Firle BE100 Regional Finals. 29-08-15

Not sure where to start.  Not sure it's sunk in yet as was a bit of a manic day.  The short story - we're off to Badminton again after our first Regional Final of the year!  Wow - didn't expect to do it on first attempt.

The long story follows here:

Good thing I planned in a fair bit of contingency time into the timings for the day.  Had a bit of an emergency oil situation with the lorry - don't even ask!  Managed to collar the yard owner to help me put in the 8L of oil I luckily had in the lorry (it's not easy to access and required a funnel and a nozzel and a thin bottle) - this all took time.  Finally set off 45mins late.  8L wasn't enough though so had to find somewhere to stop on route.  Had to be the one route without any handy petrol stations.  Got quite close to the event and saw a sign for a supermarket.  Signs then disappeared so had to ask someone.  Two 3 point turns in housing estates later and we found it only to find it to be the only petrol station without a bloody shop!  Chris ended up running into Asda while I started getting changed in the back of the lorry, got my stock and hairnet on etc.  Fortunately found some oil and on we trekked.  Then got stuck in traffic before finally getting to Firle with 50mins to go until my dressage - eek!

Chris ran off to get my number - secretary was miles away!  I got Monts ready then Chris studded up while I got me ready.  10min walk down to the dressage warmup, I was 2nd in and they took the first person in 5mins early.  I knew I could have said to wait until my time but I hate doing that and delaying things, especially early in the class so I went in after literally a trot and canter on each rein.  Didn't really do us any harm - he did a very sweet test, just unfortunately dropping back to trot for half a stride as we came across the 2nd diagonal in canter.  Was very pleased he didn't tense up and anticipate changes though.

Gorgeous photo from Indra Morris after the dressage.  He is just such a beautiful horse!

After all the mad rush, we then had 3.5hrs to wait until SJ.  Watched some 90 SJ, wandered round the trade stands, walked the course for the 100 SJ (nice to get to do that for a change!) - it was quite technical with actual turn backs instead of just a figure of 8.  Hoped our recent BSJA would go in our favour.  Then went to walk the XC - few interesting combinations - first hurdle was going to be persuading him across a muddy, water filled bridge that wasn't even a numbered fence after fence 3. There was lots of pale coloured sand/chippings down in the gateways too which is always fun with Monts! Fence 4 was humongously wide for a BE100 - tried not to look too close!  Fence 8 was a skinny brush then 5 strides to a right corner (hardly a corner, more of skinny as not very wide but still a good accuracy question).  Then there were two skinny houses on a right curve on very undulating ground at fence 12.  Walked on 6 strides - could be fun!  No xmas trees to keep us on track either.  There was a wishing well into the water then step up to angled log out and then 2nd last fence was a log, one stride to step up, 2 strides to log that I thought he might look at.  Lots of other lovely fences - a lot of them identical to those we had at Badminton given the course builders were the same.  Beautiful course and perfect ground.

Back to the dressage - still no scores up after 3hrs!!!  Overheard someone talking about the live scoring on bdwp though - checked there and our score was up - 25!!!  Sounded fab but only one other score up which was 24.3 so wasn't sure if just a generous judge.

On to the SJ - he warmed up beautifully and they called me over, only to then tell me there was a course walk.  10mins later he had switched off, did another couple of warmup jumps, one rather badly and then tried to wake him up on entering the arena.  He ballooned the first fence:

Easy 8 strides to the 2nd, met it perfectly.  Then for some reason I totally messed up counting 10 strides to the next fence, didn't keep the canter forwards enough round the curve, was way off for 10, too close for 11 and totally buried him.  He did his best to clear it but nearly jumped me off in the process.  Headbutted his neck.  Sat up quick and had to reorganise very quickly as tight turn right to fence 4.  Kicked on for 7 strides to 5:

Wrong leg and the disunited round the corner to the double at 6 but got a good shot in

And good to the big wall at 7.

Another turn back to 8 then forwards 7 strides to big oxer at 9:

And on to the 2nd double to finish:

Felt like I'd really let him down by burying him to fence 3 as he jumped the rest brilliantly and put huge amount of effort in to clear all the fences.  Apologised to him on the way out of the ring.  Assumed that was our chance at qualifying gone. 

