Everything was going so well at Swan River CIC2* with Just Corona for a while ...
Generally I look forward to writing my monthly blog for An Eventful Life so I can re-cap on my monthly achievements. This month – not so much, because I feel like I have been falling off more times than actually completing the events. I think I’ve previously established that eventing is definitely a leveller of a sport. On top one weekend, and on the bottom the next, but I truly DID establish this after the first fall or two I’ve had this season. Now, it seems like I’m really cementing that quote.
For anyone who read the article on Swan River CIC recently posted, you will see that I ended up having a ‘soggy’ dismount in their water jump in the 2** class. I fell in the water, apparently it was quite glamorous - although from my point of view I beg to differ. Thankfully there were no major injuries, just a few cuts after Just Corona left a leg at the ‘in’ section and over we went. For the remainder of the afternoon I can admit that mentally I felt so low – another fall, we had gone from first after dressage and show jumping to nothing, again. After a bit of a talk about said fall being ‘character building’ I have come to the conclusion that eventing falls are definitely character building, as I sat in the water jump with some 50 odd people staring at me waiting for a reaction. Not knowing whether to sit and cry, or smack my whip at the ground in some sort of attempt to release the anger and frustration building up inside, or even make light of the situation by standing and bowing as some others do. But, no, I elected to pick myself up, keep a brave face and hold my heavy (wet) head high and be proud of all the things I still know I achieved that day and have faith that next time it will work. In my opinion, without this reaction I have not a chance of making it in this sport and I know that for the rest of my life I will be trying to make it in this sport. So with that ‘emotional insight into the life of Makayla Wood’ I think I can continue on to blog about my monthly achievements that I am personally proud of, that may not look too amazing on the scoreboard.
I will start back at Dryandra CNC, which was held on the 6th/7th October. This was my first time competing at the Dryandra ground as previously I had either had a broken bone or been in hospital! So I was quite excited to see what the course presented. It was a busy, hot and dusty weekend but I had fun riding Early Days in the Pre Novice where only our dressage score held us back from the placings. Here Comes Murphy was the star of the weekend for me, he placed sixth in the CNC 1* which was our first 1* run together. Considering I hardly ‘know’ Murphy just yet I was very happy with this achievement. There are always little things to work on but he felt amazing out on course and did well enough to finish the season for himself. I also had Just Corona in the CNC 2** where, (as mentioned above), we had a silly fall on the cross country. However I was then allowed to show jump and was very happy with how he performed. The committee of Dryandra did a fantastic job and the grounds are of a high enough level to definitely look at being an International event in the future for WA.
Later that week I was presented with the opportunity to talk with Diane Bennit and co. on her WA radio show – Talking Horses Sport FM 91.3. I had a great time being involved in the show as we chatted through various topics including the Olympics, how I started off in eventing, and my goals for the future in becoming an eventing coach.
After that I had a weekend which was relatively ‘horse free’ aside from teaching a little. It’s always nice to have these one-off weekends and I was lucky enough to be taken out for dinner by my partner and then had a night out in town with some friends.
I was soon back to training however with a Jamie Coman clinic during the week on 16th/17th October. This prepped my horses for their next run – being Swan River CIC. Here Early Days (pictured above) ran in the CIC* and did a fantastic job all weekend to finish sixth. She would’ve finished higher however racked up 16.8 time penalties cross country because I had to stop her on course when I thought her back boot had slipped right down! Not ‘Daisy’s’ fault at all and as a 7yr old I think she did great to get back into a rhythm and finish the challenging course … these things happen. Just Corona was again in the CIC 2** and did a fantastic test to lead the class, got four faults in the show-jumping to retain this lead, and then we know what happened! Although this is clearly disappointing, I was very happy with his dressage performance and his show jumping.
Just Corona in the show jumping at Swan River
Photo thanks to Lindley Parks
On the Monday/Tuesday after Swan River I attended my two day face-to-face Introductory Coaching course. Another stepping stone complete on the path to achieving my NCAS Level 1. I aim to have my Level 1 by next year.
Last Saturday was the annual Young Event Horse event as well as the Eventing Grand Prix. Early Days performed well in the 6/7yr old class although missed out on any wins. Just Corona competed for the ‘eventing team’ in the Eventers VS Show jumpers challenge that was incorporated in the Grand Prix. This was SUCH a fun event, with half a showjumping course, and half an eventing track put together against the clock, with a large joker fence involved. It was a real test for the eventers, not to mention the show jumpers who had hardly seen some of the cross country portable fences that were incorporated! Everyone did a great job and I think Just Corona really enjoyed the event. EVENTERS won (I have to be biased and say ‘of course’) although apparently the show jumpers won the after party.
Another month flies by, this week coming up I have Brigadoon CNC which is my last run before Adelaide. I have only Just Corona entered so I can focus specifically on getting the job done on him. I say Bring It ON…
Dressage and Cross country photos thanks to RedFoto
