Moreton Morrell BE90 Regional Finals 27-09-14

2.5hr drive to a new venue for us.  We had entered these Regionals before we qualified for the BE100 Champs at Goring the other week.  I did debate withdrawing but thought it would do him good to have a nice confidence giving run after his last couple of BE100's.  No pressure, we didn't need to qualify (although it would have been nice to have a back-up plan) and BE90 is small to us now so managed to keep the nerves mostly under control.

Dressage first - warmed up a la William Fox-Pitt - following on from demo on Wed night I did lots of canter off his back and some sweeping leg yields to help supple him, followed by some shoulder-in in trot.  Sadly I didn't quite contain him in the test and just let him get a bit nose pokey at times and he was a bit resistant on the right rein in trot as I was a bit scared to use too much inside leg and make him pop up into canter which he can do when tense so I rode a safe, clear round kind of test,  Canter transitions were a bit naff, although trot was more forwards than last couple of tests which considering hot, muggy weather was an improvement.  He can do much better though.

Little break to go and learn the SJ course but no chance to walk the course which is always a shame as like to know the stridings.  Watched a few good ones though so went with theirs!  Warmed up for SJ ok after a few reminders behind the saddle a la Chris lesson on Wed to wake him up and get him taking me forwards.  After he managed to knock the front rail and then the back off an oxer as half asleep he did seem to wake up and start jumping.  Went in and didn't get quite it right to the first one but the next few went ok.  Bit of a surprise to find fence 5 was a triple bar as couldn't see that from where I was watching.  I then rode for my 4 strides and because hadn't walked it or registered the whole triple bar to vertical conundrum he got a bit forwards and tipped the top rail in front.  Very frustrating as tiny fences and was a bit lax on his behalf as was on good stride and could understand if it had been 1m20 but at all of 85-90cm he really should have picked up.  Frustrating to feel you finally ride a good, smooth round and he just gets complacent.  If I'd buried him into it he'd probably have cleared it!  Rest of round went nicely.  Very frustrating especially afterwards when I found out our dressage score was 28 and 3rd place.  Only 4 to qualify so knew the pole would be influential.

No time to dwell on it though.  Time for some fun on the XC.  Most of it looked like a breeze.  I just knew I'd need to give him time at the double steps down at 6 or we'd end up in the corn field and to ride on at the steps up at 13 or something like that as it was a bounce then a long one stride to a small brush coming uphill.  Only thing that concerned me slightly was a water complex not dissimilar to Farley in terms of jumping a boat before the water coming back towards the car park and the dressage warmup.  Fortunately all on his right so nothing to nap towards on the left which is his weak side.  We had another civilised start with lots of talking and stroking at the start and then he just flew round - barely broke rhythm the entire way round.  I let him trot down the steps, he just about made the bounce steps up with one loooong stride to the brush and he didn't even look at the water question.  Came home 21secs inside the time without even trying on a 5min54sec course (long!) - Badders was only a minute longer than that.

So, as predicted, the pole was influential and we dropped from 2nd to 7th so no qualification for us.  Figure it's fate though.  Destined to have to man up, grow a pair and go and tackle Badminton at BE100 - the nerves start when I just think about it so lots of training for us over winter!  Starting with hunting next weekend and as many ditches and anything coffin like, skinny or angled that I can find!  Final event for us will be the BE100 Plus at Coombelands in 2wks time - the SJ will look huge after today!  Got a 9 for our final halt in the dressage today and 8's for one of his trots, the FWLR, his paces and my riding :)  Judge said "3 promising and correct paces, medium walk could now be more active and forward but a pleasing and consistent test.  Looks ready to start to work more from behind to a more elastic and forward contact for the higher marks.  Carefully ridden"

Looking forwards to South of England tomorrow - chance to catch up with my fab sponsors, West Kent Saddles, who have been helping me to find a new jumping saddle and check out the new Prestige saddles they have in stock.  Fence judging in the afternoon which will be great as the OI is a who's who of eventing, including Chris on Nobilis who won the 2* at Barbury this year.

Full video of all 3 phases:

William Fox-Pitt demo at Merrist Wood 24-09-14

Just going to write the things I can remember in random order and may put it more logically once I've remembered everything!

