Well I thought I would do a bit of a round up of my 2012 competition year:
Starting out doing a few unaffiliated competitions - Oasby Belvoir Pony Club ode and Grove and Rufford ode we soon found Guy would be getting ready to start his BE career. Both events felt very easy for him which is great as you know your training at home is working wonders!! In good company at Oasby we got a fourth against many horses which competed regularly already at BE.
Our next proper outing was to still be unaff but to go to Shelford. Known for its inviting fences and great layout. It would be the week after the BE event so would have the same showjumps and cross country. This is where we would decide if Guy would be up for a BE career. What a joy to ride! Guy took me around the showjumping and xc as if he had already done it for a couple of seasons, to say it was awful testing conditions weather wise we came away with a fourth place.
One last chance before entering our first BE together we headed back to Shelford to do their Eventer Trials this time at BE100 standard. It was a a course of showjumps then straight on to xc a timed round with the rider nearest to the optimum time being the winner. Guy jumped double clear and came second, yet again making it feel very easy.
Entering the world of BE Eventing -Carlton BE90
Many people know me as a perfectionist and entering my first BE Event was not to be taken lightly. By now I had had a few training sessions with Teri England, she had worked wonders on my showjumping but now we needed to gain affliated experience. Carlton BE was to be our first BE event, although a bit of a trek away the course both showjumping and xc was an inviting course for young horses. With a good dressage test,two showjumps down and clear xc we both learnt alot from this experience and had a most fantastic day!!! I just couldnt wait to get entered up for some more outings.
Back to Shelford(2) BE90 this time to do it affiliated. Guys dressage was improving, he's a naturely well balanced horse but tends to hold back on his walk which is costly as this is where you pick up those double points. Showjumping we had one fence down and clear xc we finished 10th overall. Learning how to cope with competition nerves and how much time to allow for Guys warm up was getting influencial.
Our next competiton would be Frinckley Park BE90 a new venue on the eventing calendar. Guy did well on the dressage test on not fantastic ground. The showjumping course was on the slippery side with a few twists and turns but we got CLEAR!!!!! Cross country was testing with alot of riders getting eliminated at the first fence, it was the same course as the riders doing their BE90 regional finals so it was up to height. Yes we did a super clear xc but unfortuanately picking up many time faults for going too fast. Although we were out of contention for being placed his ability to move up the grades was more satisfying.
For years I have been going to Oasby as a spectator hoping one day to compete there, it seemed a far away distant dream. Entering Guy to do BE90 was certainly a dream coming true!! And what a dream, lovely flowing dressage, CLEAR showjumping and clear xc my only problem yet again was to get time faults for going too fast. I didnt want to slow him down out of his confident striding pattern although it meant we didnt get placed highly I knew this run would have filled him with great experience and confidence to move up to BE100 which was our next test at Norton Disney.
The last event of the season Norton Disney BE100. This was my 2012 goal for myself and Guy to get to compete at this level. Not the best weather to do your first BE100 but thinking back to competing at Shelford unaff with the same weather he coped very well. Guys a tough Irish horse and a bit of fog and mud doesnt worry him-thank god! A few differnt movements on the BE102 dressage test suited Guy as BE90 tests were getting basic for his mind, with a score of 35 I was over the moon. Showjumping one down but that was my fault and a faultless xc. My 2012 was completed YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Starting out doing a few unaffiliated competitions - Oasby Belvoir Pony Club ode and Grove and Rufford ode we soon found Guy would be getting ready to start his BE career. Both events felt very easy for him which is great as you know your training at home is working wonders!! In good company at Oasby we got a fourth against many horses which competed regularly already at BE.
Our next proper outing was to still be unaff but to go to Shelford. Known for its inviting fences and great layout. It would be the week after the BE event so would have the same showjumps and cross country. This is where we would decide if Guy would be up for a BE career. What a joy to ride! Guy took me around the showjumping and xc as if he had already done it for a couple of seasons, to say it was awful testing conditions weather wise we came away with a fourth place.
