Post by scattymare on May 28, 2013 15:54:49 GMT
On Sunday Eddie and I had our first proper go at a Trec competition. It was just the Controlled paces and PTV course – no orienteering phase. I entered the Intro and Open classes thinking I may as well make a day of it! Went to walk the course on Saturday and was horrified to find 3 jumps! Intro class my sort of height but the Open they ranged from about 2’ 6 to 3’ !! Way bigger than I’m happy with. So decided there and then we’d miss the jumps out of class 2 and just do the rest for experience.
Arrived on the day, lovely and sunny. Did the COP and scored 26/30 for slow canter and 16/30 for quick walk. Very very nearly put in a jog stride but the judge let me off but did say that a proper BHS Trec may not!!
Then we set off on the PTV course. Eddie was in her element at this. A small jump to start then up a little x-country step (funny, these don’t bother me like jumping does!) a long canter up the hill to a steep incline which you had to travel up, along the top then back down in any pace. Eddie was in a nice stride so we tackled it all at canter and she didn’t falter. Then through bending poles which we trotted as they were quite narrow. Next was another steeper bank, we trotted this. Then the other two jumps as a double followed by a ditch – no problem for Eddie who loves jumping the storm drains! Then an obstacle which became our undoing later on (more about that later!) a cross country double step up. We approached in trot and made it up and Eddie cantered after so thought we’d lose marks for that. Then an s-bend, post a letter, figure of eight with reins in one hand, halt between two posts then finally cross a footbridge. Eddie behaved impeccably and performed everything spot on. Our figure of eight was interesting but smooth!! So was quite hopeful we’d done fairly well. Waited for the scores, nearly all tens – proud mummy. A couple of 7’s for the parts we did in trot (max points for that gait) and we were showing as 7th. Then looked again and realised we’d scored 0 for the steps! Assumed it was because we’d broken pace. Kicked myself as we could have cantered them easily – vowed to do that in next class. Still pleased with result as there were 19 entries
Started next class. Same course but the obstacles were trickier – steeper banks, closer s-bend and bending poles, bigger ditch etc Eddie was a bit more distracted this time round – it was hot and she got very annoyed being made to go around rather than over the jumps! Was brilliant over the steep banks and ditch. Reached the steps so kicked on and flew up! But the rest of the round was a bit of a disaster – her buddy was hollering from the lorry and Eddie had had enough! We annihilated the s-bend, knocked the poles flying in our rein back (instead of the halt) knocked the tree over in our figure of 8 (in trot this time) and jogged over the bridge! So our points went out the window! But I think we entertained everyone!!
Waited for the results and by some miracle we didn’t come last – just scraped 6th out of 7! Even if we’d jumped it wouldn’t have made a difference so was glad I hadn’t stressed myself out over it. Then checked mark for the steps....0 again!! Clearly we’d done something wrong! The organiser came out and I was informed that whilst we’d done it brilliantly for a cross country class, we were actually just supposed to go across it sideways so just a small dip in the ground!!! Was kicking myself as if we’d scored even a 5 for it, we would have been 2nd in the first class as the points were that close(wouldn’t have mattered in second round!)
So very pleased with the pony and can’t wait to have another go. And next time I will ensure I well and truly read my map properly!!!
Arrived on the day, lovely and sunny. Did the COP and scored 26/30 for slow canter and 16/30 for quick walk. Very very nearly put in a jog stride but the judge let me off but did say that a proper BHS Trec may not!!
Then we set off on the PTV course. Eddie was in her element at this. A small jump to start then up a little x-country step (funny, these don’t bother me like jumping does!) a long canter up the hill to a steep incline which you had to travel up, along the top then back down in any pace. Eddie was in a nice stride so we tackled it all at canter and she didn’t falter. Then through bending poles which we trotted as they were quite narrow. Next was another steeper bank, we trotted this. Then the other two jumps as a double followed by a ditch – no problem for Eddie who loves jumping the storm drains! Then an obstacle which became our undoing later on (more about that later!) a cross country double step up. We approached in trot and made it up and Eddie cantered after so thought we’d lose marks for that. Then an s-bend, post a letter, figure of eight with reins in one hand, halt between two posts then finally cross a footbridge. Eddie behaved impeccably and performed everything spot on. Our figure of eight was interesting but smooth!! So was quite hopeful we’d done fairly well. Waited for the scores, nearly all tens – proud mummy. A couple of 7’s for the parts we did in trot (max points for that gait) and we were showing as 7th. Then looked again and realised we’d scored 0 for the steps! Assumed it was because we’d broken pace. Kicked myself as we could have cantered them easily – vowed to do that in next class. Still pleased with result as there were 19 entries
Started next class. Same course but the obstacles were trickier – steeper banks, closer s-bend and bending poles, bigger ditch etc Eddie was a bit more distracted this time round – it was hot and she got very annoyed being made to go around rather than over the jumps! Was brilliant over the steep banks and ditch. Reached the steps so kicked on and flew up! But the rest of the round was a bit of a disaster – her buddy was hollering from the lorry and Eddie had had enough! We annihilated the s-bend, knocked the poles flying in our rein back (instead of the halt) knocked the tree over in our figure of 8 (in trot this time) and jogged over the bridge! So our points went out the window! But I think we entertained everyone!!
Waited for the results and by some miracle we didn’t come last – just scraped 6th out of 7! Even if we’d jumped it wouldn’t have made a difference so was glad I hadn’t stressed myself out over it. Then checked mark for the steps....0 again!! Clearly we’d done something wrong! The organiser came out and I was informed that whilst we’d done it brilliantly for a cross country class, we were actually just supposed to go across it sideways so just a small dip in the ground!!! Was kicking myself as if we’d scored even a 5 for it, we would have been 2nd in the first class as the points were that close(wouldn’t have mattered in second round!)
So very pleased with the pony and can’t wait to have another go. And next time I will ensure I well and truly read my map properly!!!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