• before an event he would do fast work on Wed, jump Thur, flatwork Fri, hack Sat and event Sunday
• to try and get a better medium trot, get a good engaged canter then come back to trot and straight away ask for medium
• when you do shoulder in or any other movement, even if it wasn't great make sure you finish it obviously
• you don't need flash to do well in an eventing dressage test, just don't do anything wrong - everything correct and in the right place will get lots of marks
• he doesn't start them eventing too soon - they would do a few local shows and things at 4/5 but wouldn't event until 6.
• shoulder-in down the long side to the outside prevents them drifting across the school
• a good brain is the most important thing
• they hack out for 20-30mins before schooling for 30-50mins
• they either live in at night or during the day and will go on the walker once a day
• and good conformation - make sure they look comfy on their feet, stand equally over each limb etc
• jump from trot lots
• jump fences not always on the ideal line - ie. corners - you might not be on the exact line you walked in competition and horse needs to learn to deal with it
• don't need flags to practice skinnies - what if the flag had fallen down on the course - horse needs to learn to lock onto jump, not necessarily flags
• gridwork and exercises in winter, courses in summer
• good long holiday after season ends
• do lots of leg yield - really good suppling and relaxing exercise in trot and canter
• warm up in canter before trot and stay off the back in canter to let them come through and go forwards.
• in the extended walk the poll should be level with the withers and the nose out, keep the activity and when you come back to medium walk as well

Chris Burton SJ lesson 24-09-14

Warmed up then Chris jumped on him for me.  He immediately felt that he just wasn't taking him into the fences and several times he circled him away as he knew he wasn't going to end up on the right take off point as he just wasn't listening.  So swapped the short whip for a schooling whip and he got a few taps on the bum in the last few strides into the fence which woke him up rather a lot.  Given he's bucked me off at a standstill for smacking him on the bum before I don't think I'd ever have been that brave but Chris wasn't aware of that lol!  He soon had him motoring and got me to put the fences up.  Think the course was around 1m25 - it looked huge anyway and he flew!  Only knocked one down on a really tight turn off a corner.  Was brilliant to see him really operating and to know what talent he has with a good rider on him!

Then it was my turn.  Had to keep the schooling whip and see the really forwards strides.  Messed up a few to start with as just didn't trust him to take me on the longer one but he was on it by this point and when I started to realise that and trusted him to go we also flew!  We even took a stride out on a related 5 stride curving line which is totally unheard of!  Had to come round tight turns to big oxers and just keep him motoring and trust him to go and then actually found myself having to hold in the related distances.  We got the treble and the double right every time which is always a huge relief to me as prone to messing them up.  We also flew a 1m15 upright off a tight turn both times - just the short of thing I'd have held to before but he was really taking me and it was such a fab feeling!  Just a shame you have to literally put a rocket up his bum before he starts to really work!  It is coat change time at the moment which makes him extra sluggish but boy he can be frustrating as he's really got plenty of ability.

Chris is away for the next month now so I'm just going to have to try and keep reminding myself of the feeling he gave me in this lesson!

Chris Burton SJ lesson 17-09-14

Not much to say today as Monts wasn't in a very cooperative mood.  It was really muggy and he was dripping in sweat just after the warmup.  We warmed up over a fence on a circle which I always find hard so that was good practice.  Had to make a point not to keep adding strides though, just keep coming!  Then we did a course starting on the right rein - I had to flex him right round the corner, leg yield in off the track and then straighten and jump whilst opening the left rein - this really helped keep him straight for the jump so is definitely something we can play a bit more with.  Certainly just outside flexion and thinking of bringing the shoulders round helps to keep those shoulders underneath me as they are prone to escaping.  Finished round a course of just 1m-1.05m which he jumped ok but he really wasn't up for it today.  Try again next week.

Blenheim BE100 Eventers Challenge 14-09-14

Early start this morning to get the orange one looking smart for our trip to Blenheim International Horse Trials!!!  Have been to this event for the last couple of years to watch the BE100 Eventers Challenge and this year was our turn.  I knew the arena would be busy and surrounded by people and distractions so thought it would be perfect training for the spooky one.

We got there in good time so plenty of time to watch a few go and learn the course. Then a quick course walk.  Looked a good test for us.  Twisty SJ course with a downhill double followed by an uphill planks then some nice XC jumps before a wiggly line to a skinny looking triple brush (wouldn't have been out of place in a Novice although did have nice trees either side), a nice angled line of brushes followed by a turnback to two lions which walked on 4 strides on a curving right hand line round a tree and then the final skinny joker SJ which carried 6 faults if you knocked it down.

Warmup was a bit crazy - fences were all to be jumped from one direction and placed rather close to that end so not much room to turn to them.  Went for the same technique as at Goring - jumping mostly off the right rein, bring the shoulders round and ride forwards.  Jumped a max dimension oxer before going in.

First fence I had a crappy canter round the corner, got in too deep and he rescued us - gave myself a kick up the bum and rode the rest of the round properly!  He was lucky at the planks as gave them a touch, not so lucky at the next fence - I was a bit keen and just pressed him a bit close to it and he gave it a good tap with his front legs on the way up.  Moved him on for the XC fences and he was absolutely awesome - flew them all, got a great shot to the triple brush, slightly deep to the first lion so ended up sticking in 5 strides but he was straight and on the ball, no hint of wanting to duck out.  Sat up, got him back and flew the joker fence.  Unlucky to have that rail but over the moon with him.  He didn't bat an eyelid at the atmosphere and all the people watching.  I think it helped that I wasn't stressed like I would be at a normal event as no pressure to achieve anything/qualify for anything, just went for the experience.

