I cannot believe that we are already at the end of June, this year is flying by!
With the Gold Semi Finals fast approaching it was time to do some much needed test practice with both horses. It was great to be able to get out the boards and then to ride through the individual test on both horses, really focusing on my accuracy and the boys way of going and trying to keep them as consistent as possible.
We headed off to the Para Gold Semi Finals being held at Wellington as part of the Premier League. I was feeling confident as both boys had been going really well at home. We took two separate teams with the horses as we thought this would be best to keep them completely separate and stop the separation anxiety occurring.
When people tell me I won’t be able to do something I like to prove them wrong. When I was sat in a hospital bed just over 3 weeks ago and the Physio said to me you need to take it easy and have sometime out of the saddle and no way will you be able to compete on the 7th. I did everything in my power to make sure that I would be able to compete; mission accomplished!!
Sky was an absolute superstar and I couldn’t off asked anymore of him on the day I am so proud of him. We decided to play it safe and ride a test that was very accurate and rhythmical, rather than trying to ride the massive walk and making mistakes as I wasn’t quite up to keeping it the whole way around the test. It’s one of the best tests I have ridden to date I couldn’t believe how accurate I was, hard work really does pay off. I am delighted to say that we came 2nd with 70% (just over 2% behind the winner). Considering everything I think that’s a pretty good achievement and I am thrilled with the result.
Mr Bear was a true dude and did really well considering that it was only his 3rd national championships! We just need more ring experience and to keep growing in confidence and before long our marks will be on the rise. Everyone commented on how well Bear was going which is great and shows that all our hard work is starting to pay off.
I am so thankful to everyone that has supported me. My team did everything possible to allow me to compete yesterday and I am so grateful. Thank you to Wellington and all the stewards it was a really well run competition and it was great to be in with the Premier League, the atmosphere was fantastic. Big thank you to our class sponsor Equissage Pulse UK.
As I came 2nd at the Para Gold Semi Finals Sky I have qualified for the British Dressage Nationals at Stoneleigh in September.
I have been given the all clear to drive again which is great news and means that I have my independence back.
We decided to take Bear out last minute to get some winter qualifier points. He was a superstar and came 1st with 68%+ with the judges comment lots more marks to come! I am definitely so much more confident and am starting to get the hang of Bears big but condensed walk. It’s the first time we tried it out in competition and managed to ride on the shorter loops. So very pleased with todays results especially as my body decided to meltdown half way through my test! I just about finished still on the horse, oops!!
I have been doing even more test practice with Rob in preparation for Hartpury. Rob has been the judge at C and then mum and dad have been the judge from the side. This has been really useful and given us a chance to see what the C judge might miss but what the judge on the side might pick up. Our hard work seems to be paying off as my accuracy is definitely improving and I am really riding all the test movements, after all we are going for perfection!! Sky always knows when to up his game and I am delighted to say I think we have cracked his big walk, exciting times.
I have had to lots of exciting news this month I have been selected to represent GB at Hartpury 3* International with Sky and Bishop Burton 3* International with Bear.
We decided that we would take the horses to two different internationals this year which will hopefully be easier. There is no way that I could ride both at the same International. It will be the first time that we take Bear to his first major party on his own so hopefully I will have more energy and be able to show him at his best!
So next month looks to be very busy with two internationals and squad training in between. I am looking forward to updating you all on how I and Sky get on at Hartpury we head off next week.