Thursday was trot up day and also arena familiarisation which all went smoothly. Rhaps was feeling quite bright in the arena but we had a good session and ran through some of the test movements. In the trot up, after some initial confusion when they were looking at the wrong passport, Rhaps could barely contain his excitement and thought perhaps the judges would like to see his canter as well as his trot! Debbie Winchester did very well to hold on to him and he was passed before she got back to the judges. The first day had flown by and after the chefs meeting and draw for the team test we all headed over to a champagne reception being hosted at the most amazing tack shop� just a walk away across the racecourse.
The team test went well but Rhaps was a bit exuberant in the canter work. One just described him as �happy�, one as �spooky� and one as �disobedient� � the other 2 judges gave him 7s! Overall I was pleased with the test, thrilled that we came 6th and absolutely delighted that we got the qualifying score for Rio at our first attempt!
Debbie had videoed it and later I viewed it alongside the judges� comments � such a useful training tool! Although I had felt Rhaps had plenty of energy it was not being portrayed that way to the judges so I knew I had to make some changes for the individual championship test the next day.
I put Rhaps in the double bridle with a view to really asking for much more power and expression but knowing that I would have to still keep him through and his attention on me which is sometimes easier in the double under competition conditions. I asked him to channel his energy in a positive way and he really responded. It was a much more impressive test � still more to come of course � but the judges agreed and rewarded us with better marks. We still finished in 6th place but with a better percentage for the more difficult test - we are starting to get the higher marks more consistently. The day was crowned by a fab BBQ put on by the organisers for everyone!
Sunday � the last day and we were in the freestyle! When it came to it I felt unusually nervous, conscious of the fact that I had only ridden through the test twice. A little panic towards the end when I thought I was running out of music but other than that it worked out fine. On the whole the judges liked the music � although one commented about the walk music� may change that before Hartpury. Very pleased that the technical marks are coming up to meet the artistic ones � confirmation that the quality of Rhapsody�s work is still improving and that improvement is being acknowledged by the judges in competition � we came 4th!
Debbie had all but packed everything in the lorry while I was waiting for the prize giving and closing ceremony and Rhaps was having his tea. The organisers had done a fabulous job � from the impressive coverage on Facebook complete with video clips of all the riders, interviews and plenty of behind the scene photos, great sponsors donating a wide range of prizes along with prize money, TV crews to further extend coverage of the sport and the social activities put on for our enjoyment � we will be hoping to make it to Waregem again next year!
We left at 6 p.m. and just under 6 hours later Rhapsody was back in his own stable tucking into his late night feed� all in a day�s work!