One very happy lady!
One of my goals for this year was to ride in my first EA Introductory event by September. I spoke to my MET team managers and they suggested I enter Friends of Werribee (FoW). It’s a nice course with flat ground and friendly fences. So it was added to my 90 day goal plan and I was working hard towards this level with BSP.
Unfortunately, we had the slight setback at Woady when we both fell and I lost a bit of confidence. Additionally, with my two scholarships and numerous short courses, my time in the saddle hasn’t been as much as I had hoped for this year. However, that hasn’t stopped me! As you all know by now, I am a very determined person.
In the lead up to FoW I wanted to do some training. I had lessons with my coach Dave and then another super lesson with Fiona Dearing, my sponsor from Remote Coach, riding in my new Anky Pessoa dressage saddle. WOW! What a saddle! I was very excited about riding my test in this saddle. During our lesson we worked on suppling and sharpening BSP up. It was lovely to hear Fi say how fantastic BSP is looking and how much his neck and body shape has changed! It’s all paying off.
I'm enjoying riding in my new Anky Pessoa saddle
Two weeks prior to FoW, I asked Dave about the possibility of an cross country lesson at Werribee and we organised it for a Thursday. Dave was amazing and really got me thinking in a competition frame of mind while we were training. We warmed up in the indoor two arenas and then headed out to cross country and it was here that I had a mini melt down. BSP, noting my anxiousness, was like a two year old racehorse and of course all I wanted to do was slow him down and ride at my ‘old’ comfort level. I was still nervous about riding cross country after the fall and this really was affecting me.
After a warm up and gaining a little more confidence, Dave sent me off to the start box. He counted me down and off we went. Three strides out from the first Intro fence, I lost my leg to hand connection and BSP ducked out to the right. I took a deep breath and turned around to hear Dave yelling at me. I was pretty close to tears at this point (I don’t cope well with people yelling at me LOL, but I knew he was doing it because I needed it and I could take it. It had to be done!). I felt sick but I knew I had to suck it up and bloody well do this! I listened to what he had to say and returned to the start box. Off we went and this time was better. I was hesitant at fence two but rode it better than the first and Dave cantered beside me on his horse.
Dave then turned to me and said, “Go back to the start and jump the prelim.” I am pretty sure at this stage I went very green! I took a deep breath and rode BSP back and presented him as straight as I could at the bigger fence and he sailed over it. Whoo hoo!
We continued on to fence three, which was a small hayrack type of fence with bales of hay in front of it. Both BSP and Dave’s horse both spooked so we let them have a look at it before we popped over it. On to the next, with me following Dave and puffing like a freight train to keep myself breathing. It was a prelim sized oxer. I just aimed BSP at it and we were over. I was getting excited! WOW! Until Dave yelled over his shoulder, “Follow me!” and he neatly popped over a prelim chair and table on a curved line. I came in too fast at the chair, which we cleared but I wasn’t able to present at the HUGE table. Of course I had to do this, so I represented a little slower and before I knew it I was over the table with Dave cheering! When I came to a halt he hugged me and I was shaking like a leaf and my legs had gone to jelly, but I had done it and what a feeling it was! It was the biggest cross country fence I have ever jumped in my life. Had to be grade two for sure!
We progressed on to the water and now I was choosing the bigger fences to jump! We finished off with the bank and then headed back to the floats and home. I was really pleased I had done this. Dave is so amazing and I really trust him. I know why he does things the way he does with me. He made me jump the prelim so that on competition day, I would be confident to ride the ‘smaller’ fences!
Friends of Werribee
On the Friday before FoW, I packed the car and met Rachel and Ikaylia who were also coming to Werribee with me. Rach was grooming for Megan and Ikaylia, my super groom, had kindly offered to come and help me. We arrived around 4pm, set up camp and settled BSP in before we walked the cross country course. I couldn’t believe it … the table wasn’t in my course (phew!) and the jumps actually looked small! I was both excited and relieved. I CAN do this! And a huge smile appeared on my face!
As it got dark and BSP was eating his dinner, Ikaylia and I headed in to town for dinner and then went to our respective tents to get a good night’s sleep.
