Freestyle Finals here we come!

[Lgd]

Just had a rather mixed weekend. Saturday peri was an absolute idiot - spooky, naughty and very onward bound. Comment from the judge after the Advanced Medium was 'Loads of forward activity!' and 'quietly coped with' for the rider comment! Marks in the PSG ranged from 7 to 3 - says it all doesn't it.

Sunday was much better ( I dosed her with Rescue Remedy - it either works really well or she was in a better mood), finished 5th in the Advanced Medium freestyle - not very pleased with the marks but I'm sure this is the same judge that really marked us down at the regionals two years ago - my friend is pretty sure that it is.

Unfortunately she was also judging the Prix St George freeslyle along with the judge who had marked us really hard in the straight PSG qualifier on the Saturday so I thought I was absolutely stuffed. Still got rotten marks off first judge and she placed us 4th but the other judge placed us equal first on marks and I would have won overall if it had just been her as my artisitic marks were higher and they count in the case of a tie! (there was a 10% difference in marks between the judges - 40 marks!) Finished 3rd overall so I thought that was it and try again at Richmond at the beginning of June. (Top 2 only qualify) However turns out that the winner was already qualified and the qualification hands down so we are off to the Finals at Wellington Premier League on the 11th - 13th June. We won't get anywhere but I'm going anyway just for the fun of being there and taking part.

[Sarah]

That is fantastic news, well done!

Isn't Rescue Remedy a fantastic product. I am never sure if it is the herbs of the alcohol in it hat sorts me out though....

bye!

[Miriam]

Lesley that is great news. All fingers crossed that Pderi proves you wrong and you do better than you thought ;)

[Lgd]

Thanks for the optimism Miriam, our plans have already been changed as the Richmond competion has been cancelled. I will try phoning British Dressage today to see if they are re-scheduling the qualifier to another show but I would guess it is unlikely as the cut off date for qualifiers is the 3rd of June so it doesn't really give any time to organise an alternative venue. We will just have to practice loads at home and cross our fingers (and hooves).

[Miriam]

Now that is a shame.

[ali cat]

we'll all be keeping EVERYTHING crossed---might make cantering a bit difficult for the neddie but it'll be worth it:)

[Dizzy]

Apparently Richmond has cancelled everything, due to a suspected Strangles outbreak, I haven't heard whether its been confirmed yet.

Anyway, congratulations, and good luck with the finals.

Lesley

[Lgd]

Thanks for all the encouragement folks. I spoke to Richmond yesterday and they confirmed everthing cancelled and that is fairly definite on the strangles front. They have cancelled everything until the beginning of July just to be on the safe side. Lovely to see a competition centre being so responsible about it as I know of some who are not quite so scrupulous. Heland is based there and she had let me know it was a possibility which is why I had phoned.