Fulmart Feeds Blog – 25.06.13
Another month has passed since my last blog and it’s been as
busy as ever.
My Best friend got married last weekend and myself and my
other best friend were her Maids of Honour so it has been very hectic with all
the build up and excitement. It was a wonderful day and great to see so many
old friends, it also marked a year until we get married so the planning has
started in earnest!
I have made time to fit in Alfie and Herbie and they are
both going really well. Following Bishop Burton I had entered Alfie in his (and
my) first novice at Draycott Horse Trials, this would be a big step up for both
of us and a real test of Alfie’s ability. On the day it was a bit humid and the
bugs were out in force so Alfie’s dressage test wasn’t as good as it could have
been (he gets a mid moody and awkward in these conditions!) but he still scored
a very respectable 34.5 so I was really pleased with him. The show jumping was
fairly nice although on undulating ground so took some careful riding, there
were also quite a lot of faults flying around so I was really pleased to just
have one fence down for 4 faults. The final phase was the cross country which I
thought was particularly touch and challenging. There were very few ‘let up’
fences and the questions came thick and fast. Having walked it I decided the
only way it could be ridden was very forward with a lot of positive thinking.
Alfie really did jump out of his skin and I couldn’t have asked for anything
more from him, he jumped a beautiful clear round with just 8 time faults
meaning we ended up 6th. This was way beyond what I expected from my
first novice so I was thrilled to bits and he really proved he has the ability
to jump the bigger fences. He is now entered at Eland Lodge in the BE100 Open
(because we have that elusive first BE point!!) as I want consolidate what he
achieved at Draycott and give him a confident round, he will then go to Buckminster
to do another Novice.
Whilst Alfie has been excelling himself, Herbie has also
been working really nicely and mum has had some great results on him in the
dressage. His jumping is coming on in leaps and bounds (quite literally!) so he
is entered to do his second BE90 this weekend at Eland Lodge. I took him cross
country schooling last night and he was fab, he jumped quite a few of the more
complicated fences and showed real maturity. I’ve also entered him for the 5
year old Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier at Ryedale show in late July;
I’ve never done one of these before so I’m really excited to give it a go with
him.
Things are really busy at the moment but it’s so worthwhile
when both horses are going so well...long may it continue!
‘Team Cawood’