So after the dramas at Swalcliffe BE100 we stuck well within our comforts zone and went back to Aston Le Walls for the BE90 on Saturday. We had nice late times so spent the morning getting everything ready and left the yard at midday.
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| Toy all dressed up and ready to go! |
The dressage area was surprisingly empty so I managed a proper warm up with plenty of transitions, changes within the pace and really asking Toy to sit on his hocks. Unfortunately, Toy does have a spooky side and the shadow of the judges box at C was just too much for him to handle! Even more annoyingly both canter transitions in the test were in the corners by the judge so they were not our best. I was pleased to score 33 and there were some nice comments, especially about his walk.
The show jumping warm up was going well until Toy stopped in front of a really plain upright, which we had already jumped several times, and I fell off! A bit shocked but unhurt I quickly got back on and jumped him again before my demons could catch up with me. Feeling refreshingly determined after the fall I kicked on round the course and although it was not pretty there was no way I was letting him stop. We had one annoying pole down but overall I was pleased.
Powered by the relief that the show jumping was over, the X-country course felt straight forward and rode well. Toy went off out of the start box like a rocket and made it all feel easy. The only small issue was a few sharp-ish turns where Toy landed on the wrong leg and then tried to do a mid-gallop flying change, only changing in front and becoming disunited. Not so much of an issue for him at 90 as he will jump from any pace but something to bear in mind for the future.
No videos this time round as Team Toy and Team Twist had joined forces and we only had Anne on the ground to help.
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| Sharing his haynet with best friend, Twist |
Since Aston, Toy has been intermittently lame in front :(
It became apparent as we had a little hack out on Sunday, just in walk as we were heading back to the yard he felt uneven. He has had 3 days of bute and rest and was checked by the physio on Wednesday. She thinks it his front right leg and probably coming from his shoulder. He has no heat or swelling in either leg or foot and at times, especially when cantering round the field, looks fine!
Thursday I lunged him in the pessoa and he did some lovely work, even throwing in a few bucks. Today is Toy's birthday and we celebrated with a lesson this morning with Ann Bostock, he felt amazing and she agreed that he looked sound, until the last bit of work on the right rein, we did one shoulder in and then he started to nod...immediately we stopped and walked him off. Carrot stretches, leg stretches and shoulder massages are the plan for the next few days....along with some happy hacking in straight lines in walk only.
Fingers crossed it will all settle down and we can get out and about again soon!
