel to the main route, but decided was too much of a weener to jump any yet so continued merrily past in search of a nice friendly first fence. Luckily, Kay decided she was going to jump a reasonably sized but inviting roll top and pootled off over it, causing enough peer pressure for me to stop faffing and point my horse at a jump - he was fab! Marm also hopped over neatly, with a little whoop of surprise at herself for just getting on with it I think
Feeling more in the zone, we arrived at the hill crest looking down at Deer park XC course, where the rest of the jumping activity would take place (crapped myself a little bit if I'm honest!). The entrance to the park was over a small fence upon which a sign said 'kick on and sit back!' EEEK! I don't know why I worried, we were all over fine, although I need much more practise jumping drop fences as jarred my knee a little on landing
whoops.Kay showed us up by making it through (literally!) a hedge both of us failed to ride at with enough guts to even hint at a jumping attempt, so defeat was admitted as we went round and through a gate. Boo.
After a swift refreshment stop we were let loose on the XC course, which by being late, we had to ourselves. Kay went off by herself for a play, cleverly realising her superior braveness, whilst Marmalade and I set off at a gentler pace, occassionally with I taking the slightly bigger neighbouring fence, purely because I was on a much bigger mount!
We tackled a few logs and a ditch combination, the water was no problem, however I failed to ride up a set of steps on my ex SJer who was not impressed with a) my riding and b) the obstacle he had to carry me up.
After gradually increasing in confidence and jump size, we had a lovely run of a few fences which I think we both actually rode confidently over, ending on a massive high, and two rather tired steeds. A nice wander back to the finish for our only rosettes of the year and a chat about how we'd have confidently jumped the aforementioned hedge after the XC sesh.
We have plans to go back and have another bash soon, hopefully with a cameraperson so pics to follow - wont be exciting (unless I fall off!) but a 'normal' wuss's report - there must be more of you out there like us!
