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!