We have just got back from a full 7 days at Arena UK Showjumping Festival!
We took 3 horses this time, Heathcliff , Geneva and Luciano.
Geneva and Luciano have only been in my care a matter of weeks so I just took them for the experience and to get to know them. Heath went to hopefully do well and that he did!
We arrived on the Sunday evening , Monday we was up early and I rode all 3 around the clear round. Geneva jumped 2 lovely clears. Luciano jumped round beautifully, making a few mistakes but as he is the least experienced out of the three, I wasn’t expecting to much from him. This was Luciano’s first affiliated show and first stay away show!
Luciano is owned by Karl Matthews who has given me the opportunity to train and compete this gorgeous horse. Karl has been very supportive, watching his boy at the show all week and we have discussed many plans for this talented chap including training with a top instructor and plenty of shows to get him used to going out and enjoying the party! So much to look forward to! Hope he is ready to shine because I know we are!
Tuesday , Heath and Luciano jumped the British Novice. Heath jumped double clear and in a fast time, placing 13th out of 131 entries qualifying for the final.
Luciano warmed up lovely, handled the busy warm up with no problems but unfortunately got stage fright once he went into the ring so we have decided to use this week as opportunity for him to gain experience in such a busy show environment and go home with lots of home work!
Wednesday, Heath and Geneva jumped the Discovery – both had a pole but they jumped well and it was just unfortunate.
Thursday, We jumped another fantastic double clear in the 1.05 placing 24th out of 114 entries! Slower than last time but still got in the top 30 so i was pleased!
Friday , all horses had a day off from jumping and myself and Molly (my groom) schooled and hacked them all instead.
Saturday – bad day today! Heath spooked at a guy in the ring and caused us to get eliminated as he wouldn’t go forward! silly sod! It was a scary man in a bright red coat and he was right next to the fence! It was really windy too!
Sunday – Heath jumped a lovely double clear in the 1.05 and just clipped a pole in the British Novice Grand Prix (final)
So, over all we have had a lovely week. Lots to take home and work on but all horses have been very well behaved and they were a pleasure to have at the show! On the days they were not entered into a class, I enjoyed hacking them around the show and schooling them in the work rings as well as watching some top names in the main arena jumping some technical tracks. Its amazing how much you can learn from watching others!
until next time…
