WEC Mini circuit

Well, as there was no 90 class, I had to take the plunge and go straight into the meter.
He jumped well, and apart from the first jump, I think I sat up and remembered to kick a little better.
Went double clear and got a green rosette for his efforts.

Very disappointed however, as I was actually looking forward to the 1.05, but a couple of horses to go and he pulled off his front shoe. Unfortunately he is one that you really dont run without a front shoe so I had to scratch.

Oh well, at least we had no disasters and a confidence boosting round. Now, I just need to build on that further.

Taupo HT

Well, finally got to ride at an event this spring - other than the training trials!

Dressage - not exactly his best showing - can see looking at the photo just why his score was so abysmal!

Show jumping - having spent a sleepless night worrying about it, and almost packing up and going home I am very proud of myself for actually giving it a go. Two nanna clip clop moments (naughty pony took advantage), then I got determined. I was not going to have an E so actually started kicking and meant it....he realised I meant business too and finished the course well. YAY - I got round.

Why is it that show jumping so terrifies me?

Cross country; he knew what was coming and was so excited that he napped very badly trying to get to the start box. So it took me a while to actually get him in and get going....he flew out and jumped beautifully over number one, a steeplechase type spready thing.
I got all set for a sit and point round.....WRONG
Number two, nice loggy jump though not particularly big - he jolly nearly fell over it. OK, I thought, he will pick up better at number three....again WRONG....nearly fell over that one too (also a fairly small jump).

Now of course the confidence was totally in tatters, and I was ready to pull out - I actually tossed up whether to retire there and then before we did both hit the deck.
Not the best way to approach the next jump, small table with drop on landing - given my lack of intent, we had two stops before I actually decided to kick (it was only the thought of the dreaded "E" that kicked my brain into gear).
In actual fact he jumped it very nicely.
Over the next couple of jumps, then onto the trakener....yep, nailed it first go.
Which led to my next wee mistake. So relieved to get over trakener relaxed, and naughty pony stopped at the next jump - very small training roll top (having made the same mistake at the same jump last year I doubly kicked myself).

Ok, having had stops at two small training jumps, we went on to fly everything else, including the C element of the big water - it was quite a decent jump with a spread two strides out of the water, and he just popped over it. The second last was a big jump with brush on top...measured 1.30, and he did exactly what I thought he would...sailed right over the top.

For the very first time I simply could not pull him up after the finish....the last quarter of the course was a decent size and woke him up a bit....took me quite a few big circles to get him to slow down.
I had been very anxious about my (and his) fitness, but was pleasantly surprised to find that thanks to the new pony, although still not exactly fit, my fitness was a LOT better than last year.

Here's hoping my fitness will continue to improve, and that now I have completed a pre-novice having had very little build up, I can start to work on my confidence a little more and not let Willie down so badly. (I am sure he was missing Gina's riding terribly)

Jump practice

Yay, actually rode a short course of jumps.

I had set them up for Saarin so we could get a video of her pony jumping to send out.

They were between 90 and 1.00 with a couple of spooky fillers. I was feeling incredibly anxious, but off we went. Biggest problem was brakes....he jumped superbly, but it took me three circuits of the arena to stop him...he was just getting going and every jump he saw he tried to cart me to it.

I was very pleased that once I had jumped the first jump I felt fine.

Now have under a week to build up the confidence for Taupo!

One thing is for sure: the new pony is definitely helping in terms of fitness - he wears me out so much in a short ride, that I have got to be getting fitter! (famous last words)