The journey was relatively straightforward until we got to the end of the M11 to join the A1, we had a few issues there and ended up going back on ourselves and having about a 20 minute detour! We didn't have a Sat Nav (no where to plug it in the lorry!) we had printed out directions although they aren't much use when you go off route! Anna found an old map down the back of the seat that had been savaged by the Jack Russells, several pages missing chunks but thankfully not the pages we needed! Got back to where we should have been and all was well until we were very close to Belton! We turned left at some traffic lights, which is what the directions said and ended up in the middle of a built up residential area. We saw a group of builders up some scaffolding and stopped to ask them directions. Unfortunately Anna didn't get their names but they were really helpful and drew us some directions that were spot on! Moral of the story - listen to Mum she's always right and knows where she's going!
Arrived at Belton to beautiful sunshine it was such a lovely place! So many smart horses boxes very envious of many of them especially the ones with living areas! I dream one day of owning a lovely smart box with my XC colours on it (you'd definitely see it coming - those who have seen my XC colours will know why!).
It was all set out really well at Belton and there were loads of trade stands, lots for all the visitors to see with dog agility, classic cars, driving and showjumping, I saw William Whitaker go round!
Dressage
I started warming Holly up for her dressage about 10:50. It always takes a long time to get Holly going well as she is tense to start with and gets really excited, just wants to get on with the jumping bits! Before we were called to go in she was going nicely and had relaxed a little so I was hoping for an ok test. When going round the arena the Judge sounded the horn. We went past the entrance again as not quite ready, unfortunately this upset the Judge and I was told not to go past the entrance once the bell has sounded as they would run over time. I'm aware of the 45 second rule and was sorry to have upset the Judge, a lesson learned for the future. The poor Judge though, the next competitor did exactly the same as me!
The test was ok, I was pleased with her flying changes. She broke in the half pass and was tense in the walk, there was a lot going on around and she's not used to really big events like this so all good experience. Ended up with a 45.9 which wasn't too bad I think about 12th after the dressage. Some nice comments from both judges about Holly and given me pointers on what to work on.
Showjumping
Not much to say here apart from what a little superstar! We were one of only 4 that had a SJ clear, so pleased with her. After the great clear round we'd moved up to around 6th.
Cross Country
We'd walked the course on Saturday. Didn't really like the look of the corner at no 5. It was causing quite a few riders concerns and subsequently was changed slightly, although I chose to take the long route here as did several other riders, I heard on the PA system that Andrew Nicholson had gone the long route so that confirmed it for me! The fence I was worried about most was no 4 just because of the width of it, a huge white tabletop! The drop into the water was also one I was a little worried about although Mum more than me!
Everything jumped fine. Now for the most irritating bit...... number 13! Number 13 was a long bar with a corner with some wooden squirrels in front of it! It was after a big rail into a clump of trees. Holly jumped number 12 really big, I tried to turn left but just didn't get her to it right and we had a run out taking the red flag with us. I circled and came back and jumped over the left hand part of the jump over the rail and continued on.
It was a long galloping courses and very bold jumps another rail followed soon after with great big boulders underneath it again not a problem for Holly. She jumped the everything else well coming up to the water. The marina complex had a skinny house one stride after house to huge drop! She jumped the house fine then when she landed she saw the great big drop thought about it, thankfully after I jumped the house I'd taken my hand off the rein and had my whip in hand, gave her a tap and she leapt from a standstill down into the water. She is so honest she really didn't have to do that and looked after me there! We splashed through the water and popped over the boat going out. Lots of applause there which was really nice. Anna was videoing this bit, you'll have to look on You Tube when the videos are uploaded she nearly dropped the camera when everyone gasped as Holly leapt off the drop. She said she heard a couple of people saying well sat! I got a fab photo from Horsepower photography!
Horsepower Photography
The cottage after water complex was really wide and I wondered whether we were going to get over that, she did the next sequence beautifully too then over a big chair and to the pig arcs. She jumped the arcs text book and I managed to turn her mid air to the second arc. The down over the marquee, again fine up over the case complex, over the big Bedmax jump then log brush to finish. I was absolutely delighted with her I think we were about a minute and a half over time.
Anna went off to film the course to show my Dad as he was left at home to look after all the horses. We don't have any grooms or any staff so it's a little difficult especially when events have an overnight stay.
After Anna filmed the course she went to see the results. That's when she saw a big E in the XC section. Confused and Anna being Anna she went to find out why I had got eliminated! We'd already had the postmortem after I got back so she knew that I'd rejumped the corner after the refusal although the left hand side of it the rail rather than the actual corner. She explained this to the lady in the information tent, who was very helpful, the information that was relayed back was that I was eliminated because when I retook the fence I jumped the Intermediate fence.
We all didn't understand that as that fence was not in the Intermediate course and that's when we queried it further. This upset a few people unfortunately but I wanted to get the position clear as I hadn't jumped a different fence and as the white flag was on the end of the jump I thought it should have been fine. It then became clear later that there was another white flag on the other end of the jump behind the tree so we hadn't jumped in-between both flags. This is a mistake that I am very annoyed with but one to learn from and I'm sure I'll never do this again when I walk a course I'll be making sure I look for all the flags! It's a shame about the miscommunication as there is no way we would have raised the issue if we hadn't been told that I'd jumped the Intermediate fence, I respect all fence judges and officials for the jobs they do particularly as most are volunteers and so essential and valued. I was in good company though Nicola Wilson unfortunately missed out two jumps and was eliminated in the CIC***.
As it was Holly's first Advanced I'm delighted with how she did, it's been a great education too and that's what it's all about. I've learnt from it and I'd think about how do things differently in the future. Also it was a long galloping course, Holly is fit but I'll be getting her even fitter she was tiring on the straights a little on the way home.
I'm hoping to do the OI at Aston in May then hopefully we will have been accepted for Tatterstalls. I will do another Advanced later on, I was hoping to do the Hartbury 3 day but it is looking extremely unlikely because of funding. We should be going to Blenheim in September though thanks to James' dad!
Videos will be uploaded on You Tube soon!
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