Post by racaille on Jun 8, 2009 9:46:31 GMT
Yesterday we took a dozen of the club kids to a biggish SJ contest up in the Alpes de Haute Provence and had a really great day out. We took six horses and three ponies - I was towing the two big guys in an Ifor trailer and I have to say I didn't much like it. It was too heavy and complicated.
About 15 minutes into the hour and a half trip the two GGs I was towing started fighting - it was a scary moment as my Hilux started to leap all over the road. The mare (it's always the ruddy mares) had picked a fight with the lovely gelding and managed to snap her rope and go up, really leaping all over the place which was no mean feat as she is a big, big girl. We managed to tie her up again but not before the poor boy had - quite rightly - got a big bite in on her nose. Served her right.
The Hilux was a bit of a star as it was a hard drive with the two big 'uns and the heavy trailer up a lot of steep inclines but we got there safely and in time. My teenager and her friend were in the 'big' class - the jumps were only 70cm but it was a difficult course, with some tricky turns, a triple that managed to spook at least 50% of the horses, a really narrow little beast that freaked out another 25% and a difficult decision at the end: to go the safe but longer way round or turn on a sixpence to get to the last jump (and shave seconds off the time - it's timed from the eighth jump), which then would have to be jumped at an angle. Interesting to watch! Our two girls tied in fourth place which we were all very thrilled out, especially as they were riding very different horses. My girl was on a small speedy horse who jumps like a sheep (not comfortable) while the other girl was on the nice gelding from my trailer who is a bit slow - but she went for the brave option at the end and managed to get him to turn extremely tightly (those that tried it and got it wrong and ended up sideway in another fence
)
Both the girls also did another tour with a new horse who threw total wobblies everywhere and he was eliminated both times but it was good for him to see new stuff and exciting for the teenagers, neither of whom fell off - but it was a close thing!
Then the 'middle' class at 60cm and our team just cleaned up! The only boy in our group came first, (he took the ultra risky option!!!) my teenager was third and they took everything else really down to about 10th (loads of people in this class).
The babies at 50cm did really well too, again sweeping the board. One or two tumbles and some tears of frustration and nerves but they were a brave little bunch and our ponies were brilliant.
It was a long day for us drivers but there was a BBQ and a glass or two of rosé for lunch. The best thing was that all the kids got on really well together and helped each other, looked after the horses well and cheered each other on.
A slight technical glitch with one of the trucks on the way back, and 'my' mare was nasty again (breaking another rope) but we arrived back 14hours after leaving home with a cup and ribbons galore and all the horses tired but well. I'm a bit sunburnt but it was a lovely day out.
About 15 minutes into the hour and a half trip the two GGs I was towing started fighting - it was a scary moment as my Hilux started to leap all over the road. The mare (it's always the ruddy mares) had picked a fight with the lovely gelding and managed to snap her rope and go up, really leaping all over the place which was no mean feat as she is a big, big girl. We managed to tie her up again but not before the poor boy had - quite rightly - got a big bite in on her nose. Served her right.
The Hilux was a bit of a star as it was a hard drive with the two big 'uns and the heavy trailer up a lot of steep inclines but we got there safely and in time. My teenager and her friend were in the 'big' class - the jumps were only 70cm but it was a difficult course, with some tricky turns, a triple that managed to spook at least 50% of the horses, a really narrow little beast that freaked out another 25% and a difficult decision at the end: to go the safe but longer way round or turn on a sixpence to get to the last jump (and shave seconds off the time - it's timed from the eighth jump), which then would have to be jumped at an angle. Interesting to watch! Our two girls tied in fourth place which we were all very thrilled out, especially as they were riding very different horses. My girl was on a small speedy horse who jumps like a sheep (not comfortable) while the other girl was on the nice gelding from my trailer who is a bit slow - but she went for the brave option at the end and managed to get him to turn extremely tightly (those that tried it and got it wrong and ended up sideway in another fence
)Both the girls also did another tour with a new horse who threw total wobblies everywhere and he was eliminated both times but it was good for him to see new stuff and exciting for the teenagers, neither of whom fell off - but it was a close thing!
Then the 'middle' class at 60cm and our team just cleaned up! The only boy in our group came first, (he took the ultra risky option!!!) my teenager was third and they took everything else really down to about 10th (loads of people in this class).
The babies at 50cm did really well too, again sweeping the board. One or two tumbles and some tears of frustration and nerves but they were a brave little bunch and our ponies were brilliant.
It was a long day for us drivers but there was a BBQ and a glass or two of rosé for lunch. The best thing was that all the kids got on really well together and helped each other, looked after the horses well and cheered each other on.
A slight technical glitch with one of the trucks on the way back, and 'my' mare was nasty again (breaking another rope) but we arrived back 14hours after leaving home with a cup and ribbons galore and all the horses tired but well. I'm a bit sunburnt but it was a lovely day out.
for so much hard work we thank ye!!