Well we set off to our third BE80T – felt very positive about the DR for a change after a few lessons, our first ever DR saddle and a nice test at RC last week (mid 60’s which is super for us!).
C warmed up really nicely to start with but I made the error of not checking if they were running to time - which they were not. Our warm up ended up being way too long and by the time we started our test C was getting agitated by everything. He exploded into our first canter, lost his back end and we both almost ended up on the ground. I tried to carry on but he got such a fright he reared and leaped up the long side and out of the arena! The judge was wonderful, got out of her car, congratulated me for staying on and directed us to carry on with the next section of the test. I was so pleased as he settled back down quite well considering he got such a fright (and has only just turned 7) and we finished on a 48.5. Here is a photo of the slip.
I went and changed from our rounded studs into pointier ones for the rest of the day as I didn’t want any more slipping! So many horses seemed to losing their footing in the SJ we decided to take it nice and steady, coming back to trot in the two corners which were causing the most problems and finished with one pole down.
Setting off for the XC the weather got much worse – fog and heavy rain. I could hear about lots of horses having problems over the tannoy while we walked over which left me feeling a little uneasy. Houptoun was definitely one of the most challenging course we had ridden but I shouldn’t have worried. Wee C flew round – the first 5 fences were up hill into the rain which made it so hard to see – I almost missed jump 5 which was hidden by the novice jump and also the fog but I spotted it just in time! C had a wee sideways jump on the way into the first water which was new but no backwards steps so we were fine. We came in clear but I wasn’t sure about the time. I had to take the foot off a bit due to the weather so I knew we would have time faults but only had 8.4 when I checked.
I headed home happy we had salvaged the day with some nice jumping only to find out later it was better than that – we were 8th in our section of 32 as so many people were struggling with both the SJ and XC so we were over the moon – our first every BE frilly!
My friend also took photos and made me the lovely collage below. I have also added a screen grab of the dressage slip!
Drumclog next month……before then it’ll be lots and lots of schooling!!
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?671921-Houptoun-BE-%96-who-knew-the-dressage-would-be-the-most-dangerous!#z16PtALvQyFUjogt.99
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