Competition Diary. Our BD Debut

My goal was to explore if it might be possible to qualify for the BD Veteran Championships. After registering I looked up the qualification route. We would need 3 60% BD Scores. The score seemed achievable given the strength of our online results and it was time to pick a date and see how we did.

Salvation was excited to be at the venue and was assessing the new environment with a very surprised look on his face. He was very well behaved and stood rock solid whilst I got on. This is priceless and an essential part of his training. I could feel his tension and was relieved that he was looking to me for guidance, though he was holding himself together, I didn’t want to push my luck and risk his tension escalating. All thoughts and concerns I’d had before the day melted away because I knew that he was still the horse I knew and loved. 

We rode to the warm up arena letting him look around and process all of the things that made him suspicious. The metal barriers, the tunnel, the people on the walkway in the viewing gallery. As usual I praised him for keeping his cool and was very respectful of his need to breathe and take it all in. It was our turn to go in and he was certainly surprised at the size of the arena. He recognised the white boards, accepted the Judge’s car after a moment of tension and I encouraged him to look away from the banners that might have caused tension. The test itself flowed from one movement to the next as it should and I was so grateful for all the practice we had had together at home competing online. At this point I wasn’t thinking about the score we needed I was thinking about giving us both a good experience. It worked and with an hour in between tests we went back to the box to compose ourselves and unwind. 

If Humpty ( Salvation ) was surprised to be tacked up a second time he didn’t complain. This time we made our way back to the warm up with a maturity and poise from him that gave me the confidence to present the second test. He was so rideable that the test no longer felt too tricky. There was a short delay whilst we waited for the Judge to ring the bell. At least it felt like a window of time to compose ourselves. I asked him to come back to walk and to go past A so we could make our way around the arena a second time. Humpty definitely didn’t see the point but when the Judge rang the bell we were perfectly placed to trot into the arena and Humpty made a beeline for the centre line. In fact the whole test was rideable, it was fun to be back competing again and I was delighted to be in the arena again, We were getting tired as the test came towards the end but luckily for us the penultimate movement is a stretch in trot on a 20m circle. Something we practice and that he enjoys doing so that by the time we had finished the circle he was ready to present himself in the final centre line with a flourish. I was so elated to share that test with him and we went back to the box ready to celebrate.

Of course the scores did matter because after the effort and the uncertainty and the joy I felt that we had produced two respectable tests. The Judge agreed and awarded us a 65.8% and a 67.5%. I was not expecting that. I mean I had reached that point at the scoreboard when you are praying for good enough score and can’t really remember the tests. It’s a fascinating point in the competition where you have done all that you can until the next time. When I read my test sheets the feedback was spot on and encouraging me to continue. There was a shiny 8 for our free trot too. 

A great day. Our return to competition was a success and even better after a weekend relaxing in the field ( coming to see me each time I called in ) on the following Monday he was sound, happy and willing to work. He is an incredible horse. I explained to him what a star he is and he listened whilst eating a few more carrots! 

We are part qualified with one more score to achieve before August 31st. Brilliant. 

Humpty has his own profile page on Equestrian All Stars. This is a place where riders can share their Horse’s profile and story online. It’s a great way to celebrate your horse and to say thank you to sponsors and supporters. If you would like an Equestrian All Stars page visit here for more information.