On to the XC - still worth doing as you never know what can happen!  Only a few scores up from other 100 section but time was looking potentially tight so decided to kick on!  Loony toon lauched out of the start box clearing the first few simple fences no probs.  Thought I was mad asking a hunter/eventer to go through a muddy bridge and had to growl and kick my way through that.  Thankfully a good stride to the big, wide one at 4.  A roll top combo at 5 and a simple brush at 6, table at 7 then anchored him back for the brush to corner combo at 8 - lovely 5 strides but something must have distracted him because he clonked the corner despite being on a good distance which is unlike him.  Round the corner and away from the lorry park (slightly concerned he might nap here but no probs), flyer over 9 and 10 and onwards to the haycart - love this photo!

Great stride to the haycart at 11:

Then had to wrestle back some control for the skinny houses at 12 - met the first one ok but due to trying to keep control and steering I didn't keep enough power going so couldn't make 6 strides.  I did keep riding positively forwards though rather than hooking back and despite feeling him think about nipping out to the left, he was clever, tucked in a 7th stride and over we went - phew!

On to a brush under some trees, trotted through the water, over the log out and another oxer then the final combo.  I think he thought perhaps it was a coffin or something.  He was really backing off so I kept my shoulders back and he launched in, not enough power to get one stride before the step so cleverly stuck in another (never good to launch at steps from way out - he is a clever lad) then landed steep with still not enough power.  I had long reins so again just sat back and rode forwards and straight and he got 3 strides in before the final log.

Clearly very scary - look at the tucked up knees and pricked ears!

Last fence no probs and kicked on through the finish.  Coming back from the warmup we passed super starter Chris Kirby who gave me the thumbs up - we had gone clear inside the time - woohoo!

Back to the lorry to sort Monts out and that gave them time to have updated the live scoreboard.  Loads of dressage scores in the 20's so again assumed our pole down would have knocked us out, but more and more SJ scores went up all with penalties.  Started to look in with a chance again.  Finally, XC scores started going up and we went into 5th place.  27 starters so 5 to qualify for Badminton.  Only one more could potentially go ahead of us.  Suddenly they corrected his SJ score from clear to 12 faults and no-one else could beat us!  Refused to believe it until saw it confirmed on the final scoreboard but there it was!

Whoop whoop!  We won some lovely rossies and a shiny glass:

And a photo with Denise who totally deserved to qualify with her cracking little horse and also another lovely lady who came 4th.

We're all off to Badders!

Finally got home at 10.30pm and then spent yesterday helping at Wellington Horse Trials from 7.30am, writing for the dressage and then watching the SJ/XC.  Worked today which was rather busy so now feeling quite tired!

Reassessing what to do with the rest of the season now.  Have an entry in for Goring this weekend in the Regionals section which now can't do so have emailed the secretary to see if can swap to a normal section and have a nice, no pressure run.  Our SJ clearly still needs work and XC is a good challenge at Goring.  Had the other Regionals in my diary as never imagined we'd qualify at the first one but thinking we might just finish after Goring now.  No need to trek round the country.  We also have the dressage and BE Eventing Finals at Blenheim in a couple of weeks.  Then he could have some chill out time.

So, 3rd time lucky at Badders??? Surely the weather can't be as bad again!

UKCC training Boomerang 26-08-15

A very soggy morning at Boomerang. We started with a one to one XC session which was a good little tune up having not done much XC recently.  Plenty of jumps on all weather surfaces so despite the rain there was still plenty we could do.  Practiced some turning lines remembering to ride forwards and to the centre of the fence - difficult for me as like to see my stride before riding forwards for it and can't really do that as easily on a turn so a good challenge.  Popped through the water and up/down steps no probs.  Skinny arrowhead dead straight both times.  Open ditch no worries so then popped through the coffin - skinny rolltop, 2 strides, ditch, 1 stride, next skinny rolltop - no probs.  Finished with skinny mushrooms, curving line to log into water, step out of water to log, back round, log to step into water, step out, steep hill up to banana and curving line to mushrooms.  Despite long reins at times I managed to channel him with my legs, keep him straight and he never felt like running out.  Good session I thought.

