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.

Day camper

Buddy, Bert and I locked and loaded early doors today to head over to Forest Edge for two lessons. There’s a camp running there, so we went as day campers.

When we arrived, Buddy headed to his stable (no. 3 for the third time this year) and Bert headed to the forest for a runabout.

As the weightbridge was there, I thought I’d pop Buddy on it. He walked straight on and stood patiently. He was so eager, the poor lady wasn’t ready. He was also rather eager for his treat. He knows the deal. He stands to be weighted and he gets rewarded. He also got a rosette for having a perfect body score. He’s now 643kg.

In our jumping lesson, we ended up being demo riders for the other campers to watch and learn. We flew round the course that was laid out. There were lots of new campers so they hadn’t seen us in action before. Several came over afterwards to compliment me on my jumping position, our partnership and how at one we were. That has not always been the case I can assure you.

I do feel that we’re getting better and better. Now we need to recreate it in competitions. Maybe we can start getting some perfect round rosettes too. Who doesn’t love a red one?!

Knight in Hi-Viz

Back home after another great camp. It was an emotional week for many reason. Camp is such a happy place for me. Time away from it all with good mates and Buddy.

So many more memories to add to the camp collection. And another camper rosette too. We came 4th in the jumping competition. I know I’ve ridden better but we went clear and it was a meaty course.

We won’t mention the utter car crash that was our dressage test. Good to know that even though we’re making progress in so many areas, we still make an absolute horlicks of pretty trotting.

Still there were definitely more pros than cons to my camp experience.

Talking of experiences, the journey back was certainly one.

The fan belt went on the Buddymobile not long after I’d left Swaffham. Managed to limp it to the garage at Necton. Fun times with no power steering!!

My knight in Hi-Viz then drove to Dereham to get a replacemen fan belt and fitted it in the pouring rain. Buddy was as cool as a cucumber on the lorry while we waited. I was definitely not. I was rocking the drowned rat, overly tired and slightly emotional look.

Still we were soon on our way again. Then got stuck on A47 and my diesel went from 1/4 tank to light on. Cue minor freak out!! But as soon as we started moving, it went back up to 1/4 tank. Bizzare.

Stopped at the next petrol station to get more, just in case.

It took us nearly 3 hours to get back. A journey that normally takes just over an hour. I’ll have to sort the lorry out on Sunday. For now, it’s bed for me ready for my 5:15am alarm call tomorrow as I’m working in London for the day. No rest for me!!

Moist

Took Buddy to Carleton Riding Club’s first show of 2023. It was a beautiful morning as I sat having breakfast in the conservatory. Fast forward a few hours and it started to rain as I loaded Buddy. The closer I got to Easton, the heavier the rain got.

Tacked Buddy up and my thinking was do the course walk, then ride him in. They’d sensibly delayed the start of the class till after the emergency test thing. Went to check and once more, I’d missed the course walk.

Cracked on instead. Poor Buddy was soaked and so was I before we’d even jumped a fence!

Soon it was our turn. Entered the ring, only for the commentator to call out the wrong name. Quick trip to the box to sort it out and we were off. Super pleased with Buddy. He stormed round the 70cm. I’d seen a few fences causing issues in the 60cm so was mindful. Would have had a faster time too. We had a bit of a stag leap over the second to last fence. It meant I landed in a heap and had to get my knitting back before heading to the final jump. Still thrilled with a clear round and 4th place.

Then it was time for 80cm. Hallelujah, I walked the course this time!! It was a very twisty course, but looked easily doable. Popped Buddy over a couple of fences and he felt really good.

I got a big Gung-ho and pushed him out of his rhythm a few times. So even though we had a fast time, we had 3 down. Still I don’t care as he didn’t refuse and was definitely up for it today.

I’ve been playing around with my stirrup length and have found that just by putting them down one hole, it’s made a massive difference to the way I ride. I can now really get my leg on him before a fence.

I may have been rather moist and had to peel my riding tights off. But I’m a very happy girl today. Oh and my new show jacket is lush!!

Winner winner

What a fabulous day it’s been. Took Buddy over to Easton for a spot of show jumping. After doing so well at the last show, I stepped him up to 70cm and 80cm. Boy did he deliver!!

We only went and won the 70cm!!! It was a lovely flowing course so I knew we could cover the ground in the timed section. I let him run to the last and he came back when I asked to fly it.

It was a huge class too so had a long wait to get the result. I kept thinking that someone would get a faster time. But not today! It’s not often we bag a red one. So savouring it.

Then onto the 80cm. Still on a high, I didn’t care what happened. But Buddy was up for it. Punched a skinny out early in the course so decided to go for a fast 4 faults.

Once more, my little boy flew round. And we came away with 6th place and the second fastest 4 faults.

I’m still beaming!!

We’ve been training so hard and it’s a wonderful feeling when it all comes together. Back to Eventing soon me thinks. For now, I’m celebrating cause we did good!!

Redemption

First competition of 2022 done! A spot of show jumping at Easton College. The last time I was here, I had a rather interesting time. And a flying lesson from Buddy.

To say I was a little apprehensive would be an understatement. But I honestly couldn’t fault Buddy today. He warmed up beautifully for the 60cm class. He felt switched on and ready to go. I haven’t felt so calm before a competition for a long time. Few sticky moments in the ring, but he listened and responded when I asked. Thrilled with a clear round and 3rd place.

Then onto the 70cm. Again, he felt up for it and flew round the course in a much better rhythm. Just the last down but still bagged 6th place as it was a decent time. Totally my fault as I knew I’d got the turn wrong so it was an awful line. But he tried his best for me.

To come back with two placings was beyond my dreams. I was aiming for understated and to enjoy myself. I’m trusting him more. I’m trusting me more. And more than anything I’m trusting our training.

Hard work paid off today. Onwards and upwards.

Success

Well that’s another BHS Camp over. This one was our 4th together and I have to say, our best to date. I couldn’t fault Buddy over the past few days. He was quite the pro!

It feels like a lot of things have clicked this week. Every lesson we learnt something new. Every lesson we improved. Every lesson we rocked it.

We came 4th in the dressage! I have to admit, that really surprised me as I was first to go and thought I wasn’t our best.

On to the jumping and unfortunately had the last down. My fault. I held when I should have pushed. But I did get told I got a 10 for my position and actually sitting on my bum! Something I’ve really been working on.

The biggest shock though was to get a Special Award from the instructors. They all felt our improvement needed to be recognised.

Yes, I cried. It means so much to get that validation. Especially from such incredible instructors.

I’m still on a high! I’m also shattered! We will both sleep well tonight.