Te Rapa Horse Trial 1/2 October 2011

First outing with Willie for a very long time....last being at Rotorua towards the end of last year when he pulled up very lame at the start of pre novice XC.

Having barely jumped him for ages, I had a SJ lesson with Wendy on Friday.

Dressage
Not too bad, although I felt he was a little harshly marked perhaps...he was very obedient and just 'did his thing'... 54.7% for 45.3 penalty mark

Show jumping
What on earth was going to happen?
I almost didnt run him as it was so long since I had done a SJ round on him...then thought, ah blow it, whatever happens, who cares, just go in and give it a go.

Which I did. He took a rail somewhere although not sure at what, and apart from a bit of a cheeky stop at the first part of the double (typical) - (and then proceeding to rear and leap around as he was aware he had been naughty)...he then flew round the rest very happily, so I was quite pleased.
Thanks to Gina for SJ shots: at least on this angle you cant see the 'interesting' facials...just the big butt :-)
Cross Country
I had forgotten how to ride him...when he leans and runs you do NOT take your leg off....indeed he tends to get strung out and long and need MORE leg....it is also an excuse for him to stop given "mum's not home".

He stopped at the coffin which surprised me somewhat, but I think it was a bit of a cheeky one. Next jump a drop he also stopped at and even when I jumped it, I got the feeling he was genuinely worried about it for some reason.

Absolutely flew round the next bit of the course, and up to the main arena. Unfortunately there were only two jumps that Dave could see from the donut trailer...and we stopped at both of them. The big double brush first, and I again just took my leg off and didnt sit up, so he was a bit cheeky, the next being a drop into the line of a big tree. I took the option, then waited for another rider to pass through and get several jumps ahead before continuing (so I got LOTs of time faults)...he then flew around the rest of the course also.

Quite surprised at his fitness as he was barely puffing....I had been concerned that he may not be fit enough, but he was.

Although the score board was pretty shocking, both Willie and I enjoyed ourselves.