One last chance before entering our first BE together we headed back to Shelford to do their Eventer Trials this time at BE100 standard. It was a a course of showjumps then straight on to xc a timed round with the rider nearest to the optimum time being the winner. Guy jumped double clear and came second, yet again making it feel very easy.
Entering the world of BE Eventing -Carlton BE90
Many people know me as a perfectionist and entering my first BE Event was not to be taken lightly. By now I had had a few training sessions with Teri England, she had worked wonders on my showjumping but now we needed to gain affliated experience. Carlton BE was to be our first BE event, although a bit of a trek away the course both showjumping and xc was an inviting course for young horses. With a good dressage test,two showjumps down and clear xc we both learnt alot from this experience and had a most fantastic day!!! I just couldnt wait to get entered up for some more outings.
Back to Shelford(2) BE90 this time to do it affiliated. Guys dressage was improving, he's a naturely well balanced horse but tends to hold back on his walk which is costly as this is where you pick up those double points. Showjumping we had one fence down and clear xc we finished 10th overall. Learning how to cope with competition nerves and how much time to allow for Guys warm up was getting influencial.
Our next competiton would be Frinckley Park BE90 a new venue on the eventing calendar. Guy did well on the dressage test on not fantastic ground. The showjumping course was on the slippery side with a few twists and turns but we got CLEAR!!!!! Cross country was testing with alot of riders getting eliminated at the first fence, it was the same course as the riders doing their BE90 regional finals so it was up to height. Yes we did a super clear xc but unfortuanately picking up many time faults for going too fast. Although we were out of contention for being placed his ability to move up the grades was more satisfying.
For years I have been going to Oasby as a spectator hoping one day to compete there, it seemed a far away distant dream. Entering Guy to do BE90 was certainly a dream coming true!! And what a dream, lovely flowing dressage, CLEAR showjumping and clear xc my only problem yet again was to get time faults for going too fast. I didnt want to slow him down out of his confident striding pattern although it meant we didnt get placed highly I knew this run would have filled him with great experience and confidence to move up to BE100 which was our next test at Norton Disney.
The last event of the season Norton Disney BE100. This was my 2012 goal for myself and Guy to get to compete at this level. Not the best weather to do your first BE100 but thinking back to competing at Shelford unaff with the same weather he coped very well. Guys a tough Irish horse and a bit of fog and mud doesnt worry him-thank god! A few differnt movements on the BE102 dressage test suited Guy as BE90 tests were getting basic for his mind, with a score of 35 I was over the moon. Showjumping one down but that was my fault and a faultless xc. My 2012 was completed YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2012 competition year has been such a dream. To buy a young horse and to produce him myself has taken alot of time and money but been so worthwhile. It takes a horse with the right ability and temperment to be an enjoyable competition horse and Guy certainly is. He has matured and gained great experience over the past couple of months competing. I have learnt that less is more with his warm up routine for dressage and showjumping, If we get any poles down showjumping its my fault yes he's got to jump it but sitting there looking 'pretty' isnt going to get us clears.The bigger the fences the better Guy uses himself and I need to keep him balanced to get the outcome I want. Xc guy is a powerhouse ,point and go with brakes, we need to get really confident at BE100 xc through plenty of 'fun xc training sessions and 'experience, confident giving runs' under our belt before even thinking of doing BE Novice -remembering to walk before we can run.
2013 will see us starting at East Midlands Dressage Group ode then as soon as the BE season starts we will run him at BE90 for a few runs and progress soon onto BE100. My goal would be to do a few BE100 plus classes and perhaps if he is going well enough to do a novice at some point???? To help us on the way i will continue my training with Teri England, I would like to thank her for her valuable imput with her constructive lessons looking forward to 2013!
2013 will see us starting at East Midlands Dressage Group ode then as soon as the BE season starts we will run him at BE90 for a few runs and progress soon onto BE100. My goal would be to do a few BE100 plus classes and perhaps if he is going well enough to do a novice at some point???? To help us on the way i will continue my training with Teri England, I would like to thank her for her valuable imput with her constructive lessons looking forward to 2013!