Sparsholt Summer Regionals 23-07-15

Well, that was a frustrating day out.  As soon as I saw the layout of the event I knew we were in trouble.  They had an ice cream van and a sizzling burger van with really loud generators right next to the long side of the arena along as well as multiple marquees for trade stands and benches with people moving around.  Monty has a firm hatred of tents so had a feeling this may not go well.  He was silly in the warmup spooking at people and banners around the gate, people sitting at picnic tables at the other end of the warmup, generally being daft although did get some nice canter half pass and probably his best medium trots ever.

Went in the arena, positively cantered up the long side, got to the end and he spooked a bit, so circled and as we came head on towards the tents he threw in the towel.  Stood up on his back legs and then went backwards for what felt like ages until I could persuade him forwards again.  Not a good first impression for the judges. Fortunately the first part of the test is away from the top corner so we at least got going before having to confront his fears which led to a very dodgy end to the first leg yield.  Doing a give and retake of the reins in canter right towards the tents was a bit of a leap of faith - ironically got some of our best marks for it!  He did perform everything where it should be but by god it took some effort and the medium trots didn't happen at all - my legs certainly haven't had that kind of work out in a long time!  

A deservedly bad score of 63.958%.  15th out of 23. He was really capable of a top ten finish but sadly not meant to be.  Still got some very pretty pictures, few stills off the video, the good ones courtesy of my lovely trainer Sara-Jane Lanning who spared the time to help us in the warmup and then take lovely photos, aside from the fact we definitely wouldn't be here without her and he is quite unrecognisable to the horse I first took for lessons 18mths ago who couldn't do even half the things he can do now!  Also thanks to my sponsors West Kent Saddles for their ongoing support in making sure Monty's saddles fit him perfectly and he looks snazzy in his sponsored saddlecloths.  

His outline has com on massively since last year - he is much rounder and softer and more uphill.  We are definitely still making progress and if you'd asked me a year ago I wouldn't have thought we'd be at Elem Regionals let alone managing 7's for simple changes and I would have openly laughed if you'd told me I'd get 7's for a give and retake of the reins ever!  Easy to be frustrated but it's a never ending journey and we're still learning.  Onwards and upwards.  Our Advanced Medium debut is in 2weeks now - eeek!