Brave and Derby day

[fimacg]

It was great - OH got the trailer off the yard and the rest of the roads were clear so no problems getting there... Love my new trailer camera can see exactly whatBrave was doing in the trailer, turns out he doesn't like it when arctics pass us on the motorway and moves as far away from them as possible, likes to have a look out of teh window every so often but most of the time just eats... what caused his hissy fit and near collapse I doint know as he travelled perfectly, although no partitions and as much space as possible for him.

Anyway only 3 other horses in the baby classes so it was incredibly quiet (apparently was heaving for the SJ yesterday though) H was nearly pinged out of the saddle when Brave jumped the first jump in the warm up arena and then proceeded to buck as he tried it on.

Did the 55cm (twice), 65cm and 75cm classes, same course for the first 2 and then they added 2 fences to the 75cm so there were 14 to remember (not including the doubles) which were a mixture of show jumps and rustic fences.

They had set up 2 rustic fences in the corner and the route between was contained by hay bales and a Santa and sleigh. First time Brave saw them he decided he wasn't going near, but the centre are really good and give you as much time and help as you need in the baby classes just to get round (they let you finish even if you are eliminated) so after about 5 minutes of napping Brave gathered his courage and stepped over the fence and siddled around the corner before popping out over the other fence and finshed the course.

H took him around again and apart from a run out going into the hay bales and approaching santa cleared it well (but was HC that time so it didn't count)

65cm he got blasse, and tapped three poles, he wasn't listening to H who is still getting to know him and got a bit flat and strung out.

Finally did the 75cm and apart from one really unlucky pole down on the way out of the santa complex went clear and came 2nd.

He still had plenty of energy but decided to call it a day there.

Really pleased with both of them, there were a lot of asks from Brave, including the journey, the fact he's is only back in work for 4 days after being stuck in his box for 22 hrs a day with his eye, he hasn't been out competitively since July and he has a different jockey who is still getting to know him.

Will get some picyures and video sorted asap but now off for my afternoon/ ear;y evening snooze!

[solomon]

Good boy Brave he is great.

[fleabitten]

well done to H - sounds like a good day out

[haffyfan]

They did brilliantly by sound of it. looking forward to the action shots!

[duckles]

Fi - you are amazing! that is all I can say. Snow barely gone and out competing. And expecting on top of it. Wish I had even half your focus. Well done to Brave as well, he has really shown his mettle (and training) especially given his level of fitness and experience. Well done to H as well. Bet it is hard watching someone else ride him.
Sounds a really 'inviting' show as they say

[fimacg]

Duckles - it is I love this particular centre as they pay as much attention to helping you out at the lower levels (as long as not totally heaving) and will let you spend the time you need with a young or green horse, you find the professional riders take their youngesters there for their 1st outings so you can have a really high level of competition on some days but on others just be competing against a 8yr old on a 12.2 pony on others.

I think they realise that unless you have somewhere for youngsters (both horse and human) you are not going to get the affiliated competitions in future, they also run affiliated comps and clinics which are obviously much more professional. Its where I had my lessons with Ian Stark, would definately do that again if the opportunity arose.

[maximum]

great day!

re the artic thing - do you close the rear top door on the right? it will help shut out some of the noise and seeing them as well - Blinki always travels with it closed because of that.