18/02/2010 – Riding Belvedere
How exciting. I rode Belvedere for the first time in quite a while yesterday! He has been at Tor's for his re-training, and wow what a good job she has done with him! He is so much more relaxed, chilled and soft to ride. I only rode him for 5/10 mins or so on Wednesday because we are introducing me to him gradually! It was very strange though, he feels so so different, in a good way of course. But it has made me realise that I am probably not going to be eventing him in March/April because he is still very fragile and it isn't going to be a quick process. I also rode him today (in the snow) and rode him for about 10 minutes again, but I was approved to canter him this time! Tor was very pleased with how we went and said that I looked much more relaxed and confident today. I suppose that is because I knew what to expect! Here is a video from Wednesday, Unfortunately I have no video from today as my Gran drove me over to Tor’s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1ydPwhE60
19/02/2010 – Good news!!
***Supplejack passed the vet!!!***
It was all very touch and go to begin with because on Thursday it snowed here and at Aston Le Walls! It then proceeded to freeze overnight! However, luckily the sun came out and the vetting was able to take place and we were able to go over to fetch him later in the day. The vet picked up on a couple of things, but nothing major and nothing to worry about. So all very exciting! Poor Emma was very sad to see him go, but she needn't worry as he will be spoilt rotten! He settled into Belvedere's stable very well (surprisingly well actually considering he can be a bit of a worrier) and has been very affectionate and friendly! Me and mum managed to scrape together a bridle out of various bits and bobs this evening and so will give him a ride around the field (in the snow) tomorrow!
28/02/2010 – "Jack jumps, joyously, jammily and judiciously" - BSJA report!
Well, yesterday we set off to do some BSJA on Ross and Jack at Allens Hill. I had Ross in the 1.00m Amateur qualifier, which was run as a single phase and was an incredibly long course!! He was jumping brilliantly in the warm up but kept on trying to nap out of the arena. So I was concerned that he might throw in the towel when we went into the ring. However we managed to get a double clear! (Even if he did plant himself in front of the double and then nap coming around to a spread by the entrance/exit!)
Next up was Jack; he was in the discovery (1.00m first round). Unfortunately his jumping bit hadn't arrived in the post and so he was just in a snaffle, consequently he was quite strong and so we did have a pole down. But he jumped really well and considering it was my first course with him and I have only had him a week it wasn't too shabby! Although we had a pole down, the judges missed it and so we got into the jump off - It didn't affect the results as we were on a ticket so our score didn't count anyway! The jump off was a full up discovery JO - Up two holes, so set at around 1m10. This time I took my spurs off and jack wasn’t quite so fresh and we had a really super round. Nice rhythm and hit everything on nice strides! We got a super little clear, one of only two in the jump off. So we would have been second if I was registered BSJA.
Video of Jacks rounds - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FT2L9__1jE
All in all a very good day, and very promising for our event season! I can’t wait to enter Weston Novice now! If you can't wait for the next blog check out www.katherinebegley.com to keep up to date with what is happening.