Couple of SJ lessons with Chris Burton coming up next then Moreton Morrell BE90 Regionals in 2wks time.  Weekend off next weekend for the fabby orange one.  No rest for the wicked as I shall be working all weekend!  Currently trying to decide whether to end season at Moreton Morrell or be brave and do the 100 Plus at Pulborough.  Gonna have to jump that height SJ at Badminton so might as well get practising!

fence 3:

the triple brush:

video:

hatcam:

Goring BE100 Regionals 06-09-14

Trying to keep the nerves under control today so split the day up into bits and concentrated on one bit at a time.

Started with the dressage.  I like dressage, we can do dressage, no reason to be nervous for dressage.  Warmed up ok, not as nice as he is on a surface, he just doesn't approve of working on grass but he seemed on side.  The test went nicely enough - it was what I would call a clear round - safe, transitions all where they were meant to be but he needed more impulsion, especially in the trot work.

Went off to walk the XC course and it was a bit of a step up from Aston!  Not dissimilar to Hambleden.  Less twisty but more hilly.  Few questions I thought needed careful riding aside from the fact the first 3 fences were flipping huge!

Fence 5 was a bench to a corner - I walked it on 5 strides although I saw some do it on 4.  Mostly I saw people mess it up!  We watched several through it and most of them had at least one refusal at the corner!  I saw one of the pros do it brilliantly aiming for the apex of the bench and 5 nice strides to the corner so decided I would try and copy him!

Then it was onto the trakehner before a pheasant feeder to brush on a curving 5 strides or you could angle it on 4.

Then a double of tyres on one stride.

Then a long gallop downhill before a step up to brush.  Again, watched a lot of people go through here using various routes until I watched Chris Burton go through choosing exactly the route I was thinking of and that confirmed in my mind I would take the left hand step and then have a wider turn to the skinny brush.

This is Chris doing it:

Up another hill to a chair and then an arrowhead

Then downhill to the water which I thought was a big question for him - full up rolltop, into the water then hang sharp left up a step and 2 bold strides to a wave.

Up a steep hill then last 2 fences straightforward.

Got back just in time to get a SJ course walk - this makes me very happy - I like to know my distances and walking the course really helps me remember the course as well!  So, then it was time to tack up.  Had managed to persuade Chris Burton to come and give me a hand as he was there with a couple of his and happened to have a gap at the right time!  Just his presence seems to make me ride better.  I don't think he really said an awful lot other than mostly getting me to come at the fences off the right rein because then I could concentrate on getting his shoulders round and having him straight then open my left rein over the fence so he landed straight.  He also made me jump a maximum height big wide square oxer right before we went in which made the fences in the ring look tiny!  They were calling me over as he made me jump the last fence so given Monty can be a nappy sod and quite often needs to canter into the ring I just kept cantering on in.  I got summoned to the judge's box afterwards and got a telling off from the SJ judge as stewards had complained about how I went in - oops.  Wasn't intending to do anything I shouldn't - realise now I should have told them I needed to canter him in.  Chris came with me to see them - felt like a naughty schoolgirl!  Meekly apologised and promised not to do it again.

Anyway, back to the important stuff - we jumped a clear round - woohoo!  Made sure when I walked the course to think about regrouping points, so after each couple of fences I got him back underneath me and set off afresh and it worked!  He did rub a couple but they stayed up so stayed on my dressage score of 30.5.  Wasn't sure where this left me in terms of the rest of the section but given the technicality of the XC and our problems this year I just wanted to go clear.

Ran through the XC in my head, sure of my decisions about the more tricky fences, positive riding planned.  Got it sorted in the warmup - a good gallop, a good forwards shot at the warmup fence, a smack on the bum on the way over one of them - we mean business!  XC starters were great and totally distracted me until they basically said Go! so Monts stood quiet as a lamb while we all chatted and then I just shoved him into the box and off we went!  Epic hatcam fail though as totally didn't realise we were about to start.

Got a great shot to the first few big ones which gave me confidence.  Onto the tricky fence 5 - lots of people watching which freaked me out a bit but got my canter, got my line, got in a little close to first part but just sat quietly and waited for my 5 strides which worked perfectly and he flew the corner.  Fabby over the trakehner, then next angled question, the double of tyres, flew down the hill.  I was conscious to keep him moving as time can be difficult to get there and he isn't the fastest especially when I need to set him up for more complex stuff.  Got him back after the gallop to tackle the step which he was really bold up so was glad I'd given myself more room to then make the tight turn to the brush - leg on and he flew. Up the hill to the chair and arrowhead nice and positive then onto the water:

 Really pleased with him through here - I know I could be softer with my hands but it is difficult when you have doubts in your mind as to whether they will jump.  He was really bold though - he very rarely canters through water but he was off and I had to think quick to turn for the step up and wave.  Kicked on up the hill and onto the final two jumps.  Home and clear - awesome!  What a buzz.

