OK, so, it was one of my rehab projects first One Day Event, I kind of had a feeling that everything might not go to plan, but then, you never know. I have had him a couple of months by this point and thought I might as well give it a whirl, what's the worst that can happen, right ?!
So after hours of prep including tack cleaning, pony cleaning, plaiting and packing the day finally arrives. Now I have done ODE's before on my mare, and have always gotten there and thought why oh why am I doing this :) but then once you get rolling, its all good.
Dressage was first up, the warm up was good, little bit stiff and nervous, but that's all fine, mainly from me not the horse ! Bearing in mind I have been practicing this for months, and the BE92 dressage test back to front, yet I still manage to forget part of it in my panic. Bludy brilliant. But, other than that, it did go OK. We made it round without any horse related incident and held it together. So it was a bit stiff and we spooked at the odd marker and nearly fell out of the arena, but hey, who cares, it was our first event on a horse that had been due to be put to sleep, I couldn't complain.
So, off we go back to the horsebox to hang out for a bit before the Show Jumping. I go off to walk the XC course and my trustie helper sticks with the horse. Now the XC course is pretty easy looking, lots of roll tops which are inviting and even the dodgy fences look pretty acceptable as they aren't too big, looks all good. Its my favourite part of the day after all.
I had head back to the horsebox, grab my stead and head off to the SJ round. We fly round with the last pole down that was coming down hill, my fault as I should have got his head up a little and kicked on, but its all learning experience and the SJ was super smooth and fun, no real problems there.
So, back to the horsebox again to ready ourselves for the XC. A few swigs on the hip flask and a few tack adjustments and we are off. My nerves have gone and I'm actually excited for this part, cannot wait to get there, just me and my horse flying about. But NO, it was not to be, fence number 4 is a ditch and my horse apparently dislikes these things immensely and gives a big NO on three separate occasions to the point where we are politely asked to depart the course.
What the blooming heck, the only bit I am waiting desperately for all day, my only reason for going and we don't even get to jump the course, sad blooming times. I thought they might let me continue on, but no, apparently at these posher events you have to do the walk of shame home, very sad :(
But on the good side, it was a great experience and I learnt that this horse copes with competition environments with ease, does not get tense and enjoys himself. We do however need to work on ditches ! But keeping in mind I have no history on this horse whatsoever, I am pleased we went along and enjoyed the day. Next time I am hoping we make it around the whole of the XC though, fingers crossed.
Next up Merrist Wood Eventer Challenge, woop woop, hopefully no ditches hey !!
So after hours of prep including tack cleaning, pony cleaning, plaiting and packing the day finally arrives. Now I have done ODE's before on my mare, and have always gotten there and thought why oh why am I doing this :) but then once you get rolling, its all good.
Dressage was first up, the warm up was good, little bit stiff and nervous, but that's all fine, mainly from me not the horse ! Bearing in mind I have been practicing this for months, and the BE92 dressage test back to front, yet I still manage to forget part of it in my panic. Bludy brilliant. But, other than that, it did go OK. We made it round without any horse related incident and held it together. So it was a bit stiff and we spooked at the odd marker and nearly fell out of the arena, but hey, who cares, it was our first event on a horse that had been due to be put to sleep, I couldn't complain.
So, off we go back to the horsebox to hang out for a bit before the Show Jumping. I go off to walk the XC course and my trustie helper sticks with the horse. Now the XC course is pretty easy looking, lots of roll tops which are inviting and even the dodgy fences look pretty acceptable as they aren't too big, looks all good. Its my favourite part of the day after all.
I had head back to the horsebox, grab my stead and head off to the SJ round. We fly round with the last pole down that was coming down hill, my fault as I should have got his head up a little and kicked on, but its all learning experience and the SJ was super smooth and fun, no real problems there.
So, back to the horsebox again to ready ourselves for the XC. A few swigs on the hip flask and a few tack adjustments and we are off. My nerves have gone and I'm actually excited for this part, cannot wait to get there, just me and my horse flying about. But NO, it was not to be, fence number 4 is a ditch and my horse apparently dislikes these things immensely and gives a big NO on three separate occasions to the point where we are politely asked to depart the course.
What the blooming heck, the only bit I am waiting desperately for all day, my only reason for going and we don't even get to jump the course, sad blooming times. I thought they might let me continue on, but no, apparently at these posher events you have to do the walk of shame home, very sad :(
But on the good side, it was a great experience and I learnt that this horse copes with competition environments with ease, does not get tense and enjoys himself. We do however need to work on ditches ! But keeping in mind I have no history on this horse whatsoever, I am pleased we went along and enjoyed the day. Next time I am hoping we make it around the whole of the XC though, fingers crossed.
Next up Merrist Wood Eventer Challenge, woop woop, hopefully no ditches hey !!
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