I can't believe our season has finished already it doesn't seem long since our first run at EMDG ODE. It's been a rollercoaster season from withdrawals to stepping up a level to Novice.
We decided to withdraw from Little Downham which was a extremely hard decision but hopefully a sensible one.
Our last event of the season was soon here. This was our 2nd attempt at Novice. With Oasby being so local we had the 1st dressage time of 8am. After arriving and registering in the dark, I was anxiously waiting for it to get lighter. After 20 mins of lunging I hoppedon and we headed to the warm up. Everything seems to go 10x times worse once we leave the warm up, which isn't great when we aren't the best to start. The test was tense and hurried, and I felt I hadn't ridden it very accurately. However we managed bother canter transitions with out a buck. I came out very disappointed but was pleased to see we scored 40, 2 marks better than previously at Prestwold.
Next up was the showjumping. I was a bit apprehensive about this phase not necessarily the height but due to the fact we hadn't seen a fence since Prestwold 2 months before. After a few fences in the warm up, I started to feel more confident. However I went in the ring and seemed to freeze. I couldn't see a stride. After having the first and 5th fence down I was starting to wonder what we were doing here. The next problem really threw me when Sky stopped. As they rebuilt the fence I didn't know whether to retire or get her round. I decided to go for it. We might have been looked better on the hunting field over 6 a, b and 7, but we were going to finish the course. The last few fences we seemed to agree on she jumped well to finish. Lesson learnt don't go 2 months between events without jumping.
Again I was even more disappointed now after the showjumping questioning our capabilities and wondering whether to withdraw xc from my inability to see a stride. I'm so glad my friend and Dad persuaded me to run. We had great fun. We set out 1st on course. After buying a stopwatch from Burghley I was determined to come home inside the time and clear. And we did exactly that. Not every fence was text book.
Our winter will now consist of lots of dressage competitions and showjumping, till I can see a stride everytime.
2014 aims Double clear at Novice and hopefully complete a 1* but horses will be horses and only time will tell.
Barbie is going to have a season hunting as we are both enjoying it and its a nice get away from the serious side of eventing with Sky.
Many thanks to my parents, friends, Twittereventing and supporters (HorseyHoodies / Animalife) this season its meant alot to me especially as we made the step up to Novice.
Amber x
We decided to withdraw from Little Downham which was a extremely hard decision but hopefully a sensible one.
Our last event of the season was soon here. This was our 2nd attempt at Novice. With Oasby being so local we had the 1st dressage time of 8am. After arriving and registering in the dark, I was anxiously waiting for it to get lighter. After 20 mins of lunging I hoppedon and we headed to the warm up. Everything seems to go 10x times worse once we leave the warm up, which isn't great when we aren't the best to start. The test was tense and hurried, and I felt I hadn't ridden it very accurately. However we managed bother canter transitions with out a buck. I came out very disappointed but was pleased to see we scored 40, 2 marks better than previously at Prestwold.
Next up was the showjumping. I was a bit apprehensive about this phase not necessarily the height but due to the fact we hadn't seen a fence since Prestwold 2 months before. After a few fences in the warm up, I started to feel more confident. However I went in the ring and seemed to freeze. I couldn't see a stride. After having the first and 5th fence down I was starting to wonder what we were doing here. The next problem really threw me when Sky stopped. As they rebuilt the fence I didn't know whether to retire or get her round. I decided to go for it. We might have been looked better on the hunting field over 6 a, b and 7, but we were going to finish the course. The last few fences we seemed to agree on she jumped well to finish. Lesson learnt don't go 2 months between events without jumping.
Again I was even more disappointed now after the showjumping questioning our capabilities and wondering whether to withdraw xc from my inability to see a stride. I'm so glad my friend and Dad persuaded me to run. We had great fun. We set out 1st on course. After buying a stopwatch from Burghley I was determined to come home inside the time and clear. And we did exactly that. Not every fence was text book.
Our winter will now consist of lots of dressage competitions and showjumping, till I can see a stride everytime.
2014 aims Double clear at Novice and hopefully complete a 1* but horses will be horses and only time will tell.
Barbie is going to have a season hunting as we are both enjoying it and its a nice get away from the serious side of eventing with Sky.
Many thanks to my parents, friends, Twittereventing and supporters (HorseyHoodies / Animalife) this season its meant alot to me especially as we made the step up to Novice.
Amber x