Te Rapa HT 02/3 May 09

Well finally, I actually managed to start at an event....his first XC since pre novice at Taupo...which I now realise was about six months ago.

Much as I tend not to do any dressage schooling, he actually went very nicely. (unless in a lesson situation I find it very hard to motivate myself to do flat work, and as I have concentrated my lessons on learning to jump, we pretty much have done no dressage)

He was super obedient, calm and easy. A little more pizzazz would have lifted his marks, but very pleased with him. 70% for a 30 penalty. Mainly 7's, a few 8's, and a couple of 6's in the bottom panel. So he was about 5th in the class after dressage.

Then for the show jumping, and wouldnt you know it, it was raining. The ground was quite sticky, but slippery; not that that makes sense!
I was very pleased with how I rode, and I did not feel anxious at all. No panicky moments, and just took my time.

He did take a rail at number 2 as he had to dive over the oxer...I think his back end must have slipped on take off.
We did have a naughty stop at number 7 (oxer with fill immediately preceeding a roll back turn). I am sure I did nothing wrong, didnt do the whole 'oh $hit' thing, or tilt.
BUT...very pleased as it didnt rattle me. I halted him three strides in front, then straight into canter, three strides and over.
so... 8 faults (1 rl, 1 stp) and 13 time faults.

Cross country....he was so happy to be going xc, but I am afraid at the smaller jumps he did fiddle a bit. Had two stops which were so totally down to me....I dont 'do' downhill or drops, and have to admit I didnt like the drop at number 5, so what did I do....fiddle fiddle fiddle coming into it...and of course he stopped. Turned around and just sat like a prune and let him do it and it was fine. Did the VERY same thing at the bounce before just letting him do it his way.

Lesson: You set up your canter well before the jump, then simply ride to the jump....if you are still fiddling in the last three, two, or one strides you are basically asking for a stop.

My time faults were horrendous though. However, I did have to wait for someone to do the long option at the bounce (and very slowly at that) having been told to wait for them anyway (I could so easily have jumped it before they were even anywhere near it). I had already had to pass them earlier on the course when they were stopping.....and of course, had to overtake them stopping at the palisade also.

Anyway, not too bothered about the time, nor the stupid stops, as the XC was essentially a very easy ride.
Plus the show jumping felt a little less hit and miss than usual.

So hopefully, we will be all ready to GO in Spring!!

(no photos as still deliberating as to whether or not to buy yet another photo of him jumping into water)