Area Festivals - Oldencraig - 17-08-13

Got there with plenty of time and kept warmup for N22 warmup test short and sweet.  Bit of walk lateral work, quick trot and canter then some sitting trot renvers/HP/SI which looked really good in the mirrors - not forward enough for a test at that level but we're way off that anyway - they were correct which is main thing.

Warmup test was indoors, came down centre line nice and forwards, got to C and he did a complete 180 degree spin and nearly lost me out the side door.  Crazy bloody horse.  Regained composure but he was tense in that corner for whole test.  Tried to concentrate on growing the trot/canter in the mediums which judge didn't appreciate but I'm sure looking at videos that he did actually lengthen his stride.  Judge leaned out at the end and asked if the door had opened or something to make him spook like that - I said I thought it might have moved but that he was probably seeing ghosts!

Came out, jumped off, gave him 15mins rest then got back on with 10mins to go before AF test.  Warmup concentrated on getting him more in front of the leg so sharp reactions, direct transitions, bit of rein back to canter and some attempts at medium trot.  Checked score for first test on way out - just over 60% - really couldn't believe it was that bad so not very happy going into AF test.

AF test in outdoor International arena.  It started blowing a gale with horizontal rain as I went round the outside, the tentpoles were flapping - all great!  He was so flipping dead in the trot work it was unbelievable - thought he was gonna grind to a halt at several points.  Hard to maintain composure whilst feeling like I wanted to give him a boot in the ribs and send him forwards.  Fortunately managed to maintain enough forwards to keep the connection and generally felt it all went ok but couldn't see it getting amazing marks.  Was hoping for top ten though.

Whilst we waited for scores they managed to put up the correct score for my first test which was 63.1% which was much more like it - without the spin would have been closer to 65% as got a 4 for that movement and a 5 for submission overall.  Came 5th out of about 10.

Waited for ages and ages, past the time when the presentation was meant to be, still half the class's results to go up.  Finally they came out with sheet - was desperately trying to see over shoulder to see score, thought first mark looked fairly competitive but couldn't see second one, then looked across and thought I could see a Q next to my name.  Had to look about 5 times before squealing to Helen that I had a Q by my name.  Then an eek - horse is on lorry with travelling boots and no tack on and presentation in 5mins!  Dragged him off lorry, quickly put poncy white bandages on (not that he needs them as socks so white!) and off we went to presentation.  We were equal 4th so sneaked into qualifying by the narrowest of margins, but who cares!  We're going to the Winter Champs - woohoooo!!!  Monty was completely non-plussed by a mounted prize giving, stood like a donkey in the line up and happily cantered around for his lap of honour.  We got 65.8% from judge at C (Marion Terry - List 2) and 67.41% from judge at E (Rosanne Liversidge - List 3A) leaving us on 66.61%.  Winner on 71% so way way ahead.