May 2011
26-
Not the easiest report to write as I am so used to reporting on very positive events and this one certainly didn't have the best ending! We arrived late on Wednesday and found a nice spot to park and settled Sarnie in, bit concerned to find the grass lorry park having the feeling under foot of a road surface it was so dry.
Thursday and we got the first look at the CIC*** course. I actually thought it was ok, don't get me wrong plenty of tricky questions and very easy to have a silly mistake but nothing that was unjumpable. Course picturesonthe course pictures page. My main initial concerns were the drop log to corner on acute angle followed by big angled hedge, the log into the water at 13 was huge.
Dressage day dawned wet and whilst the rain was appreciated for the ground it wasn't good timing. Then again by the time of my test it had dried up. I took her out for an hours hack early and then gave her 50 minutes work before the test. I was pleased with the work outside until another horse got too close and she found a good excuse for a tantrum. Warming up she was holding the counter canter very well which was positive.
Went into test and it started very well, actually the trot work was reasonable and the walk not as bad as usual , however as soon as we went into canter the uncooperative toe rag returned changing in the counter canters but then fluffing the proper changes and as for the medium it took off bucking. I had to laugh at Jane Starkey's comments on the dressage sheet (she does know I have a sense of humour) they included 'well sat' 'you tried horse didn't' 'wicked horse' and at the end a comment that her thoughts on the canter work were unprintable. Anyway see what you think!
The end score I actually thought was generous 71.5 and was a qualifying score for other events. On the down side we were second to bottom. Actually up until we started cantering we were on course for a sub 60 which would have been amazing!
Jumping was all on the Saturday with show jumping first. I didn't walk the course until Saturday morning and was glad I hadn't looked the night before as I would have had kittens it was enormous!! The ring was on a slope anyway and all the oxers and treble were built up the hill and the airy uprights down the hill. It also turned out the time was measured very tight! Warmed up in quite a tight space and went in following an experienced competitor coming out with 20 faults! She jumped a superb round not touching a pole, we didn't quite make the time and had 2 time faults but that didn't matter. I came out feeling like bursting into tears as so proud of her. Course caused many problems and clear rounds were not frequent.
We had show jumped at 9.24 yet cross country was not until 4.30 so a long wait. Had a final wander round the course cementing my lines and plan of action. I was pleased that the ground in the end was pretty good and the rain that had come on top of the spiking had made a huge difference. Tried to have a snooze to kill time but unable to switch off. Eventually it was time to tack up and get ready, we had a good warm up over the mixture of fixed fences and show jumps and were called forward to start our first CIC***. Out of the box and over the first 3.
Fence 4 was offset rails on very undulating ground and she popped an extra stride in but was neatly through. 5 was a wide table and she struggled a bit with the width as she likes to jump from quite a deep spot. Over 6 a big brush and round to 7 the drop to corner and then angled brush, she propped a bit down the hill but popped the log, got a good line to corner and turned back to the brush which we got close into but jumped honestly. This was followed again by two big wide feces which again I couldn't really get her to attack enough and she made them feel wide by jumping too high and not travelling through the air enough.
We then came to a barrel on a slope turn to 12a and b (pictured above). She wasn't great over the first barrel so I turned a circle before 12a to get a good jump and 5 strides to the dray. Again she just put a stride in so I had to really kick for the 5, she didn't get the distance and chipped in a little stride she then got in the air but couldn't make the width to the back of the dray and caught it causing us to fall. I understand she landed squarely on her head and then went sideways whilst I also went face first into the earth she avoided me. I was winded and quickly surrounded by people, we were very lucky as the next fence was the water and all the officials, medics and vets were nearby. I was asked my name (remembered that) where I was (this was fine too) and what day it was (can never work that out at the best of times and this wasn't it!)! I was more concerned re Sarnie who I could see was on her feet and having saddle removed. I was so lucky one of the vets we use for Sarnie at Lucy's yard was at the fence and took charge of her. I didn't realise how badly she had fallen but the horse ambulance was there for her. I tried to load her and at this point she briefly refused to go (never travelled in trailer) but was soon in and in the care of Spike (vet from Lambourn Equine Practice) and on the way back to the stables, I followed with the doctor who was trying to ensure on route I was ok. I had wrenched a thumb and jarred myself but was otherwise lucky. Also I needed to wash my mouth out as it was full of sand where I had landed.
