PC showjumping at Gatcombe today!

[BroadfordQueen]

I have had one of the best days ever

We arrived at 10am for the coursewalk. Looked do-able, was shocked to hear only 1 team had gone clear (had been jumping since about 8:30am?). A lot to take in for the horses, the atmosphere, banners and big spooky fences!! So I was VERY nervous about how Queenie would react as she is the most spooky horse I have ever ridden lol!
We then watched loads of teams go- we where second last in so had a long time to fill! Was amazed to see stop after pole after fall! As we watched team after team, no team carried through 3 clears.
Got our horses tacked up and headed to warm up. Queenie was feeling right on form I was first in, I felt her suddenly tense up as I got in the ring but once we got going she and I forgot about all the people watching and focused on the job
I rode her very hard through number 4 to the double at 5, as we had seen SO many horses stop! But Queenie was fab, although my pushing made her get a bit fast and unbalanced on the corner to 6, and I couldn't get her back in time so she just breathed on the pole to have it down
However finishing on 4 faults was actually VERY good compared to what we had seen, huge pats for Queenie for not spooking and getting on with the job
My next 3 teammates are all brilliant, and they all went clear Although their rounds may not have been as flowing as mine, their horses/ponies were far more careful!
So we went through to the second round on 0 faults- along with 1 other team

Walked the second course and thought ahhh lol! Lots more technical although not much bigger. We then had ages to wait as they jumped in reverse order or merit so we were last but 1 to go. Went round the shops (tried on the new body protector made of motorcycle foam- any reviews on these? seemed firm and fairly comfy..), had lunch and eventually it was time to go back in.
I went in first and unfortunately we had 2 fences down One my fault one hers, but again absolutely carnage with the other teams so actually it wasn't that bad! My other team mates got 4, 4 and 8. This left us to finish third
So we got a goody bag and 2 rosettes, and had THE most fun galloping round in the lap of honour, everyone wooping and cheering, so much fun

At the end of the day we didn't have much chance of winning- winning team had a european pony rider in, and about 90% of teams there today were open teams- we only did intermediate area! So not bad, next year we are aiming for a win

Video of my first round:

[dixie]

Well done, sounds great fun. Ring looks very grand and very spooky - lots of polos for Queenie I think

[cheekycharley]

I saw you jump the first round you looked great. Really well done 8 faults in second round was really good compared to what i saw - I was highly jealus of all those doing it (damn being too old!)

Huge huge well done and big achievement, Who won out of interest??

[BroadfordQueen]

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Well done, sounds great fun. Ring looks very grand and very spooky - lots of polos for Queenie I think

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Thank you There were liket treats in our goody bag so she had lots of those as a reward; she is such a good girly

[AutumnRose]

Fantastic. Sounds like you had sooooo much fun. Really well done and big pats to Queenie!!!

[Tiggy1]

Well done!
I was on the RDA stand and could see the jumping from where we were. It was a tough course and what an opportunity t0o be there!!

[ColouredFan]

Really well done! I can still remember how please I was to get placed there in the PC team jumping and that was nine years ago! Big pats and Polos for Queenie, she looked great!

[monkeybum13]

very well done!!!
the video looks great
how big were the fences??

[BroadfordQueen]

Thank you everyone, I was so pleased with her
Jumps were meant to be 1m but were very full up.
The Old Berkshire won it