It was quite a mixed month. Having qualified for the Amateur and Blue Chip Championships early on, my plans went out of the window. So I spent the best part of October working extra hours including weekend night shifts, which isn't the best thing that can happen if your trying to keep a horse fit. We are still looking around trying to relocate as my partner's work commitments means we have to move, but at least we will stay put until after Christmas. So a busy time outside of competing.
I took Charlie off to Addington on the 7th November. Not our best day. He was rather lively and fresh as he didn't go anywhere for a few weeks, he decided he knew better and while showing off, missed the fact that there were fences. So had a few stops in the Discovery and 1.10m Open.
As we were booked in to go to the Amateur Championships on the 26th November, I thought I'd better take him jumping again after the awful day at Addington. I took the 18th off work and went down to the Hand. A much better day resulting in an 8th place in the Discovery and our 3rd double clear and another double clear in the 1.05m Open.
Next stop the Amateurs. Set off the day before the show and got to Aintree in quite good time taking me about 4 1/2 hours. The first day went quite well with a clear in the warm up class, and a stop at the water tray in the 1m qualifier after a bit of a pile up in the practice ring. Day 2 wasn't our day. I think the pile up on the first day had shaken Charlie up a bit and again we had a disagreement at the water tray. So we came home a day early not having made it to the final, but it was a great experience and as he doesn't stay over at shows very often, it did Charlie good to get used to the atmosphere. Before we left we had a great time using the gallops next to the race course.
So getting all the thermals out now ready for the frosts and trying to fit in Christmas shopping. Oh and I need to find time to make and practice over a water tray. Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year.
