Sam's triumph

[racaille]

The lovely boy has finished the season on a high note. The teenager was keen to get in one last comp before the end of our season so I gave in and took her to the last event, which happened to be at a terribly posh club near Aix. It was also the last chance for people to qualify for the championnats so the classes were jam packed.

We loaded at 5.30am in a magnificent lightening storm buck luckily not much rain. Sam was his usual chilled self and hardly bothered about loading on his own with lightening crashing around him.

Got to the club at about 6.45am and had just one hairy moment when I was positioning for an early departure and the whole rig started sliding sideways down the hill in the mud. Slammed it into 4x4 and got out of trouble, phew.

It was a hairy warm-up for Club 4 Vitesse (65cm against the clock) as everyone seemed to be panicking and dashing all over the place but Sam stayed zen and then, totally unfazed by a WHOPPING results screen in the corner of the arena, did a lovely, calm clear round!!!! Not fast enough to beat the whizzy ponies but he came in a very respectable third, so his first French rosette.

Then in Club 3 Vitesse (75cm) he did it all over again! He was careful and regular but - miracle! - the teenager asked him for a tight turn option to shave some seconds and frankly I thought he wouldn't be able to manage it, but bless him he tucked his legs up and sailed on for a double clear.

He was placed 11th in a class of 57 - we were over the moon as he has clearly understood the game and best of all, seems to really enjoy it.

Technical problems mean no pix other than one I bought. Will try to scan it and put it up.

Oh and the teenager won a voucher for a tack shop which she used to buy me a shavings fork and I was thrilled.

[racaille]

[racaille]

Shame about the barn background, you can't see how smart the place is.

I also spent some happy time marvelling at all the horrible rubbish it is fashionable to sling on yourself and your horse here. Never mind the Samshield helmets at 500€ a pop covered in diamante but also the violent colours people go for. Neon pink, bright orange .... and never mind if the colours complement the horse .....

[brigadier]

Have been itching to see this post- its a fantastic achievement, especially since he has had comparatively little training due to the trimming issue. What a result and 'Team Sam' should be really proud that you've got him there.
Rac would you send me the image on email- if its ok with you I want to gloat a little, show my farrier (who saved his life!) and send it to the racing stables where he trained.

THRILLED!

[pboy]

Brilliant!! What a tidy jumper

Well done to you and the teenager Rac, and to you Brig for producing him!!!

[brigadier]

Ha ha Pboy- wish I had produced him,its more correct to say I spotted him, thought he had potential. I only sat on him thrice! It's the Teenager who has done all the hard work producing- plus Rac for taking a leap of faith when I said he was a good un and shipped him half way across Europe!

[fimacg]

Brilliant, and to everyone elsewho thinks you were mad to import an ex racer from the UK, they can Now see how good he is

[racaille]

Jun 15, 2014 19:10:26 GMT fimacg said:

Brilliant, and to everyone elsewho thinks you were mad to import an ex racer from the UK, they can Now see how good he is

I'm not normally a vengeful person but yes, Fi, there is an element of payback! Only my vet and coach have been encouraging about him, a lot of others (including my farrier, hmm time to think about things there) have been very negative, but then the horse world down here can be very bitchy.

So there is an element of fingers to you lot! But Sam is by far the nicest horse we have and such a pleasure to be around that that is reward enough.

[brigadier]

Was just thinking about the screen and how some horses seeing it for the first time would fuse, but I expect he would have seen that kind of thing before around the racing tracks- its one good thing about ex racers- although they can be electric they are amazingly well exposed, then if you get one with a kind and pleasing nature youve cracked it.

Just taking up on your comment as well Fi- a few of my 'friends' did the nudge nudge wink thing when I said that Sam was going to the Teenager. Some people just cannot see how some things are done, simply because its the right thing to do. Either for the person or for the horse. We all came out well with this one, I get immense pleasure from seeing this fabulous little horse do something cool, I miss him like crazy, and I miss seeing him and Toudle going mad in the field but I know he is where he should be so that's cool too.

[solomon]

Ah sad that you miss him Brig, he is doing fantastically well though, what a jump!

[ernieburt]

Wow, grinning on your behalf. Sensational Sam!!!!

[fleabitten]

Brilliant, so much improvement for his second competition! So pleased for you! brig its great that youve got him sold to a great home where hes being enjoyed, thats all anyone can hope for!

but rac - loading at 5.30am? eek! havent gotten up that early yet although i think i might have to this saturday! ive to be at a show for 9am!

[racaille]

It was almost light Flea, so didn;t feel too early. Now the 4am starts in winter are a totally different thing....

I shall really miss the competitions circuit next year when the teenager resumes her studies. Hopefully she'll be back fairly often - and anyway, I intend to get my sorry @rse out to dressage, although I'll miss my complet chums.

[FirenLady]

Wow, only just seen this. What amazing results, I bet the three of you are very proud of him Especially given the foot problems he had earlier on. Brig you should offer a horse finding service! You must have a good eye.