A little break while the sun came out and onwards to a SJ session.  It was rather slow to get started with tiny jumps and he wasn't really paying attention, ignoring my attempts for flying changes and being annoying.  When they finally put the jumps up he jumped through a treble really well, got the correct leads and we had a nice round.  Still need to work on thinking ahead to make sure get the right leads on landing and don't have to try and change leg.

Damian Hallam lesson 23-08-15

First video is of our warm up.  Making sure we had him in front of my leg, taking me forwards of his own accord.  Damian said this is something I do automatically in canter but really need to insist on the same in trot from the moment we go into the trot.

Here is some of our half pass trot work.  Again, making sure he keeps taking me forwards.  We had the sitting trot loads more forwards than usual.  Always making sure he is taking me, I'm not giving him my rein, I keep my shoulders back and sit behind the movement not getting drawn into tipping forward and giving away the reins.

Finally we worked on the medium trot.  Have to push him on round the short side into the long side and the moment he feels like he's getting to his maximum and might break to canter then bring him back to walk and praise.  If he does canter then leg yield and make it uncomfy for him.  Must make sure not to give the reins away or he will fall onto the forehand and run.

Pachesham BD 19-08-15

Horrible weather!  Me and Monts agree on the rain - we'd just rather not!  Warmed up ok, although not feeling quite as fluent as last week.  Think a weekend of jumping isn't the ideal preparation for dressage.  First test was M61 - not ridden this since our first go at Medium back last November.  Too much trotting round the outside for my liking.  Managed the movements all ok, got a 7 for our left trot half pass and final halt.  Rest 6's and 6.5's.  He kept wiggling his bum around with the rain so first centre line wonky, medium trots didn't really happen, trot work in general needed to be more forwards, canter work was better but still felt like I was riding a wiggly worm.  The extended canter looks quite uphill on the video but still commented needs to be more - poor pony has back legs a foot longer than his front ones - only so uphill he can manage!  She did say he showed some promising work though which is a lovely comment.  List 3A judge - Pat Green.  Finished on 63.44%, first Restricted and 3rd out of 4 overall. Winner on 65.5% so not a high scoring class.  Got us a couple more points towards Regionals and the second Petplan Area Festivals sheet we needed.

Quite pleased with how he looks here:

Short walk around in the indoor school then back outside for a few simple changes before the next test - M75 - third go at this test - last ridden in January.  He was spooking and backing off on the go round the arena then a wiggly worm entering the arena in canter, Fell off to the left in the move off.  Trot work just not fluent enough.  Halt and rein back quite nice.  Walk piris came off but still need more activity.  Right canter HP quite nice, tight in the counter canter and simple changes though - too busy anticipating flying changes.  Got a 7 for the medium canter but otherwise all 6's and 6.5's.  Judge List 2 Keeva Fox commented he just wasn't moving freely forwards today.  Totally agree!  Got 61.89% and won the Restricted section by 9%!  Again, only two of us in it.  Overall the class was won on 63.% so another low scoring class.  We were 4th out of 7 Overall.  So, despite me feeling it was far from our best work we got two scores over 60%, didn't come last and got the comment that his work is promising so still feeling encouraged to keep on trying.  Just need to get him more in front of my leg and more uphill (as much as his conformation will allow).  Plus these tests need so much more practice than the lower level ones - the movements come up really quickly and need fluency between them.

Bit of a break from BD again now (just as we're getting going) as it's back to evening with Firle and Goring BE100 Regiona Finals next weekend and the weekend after.  Then we'll see whether we've qualified as to whether we do more eventing or more BD.  There is all winter for dressage so likely eventing will win although I am loving the dressage at the moment.

BSJA Coombelands 16-08-15

Very civilised.  Arrived in time to enter then walk the Discovery course.  Pleased to say it all looked doable, even the jump off, although after watching a few and no-one getting through to it I wondered if I'd need to remember anymore than the first 8 fences as our record for making it through the first phase isn't great!  Didn't quite get going enough after the first fence and was lucky to clear fence2 after squeezing in an extra stride but then got into my rhythm and made all the distances and strides fine.  Before I knew it were over fence 8 and no buzzer rang so on we went!  They got rather big but he kept on flying!  I didn't go for tight turns as prefer to go for rhythm than speed but amazingly we went clear - our first double clear at this level.  Turns out he would have won as there were only a couple of double clears and we were fastest.  Ironic given I cancelled our membership at Christmas for not having jumped a clear in a year's worth of competing.