We returned to the stables and Sarnie shot out trailer in disgust. We got her washed down and did a brief check, her only visible injury was a graze to the back of both elbows and a huge hematoma between her front legs where she studded herself. She was walking a bit stiffly however we let her settle for 15 minutes as we didn't want to mask any pain. She was then give a high dose of painkillers however it was clear she was also in shock. Her membranes were a pale blue and she looked a bit out of it, we then set a drip up to get some fluids into her. By the time these had finished going through she was a better colour. Gently walked her out then after ordering two more bales of bed to make her really comfy let her settle. Kept checking her and found her in no significant discomfort although not eating. We had ever planned to bring her home until the next day so that at last allowed her a night to recover.
Next day she ate a little food and hay and after another painkiller from the vet and a check over we loaded her for home. This is where a 9 hour journey was the last thing we needed. Checked Sarnie frequently on route but suddenly after 2 hours she started sweating to the extent it was puddling off her and she became unsettled, we quickly stopped and phoned the vet. He advised we give her more bute and continue home feeling it very important we get her home to her own bed as this would be the best place to recuperate. We managed to syringe the medication in and continued the journey with me sitting with her for a while. She relaxed again although I would say she was never really comfortable. At least we made good time managed as quick a journey back as possible.
As I write late on the 30th May she is still not eating and worrying me greatly. Vet is due out first thing tomorrow and we will take it from there.
I must thank the many people at Houghton who helped us particularly Spike and the other vets at the event. I was impressed with the efficiency of the response when we fell. A big thank you also to all my Shoestring eventing followers that have offered advice and help it is much appreciated.
24th May -
We are packed and ready to leave in the morning, I am stopping on route at Lucy Wiegersma's Warren Farm to pop some XC fences and get my eye in with Sarnie, it has been 7 weeks since our last cross country run. Then we hope to be at Houghton about 8pm. Dressage Friday and jumping Saturday. Have fingers and toes firmly crossed that the ground is acceptable to run cross country.
I am not sure but probably won't be able to update my website while I am away so click on the Facebook link below where I will try and put any updates.
22nd May -
Quite a big step into the unknown taking Pippa to do her first BE event at Mount Ballen over their BE100 course. I jumped her with Zoe on Thursday but other than that have not jumped her over a equivalent size show jumping course since February, I haven't schooled her on the flat for a month and done one cross country round this year. However with Sarnie's commitments and the yard move there were not that many opportunities so we decided to press on and give Mount Ballen a whirl.
The course was nice with a few questions but nothing too difficult, the ground was very firm and I was little disappointed that more effort had not been made to help ease it. Saying that as one of the shorter courses I felt a steady round would not be too much. Dressage wasn't until 3pm so a nice leisurely day walking the course and catching up with friends before we had to get in gear. Typically by this point my hectic lifestyle was catching up and all I felt like was a good snooze! The dressage warm up probably was the hardest ground of the lot so I went and found an empty warm up surfaced area (of which there is many) to do the majority of my warm up. I just did 5 minutes in the main warm up area to get her used to the atmosphere (next to cross country) before starting our test. I was pleased with the test in time when we know each other better I will need to attack more but for the moment it was as nice as I could of hoped for.
A score of 33.5 was very pleasing and certainly offers a promise of more to come. The show jumping was quite a straight forward course on the lovely all weather arena, it was well up to height. She actually listened to me and jumped in a better rhythm than she has in the past, we unfortunately tipped the rail coming out of the double but otherwise it was a pretty good round.
A quick change and we were down at cross country start, I only popped the practice jump twice as no point doing extra on the hard ground. We were soon in the start and away. I went out with intention of letting her go at nice pace within herself and she took the first simple ones comfortably and confidently out of her stride.
The combination of brushes on the corner at 4 and 5 she did easily and we were soon at the first difficult combination (pictured left), a decent dog kennel, 4 strides to a step up and two to a narrow dog kennel. My intention was to pop the first element then maybe even drop back to trot to keep my line. Well Pippa had other ideas ad jumped big over the first element and just kept coming making the distances short but never wavering on her line. A bit of a ski jump followed where we appeared to land half way down the hill before we came to the double of brushes with a piece of sharp rising ground between them (pictured right). Again very bold and actually took a stride out (might need better brakes in time).
This was the intense part of the course with the water next. Pippa has never minded water and jumped the dog kennel boldly in but did hesitate at the puddle (maybe Sarnie had mentioned the Longleat crocs?) but there was never any intention of her stopping before bounding over the rail out.
There was another sunken road type combination which we took a bit of a flyer in but she was very clever with her feet and popped down the drop before focusing on the skinny out. The final combination was a flower upright rails to a ditch turn to a corner which again was easily accomplished.
