Today we had a slight change of plan, as we were supposed to be going to Bold Heath to jump the British Novice and Discovery. For one reason or another, we re-routed to our local venue, South View, to jump the Discovery.
We arrived at 8.45am, to find we were the only ones there! Mum panicked and thought it had been cancelled!! I told her not to worry as Showjumpers are normally late! We soon realised it was still on and I went to walk the course, which was a Two Phase. It was quite a technical course having lots of related distances, tight lines and a treble combination. I thought it may be quite challenging for us as I havent jumped a Discovery for a while.
We went to get Lucy, as I warmed her up it began to get busier. I didn't need to warm her up for long as she was listening from the word go today, yesterdays lesson must have done her some good. I did a bit of trot work before moving to canter, getting her going off my leg and lengthening and shortening her stride. I then jumped the small cross pole a couple of times, an upright and a couple of oxers, finishing with a bigger, square oxer. She was jumping well, listening to me and going nice and forward so I decided to go in.
Fences 1 - 8 was the first phase, with the fences at 1m. She jumped the first section brilliantly, especially through the combination which I was very pleased about. We were clear in the first phase so moved straight onto the jump off, which was fences 9 - 14 with the fences at 1.10m.
She had fence 9 down, which I blame myself for as I let her run on a little so she got a bit long and flat, and I think it took her by surprise that the fence was bigger. Onto 10 and 11, too airy uprights on a three stride line on an angle, I felt her slightly hesitate at ten so I rode her strongly, and she hit fence 11, for another fence down. Then round to a big double, quite tight off the corner, which she jumped beautifully. I got her a bit deep to fence 13 but she really tried for me, and onto the final fence, I couldn't see a stride (which would of panicked me in the past and I am working hard to not worry and fiddle and to just keep riding forwards and positively), but I kept my leg on, and thought Lucy would add an extra stride, but she didn't, she took off a bit early, but jumped it clear.
She is getting much better at not relying on me and I know now as long as I sit quiet but keep my leg on she can jump from a deep stride or from a bit far off the fence. I am so pleased with the way she jumped today as it was a technical course and I realise 8 faults may not be a great result on paper, but Lucy jumped the best she has ever gone and I really feel we are now understanding each other and becoming a partnership.
Next weekend Mum and I are going to Chatsworth to watch the Pro's at work and to see what I can learn from them! Lucy will have a rest on Saturday, and on Sunday we are taking her to an 'Eventers Challenge' which involves jumping a course of show jumps followed by cross country fences, which should be fun!
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