I can't believe the difference between our recent events. With the recent warm weather I was grateful we had early times. I'm sure its the only time I'll enjoy having early times. We were trying a new tactic for the dressage of lunging first then very minimal warm up once on board. We tend to get very stressy in the dressage so in attempt to keep us both calm, I was constantly spraying rescue remedy, as well as Sky starting Equifeats Opti Max a few days earlier. I'm not sure whats happened to our centrelines lately but they have been pretty poor with us scoring a 4 at Eland. Luckily we were slightly better on Saturday and scored a 6. The whole test felt so much better than the previous week and shockingly I came out pleased.
We got ready and headed over to the showjumping to watch a few before warming up. Not knowing how good the Opti Max would be I followed Equifeasts recommendations on feeding it. I couldn't believe how she just stood there waiting whilst I watched a few ride the course. She then continued in this relaxed manner over the practice fences. I was still positive she would perk up in the ring however I had to physically Kick! We had one unlucky pole as I tried to push for a longer stride whereas I should have left her to go on her nice collected canter. I'm so used to having to hold her I felt like we would never make the fences. Although we had a pole I was over the moon with our round, it felt so much smoother and more together than Eland.
Of to the XC, I gave her a good canter round to make sure she was awake and ready to go. She then realised it was the best part and started to add a skip to her step and wanted to go. Waiting for the countdown thinking this is more my pony as shes about to explode under me. We set off well I just steered pointed and held on for the first four fences. I gained some control for the Skinnies at 5. She flew through the combination and took me by surprise over 6 going down hill. Trying to gain control at the bottom so we made the turn to 7. With no time to waste we were over the trakehener and setting up for the steps down to a skinny. She flew round to the water, with help of some vocal encouragement going in I was taking no chances we were flying over the log out. The double of roll tops caused us no problems and we kicked on to the last few fences. I took my time and set her up for the corner as it was the 2nd to last fence I couldn't bear the thought of a run out now. We got home 4 seconds inside the time. We were lying in second after XC which I never thought I'd hear but we were one of the first to run. We did come home with our best score to date and just missed out on the placings for 12th.
Sky is having a mini break before getting ready for the PC Open at Buckminster which runs over the Novice BE course. This is will be our first go at this level. Fingers Crossed.
Amber x
We got ready and headed over to the showjumping to watch a few before warming up. Not knowing how good the Opti Max would be I followed Equifeasts recommendations on feeding it. I couldn't believe how she just stood there waiting whilst I watched a few ride the course. She then continued in this relaxed manner over the practice fences. I was still positive she would perk up in the ring however I had to physically Kick! We had one unlucky pole as I tried to push for a longer stride whereas I should have left her to go on her nice collected canter. I'm so used to having to hold her I felt like we would never make the fences. Although we had a pole I was over the moon with our round, it felt so much smoother and more together than Eland.
Of to the XC, I gave her a good canter round to make sure she was awake and ready to go. She then realised it was the best part and started to add a skip to her step and wanted to go. Waiting for the countdown thinking this is more my pony as shes about to explode under me. We set off well I just steered pointed and held on for the first four fences. I gained some control for the Skinnies at 5. She flew through the combination and took me by surprise over 6 going down hill. Trying to gain control at the bottom so we made the turn to 7. With no time to waste we were over the trakehener and setting up for the steps down to a skinny. She flew round to the water, with help of some vocal encouragement going in I was taking no chances we were flying over the log out. The double of roll tops caused us no problems and we kicked on to the last few fences. I took my time and set her up for the corner as it was the 2nd to last fence I couldn't bear the thought of a run out now. We got home 4 seconds inside the time. We were lying in second after XC which I never thought I'd hear but we were one of the first to run. We did come home with our best score to date and just missed out on the placings for 12th.
Sky is having a mini break before getting ready for the PC Open at Buckminster which runs over the Novice BE course. This is will be our first go at this level. Fingers Crossed.
Amber x