All the practice and training throughout the winter is now being put to good use now the season has begun. Two weeks ago the team and I travelled to Aston-Le-Walls in Oxfordshire with Sue (Bunn) at the helm of the horsebox and Elvis (Brighton Rock II) on board along with travelling companion Sam for the BE100. Although we left in plenty of time we found out that in fact the journey took longer than we had originally anticipated. This little hiccup meant there was no time to walk the cross country before hand but instead jump straight onto Elvis and head down to the dressage warm up. He warmed up nicely (even though the warm up was so small it meant a 17hh horse could just about manage a 10m circle) and then he started his test. Well first of all apart from it being the first event and Elvis being totally over excited about the whole thing and spooking at the judges box (terrifying obviously) he did do a nice test. It was a shame the judge didn't agree. Moving onto the jumping phases and Elvis went on to jump a lovely double clear so this was a good start to the season as I have been working on his show jumping a lot over the winter at home, making sure he doesn't rush to his fences or after the fence.
Last week was been very busy for the M.J Eventing team. Sue's two youngsters Miranda (4YO) and June (3YO) came back into work and by Thursday I was back on top of them again walking and trotting around on the lunge. On Wednesday we took Sam, Twiggy and Skip cross country schooling at Coombelands and they all jumped very well. Sam was a lot more confident for his second time and was flying round. This was my first time taking Skip cross country and she was awesome. She is such a bold mare and has an enormous jump. I told Bridget (Lyne) I might need a parachute when I go eventing! Ellie (Brown) rode Twiggy in preparation for her first event at Munstead at the end of the month.
On Friday Sue, Mum, Nigel and I made the long awaited trip to Tweseldown for Elvis' first Novice and he definitely did not disappoint! After walking the course I was very pleased to realise that the jumps we had been building at home in the school were very similar to the questions being asked in both jumping phases. We are very lucky to have a school big enough to have a whole course of show jumps out. I am convinced Ellie and Mum are physic. Skinnies, 90 degree turns and angles; check.
Once again he warmed up well and stayed relaxed. He was a lot more settled this time than his first outing much to my relief. His dressage test was good and he is improving every time out as he did not put a foot wrong. He was rewarded with 36.5 penalties which was average in his section so we were all very pleased. I was delighted with his show jumping and kicking myself at the same time. He was jumping a beautiful round until I messed up the second to last fence so we came away with 4 faults. Still a vast improvement on his behalf and I am really enjoying jumping him now we have a great partnership. Cross country; all I can say is that he was totally awesome and I came through the finish with the biggest smile on my face (and not being able to stop!) He was very bold and nothing was going to stop him jumping that day so I had a brilliant ride. In the end we finished up 13th which is a huge achievement for Elvis in his first Novice. I am very thankful to my sponsor Nigel Goddard from KSDigital Photography coming to support me and taking some lovely photos which can be viewed on my facebook page. At Tweseldown I was wearing my new Dada Sport Myrtille jacket from Arka Equipe which has been beautifully embroidered for me and I absolutely love it. Couldn't recommend a more stylish or comfortable jacket. It is made from modern fabrics in a classic design so is practical and elegant.
Tweseldown Novice