With less than 2 weeks between Larkhill and Hambleden, we rushed to squeeze in some XC training after a stop at the fence into the water at our first event. We managed to book a small training course down the road from us which only has a selection of Intro sized fences but has a fantastically diverse water complex which was exactly what the doctor ordered! Typically, we went there and Humbug was as good as gold but it was nice to get really confident over smaller fences before tackling a testing XC at Hambleden that coming weekend. We are planning to get out to some bigger training courses later in the Spring/early Summer.
I'm 5'8'' and not even standing down the hill where the landing patch is...!
Our BE100 class was on the Friday and first day of Hambleden International Horse Trials. We traveled up on the Thursday afternoon to plan our route and walk my courses as I had early times the next day and neither Mum nor I fancied getting up at stupid o'clock to walk courses in the dark! As we arrived, it was clear why event riders from all over the country (and world!) flock to this event; held on the Hambleden Estate, you couldn't ask for a more perfect setting!
I walked my XC course first and had to stop myself sizing up the fences as I marched past them, some were going to take a bit of riding! It wasn't the most technical course I have ever come across but there were a couple of bold and up-to-height fences in the first section going away from home.
My SJ course had been built so I took the opportunity to walk it while I could. The arena was situated in the middle of the tradestands and the fences were lovely and bright, and beautifully presented. It was a good flowing course with a few questions and a couple of catch-you-out uprights which we would see roll time and time again as the weekend progressed.
I walked my XC course first and had to stop myself sizing up the fences as I marched past them, some were going to take a bit of riding! It wasn't the most technical course I have ever come across but there were a couple of bold and up-to-height fences in the first section going away from home.
My SJ course had been built so I took the opportunity to walk it while I could. The arena was situated in the middle of the tradestands and the fences were lovely and bright, and beautifully presented. It was a good flowing course with a few questions and a couple of catch-you-out uprights which we would see roll time and time again as the weekend progressed.
Photo taken by Uptown Eventing - www.uptowneventing.co.uk
So after getting up at what seemed like the middle of the night, we left the yard at 6:30am. We made good time whilst avoiding rush hour on the M4 and were greeted with nothing less than perfect going and weather. I warmed up for dressage amongst all of the other competitors rather than finding a quiet corner as I usually do, trying to settle her in the atmosphere and convince her that we weren't there to go hunting! It worked and she did a much calmer test, performing every movement beginning to end this time out, however the judge must have taken a disliking to her as she marked us for a 44.5. A little disappointing but I was pleased with how she contained herself.
Next was SJ and she warmed up well, being very careful and accurate. She got a bit tense and strong when we entered the ring but she jumped a satisfactory round with 2 down; one my fault for not kicking on enough to the triple bar and the other hers for completely forgetting to pick up a foreleg off a perfect stride to the last upright! You can see this very clearly in the video!
XC was causing a few problems and there weren't loads going inside the time so I had to make the decision to ride quite strongly from the word go. She was very strong in the warm up again so I was pleased when we were finally allowed out on course and my arms could have a rest! But she was an absolute star; answering every question that came her way and responding well when I rode her a little more forward into the bolder fences. We came home clear and a few second inside the time so I was also pleased that, thanks to interval training, I am still able to judge my pace fairly accurately!
So once again, our placing was nothing to write home about but I was much happier with how the whole day had gone generally and its looking like she will settle more and more as the season progresses.
So that just leaves me to say a huge Thank You to Hambleden International Horse Trials for organising and hosting such a wonderful event, I will be highly recommending it to both competitors and spectators in the future.
Next was SJ and she warmed up well, being very careful and accurate. She got a bit tense and strong when we entered the ring but she jumped a satisfactory round with 2 down; one my fault for not kicking on enough to the triple bar and the other hers for completely forgetting to pick up a foreleg off a perfect stride to the last upright! You can see this very clearly in the video!
XC was causing a few problems and there weren't loads going inside the time so I had to make the decision to ride quite strongly from the word go. She was very strong in the warm up again so I was pleased when we were finally allowed out on course and my arms could have a rest! But she was an absolute star; answering every question that came her way and responding well when I rode her a little more forward into the bolder fences. We came home clear and a few second inside the time so I was also pleased that, thanks to interval training, I am still able to judge my pace fairly accurately!
So once again, our placing was nothing to write home about but I was much happier with how the whole day had gone generally and its looking like she will settle more and more as the season progresses.
So that just leaves me to say a huge Thank You to Hambleden International Horse Trials for organising and hosting such a wonderful event, I will be highly recommending it to both competitors and spectators in the future.