Horseman's Sunday - TRC

Well it was a nice if a bit windy day.  Horses were bathed, plaited and prepped yesterday so off we set to do some showing.  Kept him in last night so he would stay clean, not destroy the plaits which were a work of art due to a mohican thing he has going on with his mane at the moment (all my fault I am afraid to say) and so he could have a good night sleep as when I went to get him in yesterday - he was flat out in the field!  Well you can imagine my panic and after rushing over to him he raised his head and just looked at me as if to say - oh go away - I am so tired.  So I thought he would like a good kip before we set off today.  In hindsight he might have been easier a bit tired lol!

First up - little Sooty - in hand 'Best Turnout and Condition'.  Sooty is a 2 year old gypsy cob colt who belongs to a family at our yard.  Their lad is dying to get out and show him so today we took him to see what he would be like.  He was brilliant - judge even commented on how well behaved he was for a colt.  I cannot get him to trot for me though and just kept laughing.  He trots fine for his owners so obviously just a case of not really know him.  We came third out of six - actually our yard did 1st, 2nd and 3rd in that class - whoop whoop :)

Next up it was Best Riding Horse over 14.2hh.  First mistake - leather reins, second mistake class is held in arena full of jumps! (They had the course prepared for the Pony Working Hunter Class)  He was a bit eyes on stalks and then in the individual show he locked onto a jump and tanked off - luckily I managed to circle away and regain some control but he was feeling very feisty and the reins just kept slipping through my fingers.  There were 6 in the class and we came 3rd so not too shabby but he really is a good riding horse so next time might try a double or a pelham for a bit more control.  Judge said he looked good for his age.  Special thanks to Tracy from our yard for doing my tail plait :)

Quick tack change, boots on his legs and back up to arena for Novice Working Hunter 70cm.  Well it all went a bit pear shaped - he thought it was fantastic that he was now allowed to jump the jumps he wanted to jump earlier and so it was all a bit hairy.   When I jumped him at home on Wednesday we did some decent big jumps and he listened beautifully so thought (very unwisely) to leave him in the snaffle.   Then to make matters worse jump one was a cross pole ...... and we were off ...

Jump 1



Jump 2



Jump 3



Jump 4



Jump 5



Jump 6

I could barely keep up with him lol and then we came to the double - I knew we were going too fast and sat and tried to take a pull but we had so much forward momentum he flew over the first and buried himself in the second.  He had no option but to stop at it.    Today was my first working hunter and I was told a good working hunter horse covered the ground well and you would expect the jumps to probably be on a long stride.  Granted I was the biggest horse in the class but the striding just seemed stupid!  Perhaps I should have ridden it as a bounce!



The Double - 7a and 7b





7a



7 b

Jumped perfectly next time round.   Judge's comment was well he certainly enjoys his jumping but you must try and just let the jump come to you dont go so fast!! Well yeah that is usually my intention lol - could you not see the daylight between my legs and the horse.  So no matter what he goes like in future at home during the week - we are going up in strength for the bitting for ANY jumping.  




Getting my lecture from the judge about needing to do more gridwork lol



The others that went from the yard also got prizes and everyone had a good day out.   Glad to be back home but my ankle is killing me - somehow when he stopped my foot did a rotational thing and was a bit sore.  Sat down now at home typing this and its killing me!  Only I could manage a injury on the horse without falling off!  At least Mulls is good though - he has had some tea - is all rugged up and back out in the paddock.