Post by racaille on Dec 3, 2013 8:17:32 GMT
Well, against all my expectations I had a great day out!
Despite the initial weather forecast it dawned very cold but brilliantly clear, a deep blue sky covering a white, frosty world. I knew I was right not to tow over the mountains, there are hairpins on the north side that never thaw. I was very happy to be going the easy way around the massif and later found that everyone had done the same thing. It was a beautiful journey, made even nicer by the fact that the comp was postponed by one hour to give the arena a chance to thaw out.
We turned out to be the first to arrive and I was pretty smug that my reverse turn to get into the parking area went without a hitch and no stress from me! It was a fantastic club, really great facilities but coupled with very friendly people - the two don't often go together here! By chance I bumped into someone I know but I decided not to be embarrassed about doing the baby class
I was really grateful to be in the first class as I just didn't have time to fret. I did laugh a little to myself when I went into the manege to warm up - yup, there were the kiddies!
Paco was a bit bothered by the manege as he hasn't much experience of being indoors and he was very fresh and a bit spooky. I just booted him on when he was silly. He was full of himself and 'bottom bounced' around - I wouldn't let him put his head down to buck but boy, he wanted to! He was racing at the jumps and really put in some tremendous leaps.
However, when I got to the arena it was still frozen solid and I needed a safer strategy. The course was very little (60cm) but surprisingly technical with lots of tight turns and a double which you wouldn't normally expect. My coach had warned me that P might take against the judge's hut and the music which unfortunately was right next to a very narrow corridor that had to be done twice in the course. But I don't know why, I was feeling in a no nonsense mood and I just didn't allow myself to anticipate problems - and of course, there were none! Paco was utterly docile and didn't bat an eyelid at anything - a lesson for me there, obviously.
Since it felt like we were cantering on concrete I brought him back into trot for the worst turns. It felt a lot less fluid than in the warm-up but my coach later told me that because the ground was hard P was taking much smaller strides and getting closer to the jumps.
And so we went clear and, with the two kiddies who also managed it, got a rosette and a plaque. Yay!
I was enormously pleased - I feel like I learned a lot about the way I ride. When I expect trouble, I get it. Not rocket science, is it?
The teenager also had terrific fun on Racaille. Luckily the arena had thawed out byt the time she went as R flew round. For one brief moment we all thought she'g go clear in Club 4 (65cm) but she misjudged a turn and R was very surprised to suddenly face a skinny on the slant which he bashed through and then demolished the last. In Club 3 (75cm) we all closed our eyes as he was going so fast - but jumping beautifully and it was chrono so sort of expected - but she tried to rebalance him and he brought two poles down. He is much better left alone if you have the courage to go at the speed of sound
So, a great day out. A lot of fun, no pressure, just a laugh. Can't see myself getting into SJ seriously but it's done wonders for my confidence.
Sorry it's so long .....
Despite the initial weather forecast it dawned very cold but brilliantly clear, a deep blue sky covering a white, frosty world. I knew I was right not to tow over the mountains, there are hairpins on the north side that never thaw. I was very happy to be going the easy way around the massif and later found that everyone had done the same thing. It was a beautiful journey, made even nicer by the fact that the comp was postponed by one hour to give the arena a chance to thaw out.
We turned out to be the first to arrive and I was pretty smug that my reverse turn to get into the parking area went without a hitch and no stress from me! It was a fantastic club, really great facilities but coupled with very friendly people - the two don't often go together here! By chance I bumped into someone I know but I decided not to be embarrassed about doing the baby class
I was really grateful to be in the first class as I just didn't have time to fret. I did laugh a little to myself when I went into the manege to warm up - yup, there were the kiddies!
Paco was a bit bothered by the manege as he hasn't much experience of being indoors and he was very fresh and a bit spooky. I just booted him on when he was silly. He was full of himself and 'bottom bounced' around - I wouldn't let him put his head down to buck but boy, he wanted to! He was racing at the jumps and really put in some tremendous leaps.
However, when I got to the arena it was still frozen solid and I needed a safer strategy. The course was very little (60cm) but surprisingly technical with lots of tight turns and a double which you wouldn't normally expect. My coach had warned me that P might take against the judge's hut and the music which unfortunately was right next to a very narrow corridor that had to be done twice in the course. But I don't know why, I was feeling in a no nonsense mood and I just didn't allow myself to anticipate problems - and of course, there were none! Paco was utterly docile and didn't bat an eyelid at anything - a lesson for me there, obviously.
Since it felt like we were cantering on concrete I brought him back into trot for the worst turns. It felt a lot less fluid than in the warm-up but my coach later told me that because the ground was hard P was taking much smaller strides and getting closer to the jumps.
And so we went clear and, with the two kiddies who also managed it, got a rosette and a plaque. Yay!
I was enormously pleased - I feel like I learned a lot about the way I ride. When I expect trouble, I get it. Not rocket science, is it?
The teenager also had terrific fun on Racaille. Luckily the arena had thawed out byt the time she went as R flew round. For one brief moment we all thought she'g go clear in Club 4 (65cm) but she misjudged a turn and R was very surprised to suddenly face a skinny on the slant which he bashed through and then demolished the last. In Club 3 (75cm) we all closed our eyes as he was going so fast - but jumping beautifully and it was chrono so sort of expected - but she tried to rebalance him and he brought two poles down. He is much better left alone if you have the courage to go at the speed of sound
So, a great day out. A lot of fun, no pressure, just a laugh. Can't see myself getting into SJ seriously but it's done wonders for my confidence.
Sorry it's so long .....
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
I would like a go at derby cross and I know there is one in April ..... 