A cup for Paco

[racaille]

And it's a flaming huge one! But it wasn't me that won it ....

After the horrible week I've had (I can't sleep now either as I have to check the horses every few hours) I'm not quite sure why I agreed to go to a little SJ comp with the teenager who is on half term from uni. I think I was too exhausted to be terrified.

Paco was being Paco at the start and threw a big wobbly about a water hydrant but warmed up well .. and then tried to refuse to go into the holding arena but I was fired up and he was a bit surprised by my being 'present'.

Our 'spy' had told us that no6 - a bright filler that was catching the sun - was causing problems, with lots of refusals. So I slid him past it on entry and gave him a big boot and a tap as he went banana shape. But we set off in a good canter and I felt it was going really well - and no nonsense about no6 thank you!

But after that, I think I rather let go, I was so tired (Paco does take a lot of riding) and we just coasted round, clear but quite slow. I was thrilled though and my coach was pleased with me, she said that for the first half I was riding as though I meant it and not letting Paco get away with any nonsense.

Then the teenager borrowed Paco for Club 3 and boy, what a difference! It was exciting to watch - the crowd was oohing and ahhing - as she really pushed him round, taking audacious shortcuts, jumping diagonally to save time and really gunning him when there was a bit of space between jumps (it was a very loopy course). Paco looked very startled and our coach was weeping with laughter, saying 'Poor Paco!' - he didn't know what had hit him! They came in with clear with an unbeatable time and scooped a very large cup. But the teenager was exhausted! Still, it proves Paco can do it if you ride him hard. I need to learn that but I'm getting better.

Then Sam had a go at Club 2. He did a storming warm-up but as soon as he got in the arena he was very spooky, not like him at all. He made a big fuss about going past a hedge (twice) and had a look at all the fillers. But he did go over everything, because he's nice, with only one bar down.

Other team members didn't do so well: our 'bloke' P could have done well in Club 3 but forgot where the last jump was, the dunce, and one of our girls was eliminated in both her classes for refusals. I felt sorry for her - she wasn't riding like she meant it and her horse wasn't kind enough to do it without her. It rang a bell.

A great day out though - except I forgot to suncream up and have a bit red burnt face

[haffyfan]

Fantastic results all around, well done to the 4 of you...especially Paco!

[pboy]

Well done to Paco!!! I take my hat off to you for going to a show after such a trying week - well done on upping your game! There's no need to rub it in that you still have sun-burning weather though

[brigadier]

Bloomin heck! First for going at all and then for making him have it! Both to you and the teenager!flippin well done!

Do you think Sam might be feeling a bit short of competition time now? There's gaps in his outings and young horses do seem to forget easily. I suspect that was probably why he was spooky. If you do decide to do the odd outing with him it may be that you do really simple stuff so it is just a cast of ticking over, nothing challenging as you dont want to establish a pattern of inconsistent behaviour. But on the other hand you dont want to establish a pattern of 'low expectations'- a tricky one and needs some thinking through!

[racaille]

Yes Brig, we've been saying 'just one last one' for Sam for a couple of comps but he has nothing else booked now. The teenager's next outing is on Nov 23 for a complet on ... Paco! Watch out Paco!

Oh and the official results are posted and, despite my slow time, I came in fifth. Quite pleased with that.

[brigadier]

fifth is brilliant- you should be really, really pleased. I think you are right re Sam, I know I said I thought he could keep ticking over and doing the odd thing but it really might be best to just do the odd hack and lunge to keep him supple but give the competitive stuff a miss. Yes he will need to start again later but better for his brain perhaps?

[fleabitten]

Wow fifth is brilliant rac!! Very exciting to get a cup too! Looking forward to hearing the complet report - go Paco! Teenager riding him more could make your life a lot easier rac lol!! i can sympathise with the exhaustion as although M isnt spooky with jumps, he just lacks oomph in the SJ ring so half the time im on the wrong leg or doing a bad line cos im that busy trying to keep the throttle going Good on yous for getting out there, the main thing is that all of yous got round and everyone (horses and riders) was challenged! A positive outing!