Well yesterday was our third intro and also our last chance to qualify for the grassroots regional finals. Thankfully the secretary had given us nice late times so we set off at 9:30 to arrive just under three hours later giving me chance to jog round the xc course before I started.
By the time I got on for the dressage it was starting to get very hot (forecast was for chilly and wet!) and the flies were out in force. Fleur started head shaking really rather badly due to the flies and all hopes of a decent dressage were rapidly departing. But warmed up as best as I could and went across to the arena where she thankfully stopped shaking and settled down even after another horse nearly deposited it’s rider at the side of the arena! The test was good in general although I don’t think she is quite right through her back so some of the canter was a bit stuffy in places. We were given 31.5 penalties (68.5%) and were lying 4th after dressage.
Next moved on to the sj where we got a good clear other than fence 4 where a disagrement about striding meant Fleur ending up helping me out big style and climbed over the fence to leave it upright. But we were clear and that’s what matters!!
Lastly onto the xc which was a fair test and quite hilly in places so a good test of her fitness. Flew round the course although slight brake failure on hill down to water but brought her back to walk in time and slowly edged into water but importantly didn’t stop or step back. Rest of course she just flowed round and finished well. It turned out we finished 24 seconds under the time, whoops!
After walking and washing her off and leaving her happily chomping away on her hayledge we went to the score boards. I knew I had gone into third after my xc but over half the section was still to go and I didn’t know how good my dressage was in comparison with the rest of the section. A quick glance showed only one rider could move ahead of me so I was guarunteed 4th but after a long wait that person retired xc so we were 3rd.
Understandably over the moon with that result especially as it means we are now qualified for he grassroots regionals. Next event is the beginning of July where we will step up to prenovice at winkleigh. In the meantime the chiro is coming this week to give Fleur the once over.
