Post by racaille on Aug 16, 2014 12:59:36 GMT
Just back, very tired but happy 
The night went very well for everyone - we ALL returned with a rosette!
Set off badly tho, as my OH threw a strop about camping so we weren't sure if he and the son were coming and faced a night sleeping in the trailer
Eventually he got over himself and arrived while I was doing my recco.
Paco was pretty silly on the walk down to the warm-up arena, spooking at nonsense but once in, on the wonderful sand this club has (my fave club actually, they are all so very nice and smiley) he did a brilliant warm-up, with lots of twisty turns as the course was pretty technical, despite being small at 65cm.
I'm afraid I did a pretty untidy round: my legs just seemed to turn to jelly. The arena is split level and once we were on the upper part it all seemed to go wrong. We powered up the ramp towards no5 but he saw the setting sun shining in the puddle behind it (sprinklers had been on) and just ground down to a halt while I, sadly, did nothing. Too late, I put my leg on and he surprised me by jumping from a standstill but I surprised myself by going with him. Couldn't seem to get him back into canter for the next few but used the trot to make some tight turns and then down to no9 which he'd already spooked at when I did my first circle. Beat him over it and then it clicked again and we did some great canter turns - and some lovely flying changes! - over two skinnies on a tight bend and then a thundering loop back to no12. Couldn't believe that we were clear!
Then when we were called in third (class of 19) I was stunned! Yes, we whupped those kiddies!
I was more pleased though with beating my personal demons: I didn't forget the course, I wasn't sick with nerves and best of all, felt very secure in my position as my legs were in the right place (even if not working 
)
Good old Eric the Carthorse! Even though he was as scaredy-cat as I was, he did save my @rse with that standstill jump! My coach was a bit cross with me as she said I should have given him a boot and a tap, which I should have. Personally I think too much hand, not enough leg on my part and a horse that was looking for ways to stop, on his. Things to work on but I have taken away a boost in courage
Sam of course was an angel for the teenager. He saved her in Club 3 (75cm) when she asked for a tricky option and they came in second We all hooted during their lap of honour when the automatic sprinklers came on and water jetted into the air - at first I thought it was fireworks as it was the 15th Aug which is a festival day. But no, they got very wet but Sam, who doesn't like water, was very calm.
They then tried their luck at Club 2 (85cm) and he did a lovely round - his first time at this height and also in the dark under floodlights. They got one pole down which was the teenager's mistake so she was very very happy with him.
Our other team teenager came in second in Club 2, the other adult was third in Club 3 and our coach won her Club Elite class at 1m05. We were all so pleased!
The camping was less lovely
I ended up sleeping in the Hilux as it was cold but we did have a laugh! And it was wonderful to watch the sun setting over the hills, a cup of rosé in my hand, horses all around. Great ambiance!
The night went very well for everyone - we ALL returned with a rosette!
Set off badly tho, as my OH threw a strop about camping so we weren't sure if he and the son were coming and faced a night sleeping in the trailer
Eventually he got over himself and arrived while I was doing my recco.Paco was pretty silly on the walk down to the warm-up arena, spooking at nonsense but once in, on the wonderful sand this club has (my fave club actually, they are all so very nice and smiley
) he did a brilliant warm-up, with lots of twisty turns as the course was pretty technical, despite being small at 65cm.I'm afraid I did a pretty untidy round: my legs just seemed to turn to jelly. The arena is split level and once we were on the upper part it all seemed to go wrong. We powered up the ramp towards no5 but he saw the setting sun shining in the puddle behind it (sprinklers had been on) and just ground down to a halt while I, sadly, did nothing. Too late, I put my leg on and he surprised me by jumping from a standstill but I surprised myself by going with him. Couldn't seem to get him back into canter for the next few but used the trot to make some tight turns and then down to no9 which he'd already spooked at when I did my first circle. Beat him over it and then it clicked again and we did some great canter turns - and some lovely flying changes! - over two skinnies on a tight bend and then a thundering loop back to no12. Couldn't believe that we were clear!
Then when we were called in third (class of 19) I was stunned! Yes, we whupped those kiddies!
I was more pleased though with beating my personal demons: I didn't forget the course, I wasn't sick with nerves and best of all, felt very secure in my position as my legs were in the right place (even if not working 
)Good old Eric the Carthorse! Even though he was as scaredy-cat as I was, he did save my @rse with that standstill jump! My coach was a bit cross with me as she said I should have given him a boot and a tap, which I should have. Personally I think too much hand, not enough leg on my part and a horse that was looking for ways to stop, on his. Things to work on but I have taken away a boost in courage
Sam of course was an angel for the teenager. He saved her in Club 3 (75cm) when she asked for a tricky option and they came in second
We all hooted during their lap of honour when the automatic sprinklers came on and water jetted into the air - at first I thought it was fireworks as it was the 15th Aug which is a festival day. But no, they got very wet but Sam, who doesn't like water, was very calm.They then tried their luck at Club 2 (85cm) and he did a lovely round - his first time at this height and also in the dark under floodlights. They got one pole down which was the teenager's mistake so she was very very happy with him.
Our other team teenager came in second in Club 2, the other adult was third in Club 3 and our coach won her Club Elite class at 1m05. We were all so pleased!
The camping was less lovely
I ended up sleeping in the Hilux as it was cold but we did have a laugh! And it was wonderful to watch the sun setting over the hills, a cup of rosé in my hand, horses all around. Great ambiance!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
Bit annoying as they were working great in the warm-up - I felt invincible! Now I must carry that feeling on into the arena. Baby steps ......
