Well seeing as I have just entered Jack for the OIU21 at Aston Le Walls I thought I had better get some bigger SJ practise in seeing as I have never competed at that level before! So we took him to Allens Hill yesterday to do the 1m15 open.

We got there quite early so hung around watching the newcomers until it was time to go. I walked the course and it was a nice but up to height course with quite a few set at 1m20 and three or four at 1m25. In the warm up I was very much concentrating on having a big energized canter (what I was working on at Tor's) and I think we managed to keep it up in the ring. He did a superb little clear, just getting deep to an oxer when he had a bit of a spook! Other than that we hit everything pretty much spot on and he just pinged! He is such a springy little pony!
(Click to enlarge)

We then decided to enter the Foxhunter which was basically up one hole. I walked the course and some of it was 1m20, some 1m25 and three or four set at 1m30. Nice and big then basically! Set off really well over one, two and three but unfortunately he was disunited round to a one stride double at four and I didn't sort him out quick enough. We ended up right underneath the upright in, had that down and almost fell over, but amazingly Jack sorted himself out and managed to jump out clear! Picked up the reins and flew a 1m30 upright, came round to an oxer - again ended up dissunited but jumped it brilliantly. Went down the next line really well and then round to number 9. I came round the corner had no stride and fired him instead of waiting, consequently we had it down and then bowled on to the last double with Jack being rather exuberant! So I was a bit gutted with how I rode it because I messed it up for Jack in a number of places and in reality I should be going clear at this height with him. But hey ho he jumped brilliantly and I was really pleased with the 1m15. I think I was just a bit more nervous for the Foxhunter!