What a GOOD day!

Oh what fun we had .............. That’s a Madness song isn’t it??

I didn’t want to go this morning. I would have taken any excuse to stay in bed, have roast at Wetherspoons and a gentle walk by Rudyard Lake this afternoon. But Superhubby stuck to our guns and got us there. And boy am I glad we went.

Tia was fantastic. She did her best dressage ever. 40.5 penalites, a string of 6’s and some lovely comments from the judge about how good she will be soon and what power she produces from behind. And I wasn’t plaited up either! (Aw cummon, let me off, we left home before eight.)

I took her early to warm up for the showjumping, in case we had trouble, but she just attacked the practice fences. She soared gaily around the course and only just tipped one. I let her come around a corner unbalanced, so it was my fault, I should have steadied and rebalanced her.

The cross country was probably the easiest one we have faced, but nevertheless her attitude to it was to die for. She rolled on round that course like a pro, and jumped the lot. I offered to let her slow down at the water. It was about 30 metres long, dirty, and had a huge crocodile to jump on the way out. He had 6 inch long teeth and a big white eye with a black pupil staring at her. But she wanted none of it, cantered straight through and popped the croc without even looking.

The only other odd fence was Noah's Ark. The Intro was the right side, the PN the left. In the middle were two six feet tall pink flamingos. And behind them two six feet high giraffes. And off to the right, two giant pandas, two giant tortoises and two enormous penguins. It was a fantastic fence!

I deliberately overshot the turn and brought her in from the right, so that if she was going to take exception to the flamingos she would have to completely change direction. She hestitated, I slapped her on the shoulder and she went forward perfectly happily and jumped it nicely. The rest was easy and we got back about 30 seconds inside the time. It was a long course (5min 20) but lots of room to get a move on and her natural stride is ground eating. She is also learning to "land and go" which saves you 2-3 seconds at each fence and will be invaluable when she gets to novice.

Best of all, I feel like I have an objective now to get through the winter with. She will easily be able to come out at Pre-novice next spring. She's ready now, but I don't want to finish the season on a question when I can finish on an up.

OK Judith, and some of the rest of you, it's beginning to look as if I made too hasty a decision about this mare. Now that she understands me, and I her, she has changed almost beyond recognition to ride. You wouldn't believe now that she chickened out at Marchington all those weeks ago. I still eventually want a bigger horse than her or Caddy, but right now there is no way I will part with a performer like she is until we know if Tetley will compete again next year or not.

We have one last event next Saturday - and now I can't wait!!

C.