Competition crazy

16 October 2017

Competition crazy July and August had been jam packed full of outings with all the horses. As we began to approach the middle of the year I realised I needed to push on a little with what are ‘no longer baby horses’ and now maturing into developed young horses. As they are increasingly strengthening up I feel like we can start asking more questions of them.. with this in mind, I thought I would have a play at doing some Novices. Ruby was first up.. She started off at Petley wood EC where she won her first Novice with 66.82%. Very encouraging indeed! We then went on to Belmordean a few weeks later where again she won her first class with a whopping 71%!!!! Tiredness kicked in for the second test and proved a little tricky for our still-green mare but she still came home with a respectable 64%! So that was her all qualified for the Novice Silver Area Festivals. Next up was Fleur and once we chose Petley Wood EC for their calm atmosphere. She rode 2 very ‘safe’ and maybe still a little green tests. However she won both with 68% & 69%!!!! I can’t express enough what a Cheshire cat I was that day… I couldn’t have been more proud of my first homebred and now so excited for her future… we then went on to Oldencraig EC which proved extremely scary in the international arena and even though we walked in the trot work past the flags she still came out with 64%.. then into the indoor arena which surface varied in places so we broke in the trot work and once again came out with just under 69%... So now not only is she qualified Area Festivals she’s ½ qualified regionals and all without her being a ‘strong’ novice competition horse. Then the lovely 4 year old Saffy went to her first show at Stilebridge Barn Dressage. She took it all in her stride and although some baby moments she won with 69%. Unfortunately Saffy is one of the horses I currently have up for sale, however I’m looking forward to pairing her up with her forever home and I’m sure she will have a very bright competition career ahead of her! In slightly different news my Dad has taken up carriage driving and had his first competition this month. It was horrible weather but it was so nice seeing him and his trusted steed Axel working their way around the obstacles and doing a dressage test!! It was a long day with lots going on, but the super team - Dad, Donna (Axels owner) and Axel - did what they needed to come home with lots of rosettes and trophies :D Area Festivals arrived mid- August and both horses were feeling good. Ruby did a beautiful harmonious test which she tried her very best in. Unfortunately one of the judges wasn’t so keen on her ‘greenness’ and had her 5% lower than the other 2 judges on the panel which left her in 12th place on 62%. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointing as she really did feel loose and supple and this wasn’t always reflected in the marks. However at this point I’m still competing them for the future with training being paramount and the score secondary, so onwards and upwards! Fleur was the polar opposite and was a little tense in her test, calling throughout to her ‘bestie’ (Ruby) we had a brake to canter in the medium trot and a loss of balance in the final halt. However her natural balance and ability shone through and she finished on 65% and finished 7th meaning she has qualified for second rounds which is very exciting indeed! Lastly but by no means least the little pocket rocket Dynamo (this year’s foal) had futurity at Writtle college. Being the last competitors of the day, everyone was keen to get home. Luckily Dynamo and Tactiek behaved impeccably and did everything that was required and more!! After our display in the arena we stood in front of the judge for her final comments. When the judge said ‘they saved the best until last’ I already felt so proud that he had showed himself off to the best of his ability. The judge had so many lovely comments about both him and Tactiek and how powerful they were with such an uphill balance. All these things lead to him being awarded an Elite!! The vet had him the highest pace of the day and he was the only Elite of all age groups for SJ/Dressage and Eventing! He and Tactiek are now enjoying full turnout and being horses. September was quickly upon us and along with it came the semi-finals for Fleur. Fleur was feeling fit and ready for action the week leading up to the show at Oldencraig and luckily an afternoon time meant she could go out in the field beforehand to burn off any excess energy. Off we went and she felt.. ‘keen’ in the warm up. My little dressage pony has definitely got a lot more about her now she is fitter. Keen to show off her moves around the warm we took a calm approach to settle her to which she felt amazing. So much power and energy, still not always channelled 100% at all times. However she is only 5 so we don’t mind that and it’s exciting to see what’s to come.. We went on to do our test and she was feeling fabulous, unfortunately we had a rather large spook in the canter work and a flying change. Knowing with three judges this was going to prove a costly error taking away any chances of coming in the top 3 as there was 30 starters and some very good combinations! However I couldn’t have been more proud of my little superstar! She finished on 67+% and 8th which in such a hotly contested class with such a green horse is very exciting. We came home and started looking into the next chapter: Regionals. To my surprise I didn’t realise Fleur has in fact already qualified for the Winter Regionals and she will now be enjoying a 2/3 week holiday. Now focusing on picking up the reins again on Dyani after she enjoyed a short break. We have a couple of shows booked for October and although time is running low we may have a crack at some Dressage to Music!! Until next time… Photo courtesy of Siggy Photography