Tweseldown BE90 10-03-13

So, first event of the season and not quite the run up I had planned.  After combined training last weekend he had Monday off, my friend worked him Tuesday concentrating on walk to halt transitions as they've been a bit ropy recently - he's forgotten I taught him how to stand square!  Wed went for a pipe opener on Hankley Common.  He then ended up having Thur/Fri off as it rained cats and dogs and suddenly Tweseldown was in jeapordy as photos flooded in of swamp like conditions.  The forecast for the weekend remained dry though so was crossing fingers the sand would do its job and it would dry out.  Popped down there in my lunch break on Sat and was encouraged to see they had moved as many arenas as possible and only dressage warmup and XC warmup remained like bogs.  Little bit precious about my boys legs given his tendon injury last May but it looked ok to me so made the decision to go for it!  Quick after work schooling session, plaited up and cleaned out stud holes.

Hardly slept and bounced out of bed when alarm went off at 6am.  Stuck pony on lunge for 15mins so he had a chance to stretch his legs on a decent surface - he looked so pretty in his plaits on the lunge.

Then 15min drive to Tweseldown became 25mins due to road closure.  Getting a little stressed now as was nearly 8am when we arrived and due on in dressage at 9.06.  Long walk to sec to get number so jogged there and back.  Then had massive battle with studs - bought big chunky ones the day before but couldn't get them in.  Tried to be a bit tougher with one but it got stuck!  Then couldn't get any others in so ended up putting standard jump ones in and only on outsides as totally ran out of time.  Hopped on and found a slightly dryer bit of warmup by one of the entrances - did 10mins of transitions and in we went.  They had moved the dressage arenas from the day before but still meant the plough like long side of the day before went across the centre of my arena.  First centre line involved wibbling from side to side, falling into the bog and was glad to make it to the end!  Just tried hard to keep him balanced and was generally very happy with it but not sure it was worth less than 35 which is our best yet at Tweseldown.

Found a friend to help with the studs and he managed to get more little jump studs into the insides of each foot but couldn't get the monster stud out.  Fortunately ground so soft dont think pony noticed he was a bit lopsided.

Onto the SJ.  Quick warmup which went well and over the road to the arena.  Cue a load of napping as people walking course so he had to wait and he doesn't do waiting.  But then off we went - they announced my dressage score and thought they said 39 so was in a right strop :(  Saw a bit of an unsure one to the first but he took over and off we went.  2 to 3 was on a related distance downhill so tried to hold him off it and then kept leg on for the planks before handbrake right hand turn to double then left to another related distance downhill before left again to uphill related distance and we were clear!  Yay!  Had another strop about getting 39 and sent friend off to check scoreboard!

Back to lorry and quick change for XC.  Friend comes back and says we actually got 29 and were 5marks ahead of anyone else although only about 8 scores up.  OMG!  29 at a BE event - sooooo excited!  Whizzed on down to the XC start which was a complete bog and popped over each warmup fence once to remind him XC was next - dont think he needed reminding.  He hasn't been XC since last May but you wouldn't know it - he's such a pro!  He did his usual napping in the warmup and had to be led into the start but then we were off and he flew.  He felt amazing - sometimes he feels like he's running in blind panic round T/down but this time felt like he was taking everything in his stride and not spooking too much at the puddles either!  Had an amazing round - someone actually commented as we went through the half coffin how well I rode it!  Saw a great shot to the 2nd last, the corner and galloped for home taking the last a bit on the angle and clipping the flag with my foot but we were clear!  Commentator was complimenting us all the way round apparently.  Horse finished without a drop of sweat on him and not even out of breath.  He looked like he'd been for a walk in the park!  No need to worry about his fitness then!

Pics courtesy of MDR photo - i have bought them and have permission to post them.

long awaited hatcam video:  I love it!  Permission from BE has been obtained to publish on this website.

Managed to contain myself enough to sit and eat lunch before braving the long walk to the scoreboard to see if we made the time and check we didn't go too fast as course bit less twisty than usual.  4 seconds inside the time - perfect!  And still in the lead in the dressage with only about 10 more scores to go up.  Took the pony to visit the onsite farrier to get stud removed with some difficulty and then home to have a nice roll in the field before heading back to the scoreboard at which point all the dressage scores were up and we were still in the lead so unbeatable - we had actually won!  Could not believe it.  After all that hard work rehabbing him from his injury - we only went and won our first event back!  I am still on such a high!  Have had phone call from H&H today - they want to put a photo in and everything!