Look at the black sky as we exercise on trot-up day!
It’s a week after Badminton, and whilst things didn’t quite go to plan, there were a lot of positives that came out for, what was for me, a dreary event. Whilst I had been at Andrew’s, the weather had been nice. Some cold days at first, but whilst at Badminton, I was hit with what this country can offer. After riding the dressage in the pouring rain, I was quite happy with Algebra. We did a fairly consistent test in the circumstances. We did a few small mistakes, partly due to him not wanting to do an extended walk into the rain. I tried to make him stretch more and we trotted, and I could have set him up more for the flying change which was late behind. After doing some of his best work in the warm up, I knew Sam would get tense in the ring which is normal for most TB’s to some extent. My last comment from Andrew was to look up and ride proud and confidently. I actually wasn’t too nervous but I remember thinking, well that’s fine if I could open my eyes. I felt I had to dip my head slightly and squint for the whole test and I felt Sam do the same. I was actually more relieved when finished. Happy enough but I knew the mistakes would not have us on quite the score I wanted, but a sub 50 was still of his best scores to date at this level.
I walked the XC for the first time with the Aussie team, and the general consensus was that was very tough and time would be hard to make. There were no real places where you could gallop properly to a fence and gain a good rhythm. Everything was off a turn, or the one or two fences you could gallop too, you had to turn after. It was certainly an impressive course. I was confident in my horse’s ability, but there was definitely going to be a lot to catch people out.
The going on the Thursday was horribly deep. Thankfully on Friday it didn’t rain, which may have helped the dressage the following day, but it certainly improved the going on the Saturday, which was still quite slippery in areas. Sam is not so used to the deep going, and the fences, whilst you couldn’t get a great rhythm to them, were designed so you had to be bold. To me that is quite contradictory to what I believe a designer wants to achieve. If it had been better weather and maybe the first few fences allowing the horses to get their “go forward button” working, then the outcome might have been a lot different for many. It was relentless with no real let ups and the fact you had to turn right, left and both and on occasions no way to know the landing spot for the horses it was always going to unpredictable.
In saying this, I believed Sam was more than capable of the test. He started OK. The first big ditch at number 3, was a horrible line, down the hill looking into the ditch palisade and with less than 100 meters run up from fence two which you had to weave through the trees too. He didn’t jump it that well, and after hearing Andrew watching other horses later, he said it was scary to watch that fence ride. Onward to 4, a big oxer up a hill on a 90 degree turn. He jumped it really well. 5 ABC the escalator was very big, very tall and whilst it walked a long 3 and very long 4, we easily added the extra stride and Sam made it feel relatively easy.
He jumped the next few fences well enough. He was busting his guts and stretching over the huge oxers, and the massive jump into water but unlike some horses he cleared them well. A tad away from the BC in the first water but still jumped confidently. The next few fences he jumped perfectly. The Owl Hole was always going to be tough to make the two strides for him, but he jumped the first bit better than most horses and chipped a third stride in which I was expecting. Through the second water really well and down to the Vicarage Vee.
On its own it was a tough enough fence but the added B element made it very hard. I knew he would have a go at the fence, but he jumped, saw the sheer size of the ditch on landing and drifted right, and flung me a bit off balance. I initially planned on going a little right then left to line up B, but I lost my right rein slightly, and I really only had a left turn option. I did not consider the option at the time. I just turned as I thinking I was going past my line and to try KICK as they say. The tight line in 6 strides did work for some, but I had lost too much impulsion getting through the turn and the B was too narrow and large and Sam who was already a bit shocked at the size of the first element. He didn’t get an eye on B till too late. In his confusion he did try to jump something and unfortunately it ended up the ditch. If he had been a dishonest horse he would have just stopped outright and I could have taken the option from there and be on our merry way. Wasn’t meant to be and the mistake was costly for us both. It happened very quickly and at the end of the day seeing Sam run off and not appearing seriously injured was more of a relief at the time as the fall seemed to happen in slow motion to me and all I thought was ‘oh shit this could hurt’.
I watched the rest of the competition on the TV screens, where cherry pickers were being blown down with the cameraman on them. The weather was horrendous and horse and rider one after the other having trouble. I don’t mind so much tough courses, but was closing my eyes as horses slipped and slid and I think even just starting and those who finished were Hero’s! We were all Gladiators! Sam Griffiths and Paul Tapner did great rounds and I was very happy for them to finish and being amongst the top placings after the day and fellow WOW rider Paul coming out on top! Wendy had a good run, and whilst Chris and Emma got around with stops, but it was still a huge achievement under the circumstances.
There are so many people at home supporting me whilst I am here and a big thankyou for everyone who has donated money and products so far to help fund my trip including WOW saddles Australia, owners Julia McLean and John Glenn, EA Australia and EANSW, Ben Smith, Karl Steininger(OTT), The Dawkins family, thanks to Carmen te Rahe for organising $1000 club and other auctions, to Mouse Ramsay who won and donated the $1000 back to my cause, Equine Health Science, Equissentials, HOME Hardware Yass, The Roses Cafe, Harden Horse Trials and to my parents, Brad my partner, Caroline Stinson and the list is endless on how many people have put donations and organised events, feeding my horses and just sending well wishes on Facebook.
Now I’m back at Andrew's we are recovering OK. A bit muscle sore but not so bad that a little rest and a few massages isn’t going to help.
So ahead for us now is that we are going to plan B which is to compete at Luhmuhlen in Germany in a few weeks time. We have entered the CIC*** at Weisbaden which is also a big show and exhibition event on the weekend before. Sam is on a short break and enjoying the sunny weather here at Andrew’s.
Being a tourist and feeling tall for once!
Whilst Sam is having a spell, I spent last few days with mum and dad touring the local area and all the wonderful castles, churches and pubs. There is so much history in these local villages. I have been to the amazing Burghley House. What an amazing place and it would be a dream to compete there one day.
I have also seen the new event at Rockingham Castle in the past few weeks. Going the events it’s a great way to see the country side in a “Lorry” as you can see over the high stone walls in the villages and big hedge fences revealing some truly amazing and lovely scenery.
Will report again with our progress in the coming weeks on our preparations for Luhmuhlen.
Cheers
Nat and Algebra
