Since I didn't ride until later in the day on Sunday I got to sleep in again! I got up and went and walked my x-country course once more and watched the prelim riders go before going to pick up the mare. It was nice and relaxed morning. The mare is completely content to stand at the trailer by herself all day. I have to say that it is really nice!
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| I love my truck. And thanks to Isabel for letting me use her trailer |
We got prepped and hopped up on to warm up. We did a ton of transitions in our flat warm up in an effort to remind her that
I pick the speed. Our over fences warm up had a few bobbles. We had a couple of run-outs at the oxer and she tried to run-out when we took the vertical at an angle but I was able to channel her over it, at the angle I asked for.
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| We sure look the part... |
In the start box I was very nervous again but at least this time I didn't feel like I was going to vomit. We had planned to trot the first fence to start on a good note and it turned out to be the right choice. She was a little wiggly but I growled, spanked her and she decided jumping was a good idea. A short "S" shaped canter to the next fence (which was the one that saw me fall off at the derby) and she popped over no problem. We had a fairly long canter before we doubled back to Fence 3. This was the fence with the Pre-Training fence in the line. The plan was to keep as close to the fence to get a straight line. This backfired slightly. She spooked hard at the fence and I twisted my bad ankle. We then had a run-out at the jump. I represented and had yet another run-out. This was the first time she didn't jump on the represent. I got her over it on the third time and the official photographer got a
fabulous shot of us over it.
I trotted into Fence 4 to get her mind back in the game and she responded well. We then cantered up and over the little hill to the coop at 5 and she flowed right over it. We cantered into the water and to the Pheasant Feeder at 6. We picked up yet another run-out :( No problem on the second time and the train that was next rode beautifully. Fence 9 was the headstones and unfortunately we picked up our 4th run-out, effectively eliminating us. I jumped her over it and started the long walk to the vet.
I was made to dismount by Control (via jump judge) and walk on foot. Unfortunately my ankle was incredibly bad and I could hardly hobble. It took me 10 minutes to get to the vet. Thankfully Isabel met me there and walked the mare back and I was able to hitch a ride on a quad to my rig.
Isabel then hooked up her truck to the trailer and took the mare home so that I could go home and ice my ankle. Turns out I sprained it. It was bruising by the time I got home. I guess it's time to look into a brace that will actually fit in my tall boot.
It was a very disappointing end to the weekend but I'm choosing to focus on a fabulous round on Saturday. We are heading back out next Wednesday to school and then I'm off to Cochrane for a clinic with Sandra Donnelly. We
will get this figured out.
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