We arrived at EV after an early start from Edinburgh with plenty to time to walk course and get C use to his new surroundings. Brisk walk round the course and everything looked good – nothing I was too worried about which was great.
We set off to the dressage and to my delight he warmed up nicely and didn’t want to go round with his blaze in my face as he did last time! I got a bit nervous when riding the test and we did almost canter out of the top end of the arena in our second canter but I was super please to find out we had improved our score by 5.5%. Still a rubbish 43 but as least things are improving.
Off to the SJ which was in an arena so I wasn’t worried…..but should have been! The riders in front of me had not arrived on time so I went in early before C had relaxed which was my mistake and I won’t do it again. He flew round like a steam train and took two poles with him. I’m disappointed as it was my error going in before he was settled and the course shouldn’t have caused us any problems.
Oh well – it gave us a little more time to get ready for the fun bit! A lovely girl in the lorry next door helped me with my new air vest and gave me a good tip so as not to jump off at the end when still attached – she said just remember ‘clap, clap, snap’!
We flew round the XC clear – did clatter the first jump of the double at the top of the hill but I think I got more of a fight that C did. I remember the clap, clap, snap so no exploding vest at the end! We came in 9 secs under the time so finished 15th and on 51.
Off to Hopetoun next where the aim is to get into the 40s overall – lots of schooling planned till then!!
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?670655-Scores-moving-in-the-right-direction-%96-Eden-Valley#0HZp8q2vUrO7jPrd.99