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View Full Version : Very Wet 'n' Weird Competition


Lgd
8th Aug 2002, 10:51 AM
Went to Titlington nr Alnwick in Northumberland yesterday. First visit but very nice facilities 65 x 50m outdoor surface, good sized indoor arena. X-country course looked very inviting as well.

First test Med 68 - total nightmare, spooked, leapt and generally refused to concentrate. Awful marks (but deserved) and still managed to win (dread to think what the rest looked like!) As we headed out of the arena, the heavens opened. In less than 2 minutes soaked through to my undies - Yeuch - with two more test to do and no dry show gear.

Did the Med74 next (in light rain), much more settled and did a good test, very strange judging, marks not what expected but still won! Heavens opened again as I'm heading back to the warm-up.

Last test Adv Med 94. Raining so hard the test is delayed for 20 minutes - judge can't see out of car with windscreen wipers on! Finally decreases to heavy from torrential, even the arena has given up by this point and is starting to flood (thank goodness we used to event). Only two minor mistakes and a nice test otherwise, heads back to warm-up as rain is getting heavier (AGAIN). Last two manage to do their test in torrential rain again. Gwyneth poured about an inch of water out of her boots after hers! Finished second but just under the 63% so not qualified, winner only got 63.5% so not much hope really. Having said that it's the highest mark I've ever got out of this particular judge. Gwyneth watched my test and was very pleased with it so guess I'll just have to grin and bear it!

Wended our very soggy way home, found some dry clothes, then 20 minutes later the weather had caught up with us - soaked through again and our arena flooded - at this point Tavia got the night off!

heland
8th Aug 2002, 11:47 AM
Well done for the Wet Dressage Event Yesterday!!

If it was anything like the rain we had here last Friday I can only congratulate you and Perri for sticking it out:D :)

Mehitabel
8th Aug 2002, 04:31 PM
well done!

maverick927
8th Aug 2002, 06:06 PM
well done for competing in the rain. i hate getting wet and don't goout if its pouring. Another of my problems is that I hate mud, and rain means mud. Yuck!!!

Miriam
8th Aug 2002, 08:12 PM
Congrats on the wet dressage test. I am going to Alnwick tomorrow for a day out with my dad and the kids. Only hope it is better weather.

Yep the heavens opened up here at about 4.05pm with a light thunder storm. After the first lot cleared I risked bringing my friends horse in and Rhi. Just managed to get Rhi in before it started again.

Miriam

judyl
9th Aug 2002, 11:05 AM
Once, very foolishly I agreed to take part in a team ODE comp. One person could do the dressage and another (or same one) do the jumping. I decided I didn't want to do the jumping so teamed up with someone. Morning dawned - really gale force winds, rain overnight with thunderstorms. Felt really dubious about all this - am the most fair weather rider I know, with a fair weather horse! Stopped raining so set off. Past girl from stable who just managed to miss a falling branch that set her TB off. Had to go long way round as bridleway flooded and very muddy.

Anyhow, patchy rain but very windy. Horse was so surprised she almost did the best test of her life (was only Prelim but she's a vanner type cob so not really built for 'better things.') We came 2nd with a pretty good percentage. Lots of other horses just couldn't cope with the weather and I think mine only did because she just couldn't believe I was asking her to work in that sort of weather. Trotting and cantering into the rain and wind was amazing. I was laughing and laughing all through the test 'cos by that time I was so wet that it didn't matter any more!

One I will remember for a long time.

Judy
:D