November Blog
Last time I wrote we had just 2 events to go and I am pleased to say that both horses have completed the season safe and sound. Our performance for the year is important although at the top of my list of priorities is having fit and healthy horses.
Following Allerton Park in September, both horses were entered at Bishop Burton (BB), Herbie to do another BE 100 and Alfie to do his third Novice. I wouldn't say it was particularly Herbie’s day, he was quite naughty in the dressage (not helped by me learning the wrong test!), he then had 2 silly poles down in the showjumping but redeemed himself by going clear cross country. Not a bad day but not the best!
In terms of Alfie, he did an average dressage (I had focused a lot on his jumping in the lead up to BB) but then went on to jump a foot perfect clear round the showjumping. The course was quite strong and I felt Alfie tried his little heart out for me. Prior to BB, Alfie had done 2 novices but this was by far the biggest and most demanding cross country track I had seen. I walked it on the Friday afternoon which was a bit of a mistake as I had all night to think about all of the challenges on the course, especially the giant carrot box at fence 7! Alfie totally excelled himself though and stormed round clear, I felt such a difference in his confidence levels and he seemed to show that he is more than ready to take on such tracks. To get a double clear in a strong Novice at the end of the season was lovely (I have to admit to a few tears at the end of the cross country as I was just so proud of him!)
Whilst Alfie was now firmly on his (well deserved) holidays, Herbie still had Askham Bryan Horse Trials to contend before he could have a rest. During the week in between Bishop Burton and Askham Bryan, I had really gone back to basics on the dressage and was determined to finish on a good note in this phase as he is just so capable - I was therefore thrilled to score 27 and be lying 2nd going into the showjumping. I’m never one for making excuses but the showjumping was proving tough with wet conditions on undulating ground so I wasn't too disappointed with 2 fences down. He then went on to jump clear cross country inside the time leaving him in 6th place. This was his second top 10 finish of the season and I was more than happy with him. Overall he needs to strengthen up a lot and needs work on his showjumping but I feel all of the ingredients are there and I’m certainly excited about next year!
I’m quite critical of our performance each year and like to analyse whether we have achieved our goals or not - on the whole I think we have. Alfie performed really well in the Badminton Grassroots Championships back in May (finishing 11th), he has then gone on to have 5 top 10 finishes throughout the season and to accumulate 2 BE points. He has also qualified for CIC1* and has gone some way towards his CCI1* qualification. I am therefore aiming to take him to Chatsworth in May next year which would be really exciting.
Herbie has come on a lot when I think back to this time last year when he was a gangly 4 year old who had never seen dressage markers let alone a cross country course! He has had 2 top ten finishes and has qualified for the Badminton Grassroots Championship Regional Finals in the BE100 section. Not a bad first season!
It’s now time to batten down the hatches for a few months and get my head around planning an event packed season as well as a wedding mid way through!
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Fulmart Feeds for their very kind support throughout 2013; it really has made a true difference.
For updates throughout winter please follow us on Twitter (@lucindacawood)
In the meantime, have a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Best wishes,
‘Team Cawood’