2nd part of one stride double in the second phase:

First part of two stride double in the first phase:

Oxer at 6

Put him back on the lorry for 45mins while the class finished and the next one was built.  Then walked the 1.05m Open.  Always find these are quite a bit more technical than Discovery.  There were some tricky lines, especially in the second half.  Single phase so 12 fences.  Was struggling to get it in my head and no time to watch anyone which wasn't the best idea.  My brain takes ages to learn an SJ course!

Started off ok to 1 and 2 then got a rather long stride to 3 after a really long canter down to it where I just focused on trying to keep the rhythm and not pushing/pulling:

Landed on the wrong leg because I didn't think about where to go next which upset our rhythm.  Just about got sorted in time for fence 4, a big spread but it was getting a bit hairy.  Got through the big one stride double ok then left to a huge square oxer where I saw an absolute flyer - not ideal for a fence that sized!

Onwards to another upright which was fine then swing back round on a bit of an odd line to a huge oxer - just got that wrong, ended up putting a short one in and despite veering right to give himself room he couldn't clear the front rail at that height so we had it down.  Landed on the wrong leg so tried to get myself sorted and back on the right leg but again, disrupted the rhythm and got too close to the upright at 9 so had that down too.  Onwards to big two stride double which we cleared but again on a long one.  Totally forgot that needed to make a really sharp turn back to the upright at 11 so ended up having to take a wiggly line which disrupted both our focus, he was spooking at next door fence and we got too close again although somehow he cleared it.  Sorted our act out for the last upright at 12 and jumped that nicely.  Disappointed to have 12 faults (not sure which was the 3rd fence we had down) as I let him down by getting a bit manic and riding for long ones, then not setting him back on his hocks in between fences so he just got longer and flatter and couldn't pick up off a shorter stride.  Plus, really need to think about where I'm going before I land so I can land on the correct leg.  More homework needed!

Sadly no video of the lovely Discovery round, just the 1.05m:

Warren Lamperd Tweseldown XC 16-08-15

Tweseldown has been taken over by new management and they have put in loads of new jumps.  With the recent rain and it being on sand, plus the fact we have Firle Regionals in 2weeks and haven't jumped XC since end of June I thought it was a good plan to go and do some schooling.  Joined Warren on one of his horses and 2 others and we went for a play.  There are now loads of jumps in the first field next to the SJ arena which occupied us for a while - he was nice and straight over the corners in both directions and popped all the other jumps no probs.  Just have to make sure he focuses on the right jumps with so many to choose from and if he does wiggle then not to pull the opposite rein.  So if he wiggles left then instead of pulling right rein need to close left rein and use left leg to stop the wiggle rather than create a wiggle in the opposite direction.  Was riding in his usual pelham but without the curb chain guard as it's on my double bridle and he was definitely more sensitive so I'll put the guarded one back on for competition and keep the plain one for hacking where I need the control!

Moved on from here over a few more straightforward jumps.

 Then one with a roof which he was ok with as roof quite high so no ducking!

Popped over ditch fine.  Onto the water.  Cantered in boldly and then I aimed him at the duck on the way out and he went all green and spooky on me.  Slammed on the brakes 3 strides out with his eyes out on stalks.  Strange horse - it didn't look that spooky to me but he was not amused!  When he did jump it he cleared it by miles!  So we did it lots more times until he was definitely fine with it and then linked it in with the other duck off to the right of this one and did them both ways in and out of the water.

Then had a play round another field of jumps - did a chair and a log pile and a house and then this one which he gave a really nice feeling over:

Then onto a roll top to a skinny triple brush which I thought was a real question - they had the 90 and 100 versions up and the 100 was a decent sized brush and pretty narrow which you can't quite make out in the photo.  We started with the 90 and then the 100 and no probs.  He was fab through the 100 version - never faltered.  Glad they were right handed though - still hate left handed ones!

