11th December at Bedgebury
marked the return to where we started the season back in March and, in quite a freaky way, it was back there doing the same two tests.
As such, it was a perfect way to find out just how much Vicky and Percy have improved during 2011 when you consider the excellent
guidance they have had
from Alex Wyatt and Emile Faurie. So the two tests on the day were Med 61 and Adv Med 98, a monster of a test with pirouette's and several flying changes;
and according to Emile, it is changes that are all important.
First up was Med 61, a test Vicky has done several times this year but Steve offered to call all the same. The score was an excellent 67.58% which, when
compared to 62.06% from March, was a clear improvement but the combination still only finished 2nd overall in the combined Med and Adv Med Class 5.
Next up was Adv Med 98 with all those flying changes. Although the test looked good it was those changes that were inconsistent, the first few only getting
marks of between 5 and 4. But the final two were much better, Percy finishing with a flourish to post scores of 6 and 7 for his changes. Overall the score
was 63.15%, good enough for 3rd overall in the combined test and again a marked improvement over the March score of 57.89%.
So you could say that the dressage training this year has been worth nearly +6% across the board, well worth it. A similar jump next year and the scores will
be knocking on 70% or more!
26th November at Oldencraig EC
saw the return of Vicky and Percy to Oldencraig Equestrian Centre for the first time this year.
Always a good test up against some really tough competition, the pair were entered into Med 69 and Med 75, both very challenging test with Med 75 also
acting as the final qualifying round for the Winter Regional Finals (Vicky stood an outside chance but need to win the qualifier with a score in excess
of 63%.
With Ann from the yard and little Arti for support, Steve was once again on 'calling' duty. The first test, Med 69, went well in the large indoor school
they have at OEC. The good solid performance was rewarded with a mark of 63.03% and 1st place overall; a fantastic result bearing in mind it was at OEC!
It was then onto the qualifier, Med 75. It is a test full of travers, half pass, pirouettes and lots more, all coming thick and fast at points; quite a
challenge for the caller let alone the rider! as it was, the Percy once again pulled out the stops and posted a score of 62.97%, just under the required
63% but then you can't accuse him of being inconsistent. As it was, Vicky was third to go and there was already a higher score when she went to check the
results. So no win overall but the team had to leave to get back for 'finish off' on the yard before the full results were known so where the combination
finished in the restricted section has yet to be seen.
Next back to Bedgebury for their first ever Advanced Medium and then it's Christmas.
2nd November at Bedgebury
saw the sad end of what had been a fantastic red run for Vicky and Percy, but it was close, VERY close. Just one mark was to scupper a run that had been
going since the beginning of September and included five medium red's and two elementary red's.
Vicky had entered Percy into the two Medium classes, Med 61 and Med73Q; this being the first time Bedgebury had run Medium classes. And unlike the competitions before, this time the classes were larger and represented a stiff challenge to say the least. First up was Med61 and it
featured not only a field of 14 riders but a professional dressage rider and a professional event rider.
But Vicky was feeling relaxed and decided to just "go for it" and not worry about who she was up against. As it was, they finished head and shoulders above
everyone on a score of 66.55%, a clear 2% in front of 2nd place. A true test against some tough competition and not just first place but first place overall.
So going into Med73Q the question was, could Vicky and Percy make it eight in a row. Although Vicky thought the test went better than the first, a view
echoed by Steve who was calling, the score of 63.82% did not reflect that fact. The pair finished third but, in truth, when you look at the numbers
in was VERY close; they
finished with a score of 217 and the class winner finished on a
score of 218. So by a single mark, that represented less that 0.5%, Vicky was pushed from first to
second and then, as there were two with identical scores, down to third on collective scores. Soooooo close!
It's all looking very encouraging now and at times Percy looked magical on the day. Next up is Oldencraig on the 26th, back to an old haunt, larger fields and
even stiffer competition. Can't wait.
21st October at Stilebridge Barn
was an opportunity for Percy to move up from the recent Elementary tests last month and get back to those tough Medium tests.
Although Vicky and Percy had done both tests before, Med 61 and Med 75, they have some serious movements that come thick and fast, so it's a case of keen focus from
horse and rider to get those high marks.
First up was med 61, and the pair put on a good show with only a couple of slight slips. However, a score of 57.93% suggested that there was room for improvement although it
was still good enough for 1st place in the Restricted section. Next up was Med 75, and with Steve calling (just to give a level of confidence; Vicky did know the test),
the pair put on a much better show with Percy displaying some lovely paces at points. The score sadly did not reflect the improvement, harsh marking maybe?, still
60.27% was again good enough to secure the combination's second first place of the day.
