Well we had an interesting trip to Richmond for the BE100.
It all started the night before when I had another allergic reaction, this meant I spent the evening before Richmond in A&E and felt a little rough the next day.
Harley warmed up for dressage very well, which surprised me as the warm up was quite busy. We went over to start our test when a plastic cup decided to blow across our arena just as the judge had beeped for us to start. Luckily the judge spotted it and got out her car to get it before we started. This then ensured Harley kept his calm head on. I left the arena after finishing my test feeling happy as I felt he really tried hard in a new test which involved difficult movements for him. I expected a result in the 30’s probably at the higher end. So imagine my surprise to find out we had scored 29.5!!!! Our first sub 30 score, which considering we couldn’t break the 40 barrier at BE90 at the start of the year was so rewarding. The judge was also not low scoring and marked some in the 50’s. It turned out by the end of the event that we had the 3rd best dressage in a section of nearly 40 (only being beat by two professional).
We went up to the SJ which was running on time. When I walked it I knew it was a fair ask, although not our biggest track it used the arena to the max with lots of long distances. I really disappointed to have 3 down (two were second parts on doubles and the 3rd was the last fence). Sadly he just gets too forward the further round a course so we know we have to work on this as he’s more than capable of jumping clear as you can see in the picture!
It all started the night before when I had another allergic reaction, this meant I spent the evening before Richmond in A&E and felt a little rough the next day.
Harley warmed up for dressage very well, which surprised me as the warm up was quite busy. We went over to start our test when a plastic cup decided to blow across our arena just as the judge had beeped for us to start. Luckily the judge spotted it and got out her car to get it before we started. This then ensured Harley kept his calm head on. I left the arena after finishing my test feeling happy as I felt he really tried hard in a new test which involved difficult movements for him. I expected a result in the 30’s probably at the higher end. So imagine my surprise to find out we had scored 29.5!!!! Our first sub 30 score, which considering we couldn’t break the 40 barrier at BE90 at the start of the year was so rewarding. The judge was also not low scoring and marked some in the 50’s. It turned out by the end of the event that we had the 3rd best dressage in a section of nearly 40 (only being beat by two professional).
We went up to the SJ which was running on time. When I walked it I knew it was a fair ask, although not our biggest track it used the arena to the max with lots of long distances. I really disappointed to have 3 down (two were second parts on doubles and the 3rd was the last fence). Sadly he just gets too forward the further round a course so we know we have to work on this as he’s more than capable of jumping clear as you can see in the picture!
We then had a quick turn around for the XC. We got to the warm up with only 2 before me which was perfect. We set off really well, he made the first two feel easy. The second was a step to palisade which again he did really well. Jumped the large roll top great then headed to what I thought could have been our ‘problem’ fence. This was a drop to a 90 degree tight turn to a palisade between tree’s. Harley can sometimes be too bold, but equally I was worried that if I slowed down he’d become too back ward and stop. Harley however, was on a mission and flew the drop which made an interesting turn but we were clear. After we jumped the table there was a long gallop to the corner which was placed in the middle of the field. As we approached I tried to check but he was having none of it. I tried again and again I git no response. He’s done this to me once before at Askham Bryan where I retired him mid course. However, I felt that since then he’s grown up a lot and has a lot more mileage under him so I decided to let him do it himself if he thought he knew better and must admit I was feeling a little weaker than normal due to the previous night so I didn't want to argue anymore.
Que my big mistake!
We were probably approaching too fast and Harley went for a long one then mid jump decided against it. He then jumped to the side to miss the jump… I however didn’t!
This resulted in one big bang from my Point Two and a closer than anticipated meeting with some grass! Harley was totally fine although he did decide to show everyone how fit he was by galloping around the course for a bit before being caught. I ended up trying to catch my breath thanks to my point two (I now totally understand why some people want to get it off ASAP as it is tight and gives you a bit of a shock!) but once checked by medics and having a bit of a joke with the British Eventing TA and fence judges I hatched a lift back to Harley and walked home as I knew there was no point continuing.
So there it was…. My first fall in British Eventing Competition and hopefully my last!
And the moral of the story is don’t go XC if your not feeling 100%!
The next day I traveled up to Newcastle to see a specialist regarding my new frequent allergic reactions. After a few tests it turns out I have multiple nut allergies. She was rather impressed that I’d managed 24 years without them being detected, although my own personal choice to avoid foods with nuts had helped.
So I now have two new friends which are required to accompany me in life!
Que my big mistake!
We were probably approaching too fast and Harley went for a long one then mid jump decided against it. He then jumped to the side to miss the jump… I however didn’t!
This resulted in one big bang from my Point Two and a closer than anticipated meeting with some grass! Harley was totally fine although he did decide to show everyone how fit he was by galloping around the course for a bit before being caught. I ended up trying to catch my breath thanks to my point two (I now totally understand why some people want to get it off ASAP as it is tight and gives you a bit of a shock!) but once checked by medics and having a bit of a joke with the British Eventing TA and fence judges I hatched a lift back to Harley and walked home as I knew there was no point continuing.
So there it was…. My first fall in British Eventing Competition and hopefully my last!
And the moral of the story is don’t go XC if your not feeling 100%!
The next day I traveled up to Newcastle to see a specialist regarding my new frequent allergic reactions. After a few tests it turns out I have multiple nut allergies. She was rather impressed that I’d managed 24 years without them being detected, although my own personal choice to avoid foods with nuts had helped.
So I now have two new friends which are required to accompany me in life!
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