Doing our dressage test
6am Saturday, I was up and Ikaylia was already out walking BSP. When they returned, we gave him his breakfast and Ikaylia began plaiting him. I felt a bit lost to be honest as I am so used to being on my own at comps and Ikaylia was so great that I was actually able to relax, so I went and got a coffee and walked the cross country course again. I met a lovely man on the course who helped me with some lines and then walked the show jumping course twice before I returned to BSP who was looking amazing! I found Dave and went and said hello and finally it was time to warm up. I had hired Katherine Routledge Jamison from Peninsula Pix as my private photographer for the event and was excited to see her.
We headed off to the warm up ring and Dave was nearby observing. BSP had me concerned for the first five minutes as he was constantly sneezing! It cleared up as we continued our warm up and I found I was struggling to find enough space to warm up in my usual manner. However, BSP was responding to my aids when I asked for a movement, so I was pleased. He was, however, not accepting the contact so Dave came over and worked with me in the centre of the ring and had me riding in my cross country position (which I love!) and I was able to get BSP more focused and recognise the quality of the paces I needed for Intro dressage. It was great to hear Dave comment on how much better my position was in this new saddle!
It was great having Ikaylia (right) to help me
Then it was time for our dressage. We headed over to the ring and presented to the judge and I was a little worried as BSP was quite anxious and tense, but as we entered the ring, he settled and as I’d been imaging all week, we had a beautiful square halt. Halfway through my test I heard a horn beep and thought I’d made a mistake. I kept moving and continued with the test and felt we did our absolute best and I was happy. I came out with a smile and we headed back to the yards.
Over we go ...
Show jumping was on in a few hours so we had a short break before it was all go again. Ikaylia prepared Billy and I mounted, heading off to the indoor to warm up. When I first arrived it was nice with only two other horses in there and plenty of space. I jumped a few fences and then more people came in and the fences went up and I didn’t want to jump that height so I ended up leaving and going outside and working on my own. Finally, we were in and presented to the judge and off we went. Over the first fence and then I got the line wrong to fence two and BSP did his best to get over it, but came in too deep and clipped the rail and it fell. I apologised to him but we kept our momentum and cleared the rest of the course. Wahoo! I had just ridden Intro Show Jumping!!
I was happy with my showjumping round
I went and collected my dressage test and realised I hadn’t made a mistake! It was a horn in another arena! YAY! I didn’t get great marks but one thing that definitely made me smile was the comment on our right canter circle where the judge said it was rushed. Dave had said to me he would prefer my canter to be rushed than too slow and I had a giggle at this and was actually quite pleased!
We make sure that BSP has his legs protected
Another short break and it was time for cross country. I was getting more and more nervous, but all of my supporters and friends were there for me. Studs were in. O.K. Let’s do this! We headed off to the warm up area and I had a lovely ride. I extended and collected BSP in canter and a gallop and then popped him over the two warm up fences four times before moving to another arena to work on transitions. Everything felt good and despite feeling nervous, I wasn’t terrified. That was good!
Up in the air cross country
We headed over to the start box and I set my watch as Megan had taught me 30 seconds ahead of my time and with 10 seconds to go hit the start button. Five … four ... three … two … one … GO! Off we went.
Line and pace … duck bum! There’s Megan in my head as I am approaching the first fence. Go straight! BSP is losing momentum but we’re straight … and I wasn’t sure we were going to get over it but he jumped and off we went. PHEW! Fence two was much better, but still lacking on my behalf. Fence three, a simple log and BSP is balking! Bugger! Legs on and ride girl! But it was too late and he didn’t have enough momentum to get over and stopped. I represented and we cleared it. The jump judge yelled after us, “Now that’s how you ride it!” LOL.
