We gave Alfie a three week break from competing after doing three ODEs in less than three weeks, and then had to make a decision about what events to enter in July. The dilemma was that Brightling, PC Area Eventing, Eridge and PC Area Tetrathlon all ran on consecutive weekends, and bearing in mind that Alfie is a big horse, who is now 14, and that the ground was likely to be on the hard side at this time of year, I didn't want to risk breaking him by running him too often. In the end, I decided to aim for the two Pony Club qualifiers, particularly as the Area Eventing runs over the Brightling 1* course, and it seemed a much cheaper way of getting experience at that level than actually doing an affiliated 1*! A glance at the entries in my class revealed a very high standard of competition, and I knew we weren't likely to be in with a chance of qualifying!
It was an early start for me as I was first on, with my dressage time being 9am. We arrived safely, with me driving the horsebox with a horse onboard for the very first time, having passed my lorry test a few weeks previously! Alfie warmed up as well as he is able for the dressage, but at 9am there was still no judge, so I decided to let him have a rest, whilst the organisers sorted things out! Thankfully within half an hour the judge arrived at speed and we were soon in the arena doing our test. I was pleased with the walk and trot work and his general improved concentration, but the canter still needs improvement. Was pleased with a score of 37.6.
The show jumping course was particularly twisty and turny, not ideal for Alfie who needs plenty of time to see the fences and sort his legs out, and we had a couple of poles down. Then off to the cross country where he was a superstar and jumped a great clear round, although he did give me a few anxious moments as he launched a couple of the fences! I was particularly pleased that he was clear at the massive drop into water at the back of the course. He felt a little tired at the end so I let him trot through the woods, and ended up with some time faults, although no-one was within the time. Really pleased with 4th place, just 0.2 penalties off third!
It was an early start for me as I was first on, with my dressage time being 9am. We arrived safely, with me driving the horsebox with a horse onboard for the very first time, having passed my lorry test a few weeks previously! Alfie warmed up as well as he is able for the dressage, but at 9am there was still no judge, so I decided to let him have a rest, whilst the organisers sorted things out! Thankfully within half an hour the judge arrived at speed and we were soon in the arena doing our test. I was pleased with the walk and trot work and his general improved concentration, but the canter still needs improvement. Was pleased with a score of 37.6.
The show jumping course was particularly twisty and turny, not ideal for Alfie who needs plenty of time to see the fences and sort his legs out, and we had a couple of poles down. Then off to the cross country where he was a superstar and jumped a great clear round, although he did give me a few anxious moments as he launched a couple of the fences! I was particularly pleased that he was clear at the massive drop into water at the back of the course. He felt a little tired at the end so I let him trot through the woods, and ended up with some time faults, although no-one was within the time. Really pleased with 4th place, just 0.2 penalties off third!