Finished with popping the open ditch a few times - always a spooky one as has water in the bottom.  He ballooned it.  Got told to make sure not to fold over it, just lift bum away from saddle and keep shoulders back and allow with hands as needed so don't pull him in the mouth on landing.

Generally very pleased with him for first XC session in a while.  Perhaps need to find some more ducks!

SJL lesson 14-08-15

Started with some changes.  Still struggling to get him straight for the right to left which is probably why it isn't clean.  Need to think about trying to leg yield into it and also need to stop him changing as soon as I change the bend, he must wait for the leg aid.  Left to right get better and better though - apparently one was worth a 7.5!

Sara-Jane hopped on for a bit but I think it was very obvious that Monts is a mummy's boy and more sensitive than he comes across as.  He really didn't appreciate someone strange on him asking him in a different way to how I've taught him (which could be using completely wrong aids given I've never really ridden changes, let alone taught them!)  I was keen to see if it was me blocking him but we couldn't tell because he threw his toys out of the pram when he got confused by the change in aids (probably not helped by Sara-Jane's legs being a foot longer than mine so felt really different to him).  So, decided to give that one up as a bad idea.  Looks like it's just me and Monts forever!

Moved on to some half pass and he was just floating across the arena.  Easier to the right than to the left which is just so weird because it was totally the other way around for months but I won't complain as the left isn't exactly bad, it's just the right feels amazing.  He was making it to the 3/4 line in half the arena easily.  In the trot just need to concentrate on keeping his neck up but still the round outline - he wants to go down and round or up and out.  Totally a strength issue that is gradually improving with time.  Always have to remember he is not built for this dressage lark!

A left to right change - I need to sit my bum in the saddle and lose the tension in my upper body/hands but he is soft and round and this one got a good mark :)

HP left:

HP right:

medium trot - his hindlegs are really going for it, just need to work out how to get his front end to lift and open and it will look fab!

Pachesham FSM 12-08-15

Just entered the Medium today as he is already qualified at Elem and I don't have a floorplan for Advanced Medium yet.  Meant could really concentrate on one good test.  He was rather livelier than at Priory at the weekend.  It was a bit cooler and I gave him a bit of extra TopSpec Turbo.  He was like a different horse - much better than having to kick him round!  He is harder to collect when he is like that though and as a result our simple changes from counter canter suffered.  The floorplan worked well though.  We stuck to the same canter plan - HP to counter canter 1/2 15m circle to extended canter across the diagonal, simple change through two 1/2 10m circles, repeat HP to counter canter 1/2 15m circle then 3 loop serpentine with simple change through counter canter on each loop and a final extended canter into counter canter across the diagonal, then medium trot.  Then I switched the SI and HP so started with the HP change of hand, SI up long side, two 1/2 10m circles and other SI, walk down long side, extended walk across diagonal and medium walk round 1/2 20m circle, into trot and down centre line.  Generally it was a nice test and his right canter HP was lovely - he really flowed in it.  For some reason we have swapped sides at the moment.  Right HP used to be impossible and now it's easy and left is hard work.  Medium trot feels like he is really trying at the moment - I feel it's just a matter of time before he can produce something quite decent!

Turns out we won the Restricted on 67.33% so have qualified for Regionals.  There were only 2 Open, 2 Restricted but we were 2nd Overall and only 0.5% behind the winner - yay!

Afterwards just popped him back in the warmup for 10mins as not doing another test so took advantage of the big arena and did a few tempi changes.  Managed lines of 4's and 3's but he just needs to stay softer and rounder in the changes which will come as he improves his balance.  Also he is worst coming off the right rein as he is bulging through his left shoulder which is affecting our straightness into a single change, let alone a line of them.  Definitely top on list of things to sort out!

Here he is in his half pass and a very posh winning rosette.

AM92. Priory. 09-08-15

Had to choose one of the hottest days of the year for my Advanced Medium debut didn't I?!  Good plan to clip Monty yesterday which must have helped a bit but not a lot!  Neither me nor him like hot weather.  Didn't start well when after peeling my white breeches on I then found I couldn't get my long boots done up - they are snug on a good day so with the heat there was no chance they were doing up!  Cue last minute polish of my reserve boots (thank god I packed them!) and even they were a bit snug!  Got myself on board to find out another person had withdrawn so the one and only person in my class had already gone in and I could go whenever I was ready.  Did a bit of warmup with some walk piris, some changes and some half pass but not ideal to only do 15mins.  If I'd done more he'd just have been over-cooked though so given he did everything ok I opted to take that.

