A Master Class in Eventing
So, it’s been a while since I last blogged about the awesomeness that is Master Felix. Our first event was at Shipton Moyne where I managed a 39 in the dressage, clear Show jumping and 1 stop cross country. I was pleased with this result as I hadn’t had Felix long and it was our first time out. I was however a little dissapointed with my dressage score as I had scored far higher the previous week in a local competition. I guess that the step up onto the national circuit demands so much more.
Putting that behind us I decided to have a lesson with his previous rider who got me to ride in a far more advanced outline than I had been. Being honest it felt quite alien and took me right out of my comfort zone and demanded far more from both me and horse. I then spent the next 4 days drilling myself and felix in what we had learned in preperation for our 2nd event last weekend.
We arrived at Ascott under wychwood and quickly realised that there would be a lot of walking involved. The event was spread out over 4 fields with the lorry park right in the centre. Luckily we had arrived early so we set off at a brisk pace to walk the cross country course. The course was well built and up to height with several cotswold stone walls and technical corners and combinations. Having had a stop at the previous event I had decided that I would take all the direct routes and not the longer but easier alternatives. My refusal at Shipton I am now convinced was due to me wiggling my way around the direct route into the water and subsequently spooking off a sharp turn to jump in off the lower bank. I was not going to let that happen again I can tell you!
After walking the cross country it was time to get ready and head down for the dressage. As soon as I got onto Felix I could tell that he was a different horse to one I have ridden since having him. He had a spring in his step and walked out from the lorry with the presence of a God. The wind was blowing really hard and for some reason the show had decided to put flimsy white plastic boarding around the dressage arena which vibrated and rattled in the wind. One even fell off whilst I was mid test! Ridiculous. I had 2 choices for my dressage test. I could either play it safe and ride how I had previously and hope for a score around 35 of try what I had been taught in my lesson. So I went for the latter. If I am to be honest I came out of the test and I couldn’t tell if it was good or bad. I knew my position was better and that I had good uphill impulsion but it all felt so out of my comfort zone that I couldn’t tell if it had gone good or bad.
Whilst warming up for the show jumping Felix’s owners came across to give me my result and to my utter shock I had scored a fantastic 29.5. My nerves suddenly disappeared and I entered the show jumping ring with a huge smile on my face! Felix had been jumping really big and clean in the warm up, giving everything far more space than possibly was necessary but he was enjoying himself. We rolled 2 poles in the show jumping, mainly from us jumping everything really big and then struggling with the 2nd part of a combination and a related distance. I was pleased 
despite this and quickly turned my attention to the cross country.
There was quite a back log of riders when I arrived at the start and Felix was already starting to shake a little with excitement so I had to keep walking him around in preparation as standing still was not helping anyone! We popped a couple of practice fences and I could already tell that he was going to be strong. I think felix can count as he was watching the starter and as he mouth 1 we set off at such a speed I’m surprised i stayed on. We flew around the course just eating up the ground, galoping at all the walls and when ever Felix approached a tricky fence or combination he just steadied himself, popped it with ease and then set off again at a gallop. It was amazing. As we approaced the water I growled at him going over the jump in, I growled galloping through the water and I growled jumping out too! No stopping for us. Apparently the commentator was heard saying “they are going quick to the water, very quick through the water, very very quick!” I’d made the mistake at our first event and therfore was not going to let it happen again.
We finished within time and no time penalities to add so finished the day on a score of 37.5 and 12th place! I was over the moon despite losing all power in my arms by the end of the day. It was a fantastic day and I can’t wait until our next outing at Homme House at the start of August. So wish me luck and I will let you know how it goes.
xxx
Tags: Ascott under wychwood, eventing, Mater Felix, Shipton Moyne
