We continued with our intense prep for our first Novice at South of England; and this started with a cross country session at Comphurst, East Sussex.
This is a great venue with lots of tricky combinations and an excellent water jump. Finley jumped his socks off and I felt very positive after this session – Will definitely be going back for further training.
Later that week we had our last showjumping session on grass which went very well; so there was no more I could do before our debut….
The weather was beautiful and the ground was well prepared as we entered the showground. I was trying hard to contain my nerves, as I didn’t want this to affect our performance that we have been working so hard for.
I couldn’t have asked for a better day! Finley was absolutely amazing. He performed a really calm obedient test for 32 which is a huge improvement. Had two poles showjumping, which I was thrilled with considering this is our weakest phase. Then it was on to the cross country. As we left the start I knew I had absolute faith in Finley and he soared round the big track with a few time faults. I was over the moon with him, and was a great start to his step up to Novice.
Video courtesy of An Eventful Life of our fab round at South of England
Two weeks later we were competing at Hambledon in our second Novice. I love this event and used to attend it every year with Ransom and loved galloping through the bluebells so was thrilled to be back competing. Finley and I competed in our first 100cm here in 2016 so I was hoping it would be just as successful.
With so many steps forward taken at South of England there were bound to be some steps backward, and sadly that’s what happened in the showjumping. The round was very tense and slightly ‘unruly’ which led to four fences down. This made me even more determined to fly round the cross country.
The course was proving to be extremely tough with many people retiring, getting eliminated and having many time faults. So I was prepared for a tough ride. Finley yet again acted like a superstar taking everything in his stride and when he was a little cautious I was there to support him and he flew! I was all set to be inside the time with a fab clear up until the third from home. He clocked a dog in the distance which led to a lapse in concentration and us bypassing the fence. I then needed to turn a circle and cross my tracks and an annoying 20 penalties. We cruised home with only a few time faults and I was thrilled because he had gone clear but frustrated with the penalties awarded.
So with the showjumping demons setting in; and the unfortunate cancellation of Ransom’s PSG debut I decided to be brave and head to the world of Showjumping at Coombelands Equestrian centre.
My aim wasn’t to be competitive; it was to concentrate on rhythm and balance. We entered the Discovery and Newcomers and I was pleased with how he behaved. We even managed to get into the jump off. A lot of homework to be done but every outing is an experience for us both.
During the Easter holidays I spent the week teaching for my old pony club ‘Petersfield’ at their mini and novice/intermediate clinics. I had a fab time teaching them; and forgot how gutsy children can be. Was great to see their improvement in just a few days.
April is a very important month for one of the team at LG Eventing and Dressage. It was Nelsons’s 26th birthday!! I cant believe how long I have had this boy for; and how many memories we have made over the last 22 years. He is looking so fit and well at the moment so I am going to investigate into veteran showing with him.
Sadly Finley’s last event of the month proved to be our worst to date with the showjumping being a disaster. We took a step back down into the 100+ for an easier run, but he found the arena extremely spooky; and for the first time in a long time he was incredibly nappy leading to time faults and multiple fences down.
This was so disappointing considering our dressage was good for our arena, but I headed down to the cross country with determination and Mr Consistent had another superb round coming home well within the time.
I now have a lot of homework and changes to make in order to improve our showjumping. Practice practice and more practice!!!
LG Eventing and Dressage 