The trot work was hard work, medium trots didn't really happen, the changes weren't too bad though and we finished where we were meant to which is always a bonus!  Not too shabby for a first go.  Chuffed to find out we got 62.568% from Debby Lush - only a List One judge!!! Collectives 6.5, 6.0, 6.0 and 6.5.  Interesting that at Advanced Medium only the Submission and Rider marks get doubled, not the paces and impulsion.  Comment "A harmonious partnership. Now you need to find more energy in the basic paces to produce greater ease in the movements"  We got;

6.5 for entry (leaning on R shoulder - ?too much shoulder-fore left?)

6 for 10m circle and SI right, (on shoulders/needs to step under more)

6.5 for HP right - needs more cadance

7 for halt and rein back - on shoulders but obedient

5.5 for medium trot - flat and barely medium

7 for medium and extended walk although extended needs more purpose

6 for half piri left - more energy

6.5 for half piri right

6 for collected walk

6.5 for 10m circle and SI left (on shoulders/engagement)

5.5 for HP left - losing energy/bend

4.5 for extended trot - ouch - flat and not extended - he did try on the video but mostly ran

5.5 for transtions into and out of extended trot

7 for trot-canter at A

7 for 1st flying change

6.5 for collected canter (energy)

6.5 HP right (more jump)

6 for change R to L - hollow

6.5 for change L to R - hollow

5 for next change R to L - together behind

6.5 for collected canter

6 for HP left - more bend

7 for extended canter

6 for transitions into and out of extended canter - more trans at K

6.5 for final centre line - on R shoulder in canter - ?again, too much shoulder-fore? - was on left shoulder in lesson on Fri so poss over-compensated.

Only me in my section so a red rossie!

Loads and loads we can improve on so really encouraged to already get what I think is a good score at Advanced Medium!  I was going to be happy with anything over 55% and ecstatic with anything over 60%.  I am well aware my position still needs lots of work - my legs are flapping all over the place but my hands have definitely improved.  Hopefully the pilates is working a little bit!

Onwards to Pachesham for next two Wednesdays - first for Medium Freestyle, then for M61/M75 to get another sheet for Area Festivals.  Hopefully get some BSJA in at the weekend too.  Need to find another AM92 to enter - going to try and stick to one test at the moment - they take a lot of learning and practice at this level given I've never done it before!

The video - don't be too harsh - I'm overly aware of all my faults and am trying very hard to get better.

Keeva Fox test riding clinic Merrist Wood 07-08-15

Points to remember:

• think shoulder-fore in canter down the centre line to make sure he is straight and don't let him fall onto left shoulder in the halt.
• let the 10m circle flow into the SI and then flow into the 1/2 10m circle into the HP - don't straighten up in between each move
• in the half before the rein back get him to step up with the RF to make the halt square, keep the poll up in the rein back
• in the walk piris need to collect the walk better and then keep the activity in the piri
• in the flying changes get him balanced round the corner then ride the changes forwards

Then we ran through AM92 which was my first time riding it in the long arena.  It went pretty well.  Got 7's for medium walk, left walk piri and extended canter. 5's for the two right to left changes as he jumped together behind.  Otherwise all 6 and 6.5.   Finished on 62.97%.  More fluency needed in the half passes.

Parwood SJ schooling 05-08-15

Another little jump schooling session, this time minus the help of Chris Burton.  Think we managed quite well by ourselves.  Warmed up trying to keep him connected but still have him travelling forwards.  There was a course set up so jumped it first time.  First 8 fences ok then forgot to think about where I was going enough in advance and didn't get correct lead to 9 so got in too close then added strides on the tight turns in the jump off section rather than riding forwards.

Rode a section again, starting with fence one, then 8 to 12 and added 3 as a fence 13.  Better turn after 8 so great stride into 9 and then rode forwards to 11 and 12 so generally more fluent and saved time.