This weekend was fun ! I took Sebastian to Keysoe to try and qualify for the Trailblazers Championships and to get a feel for the arenas before the Team Competition next weekend. Sebastian was a cool customer though the weather was doing its best to dampen spirits. I felt the pressure in the Novice test as we didn't quite manage the warm up routine I had planned! Still Sebastian was a good boy and there was only one misunderstanding. On balance I was pleased, I felt liked we had worked together.
I was determined to up my game for the elementary test and was careful to allow plenty of time to work in as the class was running early. There had been so many withdrawals that the organisers asked people to come forward as they were ready. This announcement was nearly drowned out by a horrible downpour and I and a few other riders decided that we weren't quite ready. My good friend Maggie looked at the sky and calculated some sunshine was on its way.
The competitor who was scheduled to go made her way outside and Maggie suggested I go next pointing at the blue sky inching its way to arena 3. I wasn't convinced and stationed myself in the tunnel- Sebastian walked forward and tested the weather with his ears. The commentary box spotted us and announced we were next to go. Sebastian felt good to me as we walked out into the Sunshine ( Thank you Maggie ) and the test rode well again with just one communication error the canter trot canter was deemed a little unnecessary by Sebastian who was thinking lets get going there is rain over there...
I put him away with help from my support team and we went in such of results and tea respectively. I waited anxiously in the office for the results to be finalised. I was pleased with my Novice score of 65.9 % and worked out I was in fifth place. I was a bit cross with myself because the schedule read first four to qualify so I was pinning my hopes on the elementary ticket to Stoneleigh. 2nd place in the elementary hurrah for Sebastian and a score of 64% not bad at all and so close to a win. Kicked myself for the mark of 4 which had also cost dearly on the submission mark. Note to self must do better but Wow good result for Sebastian.
Off to the cafe next and what a welcome cup of tea! I caught up with friends and learnt that it was the top five to qualify after all. My tea lost its hold on me and back to the office I went, sorry to hassle the staff who had lots to do but desperate to know if qualification was mine. The staff were lovely and didn't get grumpy with the interruption they also gave me the news I wanted: Yes top five to qualify so double Hurray. Told Sebastian the good news- gave the double ration of polos and showed him the rosettes and the news that it was home time. Trundled off towards Stoke Goldington happy but tired- amused ourselves on the way home listening to Radio 2 with Alan Carr and celebrating the Eurovision. Have a feeling that if we hadn't "won" I would have found it very irritating but we were clearly in party mode and even Sebastian seemed to enjoy the music .
Next day and we were entered for the "Canter for a Cure" at MKEC. Weather was not being kind and my vision of a brisk trot canter with a little bit of walking to catch the sun and show off our pink outfits was drenched. We shivered in several layers and told ourselves as we tacked up that this was for pleasure and we would enjoy it. Hmmm if it had been a competition I think we would have been very grumpy but some how with a pink theme where our riding was going to raise money for a good cause the rain seemed to be something we should grin and bear. I told myself I wouldn't melt and that 12 miles in the rain would go very quickly if I concentrated on the journey. Sebastian kept shooting me death stares that I interpreted as "I'm a Champion, Put me back on the horsebox."
Rachel sensibly held onto the map so we had some chance of getting back to base camp and the Marshalls assured us that Pink Eqitech arrows would guide our every turn. Hurray we were off. Sebastian grew a few hands and Rachel said " I didn't mention it before but he might think we are hunting- he will probably be ok!" as we passaged along with an engagement I had suspected he might have and a purpose that made me glad I had used the comfort break Rachel suggested.
Then the Rain Stopped- Hurray! I watched the clouds chase along casting shadowy waves across the fields and looked about me at the visions in pink that were crossing the country. How pleasant to be hacking in good company for a good cause- absolutely no cattle to muster. Good job too- Sebastian , I discovered as we meandered through a farm yard is very sceptical of cows. Cue much snorting and the tale of the day Sebastian was held hostage by the big beasts and bitten by a gate. Ok moving on.
I looked around me wondering if I had any clue where I was. I recognised a corner of a field as it swept past hedgerow. I asked Rachel if we had hacked through this field before on Jack ( Circa March 2005 ) Rachel looked surprised that I would have any clue where we were and pointed out the M1 and concluded we may have done. Hmmm the tree looked familiar to me and the headland worthy of a canter. We did canter where we could and Sebastian was a very good boy- no pulling my arms out and not too much plunging. The miles passed comfortably and soon we were back at MKEC- Sebastian felt as though we could go again and we pottered about the xc watching Max and Tonto have fun.
The lure of the water was great though and we splashed through and then it seemed rude not to oblige the photographer and splash through and up the steps. Goodness knows what that photo will look like. Sebastian dashed through the water and I thought ok Jump up expecting a huge leap and he seemed to consider it and I thought "oh god don't stop!" we seemed to lose impulsion but somehow we were up the step. Moving on! Two baby steps on the way home and I thought come on Custard we can do this and kept the impulsion and the belief and up he popped. I think you have to ride him with total belief that he is going to do it, a fairly hectic canter and a lot of leg- I would rather take him in a dressage test than a pre novice though!
Home time, a quick wash down for the boys and off to Stoke Goldington to drop ponies off, Preston to drop Rachel off and meet my Mum for the trip back to Mursley. When we got back to base it was evening stables and Sebastian wanted tea. Tucked them up in bed and crashed out with the TV. A good weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment