There were some who thought that we were jumping in at the deep end by doing a CIC* as our second event, in reality, although it is 'international', it is actually only an expensive novice/intermediate novice so I too wasn't fussed by it. And indeed, I think we showed them that we were perfectly able/capable to do it!

We arrived early on Friday for our dressage, as soon as I got there I schooled him round for a bit and then brought him back to the lorry so that he could chill out and relax whilst I got myself ready. He warmed up fairly well, but it's not the warm up that matters, it's what happens in the arena - and that is when he gets tense! So I was busy concentrating on what Tor had told me in our lesson last week - longer neck and keep the rhythm around the corners and circles. The test was very pleasant and definitely an improvement on Withington. Although because I was concentrating on keeping him relaxed we lacked energy and activity. But I think it is going in the right direction! In the end we scored 58.1 (FEI score) which equates to about 38.7 in BE scoring. So not too shabby but plenty to work on!

The rest of the day was very relaxing because the SJ and XC was the following day. So I walked the course twice, once with mum and once with my friend and her trainer, which was interesting and useful. I also had a nice chat with the lovely Wendy who makes KanTeq body protectors, and met up with Matt and Emma from ELHEventing (Jacks previous owners/riders!) In the evening Hambleden had kindly organised a little drinks gathering for CIC* riders so we had some wine and nibbles and I also had a little chat with the organiser!

Onto the Jumping day! Jack warmed up really well for the show jumping and we went into the arena feeling positive in a really forwards canter. Nice shot at the first, but then he had rather a large look/spook at it, nevertheless we cleared it! Brilliant over 2 and 3, a little close to 4 but no issues. He jumped the two stride double at 5a&b really nicely and then it was a long 4 strides to an upright. I saw a lovely forwards four stride distance, but unfortunately Jack found this fence spooky too and wanted another look so backed off and added a stride and we had it down. Moved on and jumped the oxer to triple bar really nicely and then foot perfect through the final treble. So finished on 4 faults. Not terrible, but I was quite gutted with that as a clear would have been so easy for us! 
Photos below kindly taken by my friend Izzy Hocking (click to enlarge)

Finally, Cross country time! Flew over 1, 2 and 3 beautifully. Popped through the double of skinny brushes on a curve at 4ab without problem and then kicked on through the woods over the big ditch log. After that he took hold a bit so instead of kicking on I was riding rather backwards trying to get him listening to me. Nevertheless he flew up the big ditch step onto a rounded bank at 6 and popped off it very sweetly. Unfortunately I made a bit of a striding error at the skinny log just before the pond at 7 and we had a very sticky jump and I jumped the next fence minus my left stirrup. Opps! Anyway, off into the woods and popped a simple fence at 9 fine, then it was 3 big steep steps down. He took them very slowly and carefully bless him - I thought we may never reach the bottom! Then it was two bounce steps up out of the hollow and then 2 long/3 short strides to a skinny. He popped through that really well on a nice bouncy 3 strides. Kicked on over a corner and through an owl hole and then it was the water - small angled log, right hand curve to a small log with big drop into the water and then left hand curve out over a skinny. He dropped very slowly into the water but no problems. Popped the spooky cartridge box at 16 well and galloped on round to some Helsinki steps which we did without breaking stride. Then I had to spend rather a long time setting up for a skinny log on a turn before the final combination - a coffin. That was all fine and then jumped the last full of running despite it being quite a long course (optimum time - 5:58). Unfortunately due to the fact that he was rather strong and it was a twisty course we racked up 12.8 time penalties!

Video of the SJ & XC -

All in all not bad for our 2nd event together! A reasonable dressage mark, 4 faults SJ and clear XC. However I was aiming for a reasonably quick double clear so I am a little disappointed, but Jack was fabulous as ever! So onwards and upwards to Aston Le Walls OIU21 on Friday!