Jodie's Blog - We Have Left The Start Box!

Oh it felt so good to be back Eventing!!!

We packed up the lorry and left for Aske on the Friday afternoon with the hope of walking the cross-country before it got dark; we travelled with a friend and both horses arrived feeling very well. Clover was clearly aware of what was happening as she didn’t eat her dinner – classic Pops in her pre-Event excitement!

We always stable at Foxberry Chasers – the loveliest yard not far from Aske with the kindest owner who always makes us feel very welcome! Both Clover and her travel buddy Hetty settled in for the night and we headed off to walk our tracks. Clover hadn’t evented since early last season so it’s been while since I’ve walked a XC, I was relieved to hear I wasn’t the only one thinking it was a strong Novice but the ground couldn’t have been better and the course looked incredible!

Safe to say I didn’t sleep a wink on Friday night, pre-Event nerves got the better of me, I had ridden the cross-country a thousand times by the time the alarm went off at 6am! We headed over to Aske to be met by the friendly face of Andrew Spalding donning a very fetching visor. A huge amount of credit must be given to the army of volunteers and the organisers of Aske Horse Trials who did an amazing job to get our sport back up and running so effectively and efficiently!

Clover was first, before her lorry companion, so we got her tacked up and headed over to dressage. I have to say I enjoyed having pre-printed numbers, negating the need for a long walk to the Secretary’s tent! She did a nice enough test (as much as Clover can when she just wants the dressage over and done with!!) so I was pleased to get a 33.

Showjumping…. our Achilles heel! I love showjumping Aqua but Clover is a whole different kettle of fish and she was behaving like a ‘fire-breathing dragon’ to quote a very good friend!! I was almost cripplingly nervous, really struggling to keep focused so I was pleased with only 2 down as I felt I didn’t ride my usual way – but it was done and we were heading for the XC!!

A surprisingly calm Clover managed to contain herself in the start box - is she FINALLY growing up?? I won’t hold my breath… She was superb around the course, didn’t deter from her job once. I was immensely proud of her – as ever, she made it feel far smaller than it walked – I needn’t have had a sleepless night!!

Our lorry companions Shaun and Hetty absolutely smashed it in the Intermediate class with a very smart double clear so it was a great lorry drive home!!

Thanks once again must go to the organisers and estate owners of Aske Horse Trials, the army of volunteers who did a sterling job and British Eventing for working to get us back to the sport we love so much. 

See you next time 

Jodie and Clover 

Cover photo kindly supplied by Tim Wilkinson of Eventing Images