Anyone else getting absolutely fed up with this wet and cold weather? The ground can't take much more and I don't think Georgie's survival skills can either. We're practically snorkeling to the field!
Georgie's new stock up purchased from our lovely supporter company Smart Grooming of Tame the Mane and Super Groomer have proven life savers in getting mud out of manes and on necks!
Due to this seemingly unrelenting deluge of rain every few days Georgie, B and I have basically haven't been to a competition since Autumn time. Georgie has of course been attending clinics that i've put on with the ROR and such like, plus keeping B hacking out and training in the school at the yard but it was nice to take B out and dust off the proverbial cobwebs of competition and get back at it.
Georgie's original plan was to go to a 'Style and Performance' working hunter type show at Topthorn Equestrian Centre but with the weather forecast being absolutely gastly for Sunday we decided instead to stick to going to Topthorn, but instead go on the Saturday to their 'arena eventing' due to better forecast weather. Alas low and behold the weather was still typically British and of course it was raining. We got B ready at the yard as best we could and luckily he hadn't rolled so with just a little bit of mud splashed on his legs he was pretty clean. Mum stayed at home to look after Nel and Frankie while Georgie and I went as a dream team together. On the way the rain far from eased up and actually became heavier!
Upon arrival we were pleasantly surprised that we weren't the only people mad enough to attend! There were a good few people which was nice to see. While Georgie went off to enter and check out what class they were on B and I hung out! In typical B fashion standing on the box was absolutely out of the question and he insisted on coming off and investigating his surroundings. Especially the pet sheep that lived in a hut near where we were parked; he drew a lot of looks and the odd snort! I rugged him up in a waterproof and opened up the back doors of the trailer so I could keep dry and kind of warm and still see what B was up to and what was going on. Georgie returned with good news that they were just finishing the class before hers and we weren't too early, nor had we missed it.
Soggy but not deterred!
I tacked up B while Georgie got herself ready as best she could in the rain and upon mounting we made our way to the arena. The actual course of jumps was in their large indoor arena but warm up was still outside and as time went on B seemed to be fresh and maybe feeling the chill as snowflakes could be spotted amongst the big blobs of rain. Luckily Topthorn were on great form with no hanging around and got through competitors and jump height chances in swift succession!
Georgie has sufficently warmed up and had walked the course so was now eagerly anticipating her round, when shortly after her number was called to enter the arena. It was clear upon his entry and from viewing his round that B had not got his 'game face' on and was looking clearly thinking '"Oh i'm in an indoor arena! Why is it so echoy? Oh they have music playing in here too! " because upon presentation at the first fence he had his head in the air fairly unaware and had to heave himself over. According to Georgie it took until approximately fence 4 until he actually focused enough not to knock down fences, as he had both fence 3 and 4 down; after that he flowed round pretty nicely.
After Georgie had come out the ring we regrouped and I gave a couple of pointers from what I'd noticed on the side lines; for example Georgie was 'standing up in her stirrups' round the corners instead of sitting deep and riding him round the corner to the next fence and not getting herself composed in time for the next fence. As always with my wonderful sister she took the feedback and listened gracefully.
After a brief stop for prize giving and to put the fences up Georgie was back in the ring for her round in the 100cm class. As she was near the last to go in her first class I figured go back in while B is still warmed up and ready.
Georgie and B went back in the arena and this time he was a lot more focused and didn't have his head in the clouds like before.
Jumping fences 1 to 4 brilliantly and had listened to me and sat deep and rode the corners so was ready for her next fence, B was jumping fluidly and happy. At fences 9 and 10, which was a double of uprights, unfortunately B sadly got his stride a bit wrong and got too close and had the first of the combination down. Afterwards jumped fluidly until the final fence where he again got his stride wrong and instead of doing his usual of putting a big jump in, he got too close again and had the final fence down. Georgie was pleased with his round though and goes into this weekends show jumping lesson with something to work on in reminding B of striding.
This testing course did prove to be just that as with 3 eliminations and only two clear rounds Georgie was pleased to see on the board that she'd come fourth! Not bad for our first competition of winter this late in.
Now with the snow and sleet coming down at some pace we quickly untacked B, got his dry and warm, packed up the car and got on the road home. All in all a long and cold, but successful day! Millie was positively waspy to have been left without B all day in the cold and wet and was rather cross when bought in and straw dried off. All was soon forgotten with a cuddle and some treats!
As I mentioned we have a show jumping clinic this Saturday at Palace House in their lovely big outdoor arena with firm favourite Delphine Tay! I'll be there hosting the clinic all day and Georgie will come in the afternoon for her lesson. I'm already pre-packing my car with a blanket and a hot water bottle for my long day outside.
See you there ROR's!
Sophie x
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