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.

Highlands

This is my favourite jump on the Scone Palace International Horse Trials course. I spotted it on Wednesday, but today I got closer as we walked the course. How cool and adorable is it?! Not sure it’ll fit in the caravan though.

Flynn did his dressage test this morning. Think I was holding my breath for most of it. They scored 33 and are in 7th place overnight. Amazing!

I must admit I was a bit giggy with it all. And then I met Ian Stark!! What a lovely man he is?! 71 and still competing. He’s in the 2*L. Murphy Himself was a legend of a horse. I’ve always had a soft spot for a grey. Then I got a grey called Murphy.

I also got to watch London 52 do his dressage test in the 4*S. I’ve watched some great tests in the past two days.

Tomorrow is the start of the XC and for Flynn too. My step count is high, my heart rate will be as well. Bert is settling into eventing life. I still can’t quite believe I’m here…

Lucky socks

I think I might need to buy myself some new ‘lucky socks’. I bought these when I first started competing Murphy. That was a very long time ago now. Well I bought him in 2010. I wonder how many competitions I have worn them for. I’m not usually a superstitious person, but when it comes to competing, it appears I am. I have to put my right sock on first. Funny huh?!

I bought myself a new competition shirt when I was at Hickstead. Typically I didn’t look at socks.

I can’t even remember why these became my lucky socks. Maybe I just liked them. Whatever they have served me well.

Co-pilot

We’re at Hickstead! A few firsts for me. First time driving a lorry on the M25. First time driving a lorry over the Dartford Bridge. First time driving Buddy to Hickstead. Longest journey in the new Buddymobile. Toby did good!

Now it’s a journey I have done hundreds of times before. I could find my way here blindfolded. I didn’t of course.

My co-pilot slept most of the way. As soon as we arrived, he jumped into the drivers seat. He’s been for a walk round the Showground.

Buddy, on the other hand, was a little full of himself. I thought he’d be tired after the journey. He clearly thought we’d been going so long he’d arrived at the Spanish Riding School! Still, he popped a few jumps and is now tucked up in bed ready for tomorrow.

I’m loving my new lorry. I’m getting used to the size of it. Working out how things work. I’m tucked up in the Luton. It’s so comfortable. Hoping we all get a good night before tomorrow’s competition

Resurrection

Well it wasn’t just Christ who was resurrected today. My show jumping ‘career’ with Buddy was too. For the first time since December 2023, we entered a show jumping competition.

It wasn’t pretty. We are VERY rusty (bit of an understatement). Given he had the majority of last year off games, I’m over the moon!

I kept it low by entering the 60cm & 70cm. It wasn’t the triumphant return it could have been. I went with low expectations. I just wanted to see how Buddy reacted.

Sure we had two poles in each round. Sure I couldn’t see a stride for toffee. Sure I rode like a muppet. But we did it and that’s what counts. I know my eye will come in the more we jump. I also know I’ve been a bit lack in our training.

My Baby Sprocker has been winning in those stakes. That is paying off. He came to his first competition. He even jumped a little fence. He got LOTS of fuss. He slept in the lorry while I took Buddy off to compete. Afterwards, he got to watch some of the action. It was all rather exciting to start off with, he soon settled though.

All in all a very good outing…

Team Manager

Today was the big day at Hickstead. No, not the King George V Cup. The BRC Team of 3 competition of course. Carleton Riding Club were there with four teams. I was there as the Team Manager. I had 12 riders and horses to support. That’s a lot!

It was a hot day, but they rattled through the class. It meant getting all the riders down to the ring at the right time was a bit of a challenge. Every one of our riders out a score on the board. With our highest placed team taking 5th out of 38.

I’m exhausted. But then I rode 12 rounds today. I shall sleep very well tonight.

Lucky girl

Something very wonderful happened today. The wonderful Kim let me compete the equally wonderful Irish at our RC Show today. I took him for a spin round the 70cm, taking 6th place for the fastest 4 faults.

It’s wonderful for many reasons. Firstly, that someone would trust me with their precious horse. Secondly, the fact I’ve only ridden him once before and hasn’t jumped a course with him. Thirdly, it’s my first competition of 2024!

I didn’t ride as well as I know I can. I was too busy having a wonderful time – smiling and chatting away like a lunatic. I know the 4 faults were totally on me. I took an ‘eventing’ line to the last and he took it out.

I’m still beaming!! I’m such a lucky girl. I really am…

Post

It was an exciting post day today. And a bittersweet one. The wristbands and lorry passes arrived for the BRC ‘Team of 3’ Carleton Riding Club have entered at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead.

I’m excited for those who are competing there for the first time. I’m excited for those returning. I’m excited that our Riding Club gets to be there again this year. I’m sad that Buddy and I won’t be a part of it. Achieving that dream was so last year. I can’t remember if I mentioned it?!?!

I am the Team Manager for the four teams we have entered. So I have played a tiny part in it. I’m hoping to be there as well to cheer them all on. Hickstead will always be a special place for me. It’s a wonderful place and RI is a wonderful show.

Thwarted

Today was the first ODE at Blackwater. I didn’t enter and I’m OK with that decision. My preparation hasn’t been right and I don’t like winging it when it comes to eventing.

I’ve felt rather thwarted recently. I understand it. The first quarter of 2024 has been challenging. First the back and forward to my parents, then getting floored by the flu, my saddle being reflocked, working long hours and finally the Buddymobile being off the road.

I’m not making excuses, I’m reflecting. Today I noticed I’d picked my BRC Combined Challenge hoodie. Last year I represented my Riding Club on many occasions. And even with similar challenges, we still achieved an awful lot.

So while the first quarter we haven’t done much, there are still three more quarters to go. I’m happy for people who are out there having fun with their horses. It makes me so happy to see people overcoming hurdles and achieving things.

It’s been us so many times. And I will be us again. But for now, I’ll just have to be content to cheer from the sidelines.

The Buddymobile will be fixed- hopefully quickly and cheaply (I’m running out of body parts to sell). Bring on Q2…

Elfin

We headed over to Easton College today for our last competition of 2023. It was a festive affair, so I thought I’d go the whole hog and break out my ‘dressage elf’ t-shirt.

Yes, you read that right. Buddy and I donned our dancing shoes and ventured between the boards. Not content with that, we tried something new. Our (and my) first long arena test. My god, 60m is a long way down the centreline! I thought it was never going to end.

Overall I’m so happy with Buddy today. He’s only ever been at the venue to jump, so was a tad confused when he went in and there weren’t any jumps. Being Buddy, he made his own of a fashion.

One of us (still unclear who) knocked one of the mini Christmas trees over. They were being used to mark the entrance at A. And of course, it fell into the Arena. Well Buddy wasn’t best pleased when we came towards it. Just as I was asking for canter. He jumped said Christmas tree, but by the time we’d got it back together we’d blown a lot of marks.

Still really chuffed with 69.13% and 5th place.

Then it was a VERY long wait till the fun stuff. Arena Eventing. I’m so grateful to have a horse who will quite happily stand on the lorry for over 4 hours munching away.

By the time, it was time to tack up, the heavens had opened. Again. Soaked by the time we’d warmed up. And yes, I see the irony of that statement.

I’d entered the 70cm and 80cm. But decided that if the 70cm went OK, we’d call it a day and go home. And the 70cm went more than OK. He flew round taking 3rd place as the fastest 4 faulter. Couple of sticky moments and one refusal (totally my fault as I over-rode it).

All in all a fantastic way to end our 2023 season. It’s been a pretty good one. And a lovely way to end my first year on the Carleton Riding Club Committee.