My two first timers have a go at Solihull Autumn ODE

Had a fab end of season event at Solihull. Here they run really good unaffiliated ODEs for baby horses with all the atmosphere of a BE event.

Rupert began our good day with a lovely dressage test to score 32 followed by Middleton who won a rosette for the best dressage with a amazing 29. Both horses tried really hard and I couldn't have asked better of them for where they are at in their training.

Rupert jumped a nice clear SJ and Middleton rolled a pole when he became too bold and then a little flat in his canter.

The XC was superb, there was a good variety of obstacles, some fences were dressed with a few flowers and were all up to height. The course included a step up to a log, some woodland, logs, brush fences and of course Solihull's lovely water complex.

Both boys flew round clear, Rupert had a 6 time faults for too slow (he went first) and then Middleton went next and had time for going too fast which cost him the win.

Rupert finished in 6th and Middleton in 2nd, I was thrilled to bits, it's not often 2 horses get everything right eventing on the same day, especially when it's their first ever one day event.

Utube clip of Rupert below

 

 

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Ledbury Hunt XC Competition

I took Graham Potts horse Rupert and my 4 year old Middleton along to jump the 70 cm XC at Gadbury today.

Rupert has grown up an awful lot in one week and jumped round really confidently, he still spooked at a very small ditch but flew the next couple of ditches which were much bigger, he also splashed bravely straight into the water jump, I am really pleased with how he is progressing. Middleton went clear I was amazed how bold he was, especially as when we set out it was thick fog and he wasn't at all spooked by things appearing out of the mist!
There were lots of entries and being a local event it was great to see so many people I know. Everyone seemed really impressed with the course and how it was riding.

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Hartpury Top Gear goes to his first show.

He was fab, such a good boy and very brave. This was Moores Farm clear round day, which is really good value at £10 a horse, for using the facilities and as many clear rounds as you need. I went along and paid my £10 and thought it would be good experience for him to just use the indoor warm up and the practice fences.

Then as he was so good I thought I would just show him the main arena and jump one or two fences....

 

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Salters Hill - Ross Harriers XC

This was a perfect low key event for our 2 first timers. Rupert and Middleton coped beautifully with the atmosphere and with all the tiny ponies flying about the field.
This was Middletons first XC event and Ruperts first show on grass as well as his first XC event.
The ground was good with plenty of grass cover. Middleton looked cautiously at the straw bales under fence one and popped over it and then grew in confidence and cleared the rest of the 23 fences really well!!!! Rupert set off with much more gusto and confidence until he got to fence 19 the ditch in the coffin, he intelligently found an alternative serpentine route from a) to b) which I quickly corrected so we were still pointing at the ditch! Rupert ground to a halt and then over he lept from a stand still.
Ruperts owner Graham Potts came along to watch, Ant cooked us all bacon sandwiches in the lorry and then we sent Graham off happily home with a bright pink 5th Rosette!!!!!

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Rupert XC Schooling

Had a fab outing to Bissell Wood XC schooling. Whole course on soft sand and really inviting fences. Rupert started out with logs on the floor and finished jumping the 2'9" fences. He felt so bold and he loved it, I was really impressed with him. My friends Tracey on Fine Girl and Louise on 4 yr old Bernie came along and their horses went brilliant too.

 

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