JANUARY 2012
Alfie finished last season well. He completed a CIC1* at Gatcombe with a good clear across country. Still not really impressing the judges in the dressage but an improvement on the previous attempt. Had two down in the show jumping but tried hard. He then went on to finish in place at Aldon CCI *. Better dressage, just one fence down show jumping and a good clear in the cross country phase. Aiming for more Intermediates this season and some 2* competitions.
13th September 2010. Pontispool Event.
5am the lorry left the yard, the alarm having gone off at 3.45am! Dory was off to do his second BE 100. Alfie doing the BE100 Regional Final My dressage time was 9.06. We had to walk the course beforehand as the times were pretty tight for all the phases.
Alfie warmed in well. I feel he is just starting to carry himself with more confidence. He also was more relaxed in almost all of the test. Unfortunately our judge was not impressed. Most of the time I take things on the chin, but I feel there was an inconsistency with how our tests have been judged recently. We were marked 39, which, in itself is not that bad but it was in the bottom few horses in the section. It may have been something to do with coming from Novice standard back down to the BE100, although one would hope that if the horses are aspiring to move forward in their careers they would be the one's that would be in a Reg Final and would be judged closer to Novice expectations. Still.. C'est la Vie.. move on. We had two down in the show jumping which was unnecessary but not sure he is totally comfortable jumping on a surface purely because we train on grass. Need to get some work done indoors through the winter. Had a lovely cross country round. The course was slightly different this time which was interesting. Always flows very well and the majority of the horses romped around. Alfie off to Gatcombe at the end of the week!
Dory and Becky had a great day. Slightly concerned as we walked the cross country as it was fairly technical in places. Coupled with it only being his 2nd run at that level. They produced a lovely test of 32. .Dory is very relaxed in that phase and Becky is teaching him well. Warmed in for his show jumping with the usual testing out of the knockability of all the practice fences. "Well I have got to get used to this extra height Mum!" Rose to the occasion beautifully in the ring, keeping his concentration well and listening to Becky. Just had the last fence down which was facing the exit and a nice white gate to boot.( "Thought we had finished!" ). Cross country was a breeze. Waiting for Becky just to confirm which fence he had to attack then saying "Ok Mum got the message". Finished clear within the time. He ended up 11th in the placings which is a bit frustrating as just out of the rosettes. Everyone delighted with him and Becks wasn't bad either!
Andrew and Becky took the lorry and horses back home after they were all rested and fed. I stayed behind as Emma Harris with Regal Rock Chardonnay were doing their first Under 21 Intermediate Novice. I helped her to warm up and give Mum, Karen, some moral support! "Chard" has been staying up at the yard periodically since Emma has gone back to school. She drives up from Truro to Bodmin to have training three to four times a week. She is really prepared to put the work in and it is now showing the fruits of her labours! She is off up to Weston Park as part of the South West team of youngsters having qualified for the Junior Regional Novice Championships. Needless to say she had a great run yesterday finishing 3rd! Had an exuberant dressage phase with Chardonnay looking as if he was thoroughly enjoying life! Produced a score of 36.4. A few little misdemeanors but Emma was very mature and kept riding, which meant they were able to show the judge of all they were capable. I cracked whip a little at the warm up of the show jumping which meant Chard had the wind up his tail and Emma was focused. They produced a really professional clear round in the show jumping and then went on to a blistering clear round, inside the time, on the cross country. What a result! Great for a moral boost as Emma works now on preparation for Weston.
Another good result on the day for Rosie Malcolm with Golden Enigma, another long standing trainee of mine. Comes up for training almost once a week in competition time and "Mervin", plus his stable companions come to the yard regularly as their second home! Rosie had a great dressage of 34.0, show jumped clear and another great cross country round, clear, inside the time,to finish 4th in her section!