We Are Both at Our Absolute Happiest on the XC Course

Here we go again- another Sarah and Woody extravaganza!

Between the trade stand at last week’s BE event and competing at this weeks PC event I feel like I’m basically a Forgandenny resident I’ve been there for so long! However, I was excited to redeem myself on that course as the last time I competed there Woods and I did our first and only walk of shame off of  a XC course. Granted it was the year that the Novice track confused itself for a 1* but STILL it’s not a great feeling.

Anyways fast forward almost two years and one tendon injury later and we are ready to go again. Since literally, nothing slowed him down in the BE90 at Dalkeith I looked my brave pants out and entered the 100cm. The schedule did say the SJ would be 105cm but me being me I was like “meh, they’ll probably just stick a couple of uprights up to 105 and leave the rest a bit smaller”. BOY, was I wrong! But more about that later…

After being disappointed with my Dressage a few weeks ago I approached the day with a totally different attitude; I wasn’t just going to ‘get through it’ but I was going to ride to the best of my ability and really try to get the best tune out of Woods in all three phases.

He warmed up like a BEAST for the dressage – full-blown Stallion mode with his crest high and his chin tucked in. I’ve recently changed back to doing flatwork in my jumping saddle which he is much happier in and I’ve ditched the spurs as I find he goes much better without (perhaps I am stronger with my leg without the fear of stabbing him??) – both factors made a huge difference I think. My mum actually heard someone saying how “incredible that cob is” which makes me super proud – even though he’s not a leggy thoroughbred, he is quite striking when he moves like that.

The test was much, much better than its predecessor – I was super pleased and thought it deserved a sub-30 but we didn’t quite make it and were awarded a 30.8 which I’ll take. The judge’s comments mentioned he needed to be more fluent on more than one occasion, so this is something to work on for next time.

On to the show jumping which was HUGE. And it was causing CARNAGE.

There were a lot of stops and a lot of poles falling. I’ve done very little in the way of show jumping this year as a whole, so I was circling the warm-up feeling very underprepared indeed. However, a very wise friend (pahaha) asked me why I was nervous because we know that Woody doesn’t refuse, so what was I so bloody scared off??? Damnit, she was right, I needed to get a grip!

So, I gathered my reins, kicked him up into the bridle and cantered with feeling to the start. As usual, my little pocket rocket showed the big boys how it was done and cruised around the track, only just knocking the final fence because his Mummy was getting a bit carried away and forgot to ride! I was so chuffed and honestly couldn’t give a monkey about that four faults because my boy was the best and we were getting to go XC!

It was now closing in on 7pm and the sun was setting but never mind, Woods knew what was up. There was only one person in the warm-up before me so I had a canter, popped a fence like a pro and was ready to go.

OFF WE WENT. Out of the start box and he was a man on a mission, really romping on looking for the next set of flags. He jumped the 100 much better than he had jumped the 90 a few weeks ago as the demanded a little more of his respect and in turn, he actually listened to me every so often and jumped up and over instead of hurdling them.

I chatted to him all the way around telling (yelling!) him how awesome he was and how much fun I was having and honestly, we are just both at our absolute happiest on a XC course – as you can tell by our photos. We were talking about it on the way home and I think Woody’s brilliance really stems from our partnership – he never questions what I’m asking him to do and I never question that he’s going to go, it all just flows.

We came around the corner to the final three fences and I glanced at my watch to discover I had over a minute left – whoops – so nice big loops and lots of setting up for the final stretch got us in just over the too-fast time. A storming clear and a very happy horse and rider.

Cooled off, ice boots on and happily munching grass, we left Woody with his Grandpa (my dad obvs) and mum and I headed off to check results and photos. I, of course, was now thinking about my stomach and be-lined for my new favourite thing – a Laird’s Lunch from the world’s best Venison van! The results were posted, and we were heading home (at about 8.30pm!!) with a 4th place frilly!

Since Woody came back from injury, I said he probably wouldn’t go back to Novice and we would play it safe at 100, but this weekend he felt better than he ever has before. He made the 100s feel completely effortless which makes me think that maybe, just maybe, I will get the chance to give him his second Novice completion after all. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves - for now, I am just going to enjoy every moment and take it one step at a time with my precious boy.

Hope you all had a fab weekend,

Sarah and SuperCob x

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