I came third. I was second after dressage. There were just four in the class. So, what happened? First, I was really pleased with our dressage effort. It was the first time I had ever managed to get Frank to do any proper medium work in trot and canter as I have only recently managed to achieve this whilst maintaining something resembling an outline. Up until recently ‘medium’ trot was just Frank trotting a bit faster and going a bit hollow. Lots of practice riding without stirrups and sitting trot has, as far as I can feel, enabled me to get Frank to work more from behind and really stretch out to
produce some longer strides. This was acknowledged on the test sheet and I got a 7 for a medium trot, and 8 for give and re-take (see pictures above). There was an 8 for the first movement – enter at working trot and an 8 for the halt and four second immobility. Another reason I was so pleased with the test was that Frank provided correct canter leads despite not being able to do these on the left rein in the warm-up. I had a good tip from Ceri Rees-Coe about leg yielding to the outside track just before asking for canter and this seemed to work in the test. I spent most of the warm-up without stirrups – this means I can go two holes longer in the leathers which means I can achieve a deeper, more effective seat and a more effective lower leg. I’d rather ride without stirrups at all – at the moment they just get in the way but I am getting better with them. More practice needed. One of the boards marking the edge of the arena by F was pointing, at an angle, into the arena so I had to go round it in my test. I wish I had noticed it when I was warming up. After my test I jumped down and straightened it ready for the next competitor. I thought I might get a good deed mark for that.
Showjumping
After the dressage I untacked Frank and gave him water, feed and some hay. I then walked the XC course. Feeling hot, tired and hungry now I spotted some friends by the clubhouse. Trying to decide what to eat (given that I can get a bit nervous before jumping) I was just contemplating how a fried egg sandwich might go down (and stay down) when I looked at the time and suddenly jumped up. Shit! I’m jumping in 10 minutes, Frank isn’t tacked up, I have to put studs in, get changed and walk the course. Running back to lorry and finding some choice swear words I self-flagellate myself with these… what was I thinking of? Fried egg fcuking sandwich WTF?! So, as we rush from lorry to arena I can hear an impatient voice calling my name over the PA. The bell rings and it’s time to get going but I haven’t tightened my girth – just manage to hoik it up a bit before the first fence. Not sure of the way, we waver a bit between five and six and as a result knock it down. bugga. That’ll learn me not to walk the course.
Cross country
This is uneventful until fence 21 – the newly creosoted dark palisade which must look to all intents and purpose to a horse like a deep dark hole. It’s not at all inviting and is just downwind of the pig farm. So the hole appears like there might be a pig in there or even be full of pigs. On the approach to this fence, we are galloping alongside a 4×4 and trailer leaving the event. As we both approach the crossing I’m wondering if I should stop and give way or if the vehicle will give way -its all a bit muddled but we approach the ‘hole full of pigs’ by pulling up and backing off giving Frank all the opportunity he needs to run out. Jumping it a second time after cracking his ass – he then ran out at the next fence. This is so annoying as Frank does not normally run out. Later on, I discovered that Frank had lost a shoe (at fence nine) so this may explain why he was a little reluctant to get airborne. I was so disappointed with the run outs when he had gone so well up until then and had jumped some tricky and narrow skinny fences earlier on.
So, that was our Gower Riding Club ODE. Better than last year for sure – when Frank pulled off a shoe in the dressage warm-up. At least this year it didn’t fall off until the end.
The end.
Only Joolz and Horses 