BCA BE100 13-06-15

I've done the BE90 at BCA 3 times now I think but this was our first time doing the BE100.  I was under the impression it was considered a fairly straightforward one and the time was easy to make.  Walking the course I wasn't so convinced!  It looked like it had plenty enough questions and a gazillion skinnies!  Skinny brush at 3, big hanging log, tight enough left turn to skinny at 5ab, another skinny at 8, skinny first part of combination at 9a, skinny after step down at 11b. Dreaded decently big left corner at 14 then tight right turn to trakehner and another tight right turn to skinny at 16.  Another skinny at 17b, a skinny out of the water at 18b, get the idea?

On to the dressage.  He felt a big flat.  The weather was muggy and he doesn't like that.  Tried hard to keep him a bit more energetic whilst keeping the softness but wasn't sure how successful I'd been at that stage.

Off to watch the SJ.  Course had several pretty tight turns - could easily forget my way without a chance to walk it!  It looked small though compared to SOE/Hambleden and Badders.  They were taking numbers as they came and not looking overly busy so decided to crack on with the hope of being done early as already 5pm.  He warmed up well once I whacked the spread up a bit and actually got him taking me forwards.  Rode the first two fine, then forgot to ride forwards round the tight turn to 3 so got in deep and then had to squeeze in 5 strides down the related distance.  Got cross with myself and tried to ride forwards to 5 but didn't have a good enough canter so ended up chipping in then went on a long one into the double at 6 as Monty took charge and started to ignore numpty rider.  Got lost before wall at 7 so tight turn there and fine through the double at 8.  Smallest fence on the course at 9 and of course rode like a numpty, got in too deep and had it down in front - grrr - cross with myself.  Biggest fence on course at 10 and rode it positively and he jumped it brilliantly.  Have forgotten how to ride small fences!  They have to be big enough to scare me a bit!  They announced my dressage score of 27.8 so even more frustrating to have a pole!

Fence 1:

Fence 2:

Fence 6a:

Fence 6b:

Fence 10:

No point hanging around so cracked on with the XC.  Had checked on times between dressage and SJ was surprised to see a lot of time faults on the board in the slightly earlier section so decided to kick on but try and retain a bit more control than at Borde Hill. No-one up there so couple of warmup jumps and straight into the box and away.  After being carted round Borde Hill it was lovely to have some brakes courtesy of new Sprenger RS Dynamic pelham.  Had a fabulous round, no problems with any jumps including the left corner, just some silly spookiness, probably because he was finding it all too easy!  Best of all no split mouth after.

First few fences:

Trakehner to skinny:

Water to final fence - daft horse spooking at nothing before final fence veering right at the last minute and nearly missing the fence!

Fence 1

trakehner:

skinny after trakehner:

out of the water:

Turns out we went one second inside the XC optimum time - first time getting no time pens (fast or slow!) this year.  Our SJ penalties made no difference to our placing which is amazing at this level so we finished on 31.8 and came 4th.  Won a cooler rug and some Minty treats that Monty wasn't so sure about judging by the faces he pulled!  He is definitely a Spillers boy.

So, that's another Regionals qualification in the bag and also sees us qualified for the Blenheim dressage champs (although not sure if we'll go as it's a long way for one dressage test and already going on the Sunday for the eventers challenge - might see if can find some local stabling and have a mini holiday)

Off to a new venue next - Nunney International - hoping for some big fences to make me ride more forwards!