Post by fleabitten on Jun 28, 2014 19:42:20 GMT
At another local agricultural show today! Entered the working hunter pony classes as there was no rider age limits. Novice class was 75cm and open class was 90cm. Was really quite nervous about it for some reason and was so nervous about the open class, wasnt sure whether i would do it or not!
Murphy was jumping so well today, best hes jumped in a long time, he felt much more enthusiastic, think he had a bit of extra sparkle this week due to the rain we have had, its maybe give the grass a bit more kick!
We had such a good round in the novice class it was flowing and he was jumping well out of a stride and taking me forward for most of it, i had such a grin on my face going round. Was quite surprised walking the course as the spreads were rather wide! The course itself was just plain rustic, nothing strange or spooky. But no bother to Murphy! Judge said a very good round!
We went into another ring to do a showpiece, he let himself down here as was rather lazy, was struggling to get another gear in the canter, he just went in one speed! Got 2nd, judge said jumping marks were equal with the 1st placed person so it was down the the showpiece then!
Decided at last min to do the open as i thought it was just going to be one other girl on her own in it and i wanted to give it a go but was concerned about him stopping as he would sometimes at a bigger height especially if he was being backward and owner was a bit concerned about this. But there wasnt really any other show classes i was eligible for and i had already paid entry for the open! Plus he had went well in the novice and they were very encouraging as one girl in the novice had several refusals at one fence and they took the poles down for her to complete the round which i thought was lovely. It was still competitive though and properly run which was really nice - i like the shows to make the same effort as the competitors have in getting ready for it!
I was concerned about no 4 because it was a double coming out of a corner and you really had to have the throttle on to get a good jump, but it turned out that no 1 was the unexpected 'problem' he took off about a stride early and i was thrown nearly out of the saddle and he struggled to make the spread and unfortunately knocked the back pole - luckily i stayed on and he just kept trucking to the next jump!
No 4 was actually fine but he got too close and knocked the front pole! Watching the videos back i can see that definitely the open class wasnt as flowing and positive looking but so pleased with how it all went because he didnt stop or hesitiate and he was taking me forward mostly, just like the first class, and did some fab jumps. Thats the first 90cm course ive done that hes attempted to clear them all first time and i guess its only my second time riding a 90cm course! I think that the knockdown of the poles is just a training/schooling issue and will come through time as i get more confident etc. It was just because it was more 'stop/start' than the novice class as i was trotting and then cantering again a bit more and gathering myself up etc.
So overall a lovely wee day giving working hunter a go, will have to look out for more opportunities to do that - its a pity that im too old to do working hunter at most shows!
Spent the rest of the day relaxing watching the other classes and taking a walk about - perfect! Knackered now though as had to get up at 4.30am in order to get ready and get up to murphy and get him ready and get there in time to warm up ready to start at 9am!! Crazy! Didnt realise what time id have to get up at when i entered lol!
A few pics on the way, unfortunately none really of me and murphy! Hoping on photographer pics though if i can find out who was taking them!
Doing showpiece
Size of open course!
Murphy was jumping so well today, best hes jumped in a long time, he felt much more enthusiastic, think he had a bit of extra sparkle this week due to the rain we have had, its maybe give the grass a bit more kick!
We had such a good round in the novice class it was flowing and he was jumping well out of a stride and taking me forward for most of it, i had such a grin on my face going round. Was quite surprised walking the course as the spreads were rather wide! The course itself was just plain rustic, nothing strange or spooky. But no bother to Murphy! Judge said a very good round!
We went into another ring to do a showpiece, he let himself down here as was rather lazy, was struggling to get another gear in the canter, he just went in one speed! Got 2nd, judge said jumping marks were equal with the 1st placed person so it was down the the showpiece then!
Decided at last min to do the open as i thought it was just going to be one other girl on her own in it and i wanted to give it a go but was concerned about him stopping as he would sometimes at a bigger height especially if he was being backward and owner was a bit concerned about this. But there wasnt really any other show classes i was eligible for and i had already paid entry for the open! Plus he had went well in the novice and they were very encouraging as one girl in the novice had several refusals at one fence and they took the poles down for her to complete the round which i thought was lovely. It was still competitive though and properly run which was really nice - i like the shows to make the same effort as the competitors have in getting ready for it!
I was concerned about no 4 because it was a double coming out of a corner and you really had to have the throttle on to get a good jump, but it turned out that no 1 was the unexpected 'problem' he took off about a stride early and i was thrown nearly out of the saddle and he struggled to make the spread and unfortunately knocked the back pole - luckily i stayed on and he just kept trucking to the next jump!
No 4 was actually fine but he got too close and knocked the front pole! Watching the videos back i can see that definitely the open class wasnt as flowing and positive looking but so pleased with how it all went because he didnt stop or hesitiate and he was taking me forward mostly, just like the first class, and did some fab jumps. Thats the first 90cm course ive done that hes attempted to clear them all first time and i guess its only my second time riding a 90cm course! I think that the knockdown of the poles is just a training/schooling issue and will come through time as i get more confident etc. It was just because it was more 'stop/start' than the novice class as i was trotting and then cantering again a bit more and gathering myself up etc.
So overall a lovely wee day giving working hunter a go, will have to look out for more opportunities to do that - its a pity that im too old to do working hunter at most shows!
Spent the rest of the day relaxing watching the other classes and taking a walk about - perfect! Knackered now though as had to get up at 4.30am in order to get ready and get up to murphy and get him ready and get there in time to warm up ready to start at 9am!! Crazy! Didnt realise what time id have to get up at when i entered lol!
A few pics on the way, unfortunately none really of me and murphy! Hoping on photographer pics though if i can find out who was taking them!
Doing showpiece
Size of open course!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