Next up is a trip back to Bedgebury, and the lessons with Emile and the fantastic work with Vicky's personal trainer Alex Wyatt, appear to paying off. Vicky and Percy had just a
few placings to show for their efforts for the year until their lessons with Emile really started to take effect and now they can boast six straight reds since the beginning of
September. The 2nd November will be the first time Bedgebury has featured Medium classes at an event; Vicky and Percy are up for the challenge.
24th September at Bedgebury
saw a temporary move down from Medium to Elementary for Vicky and Percy; simply, Vicky could not find any local Medium tests to enter on the day and, with Percy
needing to get out on a regular basis, she opted for an open entry in the top two Elementary tests at the venue.
And in some ways, she was already having second thoughts when she read through the two tests, Elem 45 and Elem 59; it almost appeared that in trying to make the
tests more interesting whoever designed them had just made them over complicated!
First up was Elem 45 and, with a four loop serpentine to start and several changes over the centre line during the test, Steve had to be on his toes when it came
to calling. Still the test went well apart from a little misunderstanding with the canter; overall it was good enough for a mark of 65.51% which, in a reasonable
class of entries, also netted first place overall.
Second was Elem 59 and an even more complicated test with too many awkward elements to list here. Again, Steve was calling but when he called ‘E’ and Vicky thought
‘B’ we all waited for the bell to indicate error of course. Things put right, the rest of the test went as well as could be expected, in fact at points it was better
than the first test. Overall mark, taking into account the course error, was 65.00% and first in the Open section.
A good day enjoyed by all and great preparation for another visit to Emile on Wednesday.
10th September at Speedgate
gave Percy an opportunity to strut his stuff and show everyone just
what he can do following all his recent training with Emile and Alex.
And he was not to
disappoint.
Entered into both medium tests on the day, first up was Med61 and then Med73. For once it was local, so the crew (Steve, James and Arti) only had a short journey
from home up to Brands Hatch and afternoon times at that too! After a brief warm up Vicky took Percy in for this first test which by all accounts went very well
indeed, even getting comments from the next competitor as to how nice the test had been. This was reflected in the mark of 65.17%
(including an 8) and a good 1st place overall.
After the first test the rain clouds came over so Vicky went straight in for her second test, Medium 73. Sadly, it rained throughout the test only for the sun
to come out as Vicky took her finishing salute! Percy seemed a little tense for the second test but still managed a mark of 8 and an overall score of 62.35%, which
was also good enough for 1st place. Even the official photographer rued the fact he had not taken pictures of Percy, commenting that "he was by far the best
horse of the day".
It's been a while since Percy was back in the red, so TWO red rosettes was simply fantastic. The work at home has definitely paid off, now just to work
out how Vicky can get Percy qualified for the Winter Regional Finals.
14th August at Chilham Castle
and they keep on coming. Last time out for Vicky before holiday in Spain and fourth time out this year for Archie (bear in mind he didn't go out at all in
2010 and only four times in 2009!
Once again, it was a very early start (obscenely early in fact!) with the kids still in their pyjamas and sleeping on the way to Chilham. Vicky's times meant she
had to walk the Cross Country course before her dressage but it soon became apparent that the cloudy day promised was in fact going to be beautifully
sunny and warm.
Once again entered into BE100o, this time in Section J, Vicky was hoping to put into good practice some of the dressage work done at home over the past
fortnight. And she was not to be disappointed, Archie has definitely learnt a thing or two and, although not foot perfect, he showed signs of distinct
improvement; a improved score of 36.0 penalties proved the point.
With her times being so close together, it was back from dressage and straight on for show jumping. A good warm up preceded what would have been a perfect
round had it not been for some 'fiddling' going into the last of the 10 fences. Archie just nicking the top pole on the way through. Still just 4 penalties
to add meant that, this time out, the pair needed to 'go for it' on the cross country.
Once again, it was back from show jumping and then straight out for Cross Country, the combination being one of the first due out on course for the day. There
is picture evidence of the smile on Vicky's face as she left the start box, this was the best bit and Archie was keen to go. On the course walk that morning
Vicky had identified a number of challenging fences and combinations, least of all a large log, ditch, large log combination that was also in the Novice section
later in the day. Archie took them all in his stride and positively breezed up the energy sapping hills.
A good clear with just 3.2 time penalties left the pair on a score of 43.2 overall, good enough for 17th place out of a field of 30. Vicky is now much
closer to understanding what makes Archie work, where she needs to focus and how to move up that leader board. Off to Spain but back in the thick of it
as soon as she gets back, Vicky's next trip out is Munstead and then South of England in September.