We finished with 4.4 time which seeing the time was tight and I wasn't rushing her shows what a big stride she has. I have to say she could potentially be one of the best horses I have sat on across country so it is very exciting. We finished 11th which was far higher than I expected on our first attempt although me being me a place higher and a rosette would have been better! She will next go to West Wilts for the BE100 before deciding whether to move up to Novice or not straight after.
Thanks as always to Nick Perry for the fantastic photos and to Jane for the excellent groom duties.
21st May -
Glutton for punishment with an early start to take Rosie show jumping before we set off for Wales with Pippa. We were there by 8.30, warmed up and ready to jump at 9 so we could make a quick get away. The British Novice was a long track with quite a few twists and turns, Rosie really excelled herself and was far less green than last week, I tried to have a more positive forward canter (thanks to some help from Zoe on Thursday) and that really helped. She jumped a lovely clear so plans for a quick getaway were scuppered as we had to wait for the jump off! The jump off was twisty with some long gallopy bits in it as well. She is certainly not ready for any tight turn backs yet but I planned to push her on a little.
She jumped a great round really showing a good neat jump and adjusting to the more forward pace very easily. A nice point to let her have 10 days off while we focus on Houghton and then the yard move. Forgot to mention the best bit we were 3rd!!! A lovely rosette and her first prize money, typically the flapping rosette was not to her liking and frightened her, I will have to make sure she has a bit of practice getting used to them!
20th May
An interesting non horsey day today -
Off to Mount Ballen tomorrow with Pip, late times on Sunday with dressage after 3 and cross country after 5 so will be a late night back. All go at the moment!
18th May
Getting a tad concerned about the ground at Houghton, whilst the arena and dressage is being watered the course is not, rain is not forecast. They are preparing take off and landings as well as spiking the course. All I can say is it will be a long way to go if I just end up doing a combined training class (not to mention very expensive!). You can see the entries at http://www.bdwp.co.uk/htn/memindex.html . Keep all your fingers crossed for us. An early start tomorrow, I intend to be on Bodmin Moor by 7 to do her canter work before work.
16th May
Just had Sarnie's FEI passport back. Her original passport had a FEI cover added to it 4 years ago so she could compete abroad and at 3 star events in this country. The validation though expires so I had to send it away again, it has been returned with a sticker on the back at a cost of £175! I can't honestly believe this is what it costs to re validate it.
Sarnie had her back checked by Fiona again today in preparation for Houghton CIC***. A few tight spots but generally very good so we are all systems go for Houghton. Have a lesson with Caroline tomorrow for a bit of a tune up and leave a week on Wednesday, the butterflies are certainly starting.
14th May -
After much indecision (mainly about whether I could financially afford it -
Whilst I am delighted to have bought Pippa there is sad news as well we are moving from our existing yard to a new yard between Mount Hawke and Wheal Rose. There are more stables available and it means I can take the odd horse for schooling or maybe a project to buy and sell. We have had 8 happy years where we are so it will be a sad day when we move. Pippa will join me when we move on the Bank Holiday weekend. My only problem at the moment is finding someone in the area with a school I can use a bit so if anyone knows of anything let me know.
Pippa has had a late entry to Mount Ballen next weekend accepted so not having ridden her properly since the pony club one day event it doesn't give us the best preparation! Oh well in at the deep end!
I have ridden all 3 today including taking Rosie to the local Troon Show. Jumped very green still but showing a huge amount of talent over a fence.
12th May
Sorry if things have been a bit quiet it is almost harder to update my blog in the summer with the light evenings and plenty to be done outside! Have been getting insurance quotes today as my insurance from NFU has increased enormously for the horses, it shows it pays to shop around as both Amtrust and Shearwater gave very competitive quotes nearly a third cheaper for an equivalent policy! Both companies seem to have a good reputation so I will just check the small print before I decide.
The girls have had a quiet week as they had their flu jabs on Tuesday and I always give them a few easy days after this. Rosie is show jumping at Troon Show on Saturday but I expect the ground to be too firm for Sarnie.
Watch out for some big news in the coming days on a new acquisition to the team!
8th May -
Rosie's first BS and Sarnie's first competition show jumping for a long time. Took
them both together which made it a long day but with the price of fuel I wasn't going
to pop back and change horses -
As she made the fences very easy I popped her in the 95cm as well. She was
more set against my hand and hollow in the contact this time but still jumped well.
Came to the last fence on a clear (can you guess what is coming) and took the front
rail out! She just set on the contact and was also heading towards the exit.
Delighted with her, feel we could be quite successful with the coloured poles quite
quickly. She just needs to get rounds under her belt and continue improving on the
flat.