The next two combinations, we’re crabbing all the way and then we’re over both. On to the hay rack. I am not having a stop here! Whack with the crop and nailed it. Yahoo! Next fence was clear and then we came to the water. No problem trot in, get our line to the brush and sailed over it. That was my fave fence of the entire course! On to the logs and over those and then came the Trakehner. BSP stopped! What the? Damn it! OK let the rider behind me go because she was too close and hadn’t called out and BSP was getting uptight. Represent and over and off into the back paddock. Passed by another rider who also didn’t call out (what is up with that!?) and then we were almost at the finish of the course. The one fence I was worried about was coming up - an apex with a pot plant on it. The guy I’d walked the course with earlier, had told me the line to take and I remembered it and we were over. Two more fences and we were through the finish flags with an almighty wahoooo and “I didn’t die!”
I’d done it
The vets check that all is ok with BSP at the end of cross country
I had finished my first ever Intro event and I was a day early on achieving my goal. I’d ridden my first cross country course since our fall and we made it. Admittedly, it wasn’t my best ride but I was so pleased to finish! Dave, Ikaylia and Katherine were all waiting for me and cheering and Dave grabbed me in a big hug. Ikaylia removed BSP’s new cross country boots, which were a present from Rach and then walked him around for me. Dave was great to remind me to hold on to the feeling I had of finishing. It’s important I do this for my next event. BSP came in with a heart rate of 80 and left the finish area with it at 60. Ikaylia and I took him over to the wash bay and hosed him down before we returned to the yard and opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
One of the many lovely shots that Katherine fron Peninsula Pix took on the weekend
Ikaylia the super groom made sure BSP was looked after and removed his studs and put some Tuff Rock poultice on his legs before we celebrated our achievement. Katherine took some super photos and then Dave and Bec came over to also celebrate with us before we went into town for dinner again.
It was an early night as we were all very tired and we headed home early the next morning. I had placed 23rd and I was very, very pleased.
TTT SJ 2013
TTT SJ this year was back in Shepparton. I loved this event last year and was really looking forward to it. This year, I was entered with my second club. Wagga and District Adult Riding Club. I was to meet my team who are my friends on Facebook for the first time and ride with them.
BSP and I headed up on Friday, arriving just after 2pm. My team mates were in town getting supplies so I set myself up and waited for them to return. When they arrived and I met them, it was like we’d known each other forever! We spent the afternoon settling in and preparing and headed in to town for dinner.
Saturday morning I was up at 6am and took BSP for a nice long walk to stretch his legs and then gave him his breakfast. While he was eating I went and walked my first course. A2. The speed course. It was on grass and even though the ground was good, I still opted to use studs. I can’t take any risks with BSP now that he’s 20 and unbalanced. I need to support and help him as much as I can. I walked the course with a lovely young girl and then headed back to the float and cleaned out BSP’s yard before getting a coffee and relaxing.
At 8:30am I began tacking up and working to my plan. Studs in. Tacked up. Dressed and on by 9am (thank you Nicole Stewart for making me think about a plan!) and off to the warm up ring. The stewards were only allowing four riders in the warm up area at any one time as they did last year and I really loved this. Until it was my turn to go in, I just walked BSP around and let him relax. He was so chilled out.
In the warm up area I had a trot and a canter, extended canter and four good jumps and then returned to walk again. It was at this point another competitor’s horse decided to buck OVER the jump and she fell quite hard. She was OK in the end, a bit dazed but it put the wind up a few of the other competitors!
BSP and I went in and presented to the judge and off we went. Line and pace. I wasn’t too worried about speed. My goal was to go clear and stay upright! We did just that. When we went through the flags a huge cheer from my team mates could be heard! How awesome! Renae later said to me it looked like a good round. Consistent with good lines. I was really pleased. Again, thank you Megan! Your excellent coaching and our hard work is truly paying off when others notice it.
I returned to our yard, removed the studs and took care of BSP before I went and supported my other team mates and walked my next course. AM7. As I was tacking up, Brittany came to me with a big smile and said,” Do you want to know the results?” I said, “I don’t know!” and she said, “You came fifth!” I was so happy!
The happy prize winners
The course for AM7 was really nice, but the jump off was really twisty! There was a very sharp turn from fence 3 to 6a and b. I knew this would be a problem for BSP and I, as we can’t turn sharply due to his stiffness and the fast ponies would be all over it like a fat kid on a smarty here! So, again my goal was to go clear and ride well.
