Team RUBY included myself with Sebastian, Kate Rowlands with Rusty, Susie Jennings with Decree and Wayne Lightbrow with Sylvano. When we headed off to Scotland together with the Central squad we were hopeful of riding great tests and dreamt of a great team performance but for the RUBY riders this was our first tour together and we were none of sure how the event would feel.
I joined the Central Squad in May and when I heard my name included in the Home International Squad my focus for the summer switched to Rowallan and the challenge ahead.
Suddenly the week of the event arrived and I found myself walking my horse in the indoor school at Widmer EC. Sebastian belongs to my friend Rachel Harris and it occurred to me as I chatted quietly to him how much we ask from our horses and how many people supported us to get to this point. I worked out that we could have filled the school to bursting point if we had invited every squad members support network to the gathering. Sebastian's thoughts were less intense I imagine as he seemed to take the whole experience in his stride and happily loaded onto the Gillies horsebox as the first horse aboard.
We were on our way to SCOTLAND.
The Central Team were the first to arrive at Rowallan. Camp was established quickly and we focused on walking our horses and persuading them to get their heads down to clear their airways and stretch their legs. Once the horses were bedded down and evening stables were complete it was time for the riders to settle. We were a small group at a big international show centre with three days before the Championships. The long journey aside we could have been at a regular regional training session and yet the pressure was building. We headed gratefully to the Fenwick Hotel. I chatted to Sebastian at late night check and realised the greater distance than miles we had travelled together since May.
The next day Sebastian was so tired though contented and I concentrated on making sure he drank enough and prepared endless small feeds to tempt and soothe him. Meanwhile we received our team clothing and at this point a tidal wave of emotion flooded over me. My resolve to perform and to keep Sebastian safe and sound were my tasks. Somehow the feeling is of too much time to fill and yet not enough time to do the task justice. I chatted to my team mates and was pleased they found themselves on this emotional roller coaster too.
On Thursday I schooled Sebastian and then went hacking with Ben Franklin and Bailey, the sun was shining in Ayrshire and the horses' walk improves as we explored the lanes. Friday was competition warm up day for me and I was glad to channel my energy into arena time before the trot up. I was relieved to place 6th.
As we waited for the trot up my emotions reached fever pitch- I have trotted many horses up under exam conditions and for vet inspection but nothing can match my nerves as I entered the indoors arena and panicked at the thought of running in a straight line and presenting my horse- all was well and Sebastian enjoyed the spotlight. Langarth Sebastian ACCEPTED- three magic words.
Saturday was difficult for me. I stuck to my competition plan and was prepared for the test and yet I didn't ride the test I visualised. I was not myself and though I had some good moments I also had some sticky situations.- in essence Sebastian and I were both trying too hard to work together- I was surprised by the impact riding for England had on us- James was calm and said that it was OK and that I should stay focused on riding a clear round on Sunday. My team mates had performed so well that by Saturday evening we were in fourth place. I found this situation motivated me because I did not want to be the drop score the next day. My self belief faltered at evening stables. I felt as though I were riding XC and had fallen in the water- now I needed to get back on board and ride to the finish no matter how uncomfortable I felt about my mistakes. It was time to forget that I was not where I wanted to be and to concentrate on working in partnership with my horse in order to compete. The text messages I was exchanging with my supporters at home were invaluable and I did take Phil's advice to work on my core stability exercises. Whilst my muscles were burning it focused my mind on the "Next Job".
I spent the night dissecting N38 and planning how to earn marks for each movement. I got up and stayed in the moment focusing on plaiting and arriving at the work in with enough time to do my job- to ride with feel and understanding of my horse and his needs. In Sebastian's case with his TB blood this involved cantering for a good 25 minutes in true and counter canter in a light seat. Thank goodness our team trainer James Burtwell was there with the courage and experience to guide me through a work in that worked best for Sebastian.
I did feel a little out of place pounding around the arena event fashion! Sebastian had a ball and his back relaxed , he started to work through and we bonded further as I felt the magic acceptance of the contact and Sebastian's joy at powering around scattering a few horses in our wake. I was feeling confident now and the test felt achievable. James presence at the arena side was essential and he guided me through the sticky transition from event work to dressage test precision- James cautioned me to be patient when Sebastian said No thanks and then suddenly I was riding a horse who was working equally into both reins.
Its funny the things that pop into my head- I had a flashback to my stage IV exam and my head filled with superlative comments I wanted to make to reflect the feel Sebastian was giving me. James sent me on my way to focus on keeping the feel and I was back in the arena. In 2009. At the Home International and my number was called. OH MY!! A last quick look at the test- you know this trust yourself, Oh MUST STAY CALM!!! Time Slowed. I patted Sebastian- it was an International Velvet moment I was ready to do my test and in we went.
The bell rang. I came around the corner and we kicked the boards, my mind went back to Joyce Head's advice to abort the entrance if it feels wrong. Breathing Space. I rode into the corner properly and off we went. There are not the words to explain how much I enjoyed that test. Each movement felt as though I was presenting an opportunity for the judges to award us marks. There were areas where I knew we would not score to our potential but overall it was an enjoyable test and a good note to finish our HI debut on. I was able to enjoy every moment and that is a special feeling.
James was happy we had performed the test and shown Sebastian at his best. I think James rode every moment of the test with me. Walking out of the arena, chatting to James it felt like the first step towards my Championship ambitions. I felt privileged to be able to work with James in a high performance environment. The Winchfield bursary has already shaped my future competition dreams and I feel honoured as well as excited at the prospect of competing in 2010 with James to guide me.
The support from my team mates was incredible and I will always treasure the memories from this event. Riders from other regions were supportive and because of Sebastian's heritage I felt part of the Welsh squad too as I lined up for a photo shoot with Julie Lees' Langarth Ruby.
PRIZE GIVING and Central RUBY were called into 6th place in the team event- I was almost walking on air as we took part in the presentations. Scotland Tay were the deserving winners and it felt right for the home nation to lift the title. As Central are hosts next year it gave our squad food for thought for the months ahead and I know we will all work together to build on what we have learned about team riding.
THANK YOU Team Scotland for our Championship Adventure!
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