It’s that time of year again when the leave start to turn and the flurry of Autumn Hunter Trials kicks off (oh where has the summer gone?)
This saw us returning to one of our favourite venues at Craigie farm to compete in the Fife Riding Club HT. We’ve been really fortunate here in the past coming 6th in our first Nursery Novice HT in September last year and then winning the same class in the Spring so this time we’d entered the 2’6 class to let C have a go at the big boy fences.
I was pretty nervous if I’m honest we’ve not gone clear at 2’6 since our first ever attempt at it at Gleneagles earlier in the year. I was beginning to think that perhaps 2’ft was going to be the biggest we could manage in terms of consistency so yesterday was a bit of a decider for me to see if XC is something we should continue to pursue of if we should just stick to dressage.
Walked the course and was pretty happy with it – the ground on approach and landing wasn’t great by this point and since I know that C does not jump well out of that type of ground it made me even more nervous but I decided not to think about it too much and ride him forward.
Got him ready and wandered over to the warm up all of 10 minutes before my start time – this was based on my experience that Craigie never runs on time. Got tack checked, started walking round to try and settle my nerves (pony was still have asleep at this point) only to see number 138 start on the course – I was number 139.
Starter called out to say we were next so poor C got quickly trotted round and popped over a couple of warm up fences then straight to the start box – poor boy was only registering at this point what was going on and I was even more nervous now having not had time to let myself settle and warm him up properly – that’s what I get for running late though!
5,4,3,2,1 and he was off – lovely over the first log pile, second was a house which he jumped well although I lost my right rein a bit and we drifted off to the right taking us off course for the 3rd but had enough time to recover and pop it nicely.
Into the woods to another log pile – the disk for my class had sort of spun round so I couldn’t see it – I aimed for the jump and at the last minute panicked that it was the wrong fence but pony jumped it anyway and as I was going over I spotted the yellow disc so we were ok!
Next was a sort of wall which he was backing off a bit but jumped ok then a wee canter through the twisty woods to the owls nest. He came round the corner, spotted the fence judge and spooked and backed off – still jumped the fence but it was a very unstylish cat leap but bless him he still listened!
Another canter through the twisty tracks and he jumped the next few really nicely giving me a fab jump over the tyres and the barrels. Was a bit sticky at the brush but still jumped it and then headed to the water. He’s always a bit funny about water – once he’s been in it he’s fine but he’s very suspicious first time round and usually backs off, stops and walks through. Was super pleased that he trotted through this time and popped up the wee step. Then round the corner, off the drop and heading for home! Last 3 he jumped well – backed off at the white bag fence but got a growl and a smack and was told to jump it and was nice over the last two.
Supergroom was timing us so that we could leave sharpish because she’s not very well – optimum time was 420mpm but not sure how to convert that? Anyway – I went round in about 8 minutes which was pretty slow but I’m still setting him up for fences and taking my time a bit – focusing on going clear rather than fast at the moment and hopefully the speed will improve with experience.
I’m just so proud of him – he was an absolute angel – can still be a bit green and looky and backs of fences but is as genuine and honest as the day is long.
Pro pic (awful as always lol!)
http://www.peak-photo.co.uk/index.ph...=100&id=158095
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