Horse Trials 2016 – Diary of the support crew
In May a host of local riding club teams gathered at coomblands to compete in the annual horse trial qualifiers, with the ambition of qualifying for the National Horse Trial Championships held at Swalcliffein August. We were lucky enough to be sending a senior 100cm, Senior 90cm and junior 90cm team; along with a senior individual in the 80cm class.Sadly theweek before we lost Ruth’s mare from the 100cm team due to injury.
Swalcliffe is very hilly so between qualifying and the championships serious fitness work has to be done.
Helen and Lorna from the 100cm team, along with Lorna’s husband Darren travelled up on Thursday. The 100cm competition runs over three days, starting with the trot up and dressage on Friday.
Friday 5th August – trot up and dressage day for the 100cm team.
Zoe the 3rd member of the 100cm team arrived early ready to trot up, which the three horses passed. Helen was first into the dressage with Jerry, her test was lovely with consistent rhythm. All very positive after their ‘scary’ walk to dressage according to Jerry.
Lorna was next, they did a supper test in not the easiest of circumstances. Parked next to their arena was an enormous trailer. HoweverBrissyproduced some lovely work. Finally it was Zoe’s turn. After telling us that Dolly can be a ‘nightmare’ in dressage, Dolly decided to prove her mum wrong. The work was lovely.
Back at camp Caroline had arrived with Iris and daughter Charlotte ready for their80cm competition which runs as a one day format. Friday also sees the arrival of the 90cm teams.There competition starts on Saturday with dressage and show jumping followed by cross country (XC) on Sunday.
First of the 90cm team to arrive was Laura, her dad Colin and with Serena (also known as dinosaur pony). They reported a good journey and joined us in extending camp Horsham. To my relief camp manager Darren was on hand to help set up my tent. He is not a rider but he is brilliant in the support team role. We dewily named him camp manager as he was always had everything under control at camp.
The afternoon brought a XC walk followed by Laura, Zoe and I exploring the roads and tracks. The ride was a little exciting with a loose horse and some unthoughtful cyclists. But we returned safely in time to watch Caroline and Iris jump a clear round in the show jumping.
It was then out to the XC course to get a good vantage point. To my delight Ruth and her partner Ken were already there. AsRuth had to withdraw in the lead up, I assumed we would not be seeing them. Caroline and Iris made it look like child’s play and ate up the course with ease, which meant they finished in 3rd in her arena. What an achievement. Caroline was presented with a beautiful rosette and sash which I have been reliably informed will go on display in pride of place.
The last to arrive was Louis, her journey had not been easy thanks to the m25. After cheeking inI legged Louise up onto Giggy so she could ride the roads and tracks. Meanwhile Emily, Louise’s daughter and I set up Giggy’s stable.
With team horses safely tucked up in bed and briefings attended in preparation for Saturday it was time to get the BBQ going. As ever camp manager was already sorting this, even better the wine was ready too. A lovely evening of socialising was had by all. My thanks has to go the Darren for taking charge of the bbq. As we all headed to bed, it was beautiful starry night. With three dressage tests nailed and everyone having arrived safely it had been a great day.
Saturday 6th August – Cross country day for the 100cm team, dressage and show jumping for the 90cm teams.
Saturday dawned to bright sunshine. I woke up really early so went for a jog/walk of the XC course. With the team about to exert themselves, I needed to do my bit too. It was lovely but my word those hills, they are big.
After a shower and breakfast camp was quite with riders at the stables. Saturday morning is odd atSwalcliffe as all the preparation takes place but time seams to stand still. With camp empty Amanda and I assumed that Darren was off walking the dogs. Oh no, much to our surprise camp manager was having a cheeky lie in, well deserved we agreed.
Louise was the first to go in the dressage for the senior 90cm team. They did a pleasing test with some lovely canter work.
Back at camp Helen was receiving a telling off for ‘flapping’ from her sister Amanda and Lorna. She was the first to go for the 100cm team on the cross country course.
There was enough time to watch Louise show jump before getting ready to receive Helen into the 10minute box. A positively ridden round but sadly a frustrating pole down for four faults.
Helen was warming up at the start of phase A, as time ticked down we said our good lucks and off she went. The 10 minute box is where the horses come after their roads and tracks to be cheeked by the vet, cooled off by the support team and made ready to jump to course of XC fences (phase D).
As Helen arrived the report was things had gone well and Jerry looked pleased with himself. Team Horsham swung into action, Jerry wassurprised at how many people were around him, but he was a really good boy. Jerry was washed down, scrapped off and walked until it was time for Helen to remount. The girth was cheeked then doubled cheeked and off they went. They finished XC clear. As it was so warm it was vital to cool horses off quickly, it is always a pleasure to work with a team who get a horse from hot to cool as quickly as Horsham do. The same routine took place as Lorna entered the ten minute box. Sadly Lorna and brissy had a hick up leading to 20 penalties but they finished well and Lorna was pleased with the rest of the course.
Finally Zoe arrived, as we washed Dolly off she asked how Lorna had gone. I will be honest we all lied to her. Saying ‘yea great’. We were later forgiven, Zoe was pleased no negativity was allowed to enter her head before she went out onto the course.
With the 100cm team finished for the day Caroline and I went off to do our stint of helping to run the event.
Saturday afternoon/evening for the 100cm team involves cooling legs and walking horses out in preparation for the vet cheek on Sunday prior to show jumping. As well as this plans are made and watches are set ready for the 90cm teams XC on Sunday
With classy dressage tests and show jumping performances as well as the 100cm horses feeling well after XC the Horsham camp was in good sprits.
Sunday 7th August – Trot up and show jumping for the 100cm team. XC for the 90cm teams
Sunday morning was busy, Jerry pretty much had a full bath as he was covered in stable stains (not unusual apparently), although Helen felt better when I told her I had passed a very dirty grey.
We watched Lorna trot up. Brissydid his usual squeal of excitement mid trot, he was looking a picture and passed. Happily Jerry and Dolly passed too, so on they went to show jumping.
Meanwhile it was time to head to the 10 minute box. First in was Louise, she was grinning from ear to ear. The steeple chase was ‘great fun’. Sadly they came to grief out on the XC course.
Laura was next to arrive with Serena. They had enjoyed the roads and tracks. Serena was a gem walking in the 10 minute box with so much going on. Laura was clear, a good result in the bag. Elise’s poor dad arrived wondering where on earth she was. We reassured him that she still had time before we expected her, sure enough Elise arrived bang on time with a very excited Freddie.Becky followed shortly after. Both horses were excited but behaved beautifully and did super XC rounds.
We later found out that the 100cm team had finished an amazing 5th place over all. Not only that Helen had come 2nd in her arena and Zoe had finished 5th in hers. The senior 90cm not to be out done had also finished with a really positive result. As a team they placed 5th. Elise was individual 3rdin her arena and Laura was individual 8th in hers.
The juniors all did brilliantly, finishing just out of the top ten teams. Ella finished individual 8th in her area which was a fantastic achievement considering she had to wait almost an hour after a long hold on the XC course.
To all the riders and supports you did the club proud, beautiful riding, wonderful attitudes and an amazing team spirit. What a lovely weekend with super results, the best to date for Horsham.
Thank you for having me, same time next year?