I am fed up.
This year isn't going to plan.
A few weeks ago we headed to Chepstow for our first BE100 of the year. The rain started and came and came. I was last in the section.
I unloaded a demon mare. Peacocks were screeching, it was pouring and it took about ten minutes to mount. She actually settled nicely in the warm up but they were running late so I sheltered for a bit under a tree. Unfortunately I didn't time it well and she tenses up again. A further delay due to me being last in the section and then running out of dressage sheets led to is breaking into canter four times and a jog instead of a walk. I don't think the judge could see through her windscreen and awarded us 29.8.
By the time we got to the show jumping it was deserted. I felt pressured to warm up quickly and I had a confidence meltdown. I couldn't get Lexi forward enough. In the ring it was better until I almost went the wrong way and gave her no stride to jump a fence from which we had down. I then didn't get her forwards enough into the double and she tried to put two strides in then had no room and stopped. We jumped the rest but I withdrew xc as the ground was rubbish and I was ridig like rubbish.
Last weekend I felt I needed a brush up so we went and did some sJ. I had an unfortunate run out in the 95cm jump off because I tried to angle left and the poor horse did just what I asked her to do and ran out left. Every time I panic I pull out left. The 1.05m was up to height and she was great, we just had the last down as I lost the impulsion round the last turn.
The Monday we went xc - bitless I might add - and she was incredible. Ate it up, I felt confident and good.
This Saturday was Ascott under Wychwood. I was so excited and really looking forward to it.
Lexi warmed up well for the dressage and did a lovely quiet rest. I felt it lacked sparkle and impulsion but I believed she was learning to relax and from now I would be able to get my leg on and really ride.
Apart from she was equally quiet warming up for SJ. No matter what I did I couldn't get her forwards. She seemed to lose energy into a fence not gain it. (Which led to me having a meltdown and pulling out of a couple). Usually in the ring she perks up and takes a hold anyway. She didn't. Maybe very slightly. We managed the first three but I felt her backing off so had to give her a flick with my whip before each fence. She then heaved herself over the double like a broken down cart horse. How she jumped out I don't know but she then said a clear no thank you to number 5 and I retired.
She'll have a day or two off then we will see how she is. I'm going to buy her a boost supplement but if she's no better I'll call the vet out.
I'm feeling very frustrated as for lots of little reasons this season just isn't coming together. In February I thought we would be doing novice by now but we have yet to complete a 100. Obviously her welfare is of utmost important but given she was so good at the weekend I think she's
Feeling a little under the weather. We still have a couple more events planned this month so fingers crossed!
