Twesledown (UA) - 6 October 2012

Another nice late start! Our dressage wasn't until 14.22 so we didn't have to leave the yard until 10.30 am. 

Before I left I had to sort the lorry out  and clean the tack from the outing yesterday at Pulborough - everything was wet through! 

I forgot to take my jodhpurs out the night before to clean them so I ended up wearing an old pair with no zip (hopefully no one was looking down there)! 

This was Esther's (Poppinghole Patchwork) last event before she goes back home to her owners for a holiday.

I thought she did a lovely test but ended up scoring 34. She had an annoying one down and went clear XC putting us in 6th place, this was her first placing so was really pleased finishing on a good note. 

She has been a joy to bring on and will miss riding her when she's gone.

So that's my last event of the season, I will be out hunting and show jumping in the winter and will keep you all updated!

Pulborough - 5 October 2012

It wasn't such an early start yesterday which was nice!  We didn't leave the yard until 9.30 am. 

We set off with the three boys,  Ollie, Corby and Tango Man! 

Ollie was entered for IN but I decided to swap to BE100 after SoE to hopefully have a good run before the end of the season.

This turned out to be great with Ollie winning his BE100 section with a 31 dressage and a double clear.  He's definitely more of a SJ and a good BE100 horse, not quite there with the courage for Novice! 

I can always relay on the Corbster to get placed (when he's not it's pilot error - missing a jump etc!!).  He was 3rd with a double clear - third time running we've come 3rd just shows how consistent he is! 

Tango was a bad pony!!! He didn't like the look of number 2 in the SJ and ended up dropping a shoulder and letting me jump the jump clear!  Unfortunately we were then eliminated as the SJ wasn't in the ring he went out so couldn't remount.  Shame we didn't have a chance to complete the SJ and go round the XC course.

So it's the end of the season for my neddies! Just one more event for me (today!) at Twelesdown with the lovely coloured mare I have on livery, Esther "Poppinghole Patchwork".  I'll let you know how I get on later!

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.

Munstead - 16 September 2012

Munstead has always been one of my favourite events to take young horses too.

I took Tango and Corby on the Sunday in the BE100. This was Tango's first BE100 and Corby's first event since Eridge back in June. The only reason Corby hasn't been out competing is because I've been trying to sell him but had no luck so far, so he's back eventing until the end of the season.  I do enjoy competing Corby as he's so consistent.  It's a shame he hasn't found a new home yet so someone else can enjoy his good results!

Corby started the day off with a 33 dressage which is ok but he could do better than that.  He went double clear and came 3rd.

Tango did a slightly better test than Corbs and had a 32.  He had an annoying one pole in the SJ. We were pretty lucky not to have another - coming up to the second to last my martingale snapped! I thought he would spook at this but he was a good boy and carried on over the double to finish. 

XC was next and I needed another martingale strap! I sent my dad off to buy one but can you believe they didn't sell them separately. Luckily Kate Ludden was competing and kindly lent me hers (thanks Kate!).

Tango did a clear round but had time faults as we took some long routes and that's where the martingale came in handy for turning. 

So next stop for Tango is Pulborough BE100 and Corby South of England BE100.

Crockstead - Eventers Challenge

Went to Crockstead this weekend, I've not been there for years.

I did the Eventers Challenge on Esther and Woody(for sale!).

Esther won she just had the one fence down but was fast! 

Woody has never done XC or a set of 20 fences.  He's only really been out for clear round jumping. I was late for the 80cm so I thought we would give the 90cm a go! 

We stopped at the first fence twice then after that he was a bit wobbly to number two and then he was away. I was so pleased with him - he jumped up and down banks and ditches and the XC fences.  He's going to make someone a very nice allrounder!

Woody jumping at home with Lauren

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!