Competitive debut

I took Buddy for a spot of show jumping over at Forest Edge. As I drove there, I realised this was actually the first time I’d taken him there to compete! Bonkers huh?!

I have lost count of the times we have been there for camps or clinics. But not competitions. After today, I think we will be competing there again. It was a very good competitive debut.

I’d entered the 70cm and 80cm. After our rather disappointing Hickstead, I went with the aim of letting it flow and see what happened.

Arrived in good time to find they were running a bit behind. By the time I got ready, the course walk was on. With my new show shirt and new lucky socks (need to ride in my new competition boots before I actually compete in them), I checked out the course. It was quite twisty, but flowed too.

Thought I’d watch a couple before tacking up. That was a bit of a mistake as the first few were either eliminated or had poles down. So decided to just go with it.

When it was our turn, my little boy absolutely flew round. Till we got to the new Bearts jump. He backed off, I growled and shouted ‘it’s the food lorry’. That worked as cleared it – along with everything else for a double clear!!

There were some speedy ponies in the class, so imagine how thrilled I was to get 5th place. It was a big class too with 32 forward.

That had exceeded my expectations. So moving on to the 80cm, again, I just kept thinking let it flow. It’s our first 80cm competitive round since his injury last year, so wasn’t sure how he’d be. He was awesome. I fiddled and he took two poles out. But I’m over the moon.

My little boy is back and I’m getting my competition mojo back again.