and we survived and in fact I think we both had a fantastic time team chasing
The day started in a very busy way as we had the saddler out for the liveries horses and he also checked my saddle as he had reflocked it last time he was here. I'm easily distracted and so found time rushing away and I wanted to wash Hattie's mane and tail before we went (she had to look nice even if we couldn't jump anything) That done it was suddenly time to put the travelling gear on and go across the road to my neighbour who I was going with to the event (she took her beautiful 16.3 showjumper)
Hattie loaded and travelled well and both horses were very chilled while we tacked up. Once on Hattie was unusually bouncy but fine. She wanted to stay with my friend's horse and called to her when they parted but did nothing wrong. Soon the whole team were ready and we had our tack checked and were ready for the off. Just before starting we found out that the very small jumps were included which was a huge relief to me and actually gave me the courage to have a go at the larger ones. The first field of jumps flew by and we all shouted out clear instructions as to which jump we were heading for (although I may have got one wrong).
Over the wall and into the woods, across a sunken road which I barely had time to notice and along the track. here we slowed to a trot to catch our breath, a sensible thing to do and we weren't worried about winning to the bogey time which was quite slow at 405 m per minute. The next part I had worried about all night as I didn't want to do the steps (which a friend fell off at the other week) fast so I opted for a 2 ' log on the downhill slope with a small drop the other side, as I approach the others called clear and started to canter off to the left and Hattie ran sideways to join them, I yelled not clear and to wait, the last one did so which gave me time to man up and point hattie at the log which she popped perfectly and I remembered to sit up and as Lucinda Green would have said "balls to the fore!"
Off over a very solid square looking jump slightly uphill which I had to push on for and then another further up the slope which was hard work. At this point my neighbour yelled that her horse was unhappy behind me so I was happy to go at the back. Out of the wood we cantered down hill to the water trough jump, then blue barrels and then off across a jump into the dark woods. All good and now flying Through the woods over a large log which is open at one end and minimus at the other and then out again and across the water section. Again the group slowed and I had to ask for them to push on as Hattie needed momentum to get out the water and over the tyres.
Back out into the open and an uphill strong canter over a chair and then it was the first dressing jump. We regrouped nicely and flew over the jump together and pushed on up the hill with a load woohooooo!!
Up the long track and by the woods and then back into the open at the top of the hill sloping down to the finish - just 4 jumps to go. Downhill one no problem and over the next ok, we were still calling out to each other instruction, a quick regroup again and on to the last dressing jump which they flew and then over the last hedges and then in theory across the finish line, but we missed it and had to turn right and go back
Fantastic fun!!! and I really think the large glass of sloe gin at the start helped
Hattie says tired now...
[/quote]
The day started in a very busy way as we had the saddler out for the liveries horses and he also checked my saddle as he had reflocked it last time he was here. I'm easily distracted and so found time rushing away and I wanted to wash Hattie's mane and tail before we went (she had to look nice even if we couldn't jump anything) That done it was suddenly time to put the travelling gear on and go across the road to my neighbour who I was going with to the event (she took her beautiful 16.3 showjumper)
Hattie loaded and travelled well and both horses were very chilled while we tacked up. Once on Hattie was unusually bouncy but fine. She wanted to stay with my friend's horse and called to her when they parted but did nothing wrong. Soon the whole team were ready and we had our tack checked and were ready for the off. Just before starting we found out that the very small jumps were included which was a huge relief to me and actually gave me the courage to have a go at the larger ones. The first field of jumps flew by and we all shouted out clear instructions as to which jump we were heading for (although I may have got one wrong).
Over the wall and into the woods, across a sunken road which I barely had time to notice and along the track. here we slowed to a trot to catch our breath, a sensible thing to do and we weren't worried about winning to the bogey time which was quite slow at 405 m per minute. The next part I had worried about all night as I didn't want to do the steps (which a friend fell off at the other week) fast so I opted for a 2 ' log on the downhill slope with a small drop the other side, as I approach the others called clear and started to canter off to the left and Hattie ran sideways to join them, I yelled not clear and to wait, the last one did so which gave me time to man up and point hattie at the log which she popped perfectly and I remembered to sit up and as Lucinda Green would have said "balls to the fore!"
Off over a very solid square looking jump slightly uphill which I had to push on for and then another further up the slope which was hard work. At this point my neighbour yelled that her horse was unhappy behind me so I was happy to go at the back. Out of the wood we cantered down hill to the water trough jump, then blue barrels and then off across a jump into the dark woods. All good and now flying Through the woods over a large log which is open at one end and minimus at the other and then out again and across the water section. Again the group slowed and I had to ask for them to push on as Hattie needed momentum to get out the water and over the tyres.
Back out into the open and an uphill strong canter over a chair and then it was the first dressing jump. We regrouped nicely and flew over the jump together and pushed on up the hill with a load woohooooo!!
Up the long track and by the woods and then back into the open at the top of the hill sloping down to the finish - just 4 jumps to go. Downhill one no problem and over the next ok, we were still calling out to each other instruction, a quick regroup again and on to the last dressing jump which they flew and then over the last hedges and then in theory across the finish line, but we missed it and had to turn right and go back
Fantastic fun!!! and I really think the large glass of sloe gin at the start helped
Hattie says tired now...
[/quote]