Crikey its a week ago since competing at Shelford! My computer went on a sicky and needed to get professional help to reset it losing all my files in the process hence the lateness of my blog! Now we are back up and running downloading all my 700+ photos and videos from my camera including my Shelford competition ones. Thankfully I had them stored on another device!
Last Tuesday was our move back up o BE100 level, be it unaffiliated. Guy made Norton BE90 feel very easy, a bit too easy and I found especially XC he needed to have a larger course. My section was last of the day (XC 17.50!) usually a time when Guy has his tea and winding down so hoped he felt awake enough to compete lol!
To my surprise after some rain we had had Shelford's ground was very firm. I felt in the warm up for dressage Guy wasnt liking the ground so took it steady and only did a limited amount. The actual test flowed quite nicely and Guy was the most balanced to date in a small arena which produced a great score of 32.5! With better ground he would have been sub 30!
Last Tuesday was our move back up o BE100 level, be it unaffiliated. Guy made Norton BE90 feel very easy, a bit too easy and I found especially XC he needed to have a larger course. My section was last of the day (XC 17.50!) usually a time when Guy has his tea and winding down so hoped he felt awake enough to compete lol!
To my surprise after some rain we had had Shelford's ground was very firm. I felt in the warm up for dressage Guy wasnt liking the ground so took it steady and only did a limited amount. The actual test flowed quite nicely and Guy was the most balanced to date in a small arena which produced a great score of 32.5! With better ground he would have been sub 30!
Our jumping had been improving immensely lately but we had done alot of showjumping on a surface and when it came to jumping on grass I was quite surprised how different I had to ride him. Teri England -a fab trainer- was showjump steward and came over to give me some great advice, she could tell I was chasing him into the fences and said just allow him a bit more time in front of the fence BIG THANKS TERI! My showjumping round was enjoyable-usually I want it over and done with-quickly. I took Guy steady and he jumped most of the course under control but yes riders fault I got him too close to the last oxer to get it down-4 faults. Something to work on still but defiantly improving.
Off to XC which was causing chaos, the warm up had been placed right next to the start and fences 1-6. Fences 3/4 a simple log style fence running down to a dog kennel seemed to be causing the most problems. Guy took some bold jumps at the warm up fences he was up for it and the ground was more giving in this area. On course Guy set off well, a few fences I didnt have the best stride to but Guy kept jumping. half way round he settled and i was able to ride him better to the fences. My main aim was to get him round with confidence and finish well, which he certainly did finishing full of running. We came away clear but with 2 time pens which I was surprised at as he a quick horse but found I lost precious seconds settling him into a rhythm at the start of the course and with Shelford the time is usual tight there. Again a educational competition especially in the showjumping and xc. Whilst washing Guy off we listened to the commentary and we were placed 4th! I was over the moon coming away with a frilly and goody bag from Hy products.
Off to XC which was causing chaos, the warm up had been placed right next to the start and fences 1-6. Fences 3/4 a simple log style fence running down to a dog kennel seemed to be causing the most problems. Guy took some bold jumps at the warm up fences he was up for it and the ground was more giving in this area. On course Guy set off well, a few fences I didnt have the best stride to but Guy kept jumping. half way round he settled and i was able to ride him better to the fences. My main aim was to get him round with confidence and finish well, which he certainly did finishing full of running. We came away clear but with 2 time pens which I was surprised at as he a quick horse but found I lost precious seconds settling him into a rhythm at the start of the course and with Shelford the time is usual tight there. Again a educational competition especially in the showjumping and xc. Whilst washing Guy off we listened to the commentary and we were placed 4th! I was over the moon coming away with a frilly and goody bag from Hy products.
Our next plans are to get out to do some more showjumping -surface and grass..... and thinkover/look at finances to see if we British Event Guy for the second half of the season. if this happens we will be looking at competing at Buckminster in July.