South of England - 22-23 September 2012

This is my favourite local event as it's always well run and has a well built XC course. 

I had three Cullawn horses entered Cullawn My Way aka Corby, Cullawn Warrior aka Ollie and Cullawn Celtic Queen aka Lady.

I took three of them on Saturday - Corby in the BE100, Ollie in the Novice and Lady doing her CIC** dressage so had three tests to remember!  My friends and mum can't believe I can remember tests as I'm no good at remembering other things (without a bit of reminding!)!

Corby was a superstar scoring a 24 dressage, one pole in the SJ and clear XC being placed 3rd again. 

We thought we would try Ollie out again at Novice he started the day off well with a 35 dressage and a super clear round SJ. XC was next - started off great had a few brake problems but was jumping bold and clear until fence 13 (unlucky for us!) it was a log to a step down 2 strides to another log, we had a run out at the first part then jumped it then the step was too scary for Ollie. Mum said she could see his legs shaking bless him! He did eventually go down but we were eliminated.

It was Lady's turn for her dressage, I've not competed her at ** for two years. She was a bit naughty and very tense so we didn't score a great test we got 61.7.

Back on the Sunday for XC with Lady. Not a great day for eventing! As soon as I got on Lady I was wet through! The weather was awful! We ended up having a run out at number 6 which was a pheasant feeder to a narrow arrowhead which is unlike her so I decided to retire. The XC was abandoned before the Intermediate and OI due to flooding!  The weather has been seriously rubbish this season for eventing!

Talking of the weather - know I mentioned them the other day but still really impressed with the waterproof jods (Equetech) I picked up at Dragonfly Saddlery http://www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk/.  They've made my life so much easier with the really bad weather.  It's miserable spending all day up the yard when you get caught in a downpour.  My legs have stayed nice and dry and warm.  They are a really good investment especially because the weather is so rubbish and lots of people have limited time to ride.  At least I can just get on and work through the weather.  Perhaps they'll make an all in one suit so I can guarantee all of me stays dry!!   http://www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk/addtocart.asp?categoryid=&subcatid=&hr=&categoryname=&subcatname=&itemid=2943 

https://twitter.com/LisaPilbeam/status/250894065388879872/photo/1/large

https://twitter.com/LisaPilbeam/status/250926233439838209/photo/1/large

So we didn't finish the season great with Lady but she will be back next season just the first half then she will be making a baby in the summer! 

Next stop Pulborough with the 3 boys Ollie, Corby and Tango.

Firle - 25/26 August 2012

Firle wasn't the best weekend!!

First was Juno in the 4YO class she did her best dressage to date with 25.5 the best in her section. Two down SJ which was unlucky because I felt she jumped the best round.

XC we got eliminated for three stops. 

Tango did the BE90, he had a super dressage too 24 one down and xc he had a cheeky run out which was really annoying because he would have been 2nd! 

I did the CIC* with Lady and her dressage was on the Saturday she scored a 53.1 which I was pleased with. The SJ is not her best phase we had 3 down. Cross Country is her best phase and we went clear with a few time penalties which she normally wouldn't have but I do need to get her fitter, she's had limited runs this season! 

Lady before CIC* dressage

Ollie was in the IN - I thought I would enter him into this because he does the SJ so well and he needed something more challenging! His dressage was 32 which I was really pleased with as I was practising my sitting trot for weeks!! His trot is so uncomfortable to sit to! He had a fab clear SJ and found it easy. In the XC we got eliminated at the ditch - well he wouldn't go near it! It was an inviting ditch going into a  rack with a waterfall running though the ditch - far too scary for Ollie so I walked home again!

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...