It’s defiantly been the learning curve that I expected but over all I’m extremely happy.

I’ll start with our last run at Askham Bryan. This was a first visit to a fairly local event for us (Just 1hr 30 minutes away so practically on our doorstep!) It was a shame that the weather was not too agreeable and it defiantly confirmed that summer has well and truly left us until next year.

We ended up with a 37.5 Dressage on the positive it was another sub 40 dressage test but I was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t the best score of the season as I felt Harley defiantly produced his best work to date. He did however score all 6’s and 7’s which the before at Bishop Burton he scored only 5’s and 6’s so its going in the right direction!

Our Show jumping warm up was a complete disaster. Harley was an utter nightmare and refused to jump as he was too busy spooking at the other horses. I kindly asked the steward if we could jump que and they agreed (I think they wanted us out of the warm up to be honest!) So with this and our last outing at Bishop Burton being a disaster in this phase I think I ended up over riding the course but I was thrilled to finish with just a slight rub on part A of the double for 4 faults.

On to the XC and Harley was much better in the warm up but was acting rather strong (which should have been an indication of things to come). We went over to the start box and as soon as the word go was said Mr Harley was on a mission!

All I can say is I’ve never known him be like he was that day. Normally a slight pull and he would come back to me but for some reason he wasn’t having anything of this and I was designated as a passenger and nothing else. On hind sight I should have pulled up sooner but I kept thinking he’d sooner or later get tired and then start listening. It was when we bolted towards the step up at full speed that I decided to retire.

It is honestly the first time I’ve ever been scared riding XC on him so we will have to do some investigating over the winter and spring. He currently is only in a snaffle and fed on Top Line and Apple Chaff and we’re still testing different calmer's so hopefully we will find a good combination soon.
So please get in touch if you think you could help/ have any suggestions as safety is
A MUST FOR 2012!!!!!!!!!

I have given all course pictures to www.shoestringeventing.co.uk as Sarah-Jane has developed a great collection over the past year!

Overall

So now the season is over we will be doing some British Show jumping and Dressage in the New Year along with hopefully the JAS and Jump Training Series. But until then I will be trying to use some of my EHOA vouchers and continuing our dressage training at home.

The EHOA News Round Up News letter has also been released and features us as one of the Training award winners along with EHOA 2012 training dates. It really is worth joining www.ehoa.org if you haven’t already!

I’ve also joined Facebook! Please add/ like/ send a friend request to http://www.facebook.com/pages/ELC-Equestrian/259650504079064#!/pages/ELC-Equestrian/259650504079064 I want to follow other people’s successes and company news so please let me know your out there!

And finally keep a look out for the end of season competition (see page on website for list of prizes) which will be opening in December – IT’S FREE SO WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOOSE SO WHY NOT ENTER?!?!

Well not a lot to report other than Mr H is well and truly in the bad books.

We went to Bishop Burton for the BE90 on Sunday and lets just say Harley was rather excited. He was very calm in the lorry park but well and truly exploded once he got to the dressage warm up. This didn’t help our chances for a decent test. I rode very cautiously waiting for the bucking and squealing and that resulted in a disappointing score of 43. To be fair the test was all 5 and 6’s and if he was calmer these would have easily been higher.

The Show jumping track looked by far the most difficult/ colorful track we have seen but I was feeling optimistic for a clear as Harley normally respects fillers. However, it soon became clear that someone was still feeling far too well. We managed to clear the warm up arena – obviously the other competitors didn’t want their horses near the crazed animal! We were quickly allowed to jump que and went in to the arena. It became clear that Harley was in charge and I had no say. We somehow managed to jump one and two between the moments of hand stands and fact his head was between his legs the entire time. But we quickly came un done and by fence 4 we were eliminated thanks to my lack of brakes. So we defiantly learnt the hard way that a very fit Thoroughbred who last had an outing in August NEEDS A CALMER AND A STRONGER BIT!!!

So one very frustrating journey home!

Mr Harley’s naughtiness continues when I caught him trying to steal the Naf Minty Treats! Luckily for him Naf have supplied us with a few bags so his addiction can be kept in check over winter.

And now were up to date over the next few days were rather busy. We have a dressage lesson booked for tomorrow, I’m heading to HOYS on Thursday and then its our last horse trials of the season at Askham Bryan – hopefully it will be a calmer day for all!