Spent most of the night awake listening to high winds and heavy rain, dreaming of it being cancelled and running through all 3 phases in my head so was glad when it finally got to 6am and could get up.
Got to Larkhill with plenty of time and the sun poking through the clouds. Headed up to dressage, pretty windy but he is mr.cool. He was a bit lazy in the test, it wasn't as good as Pulborough but not bad and the judge gave us a big smile at the end which always makes me feel good!
Headed straight off to SJ as was chasing the black clouds. SJ there is on a slope, he has only jumped on grass 3 times this year due to all his foot problems, last time was Tweseldown in July which was flat and hard so this was a bit different. He was leaping around and launching at his fences and I thought this could be fun! First 3 fences went well but I lost his back end round the turn back to the planks at 4 and we got in a bit close but clear. Saw a bit of a stupidly long one to the oxer downhill at 5 and he launched and then tanked me down the hill on a very wonky wiggly line towards a very narrow, flimsy looking stile. Luck was on our side as managed to leave that up and made a good turn to the oxer at 6. Jumped that well so I rode forwards for my 5 strides to the double which had walked an exact 5 and I know with him to make 5 I have to ride pretty forwards but that is my new mantra so off I went only to find 3 strides away I was never going to make it, so ended up strangling his canter and he took out the first part and had to really stretch to make the 2nd part on one stride although at least we seem to have got out of the habit of putting 2 strides in a 1 stride which he did last year at Larkhill. A hairy right hand turn to another big oxer downhill we just about survived then he thought about stopping at the last fence as he clocked the flowers marking the finish - leg on and we finished. I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed with one down on a slippery arena on the side of a hill given our lack of match practice but it always feels like I've let him down so much when he's so good at the other 2 phases now and everything had been going so well in our lessons. A winter of SJ is in store for us I think.
Got a bit wet on the walk back to the lorry but fortunately just a shower and it cleared in time for us to go over to the XC. I felt rather sick which I'm not sure was the wine the night before or XC nerves but it wasn't good! He had a nap attack before we even got into the warmup, but jumped the warmup fences nicely. Optimum time for XC was down as 6mins8secs - I knew it had felt long when I walked it but given the hills I did wonder if he'd be fit enough given his lack of runs. I swear he knows his number because as soon as they called for us he went into reverse. Got friend to lead us round the start box and then he decided another attempt at rearing and reversing was needed. 10 seconds to go, big kick, 5seconds, got posted through the side of the start box and he was off like a rocket.
He soared over the first hanging log and tore off round the corner - I just love that feeling when he's really taking me. Had a bit of a look at the house at 2 and then uphill to the parallel rails at 3 but then he was off. Made sure to keep a bit of a lid on him as last time we did Larkhill he very narrowly missed too fast TP's. Downhill to 4 which was a simple up to height palisade which he flew, up a hill and round another corner and set up for 5 which was a double of skinny chase fences on 5 strides. Felt him looking for which fence was his, locked on and flew them both. Down another hill and flew a little rolltop then uphill, steady and got my line for a wide table then 5 strides to a corner. Got the line perfect and perfect stride to the table, leg on, 5 strides and felt the cheeky bugger go to go through his left shoulder - leg on and some err verbal encouragement and we were over safely.
Down another hill to another straightforward fence, up another hill (getting the sense it was hilly yet??) and set him up for an upright up to height rails at the top of a hill, got the canter, got the line, got the turn and he popped it beautifully before cruising downhill and back up the other side to a step up to brush, continue up the hill and round to a simple box fence. Along the top and set up for a rails then 2 strides to sunken road which he popped through nicely. Downhill, round a corner and pop a narrow hanging log, continue downhill to the water which was skinny brush, water to skinny brush, uphill to a carved log thing, then downhill to the big scary ditch brush which has become the size of the Cottesmore Leap in my head overnight! Saw a lovely forwards stride, tap on the neck with the whip and we were flying. Up another hill, turn ride for a 2 stride combo and then uphill to the last and through the finish still full of running. Any doubts about his fitness gone. He had flown round, made it all feel like a walk in the park and had his breath back halfway back to the lorry park. What a buzz! I absolutely love taking that horse XC. Cannot wait to fly round Badminton on him. Stupidly forgot to turn my hedcam on though :(
So, 29 dressage with a comment about being beautifully turned out :D and a clear 16secs inside the time meant we finished on 33. As usual for me, it was a super competitive section so we finished 8th out of 33. Did mean that was his tenth top 10 finish in a row. Am so lucky to have such a super duper horse. :D
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