Lucyad
24th Aug 2007, 02:07 PM
:D At request by Capalldubh, a full update!
Our showjumping had been going through a rocky patch - lots of spooky stops at fillers and x-country jumps and general lack of confidence and forwardness.
On Wednesday night I didnt expect much at my riding club's annual Derby show - a much anticipated extravaganza of 23 jumps, including hickstead style bank, water trays, planks, 3 walls, narrow stile, a duck pond complete with plastick ducks, and every colour of filler known to man and beast!
Oscar was unexpectedly forward going, and flew round the first 65cm course, taking 1st place - our first ever!
One stop in the 75cm was rider error - slowing up for a downhill castle and not putting the leg back on. I didnt think I would be placed, and had to leave to get my daughter home to bed.
I hacked up last night (about 1 hr) for the second half of the show (it had been re-scheduled from the weekend due to terrible weather), to find that I had been 3rd in the 75cm, also qualifying for the festival of champions in October.
Oscar was much less forward - we were both feeling a little less lively affter the night before and the hack to the show - but we still managed to get round with only 1 down (bad turn into narrow stile in timed section), which got us 4th place in the 85cm , and another qualification!
I have never done a 95cm round on him, especially one with such a range and number of jumps. They looked huge! (especially the castle!). He was also very tired, and I nearly had second thoughts as we walked round the feild waiting to start - he was clicking back feet, something he does when too tired or hot. He perked up at the start though, and did a lovely round, with only one down (due to lack of impulsion after going down the bank, straight into triple - mucked up middle jump).
Again I had to leave straight after my round, this time to hack home before it got dark. I was almost home when someone drove past shouting out of their window 'YOU WON'! I nearly fell off with shock! The another person stopped to tell me, and I finally believed them!
So we have qualified for every class at the festival of champions, and get to pick up 2 trophies at the club's AGM!
So pleased with my horse! To top the lot, he loaded first time on a loose rope on Wednesday. Things are getting better and better!
Our showjumping had been going through a rocky patch - lots of spooky stops at fillers and x-country jumps and general lack of confidence and forwardness.
On Wednesday night I didnt expect much at my riding club's annual Derby show - a much anticipated extravaganza of 23 jumps, including hickstead style bank, water trays, planks, 3 walls, narrow stile, a duck pond complete with plastick ducks, and every colour of filler known to man and beast!
Oscar was unexpectedly forward going, and flew round the first 65cm course, taking 1st place - our first ever!
One stop in the 75cm was rider error - slowing up for a downhill castle and not putting the leg back on. I didnt think I would be placed, and had to leave to get my daughter home to bed.
I hacked up last night (about 1 hr) for the second half of the show (it had been re-scheduled from the weekend due to terrible weather), to find that I had been 3rd in the 75cm, also qualifying for the festival of champions in October.
Oscar was much less forward - we were both feeling a little less lively affter the night before and the hack to the show - but we still managed to get round with only 1 down (bad turn into narrow stile in timed section), which got us 4th place in the 85cm , and another qualification!
I have never done a 95cm round on him, especially one with such a range and number of jumps. They looked huge! (especially the castle!). He was also very tired, and I nearly had second thoughts as we walked round the feild waiting to start - he was clicking back feet, something he does when too tired or hot. He perked up at the start though, and did a lovely round, with only one down (due to lack of impulsion after going down the bank, straight into triple - mucked up middle jump).
Again I had to leave straight after my round, this time to hack home before it got dark. I was almost home when someone drove past shouting out of their window 'YOU WON'! I nearly fell off with shock! The another person stopped to tell me, and I finally believed them!
So we have qualified for every class at the festival of champions, and get to pick up 2 trophies at the club's AGM!
So pleased with my horse! To top the lot, he loaded first time on a loose rope on Wednesday. Things are getting better and better!