Last class was the 1.20 Fox / Open and was a pretty strong field. Now this is
where we are starting a new fashion! I though I would go for a new look and show
jump in my white dressage boots! Even worse if you were able to look really closely
you would see the left fore boot is on the right leg and visa versa. The soft WoofWear
brushing boots reversed so they don’t come down the back of the fetlock don't irritate
her heels. Warming up for the jumping I tried my new warm up technique of doing practice
fences at angles to wake her up. The round was still lacking energy and we even managed
2 strides in the one strided double. We came to the last fence on a clear round (see
a pattern here?) and it was a long run to an upright. Suddenly a few friends started
shouting kick (we won’t mention the outside assistance), it seemed I was in danger
of a time penalty so took it out my hands – no fiddling to the last, took it on a
flyer for a clear and 1 second inside the time.
Only 6 clear rounds through to the jump off and we were drawn 5th to go. Had it in
my head we would have a bit of a crack as she can jump better when really forwards.
Got in for the jump off and have to say it looked pretty big by now think with the
standard through to the JO the course builder hadn’t worried about whacking them
up. Got a good forward rhythm and kept kicking, a nice turn after 2 and kept moving
at the uprights. She jumped like she was on springs and never any danger of touching
a pole . We went into the lead but finished 2nd to a horse that competed at HOYS
last year (beat us by 2 seconds so not even close). However think my eventer dressed
as a dressage horse did well!
7th May
Managed no more dramas since my last post -
- Slightly deeper neck although not tight this will allow her back to come up and soften
- I need to be soft in arms and shoulders and not tense up against her
- Do lots of quarters in and particularly shoulder in but with a soft neck
- When I have done more difficult work get her forwards again with that all important soft neck!
The main frustration was my position when doing the lateral work. Robert was trying to get me to turn my body in the appropriate direction (inside for shoulder in and outside for quarters in). I found myself turning my head but not my body, I understood perfectly what he wanted but the single brain cell could not effectively communicate this to the body. Sarnie always knew there must be a good reason why she found lateral work difficult now she can blame me!
Show jumping tomorrow and hopefully with the rain we have had I can do I decent canter session with her on Monday.
5th May
Interesting and contrasting day! First lesson of the day -
Second lesson was the more tradition kind although to Sarnie's disgust it involved dressage with Robert Pickles. Worked hard on getting her loose and through in her neck and me being relaxed in my arms and shoulders. The good thing was Robert could see improvement since the last lesson a month ago. Very clear that everything is to be black and white yet relaxed and that I must not tense against her. As she get tense through her back instead of tensing and forcing the issue I am to breath, relax, flex the neck and ask again. Sounds so simple in words less so in practice! Another session tomorrow to drum it into me!
Have put in the entry for Houghton today so please let there be rain in the South East so we can get a run and hopefully finally complete all three phases of a CIC***! Will on Monday start picking the canter work up again particularly as we have now had some rain down here.
4th May -
Just returned from some training with Caroline Creighton at Warren Farm. About the first time I have appreciated this dryer weather as it allowed us to get out onto parts of their cross country course that are usually too wet this time of year. It meant we could give Rosie a spin, we worked her in the school first and just popped some straightforward fences, she is improving so much in her canter that it makes the approach so much easier and the jump better. Still a lot easier on the left rein but the right is improving.
We took her out in the cross country field and popped a variety of tyres, logs, dog kennels and barrels. You will see she is still occasionally quite wobbly but very genuine to the fence. The water she quite happily cantered through and popped in and out over the little drops before progressing onto jumping the barrels out and back in again. Have to say Rosie is going through that very satisfying stage of improving very quickly at the moment and taking leaps forward in her education and understanding.
Sarnie came out a bit bored with life and little backward as she can from time to time. Her excuse was too much dressage drilling! You will see from the video she starts off really behind my leg and when she does this I lean forward to compensate and this is when she can have a rail down. Over the simple straightforward fences I really struggled to get her going. We started to introduce turns and angles off the track and suddenly she switched back on. Caroline feels that she needs some mental stimulation to actually get her switched on and really jumping. She suggested even when warming up for show jumping to use angles to make her focus and concentrate. You will see from the video by the end of the session we did some quite acute lines and the more difficult it got the more she loved it!
Do you think it would be worth giving her the Times Crossword each day to keep her mentally stimulated?!
| Sarnita |
| Pippa |
| Mary |
| Jacko |
| My Blog |
| Equine Blog |
| Calendar |
| Keratoma Case Study |
| Season Review |
| Archive Blogs |
| Archive Equine Blog |
| Course Pictures A-F |
| Course Pictures G-M |
| Course Pictures M-S |
| Course Pictures T-Z |