2nd August at Smiths Lawn
was the first mid-week event for a long, long while. With Steve and little Arti on tow, Vicky and Archie headed off early to compete in their second BE100o of
the season; and boy, was it a hot day!
The journey seemed to take forever with the early morning traffic on the M25, so it was great to finally see the entrance for Smiths Lawn Horse
Trials. Entered into BE100o Section L, Vicky was due to start at 10.20am for dressage but then wait for 4 hours before show jumping at 2.24pm! Still
the first part went well and, although Archie was a 'bit stiff', the pair posted a penalty score of 38.5.
Everyone went off to walk the cross country course but it's a long walk and Arti was struggling, so Vicky went off with the dogs for a power walk while
Steve and Arti went to look at the fence into the lake and then went onto the child's playground and an ice cream. Virginia water is an excellent place to go out
for the day and just walk around the Royal Estates.
It seemed that show jumping time had arrived as soon as everyone
got back to the lorry. Vicky and Archie went off to warm up, although when she got to the warm up arena it was seriously overcrowded, 11 riders warming up at one
time, and dusty! Still it has to be done, so a quick warm up avoiding collisions and the pair went in to do their show jumping. Sadly, the ground was a bit
hard and didn't suit Archie at all; having fence one down was not a good start. Three more fences were added to the penalty score to give a total of 54.5 going
into the cross country.
But then it's the cross country Vicky likes best and the Smiths Lawn course, whilst not trying, is a tight windy course through some excellent woodland. Archie
shot out of the box and the pair went off to complete an excellent clear. With 11.2 time penalties added (Vicky was not pushing
following the show jumping score), the pair finally scored a total of 67.2 penalties which was good enough for 22nd place out of a field of 40.
So three events in and three completed. One more before holidays and then several more when everyone gets back. It's going to be a good year.
16th July at Brighling Park
followed up the 'test' outing at Borde Hill with a real BE event; at a level Vicky had not competed at for nearly 5 years!
It was a very early start with the kids still in their pyjamas and sleeping on the way to Brightling. When we got there the weather was the the worst it
could possibly be, not just windy but horizontal rain. So much so, that you could not see the Cross County course from the show jumping ring simply due
to the rain and mist. Walking the course was fun (not!) and resulted in the first change of clothing when we got back to the lorry.
Trying to keep Archie as dry as possible, Vicky tacked up for the dressage and made the long trip over to the dressage arena. Needless to say, everyone
else stayed in the lorry and kept dry. Vicky came back soaked (second change of the day!) but the pair had posted a respectable score of 38.0 despite
the weather; Archie just couldn't relax during his test.
It was decided that, rather than try to keep to times, Vicky would go for it and head straight out to the show jumping. By this time the rain was lashing
down and, due to the wind, it was coming at you in all directions. A good round was only marred by two down; very few actually went clear.
And so, after another change of clothing, the combination headed for the cross country on a score of 46.0 penalties. Although she had some doubts about running a horse with whom she is still
still building a relationship in the atrocious weather, Vicky (supporting her new Kan Body Protector
courtesy of her sponsorship from Kan Teq) decided that
it just had to be done. So, bearing in mind that her score meant she was out of the top running, the pair went out and completed a superb but relaxed clear
round. The additional time penalties, 21.2, meant a final score of 67.2 penalties, good enough for 12th place overall.
Bearing in mind the weather, the fact that this was the first BE event for Vicky and Archie plus the fact that Vicky hadn't competed at BE100 for so long,
12th place was an excellent result and we all look forward to even greater things (and better weather!) next time out at Smiths Lawn on the 1st August.
10th July at Borde Hill
saw the yard empty for the first time in a long, long while; the only two residents left being Percy and Brandy, everyone else was out competing!
For Vicky it was the first opportunity to go Eventing since Brightling Park last year. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then but now,
with a different ride, things are looking different so Vicky took the opportunity for a unaffiliated 'test' run before a full BE outing at Brightling
on the 17th July.
And so the team set off for Borde Hill where Vicky and Archie were entered into Intro Section D (Class 5). Everything seemed to be going so well, we
arrived in plenty of time, signed in and walked the course. However, there was a lingering doubt as to which course to walk, having asked two fence
judges whilst walking round we were told it was definitely the pink course (the UA colours are not like the BE colours and the name/level of class is
also different).
The rain broke through the sunshine just as Archie went in for his dressage test, never the less it was a good test and, according to Vicky, it felt
much better than at Felbridge. A score of 33.2 surely reflected that view.
It was only when all arrived back at the lorry that it became apparent that we had walked the wrong course, it was orange not pink. To make matters
worse the call then went out for all those remaining in Intro section D to go to the Show Jumping as there were only six
competitors left in the
class! Vicky hacked down there and managed just three practice jumps before going in for her round.
