Well we have done it, I can now call myself an eventer after completing my first Intro (BE 90) competition at Stockland Lovell on Saturday. 
Although the course is known for being one of the most technical in the area, its a venue I know and like and Fleur was 2nd in the unaffiliated ODE there last year so I thought it would be a good place to start!
Because my times were fairly tight and the venue is only 15mins from where I work I walked the course on Friday night. I was lucky to bump into a friend Claire who was there for her day before dressage so I proceeded to walk the course with her. I will admit to being a little wimpish walking the course, but Claire gave me a kick up the arse and basically told me to stop being a wimp and they were fine.
Saturday was up at the yard bright and early, even though I had got everything ready and plaited her the night before, and we were loaded and off by just past 7am. Thats far too early in my opinion!! Arrived in plenty of time so I could declare and get my numbers as well as having my hat tagged with that infamous bit of yellow tape. Fleur was highly excited to be out at a party so there was no chance of getting studs in for dressage so just got on and went to work in. As soon as we got to the work in area she settled and worked very nicely. We went in for our test and although not as polished as I would have liked it was accurate and correct and the judge rewarded us as such with 68% so a penalty score of only 32 leaving us 6th (out of 39!) after the dressage.
Next we had a quick change and on to the showjumping (managed to get 3 out of 4 studs in as well) where the course was up to height and had a few decent questions. Fleur was in her element and produced a really nice (in my opinion anyway!) flowing round for a great clear.
Another quick change and on to the XC, our test of whether or not Fleur has finally grown up! Well the answer was yes, yes she has! I didn’t really know what speed to go at so just went at a nice comfortable forward canter, we also trotted into the first water and came back to a trot round a sharp bend. We came back with a fab clear, she didn’t look at a single fence and she finished full of running but unfortunately we did pick up 14.4 time penalties which dropped us from 2nd to 12th but I was chuffed to bits with her so can’t complain.
