Back into the truck again, and thankfully a later start than normal and not too much of a trek to get there!!
Everything packed into Julie Daniells lorry along with her daughters two horses, Ballycullane Dundee and Architype, and my Cresslough.
The dressage went well on all three horses, despite only realising a couple of days before the Pre Nov plus had one of the most difficult Novice dressage tests possible. Rein back and counter canter... what were the babies going to think!
A crash course in rein back went much better than i anticipated and they all picked it up really well considering! Likewise for the counter canter, all three horses managed to complete this movement on both reins without changing and coming out of the arena!
Ballycullane Dundee did an accurate test, and hollowed slightly in the rein back, just needing to work on his 'Elevation' to score the higher marks.
Architype also kept his cool in the test especially when being asked to do some particularly difficult movements. His rein back was better but he just needs to seek the rein out a little bit more and avoid coming too tight in his neck in the canter.
Creeslough also did a calm test his rein back needs some work but he did it well considering it was the first attempt that morning- Although we did have a little practise the night before, stood in the middle of the yard with me on the floor continuously saying "Back..back...back" whilst attempting to push him backwards. It wasn't quite the same when i was actually sat on him!
The Show Jumping was bigger than normal pre-novices as it was a PLUS. so it had a combination of novice fences aswell. All the horses jumped well, Ballycullane Dundee and Architype both jumped clear and Creeslough just had the one down.
The XC course was nice and had a combination of new fences with the old. A particularly difficult double of boxes four fences from home that didn't jump all that well for some horses.
All three horses jumped round clear inside the time, leaving Ballycullane Dundee to finish 8th , and Architype finishing 10th. Sadly the pole down for Creeslough was expensive and put him out of the placings.
The dressage marks were rather odd in the section- the judging was particularly harsh in the morning with some people scoring 50 plus, later on in the day the marks were much lower. Although i thought all three horses should have had marks in the 30's they were in fact the 40's. Personal judgement i suppose but we were all pleased with there tests and that's what matters.
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