2010

So far this season I haven't been able to get out and compete my horses much, due to work and exams. Now I have finished uni for the year I am back and busy with the horses again which I love! My brother has taken over the ride of Faible whilst I have been away but I will be competing him dressage again this summer so still hoping to get him qualified for the regionals!!

Zach has competed in his British Novice second rounds; it was on the hottest day of the year so far which was 33 degrees!! So I was concerned not to push him too hard in the first round to save his energy. The first round was 1.05, which was surprising as this is much bigger than the British novice which you qualify in, however this proved no problem to Zach jumping double clear in this round. He is jumping much better now; he is much fitter and stronger which is enabling him to keep his own balance round the course, whilst maintaining a more forward rhythm. Always working on his flatwork has improved his suppleness and I have been working hard at his flying changes which are now great, the changes make the round much smoother for both of us!

24 went through to the next round, proving how tough the first course was as there were about 100 competing in the class. The second course went up to 1.15!! This was the biggest course I have jumped on Zach yet so I was quite nervous. However the height was no issue to Zach as his legs are on springs!! Once again he jumped a great round but was so unlucky to have the back bar of the very last spread down!! Only 6 jumped clear in this round so I was thrilled with the way Zach jumped, as I wasn't expecting the course to be as meaty as it was but he really did knuckle down and jump his heart out.

Zach's first ODE at Aston-le-walls

After Zach performing so well in all his showjumping and dressage I decided to give him a go at eventing!! I entered into the intro as Aston-le-walls.

It was a very early start getting up at half 5 due to early dressage times!! Zach wasn't all that pleased to be woken up from his sleep early!!

Warming up for his dressage he was quite excited, but as soon as he got in the ring he knew his job and relaxed straight away. His test wasn't the best he was done, but I think I was being very picky as he got 34! For his first test on grass I was really pleased with how he went. The lowest test score in my section was 31 so he was in 3rd place after the dressage. He jumped a lovely clear showjumping having no troubles with the course. So on to the cross country...He was a little unsure over the first few fences, giving them plenty of air and keeping a steady canter in between. I wasn't too bothered about this, as I was pleased he was being honest, still taking me to the fences and taking care of his legs at the same time!! I jumped Zach in Equilibrium's Tri-Zone Allsports boots, I found them to be really light weight but so tough and very supportive so great for him. However after these he really upped the pace and started to feel like a real eventer although very strong at times! I was thrilled with how Zach coped with the cross country he was still being his careful self not touching anything, but he really opened up and loved it. He proved to be very fit as when we got back to the trailer after walking him back he had already stopped his heavy breathing and was hardly sweating!!

For his first one day event I was so happy with how he dealt with everything, although he was a little confused being tacked up 3 times!! I wasn't overly concerned about where we came in the overall result. We picked up a few time faults over the cross country which ended up putting us into 12th place. But I couldn't have asked anymore from him, I was delighted, he had certainly earned his dinner!

ODE at Tweseledown, Pre-novice

I entered the pre-novice at Tweseledown following Aston.

Once again it was an early start due to early dressage times. Zach was very strong warming up for his dressage test!! I used the Equilibrium Therapy massage pad before I rode him and I think it really helped him to relax over his back. He did a great dressage test; he was able to keep his own balance on the grass much better this week. This showed in his result getting 24!! I couldn't believe it; this was the lowest score of the day over both pre-novice sections. The showjumping course was proving to be quite difficult to many of the competitors, most having poles. The showjumping arena was quite big and it allowed the horses to get to long and flat to keep the poles up on the related distances and doubles. Zach kept all the poles up, jumping a great round, so we were still in first place going to the cross country!

The cross country was very meaty, asking a lot more questions from him then at Aston. There were some technical doubles and more combinations, and all the fences were much bigger and bolder, I was quite nervous taking him into this course only doing one cross country on him before as I knew I was asking a lot from him. However he rose to the occasion, starting how he finished at Aston. He opened up from the word go, he kept a great rhythm and was not strong this time. He jumped everything as bold as anything still careful not to touch anything, I couldn't have asked anymore from him, he gave me an amazing feel round the course, and was really taking a shine to the eventing scene now!!

Waiting for the scores to come out took a long time and was making me feel nervous! I think I was unlucky to pick up a few time faults cross country which just pushed me down to second place by 1 mark! Still a great result for his first pre-novice!!

After him doing so well in this I am aiming not to qualify him for the Tri-Zone eventers challenge at Blenheim.