Went over to check scores and we were 7th after dressage and 20secs under the optimum time (he is faster than I think when I ride positively!)  Thankfully two of those above us had SJ faults so we ended up in 5th place.  Top 6 qualified for Badminton so amazingly we have done it - after an uppy down kind of year I am so pleased with him.  I rode him positively and he really responded and made it feel easy peasy!

Dressage sheet confirmed what I thought - 8 for entry, mostly 7's other than 6 for going quarters in in medium walk and a dodgy final halt.  7's for collectives and comment of "Consistent test. More impulsion for the higher marks" Sally Price.  Need to work out a way of getting him to give me more expression on grass - he just doesn't love it.

So next stop for us is Blenheim Eventers Challenge next Sunday.  Then I need to decide what to do.  He is entered in the 90 Regionals at Moreton Morrell and I have another 90 Regional as well but having qualified at 100 I don't know if there is much point going.  It's an entry fee to lose but would save the diesel.  If I qualify for 90 and 100 which would I do?  Not sure really.  We didn't get round the 90 this year but then I'm convinced I ride more positively at 100.  He is more than capable of jumping the 1m10 show jumping at the finals and I think another winter of honing our skinnies/angles/corners etc and we should be able to give the 100 a good bash.  I think I'd rather the next challenge of the 100 than go again at 90 but I will think about it a bit longer!  We have done 10 events now this season and I would really like to give him a break.  He has been constantly out and about all year and I'm starting to get a bit weary of it so I'm sure he is too.  Hmmm, decisions!

Corinne Bracken SJ lesson - Parwood 05-09-14

Started with warming up making sure he was really listening to me, lots of trot-halt-trot, keeping him soft.  Then into canter, getting him moving on, coming back but keeping the hindleg quick - when he collects he wants to just slow down so really important to keep the hindleg moving and active so he has power out of the collection.  Razzed up the canter so he was thinking nicely forward.  We warmed up over a vertical then an oxer which we met nicely every time.  Moved onto some more verticals, planks, bigger oxer with a gate underneath and a double.  He jumped all of these really nicely.  Was really chuffed with myself for riding a good corner to a related 3 strides and rather than holding, I put my leg on round the corner, brought the shoulders round and got a lovely shot.

Then I think he went to sleep a bit as we came to do a vertical then curve round to a double and I clearly didn't have the right canter round the corner as no distance appeared, I flapped and pushed for a long one and he chipped in.  Corinne said they will do that every time - if you lose the canter and let it get long they will chip in as they haven't got the power to go on the long one. You can only go on the long one if you have a good quality canter - if you find yourself not seeing a stride, flapping and pushing is the worst, think control the canter - supporting legs and lift the hands rather than pulling back and then it shouldn't matter if they get in a bit deep.  Flapping will lead to chipping in or flailing over a fence which could even bring them down, so concentrate on the rhythm, keep the quality of the canter round the corner, outside aids to bring the shoulder round and sit and wait. Quality of canter as ever is key.  She also said don't kick on the last stride as it just distracts the horse from the jump and causes them to have it down.  Supporting legs but no kicking.  Also when they get disunited again just keep them balanced and once round the corner they will change back in front and sort themselves out.  She also said to think about turning my toes out during the jump which helps to relax the knee.

We then jumped it all as a course and I managed to get in deep to too many of the verticals - was pleased with the related distance, the double, and the oxers but I lost the canter round the corners to the verticals and he was charging at the fences rather than sitting back and waiting.  She said it's important with a horse like him who tends to speed up during his round and the canter loses its quality that when I walk the course I must think about adding in regrouping points.  Think 2 or 3 fences then find a regroup point, sit him back on his hocks and start again.  Definitely something I will try and do as it seems whenever I jump 2-3 fences as part of a lesson I'm fine but when I string together a whole course I'm messing it up by halfway round so need to split it up into bits, get his attention back, get his hocks underneath him and then tackle the next section.  Sounds easy - bet it won't be in practice!

Goring BE100 Regionals tomorrow - hopefully Chris Burton is going to have time in between his horses to come and help us warm up which should be a big help as he knows my numpty tendencies well enough by now and he can really help me get the right canter which is so key.  Also I remember doing some lateral work in canter during my lessons with Carl over the winter really helped the quality of his canter so I might just try and do a little bit of that in the warmup, try and get that bum underneath him and working hard!