Willie stepped into the slot as schoolmaster for Saarin at Woodhill Sands horse trial in the pre training, she having barely ridden him for a very long time, let alone jumping him.He was very well behaved for her and did a lovely dressage test for over 60%.
Next onto the show jumping.
Poor Saarin was really dreading the show jumping....wasnt AT ALL worried about cross country-ing him though.
First couple he happily popped over the jumps, before grinding to a slow motion halt in front of the third...he apparently was a bit concerned that his rider wasnt really sure she wanted to be doing this. However, he somehow gave her the vibe that he would indeed look after her, and after a canter circle to get themselves together they proceeded to complete the course.
I had not credited Willie with the strength of character he showed...he did not even tank off in the show jumping as he likes to do....he simply cantered sedately, with the odd trot stride and popped around the rest of the course.
Great to see Saarin finish with a smile on her face.
Not easy to step onto a strange horse, and a big one at that, and do your first competition in a long time.
Unfortunately the rain meant that the going XC was horrendous, and that, added to another two hour wait after I had ridden, lead to the decision to pack up and go home.
However, all in all a successful weekend.
