Soit all started with Howick BE100PC with both Sky and Blue, I was balloted from Gatcombe so needed a quick re route. It was just to get another run under their belts so off we trekked to Wales, and to my suprise it really was literally over the bridge making it a must BE event for next year. I was a little aprehensive having not managed to get a sj/xc jump in since their last outings........ last year!! Sky was a little fresh and warming up took to running backwards and bunny hopping, he went into the arena and actually performed a very lovely test (even one of the pro riders commented on how lovely it was) Blue did his normal average test and behaved much better than his stabloe mate. I was very shocked when I saw my scores, both horses lying last and Sky dead last on a cricket score, I left utterly confused with there marks. It didnt spoil the day Blue was technically clear SJ but judge said I had gone beyond the line of the fence so picked up 4fts but stormed round clear xc. Sky matched him for 4fts SJ and clear xc, they finished respectivly in 12th and 14th.
My next event was a mini unaffiliated 85cm ODE with Zuzu, it was her first ever event. She had been working brilliantly and we decided to bite the bullet and take her, it was local so not too far to travel. Zu surpassed all expectations and had a double clear finishing on her dressage of 25.8! The xc was tough and winding and was alot to ask of a baby, but Zu made light work of the course and flew round keen to go again. She finished 2nd and so we decided we would enter her up for her first BE at Pontispool.
We then took another trip back over to wales where I had both Sky and Blue running, Sky was first in the morning in the ON. He held his nerve for a good dressage of 33.5 in a pro field, he SJ'd better than ever to tip a pole but for once he felt alot more in control and calmer. The xc started off difficult but we eventually got into a floow and flew round for a few time faults leaving us in 16th. A good prep run for his next event at Salperton. Blue was later in the evening in the BE100Open, after a eventful judging in the dressage I was left thinking I would get a very average but decent mid 30's- how wrong was I Blue only went and got his best ever mark of 28! He put the icing on the cake with a double clear to leave me in 6th. So a brilliant day all around.
My latest run was at Pontispool with Zu in the BE80T, we went in mind that she is still a baby too all of this having only previously SJ'd. We were only hoping for a lovely round and a educational event. How wrong could I be? Zu warmed up lovely and if I am honest didnt do her best test in the arena, it was nice but I felt like it had suddenly hit her how big and scary this event was! I left the arena pleased as punch and headed onto the SJ. Mum stopped me before we got to the SJ, Zu was best dressage on 25.5! The pressure was well and truely on. I warmed her up and took her in, she held her nerve behaved like a pro and showed everyone how it was done for a clear round. The xc was always going to be her weakest phase (only due to her lack of seeing it!) Most people were storming round with time pens or having major prolems. Nerves kicked in and me and Mum had a little chat and decided I would make up time between the fences and let her take in the jump and not rush her. She was a little green confused by everything, but I couldnt have faulted her- she jumped everything and never said no. She flew the last to woops and cheers for a clear. The catch- I had gone double clear but too fast xc and amazing was the fastest round of the 80T sections. Still over the moon- we finished second. I'm not too sure who was happier the owner or rider.
I will now head to the ROR BE90 with Dispol Bertie- fingers crossed my luck continues!