Glorious Gatcombe - Buster and Song!

[MillbrookSong]

Was a bit of a first for me today - having both horses competing at a proper place together!!

First up was Buster in the BYEH. Got there a bit late so only 45 mins to go - quickly studded up, tacked up and got on. Warm up arena was tiny more like just a SJ warm up so dressage on an ticking time bomb was not happening so i jumped him for a while and then the settled (got tired!) Did some sweet work before our time but i was having numptyness and could see a stride if it hit me in the face but hey ho!!

Went in to the dressage - Hen Knight was judging - and did a nice test not as forward as Barbury but didn't do any flying changes! Went in to the jumping this time knowing i had more time so trotted past a few fences (including the 1st - the same first fence as they had at Stafford - no report from there as we still hang out heads in shame and pretend we really are a flat pony and dont like mud one bit!!) Went in to the first a bit tentatively so he looked i kicked and we had it down jumped the next few well, Thought there were bogey men under the 1st part of the double but got 2 good strides in just to tip the rail on the way out and jumped the last few well as well!

On to Confo - we got 7 at Barbury so was hoping for more today! Again took our time untacking and didn't rush as mush as B. Today we only had to walk away and trot back - that my brain can understand - pity Busters didn't and we did some lovely canter making me run very fast up hill on slippy ground with leather boots!! Not to amused but did some good trot when i caught up!!

Another very interesting point was (not overly sure its right!) was that Buster was the only TB competing in the 4yo class! They did thou do a lovely piece when i was jumping how good ex racers can be as eventers!

So the marks - got 23/35 for dressage, 32/40 for jumping and 10/15 for confo! Think they were being a little generous with the jumping marks as one horse got 40 and another with 2 stops got in to the 30s! We finished in the end about 19th out of 42! Wanted to be in the top 1/2 so very pleased!











And then Song! Some of you may have seen on FB that hes back in work and today was our first competing since Gatcombe (2) last year after damaging a tendon. Hes had a few lessons and done a few CR so today we were still lacking practise jumping bigger courses.

First round of PC jumping is to be no bigger than 3ft 4 and i think it was more up to height than it has been before. I usually go first in the team so off me and song went to have 3 down - most unlucky but hes not the best SJer and with less match practise than i would have liked i was pleased. The rest of out team had 2 down, 1 down and Clear so we went through to the 2nd round on 12 and in 11th place.

Both the boys were very good as we waited and either fell asleep or ate grass - they both say there starved at home!!

Few hours later we were on again for the 2nd round - not sure how big it was but big enough when one of the team has only had there pony 2 months and it was her 1st year doing it! Song warmed up well but i always have his leg in the back of my mind and when he stopped my heart sank - but came round again and saw a good stride so was . Went in the course was twisty so we had No 2 down as i was trying to angle it but song was still turning and then had 2 more down so, again finished on 12! He got me out of some shocking strides so i think hes back as towards the end of last year he would have done this for me, he would have stopped!!

Rest of the team had a few down so after 2 rounds we finished on 40 - not bad for us!!

Onwards and upwards now to the Novice at Pontispool and i cant wait!!

Sorry its turned it to a bit of an essay - Bubbles and Lemon cake it you got this far!! Pictures of song will be added when face book uploads them!!

[fingers_crossed]

Glad to hear you had a good day, buster looks like a yummy little beast!

[Baydale]

Well done with Buster, I bet you were in really good company too so that's a great result. I'll come and find you at Hartpury next week.

That's fab that Song is back in circulation too, and sounds like you'll be back on form at Pontispool.

[TableDancer]

Very well done on both! You know I love Buster, get him checking out those planks VERY carefully And just fab news to hear that Song is out and about The report back from our PC team is that it was very up to height, more so than previously, we only got 3 round the first round and 2 (one with 24 faults ) round the second

[MillbrookSong]

Oh yes they were monster eating planks!! It was the most up to height i had seen it and i think its my 4th year! Last year the 1st round must have only been about 90cm!

Yes will see you at Hartpury - hopefully with a bit better weather!!

[teapot]

Well done with Buster the little dude and fantastic news about Song