| Dressage Test: BE95 (2012) | Judge: Richard Baldwin | Dressage Mark: 31.5 |
| SJ Jumping Penalties: 4 | SJ Time Penalties: 0 | |
| XC Jumping Penalties: 0 | XC Time Penalties:0 | XC Time: 4min 22secs |
| XC Distance: 2015m | XC Optimum Time: 4m 29secs | Placing: 15th |
Another early start (4am), but had Chris as ‘groom’ today to keep me company. Finn travelled well on her own in the trailer and seemed chilled out. She worked in nicely for the dressage but I made a couple of mistakes in the test – I don’t think I attacked the test as much as I could have and consequently ended up with mostly 7’s and a mark of 31.5. Judge’s comments were “Bold rhythmical paces shown, however at times losing some connection from the hinds and straightness through the frame for the fluency”.
Show jumping was another 4 fault-er – Chris video taped the round; she pulled me into fence 3 – there was a 3 stride distance to fence 4 – I think I could have sat up more and balanced her better as she left her back leg and rolled the pole. I will see if I can get a SJ lesson from Rob Lickley to see if we can’t break the “4 faults Finn” curse. There must be more I can do to encourage her to be more careful……
Mum and Britt arrived to watch the XC phase. Happily we were clear and in the time – she didn’t feel as fluid as she did at either Somerford or Eland Lodge – she was changing legs and snaking around a bit – the steering was not as light as it has been. In any event – I thought of Mary King and kept riding positively forward. It was a pretty straightforward course but there was a ditch at 13 and a Trakehner at 14 – which we sailed no trouble. I was pleased overall as we are becoming more consistent and getting our pace and timing more finely tuned.
We finished on 35.5 – same as at Eland Lodge – today we were placed 15th. Chris enjoyed himself and even managed to hold Finn while she picked at some grass after we had finished all three phases – progress!