Purston was my first proper event with George and having owned him for only a week I wasn't expecting any miracles but just wanted a good day. It didn't go quite to plan but it's all there I just haven't quite learnt how to harness it just yet.
His trot work in the dressage was very nice, a couple of resisting moments but they were very minor. His leg yields were both good as was his medium trot. The canter work wasn't so good as I haven't quite grasped the knack of containing him in this pace in the arena. I had been aiming for a mark in the 30's but thought we would probably get a 40/low 40's. I was very shocked to find out we got a 47...! We all felt this was unduly harsh and that the marking had a lot to be desired, it was all very strange.
Onwards and upwards to the Show Jumping , the course was causing a fair amount of problems and I was feeling very nervous for some reason. He warmed up well and in we went. Jumped one, two and three really well. Then came round to four and we saw a very positive stride in and then he tanked off with my rather and we jumped the following double and upright at break neck speed. Consequently he had the second part of the upright down behind. I reorganised the canter and came round to the big plank parallel, we met this in a good rhythm and on a good stride but unfortunately George hit that behind as well and then tanked off again and had the next upright down behind too. We then jumped through the treble combination and last upright clear. So a disappointing three down, however it was a very fluid round and much improved on Salperton. I just need to find a happy medium between too much and too little canter. I think I will try Show Jumping him in the Neue Schule universal gag.
Finally the XC! I was a little bit concerned about my brakes after the SJ and considered putting the gag in for XC but then realised I didn't bring it so that wasn't an option! I was again quite nervous seeing as this was my first proper XC on him but needn't have been. He gave me a fab ride and the brakes weren't too bad. I don't think we had any dodgy moments and he jumped through all the combinations in foot perfect style to finish four seconds inside the time!
His trot work in the dressage was very nice, a couple of resisting moments but they were very minor. His leg yields were both good as was his medium trot. The canter work wasn't so good as I haven't quite grasped the knack of containing him in this pace in the arena. I had been aiming for a mark in the 30's but thought we would probably get a 40/low 40's. I was very shocked to find out we got a 47...! We all felt this was unduly harsh and that the marking had a lot to be desired, it was all very strange.
Onwards and upwards to the Show Jumping , the course was causing a fair amount of problems and I was feeling very nervous for some reason. He warmed up well and in we went. Jumped one, two and three really well. Then came round to four and we saw a very positive stride in and then he tanked off with my rather and we jumped the following double and upright at break neck speed. Consequently he had the second part of the upright down behind. I reorganised the canter and came round to the big plank parallel, we met this in a good rhythm and on a good stride but unfortunately George hit that behind as well and then tanked off again and had the next upright down behind too. We then jumped through the treble combination and last upright clear. So a disappointing three down, however it was a very fluid round and much improved on Salperton. I just need to find a happy medium between too much and too little canter. I think I will try Show Jumping him in the Neue Schule universal gag.
Finally the XC! I was a little bit concerned about my brakes after the SJ and considered putting the gag in for XC but then realised I didn't bring it so that wasn't an option! I was again quite nervous seeing as this was my first proper XC on him but needn't have been. He gave me a fab ride and the brakes weren't too bad. I don't think we had any dodgy moments and he jumped through all the combinations in foot perfect style to finish four seconds inside the time!
So all in all a bit disappointing but we are still getting to know each other and he really is a very talented little horse and I know we can do it! Practise makes perfect and all that! I am going to go Show Jumping at Summerhouse on Sunday to do the 1m10 and 1m15 and play around with bits etc.