The judge was so nice and he gave us a big smile as we came in and rang the bell. We went around the course consistently and at a good pace. As we cleared fence 9, I heard my team mates cheering! They were always there! It was so nice. We rode back to the judge with a big smile and as I glanced at the jump off written on my arm, he said, “Do you know your jump off course?” and I said,” I think so!” and he rang the bell and off we went.
We sailed over fence one, two and three and there was the sharp turn. I took it quite wide and then pushed BSP on over the rest of the course and as we came in to the final jump, I got excited and over rode and even did the chicken wings! What the!? Haha! A huge cheer from team Wagga and we had another break until 3:30.
After BSP had a good hose down and was happy, I went and watched my other team mates and generally spent time with them and assisting where I could. I also met up a few times with the young girl I’d walked the courses with earlier that morning. She was really nice and we got along really well. As we were watching the 2 phase course prior to walking it, I asked the nearby photographer who he was with and he said Oz Equestrian and I asked if he was Derek and he said yes! We finally got to meet! That was pretty cool. I love his photos and always buy them.
Our final round was running 15 minutes early so that brought my jump time forward to 3:15. At 2:30 I headed to the yard and popped the studs back in and prepared BSP who was looking sleepy. As I saddled him up he actually turned his head and rested it on my shoulder. I gave him a big cuddle and reassured him it was the last time and we walked over to the warm up arena. I decided not to do any jumping in my warm up. BSP was tired and I didn’t want to push him too hard. He’s not had a lot of work lately so I was conscious of his fitness not being as good as it should be.
Finally, we went in to the warm up arena and almost everyone was knocking down rails or being eliminated at the dazzle board! I knew that if I rode consistently, as I had all day, it would be a good round.
We headed in the ring, presented and popped into a canter. I rode BSP towards the dazzle and he spooked so I knew that when it came to this fence I had to really ride him. The bell went and we circled and presented at the first fence. Clear. The course was really nice to ride and then as we came to fence 7 before the dazzle I hear “GO JENNA!” from team Wagga! Haha! So I yelled, “wahoooo!” as I rode past and BSP popped over the dazzle. OK, let’s go BSP! He stepped up and cantered beautifully over everything. As I came to fence 11, I rode it like two offset cross country fences and got an absolutely fantastic line that that would have made Megan very proud! That set us up beautifully for the final fence and we were done!
I came out of that ring with a huge smile! BSP had performed brilliantly all day and hadn’t put a hoof wrong! Three clear and consistent rounds. I was SO proud. I dismounted and gave him a big hug with tears in my eyes. What a horse! I loosened his girth and then took him back to his yard before removing the studs and hosing him down and poulticing his legs and ensuring he was fed and watered.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with my team and it was so much fun! As we were about to head back to the yards, Brittany pulled Renae aside and then Ren grabbed me and said,” We’re going to look at the results!”
When we arrived there she proudly pointed at the Level 4C section and I honestly didn’t take it in for the first minute. “Really? Is that true?” I asked her. It was! I had come sixth in Am7, fifth in A2 and third in 2 phase. Even better, I was the overall RESERVE CHAMPION! BSP and I had done it! Ren gave me a huge hug and honestly it took me quite some time to believe it was true! Haha! We won our first saddle blanket!
That night we spent around the campfire with other competitors and enjoyed a good dinner and great company. The next morning it was up at 6am, walk, feed, remove the dried Tuff Rock, collect cards, coffee, pack and head home.
My first saddle cloth prize!
Thank you so much to Dave and Bec, Ikaylia, Megan, Fiona, Rach, Katherine, Renae, Ash, Brittany, Amanda and Glenys for your never-ending support and encouragement. I am so proud to have ridden with you. Thank you for having me as part of your amazing team! I can’t wait to ride with you again!
Thank you also to the Burgess family and especially to BSP. I love that horse, so much! At 20, he’s a living legend and I am so honoured and blessed to have him in my life. I love him to the stars and back!
Until next time, always ride onwards and upwards! You never know when it’s all going to fall in to place and it’s such an awesome journey! I never want it to end.
Jenna and BSP xoxox
Photos: Peninsula Pix and Renae McGregor.
