Unaffiliated ODE @ Solihull

Dressage Test: BE95 (2012) Judge: E Mason Dressage Mark: 25.5
SJ Jumping Penalties: 0 SJ Time Penalties: 0
XC Jumping Penalties: 20 XC Time Penalties: 10.4 XC Time: 4.40
 XC Distance: nk XC Optimum Time: 4.14 Placing: 17th /38

Getting a bit of match practice before the Regional Final at Moreton Morrell on 27th Sept.  Went on my own today – but was promised visitors/helpers in the form of Rachel and Meg & Lynsey and Ian – both sets turned up in time to help me get ready for the Show Jumping.

Finn was good in the dressage warm up but got a bit spooky in the arena – with two big spooks during the test – the first as we turned left after our entry (creating a great impression)! and the second about half way through as we struck off for the second canter transition.  The rest of the test felt quite good,  but wasn’t hoping for too much due to the spooks!  Turns out it was our best eventing dressage score to date:25.5, and that was with two 6’s for the spooks……..  The judge’s comments were: “Correct.  Lots to like and started well, but certainly improved throughout the test”.

The SJ was causing a few problems ending up with only 8 clear rounds in the whole class (of 38).  Finn was clear, jumping a very lively round and we were in 3rd place before the XC.

The XC started sticky, the ground was a biSRC September 141462t hard so perhaps she was feeling this?  She had a stop – at the black ditch – I put it down to me riding it too defensively, but got my act together and cleared it second attempt.  She then opened up a bit (perhaps because I was riding more positively) and jumped the ditch-palisade and the trakehner really well.  The photo is at the ditch-palisade.

A good lesson about ‘bogey’ fences – will get back to Nigel Taylor to put this behind us……

All in all a good day – was super pleased with the Dressage and Show Jumping – and learned something in the XC.