Despite everything Archie still managed a good
clear round, positively enjoying himself.
And so onto the Cross Country. Having already established that she had walked the wrong course, it was crossed fingers time for Vicky and Archie; simple
instruction, just follow orange! Although he was a little sticky and Vicky took it carefully where she had to think of where to go, the pair still
managed a clear round well within the time. Finishing on a dressage score of 33.2 penalties, the combination finished 4th; a great result and excellent
preparation for Brightling next week. Her prize: a free photo!.
27th June at Bedgebury (Emile Faurie)
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11th June at Felbridge
for Combined Training and excitement could not have been higher; it was after all Vicky's first time out with Archie, the new boy in town.
I say excitement, what I mean was a combination of excitement and nerves! It had
only been a couple of weeks since Archie came to the yard so he and
Vicky were still in the 'getting to know each other' stage. Entered into the BE90 section, the class was large with 37 other riders and some stiff competition
to boot with the likes of Francis Whittington on the list.
From the point where Vicky took him off the lorry (thanks to Emma for the loan), Archie was beside himself. He obviously knew he was out to compete
and it seemed like it was the first time for a long while. Vicky did her best to calm him down but it was not until he was half way through his
dressage test that he regained some control and things went a little smoother; well apart from the final halt!
A dressage score of 40.0 meant he wasn't going to win but this
wasn't about winning, this was about Vicky and Archie getting to know each other. So when it
came to the show jumping, Vicky was nervous the say the least having never jumped a course on him before and her last time out jumping was in July last year! It
was a sticky round with Vicky not used to a horse that wanted to go, it was a clear round never the less which meant they finished on the dressage score of
40.0.
It was good enough for 14th place out of 37, so not a bad result at all and good experience for the combination. More like that and the bond will grow
and then who knows what is possible. We'll see next time out at Borde Hill UA on the 10th July!
28th May at Merrist Woods
saw Vicky and Percy out once again strutting their stuff, although this time against some impressive opposition including a GB team member!
Times were late in the day and with full family support, the pair were entered into Elementary 50 and then Medium 71. With a strong field of 22 riders
Elem 50 was always going to be a challenge when you consider Percy's last outing was back in March plus Vicky was riding him for first time after
some serious dressage
lessons. But a score of 62.86% was good enough to put the combination in the top half overall and 6th place Restricted.
Percy was looking very good in the warm up and Vicky commented that he felt better than ever, no surprise then that he stepped up a gear in the more difficult
test, Med 71, and finished with a score of 63.55% including an 8 for his half-pass. It was still a very strong class but the score was good enough for 3rd
Restricted and just 0.33% off finishing 3rd overall, even with a small left/right mix up!
Next up we see the new kid on the block show us what he can do; Archie goes to Littleton Manor.
6th March at Bedgebury
and Percy was out again, this time Vicky was hoping to put into practice what she learnt from her session with Emile.
Nicola came along for support and offered to read both tests, giving Steve the opportunity to look after a highly active 3yr old, Arti. Vicky and Percy
warmed up for their first test, Medium 61, very nicely indeed. Percy seemed to be "right on the mark" going into the test, however for whatever reason,
Vicky felt that did not come through in the test. They finished with a score of 62.06%, good enough for 2nd overall in the combined Med and Med Adv
class.
Next up was Med Adv 98 and some real challenges for both rider and horse, a 4loop serpentine, 6 flying changes and 2 pirouettes just a sample. Still the
challenge was well met part from the extra loop! The two point penalty dropping the score to 57.89% and 4th overall.
Overall, it was Percy's first time out this season and, with Vicky's determination that this will be Percy's year, things will get better and better. Next
out Oldencraig. Percy out three times in a month, that's the same as he managed in total during 2010.
23rd February at Bedgebury Park
was simply one of those opportunities that rarely come about; a training session with none other than top International dressage rider, Emile Faurie.
Ever since she booked her place, Vicky had been looking forward to her session with Emile, although we were not too sure Percy understood the significance.
However when Vicky got her clinic time through she found she was in some high profile company with Sharon Hunt and Emily Baldwin both on the time sheet!
We got there in plenty of time and Ann came along for support (plus Steve and Arti!). After a quick warm up it was into the lesson and which turned out to be
perfect. Being the last session of the day, Emile gave Vicky and Percy just a little more time which meant both
Vicky had plenty of time to pick up things to work on when she got home and Emile got to really suss out Percy.
After telling Vicky that he thought Percy had plenty of potential but seemed a very quirky horse, he recognised the special relationship Vicky had with Percy,
telling her that she was the right person to take him to the next level.
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