It was nice to do a dressage test with a bit more in than your normal BE100 test. N111 is quite a step up from those with counter canter, rein back and medium trot. He did a very obedient, steady test and I just about persuaded him that half pass and flying changes were not required! Pleased to see we led after the dressage on a score of 29.8. Plenty of 7.5's and 8's, just let down by 6's for his not very existant medium trot.
Got a chance to walk the SJ which is a novelty at BE but was very welcome given the step up in height. Then I got to watch the first few in the section go as we were near the end - saw someone eliminated for 3 stops on the slightly tacky ground so made sure in my mind that I was going to really ride forwards and not let him get all sticky on me. There were two 1 stride doubles which are my nemesis so was going to have to make sure to get those right! Warm-up was getting rather chewed up so we did the minimal - made sure he was taking me forwards and didn't do anything too big. Was very pleased with how he jumped in the arena. He didn't really need to have either of the poles (first fence and part a of the double at 9) but just got a little close and didn't quite get his knees up in time. However, we had no misses and we made the related distances exactly as I walked them and survived both the doubles! Still have to remember that just under 6yrs ago I bought this horse to give me some confidence SJ as I was too nervous to jump more than 2ft6!
last fence
first part of double at 6 - not seeing a backwards one here!
fence 5
fence 3 - 6 stride related distance after the planks
fence 8
fence 10:
fence 2
fence 7 - 5 strides after 1 stride double
Straight on to XC as we were right at the end of the day. Quick warmup and off we went. Bit deep in the two lots of woods so kept it steady in there but managed to stay spot on my minute markers by making up time on the grassy bits. No need to worry about the coffin - he doesn't seem to mind them at all as long as they're on flat ground and flew through there. Also not bothered about the log on top of the mound or the water. Luckily steps down was then a left turn to a right corner - probably wouldn't have gone so well the other way round! Up the final hill and was still bang on the time I knew I needed to be at the 2nd last fence so kicked on for the finish. Little spook at the final fence which was full of vegetables and had to push for the line to finish bang on the optimum time! Having a watch is just so useful! Meant I could really ease off on the deeper ground in the woods knowing I would be able to judge catching up time on the better ground.
The water at 12 and 13.
fence 15 and 16
Look at his happy little face!
Ended up finishing in 5th place out of 19 which I'm pretty happy with for first one at this level. We would have won without the poles down SJ which would have been a fab result given he won the BE90 there in 2014 and the BE100 in 2015 but I'm not disappointed. He felt great which is the main thing.
Could have done without the lorry breaking down on the way home as it was a late one anyway! Thankfully we weren't too far from home so a lovely friend came and rescued Monty so he could go home to bed after his exertions while I stayed with the lorry and dealt with recovery finally getting home at midnight! Zzzzzzz. Now just need to try and get it sorted so we can crack on to Farley Hall this Sunday. I haven't been there since getting Eliminated at the water two years ago but am reassured to hear they have totally redesigned it so fingers crossed we get there and make it round in one piece this time!
Thanks to ongoing support from Calm Leisure for my super comfy underwear that I just wouldn't be without these days and West Kent Saddles for my perfectly fitted saddles to keep Monty performing at his best!
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