We started off warming up over a log - first just treating it like it was then pretending it was the first part of a coffin which he did well. So next we headed over to the Novice coffin (no BE100 coffin). Went off to jump the BE100 table first then gallop on, then get him back, miss out element a, over the ditch and out over skinny brush part c. I let my shoulders get far too far forwards on my first attempt which was ok as he jumped it but wouldn't have been if he hadn't. It seemed to take him by surprise as it was down the slope so if we'd been jumping part a as well I'd definitely have had to be sitting up with shoulders back!
2nd time I kept my shoulders back and it was much better!
Then we moved onto a straightforwards roll top working on getting a really good positive shot in.
Also did the corner both ways making it first right handed, then left - he was good and stayed straight despite me seeing backwards strides. Got told to set up sooner then ride forwards more positively. had one more go at it right handed and got a bolder stride although does require a bit more trust! Not sure I have that with left ones!
Onto the skinny brushes. First the BE100 - told it was 2 strides and to really ride for it. He struggled and dived at the 2nd part which wasn't pleasant and not the kind of stride you want to a skinny.
Was more positive for the Novice version and really rode forwards to the first part so stronger jump in and made the distance to the triple brush easier. Got told to really try and ride for the proper stridings but just be prepared for him to put in the extra one. Need to try harder to be bolder and more positive. Set up and then ride forwards.
On to the water. Had a trot through first then decided to do it backwards as it avoided the napping left issue which given where we were parked could still be an issue. No probs so straight back round and through the proper way easily. Decided that was enough and not to try the Novice version today as competing again Sunday and don't want to create any issues.
Finished with jumping the big pink skinny Novice houses on 2 strides at the end. They didn't have their flags on though and he was a bit spooky so didn't make the distance and just ran right past the 2nd one. Probably needed to jump the first on more of an angle so I didn't need to turn between them. Decided just to jump the 2nd on a straight line which he did fine and not repeat the combination as he was struggling with the distance and no flags. Finished with the last fence with the roof on and true to form he ducked - silly pony!
Got home and took some lovely photos of him in the evening sunshine.
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