Rackham - 23 June 2012

With Berkshire College (BCA) cancelled the next event we went to was Rackham.  I was fortunate that both Ollie and Tango were on on the Saturday as by Sunday the event was abandoned.

Tango was in the BE90 class he was lovely and relaxed in the dressage and scored 27 which I was really pleased with.  He had 2 down in the SJ (8 faults) but the course was tight and twisty.  He's in his new bit now and I felt like I had more control though.  He went clear SJ and ended up on 35 penalties which took him just out of the placings in 11th place.  After Rackham he seems to have had a bit of a cold so was obviously slightly under the weather although I didn't know this at the time so he was a very good boy for getting us round without complaining.  He's had some time off since and seems to be much better.

Ollie was an absolute star!  He was doing his first BE100+ so does a Novice dressage test and SJ and the BE100 XC.  He had the best dressage in his section by a number of points on 25.5 went clear SJ and XC and no time penalties so won his section on 25.5!  I'm really excited about Ollie and he will be doing his first Novice at Brightling in a few weeks. It will just be how things go in the XC as dressage and SJ are fine but he has less experience XC although feels like he's ready to progress and Brightling is a good first Novice course for him.

Eridge 1-2 June 2012

I took the 3 boys on Friday (Tango (BE90), Corby (BE100), Ollie (BE100)) and Lady in the OI on Saturday.


The going at Eridge was ok, the ground there is old turf but there was a fair bit of grass cover.  The time was tight in the bigger classes and most were taking it more easy.


Tango did well he had a good dressage test in his section (33.5) and clear SJ.  It wasn't the best SJ round as I didn't have too much control.  


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=402067453170320 
(Tango - SJ video!)


I've changed his bit now and I seem to have more control and steering.  He's a stallion so he does have a mind of his own!  We went clear XC which I was really pleased about as we were eliminated at Borde Hill, we picked up 10 time penalties which was fine and ended up on 43.5 in 8th place.

Tango

The BE100 boys (Ollie and Corby) did well 32 and 28 dressage and they ended up 5th in their sections so a good day out.


Corby - dressage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Vya3PYtdU&list=UUmE9tc5BtvErBdBeYCLnECQ&index=2&feature=plcp


Corby - SJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J56Dg4g-gek&list=UUmE9tc5BtvErBdBeYCLnECQ&index=5&feature=plcp


Ollie - dressage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNv26-BO8GI&list=UUmE9tc5BtvErBdBeYCLnECQ&index=3&feature=plcp


Ollie - SJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4fQPFDliEU&list=UUmE9tc5BtvErBdBeYCLnECQ&index=4&feature=plcp

Ollie

It was great to have Lady back out doing and OI.  I was really pleased with her dressage 29.1 and she felt good.  Disappointed to have 3 down in the SJ (12 faults) although SJ has always been her weakest phase.  She never disappoints XC though and really is the best to ride, I'm just a backseat passenger, she takes you to and over the fences and I only have to point and steer!  We had a clear XC round and picked up 19.6 time penalties finishing just out of the placings in 11th.  I didn't rush her Eridge is hilly in parts and it was only her second outing of the season. 

Lady

We were amongst good company with Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe 1st, Pippa Funnell and Billy Beware 2nd and Andrew Nicholson with Mr Cruise Control finishing 3rd and completing the top 3!!

I'm aiming Lady for a ** with her at SoE and hopefully should have her fitness spot on for that.

Borde Hill - 26 May 2012

After Nurstead Court was cancelled at the end of April the next event I was entered in was Borde Hill.  I took 4 in total over the weekend.  Tango in the BE90, Ollie and Corby in the BE100 and Lady in the ON.

Tango had a 36 dressage and was clear SJ.  Unfortunately we were eliminated XC. It was fence 5 which was a double of boxes a blue wall underneath.  He put in a really naughty stop and I nearly fell off!  He really wasn't keen and I couldn't get him over it!

Tango

Corby went really well he had a 33 dressage clear SJ but we picked up 20 penalties XC.  I jumped the wrong B element of a hedge jumping the BE90 and not the BE100 B element.  I realised whilst we were in the air jumping the wrong fence so had to circle and then jump the correct fence which meant we picked up the 20 penalties plus we also ended up with 11.2 time penalties finishing 24th.  I pity as Corby is consistent and this result was due to rider error!!

Corby

Ollie had a 30.5 dressage and a pole down SJ which is unlike him and clear XC with just 6 time penalties finishing in 7th place.  The ground was good going.

Ollie

It was Lady's first event of the season in the ON and she was amazing.  It was great to be back on her again!  She had a great dressage (27) the best score she's had in a Novice and went really nicely.

All in all not a bad weekend just a shame about the rider error with Corby and Tango is still getting the hang of things, more on his progress in the next posts...