Our Hack Up RingCraft Ambassador 2022, Alice Hallows, gives her March Blog!!
Improved scores and greater consistency, makes the job so much more enjoyable and worthwhile.
A very warm greetings to you. I realise it has only been two weeks since you kindly read my last blog and this time I hope you can have a giggle at my expense, as the eventing gods have made sure my feet have stayed firmly on the ground after a successful Poplar Park.
Let’s begin on 19th of March when Alex came over to ours for this months RingCraft. Alex likes to say I am a RingCraft Princess, but this time I very much felt like an ogre. In essence, I was struggling to get the flow of the test which was intermediate 118. The shoulder ins had too much angle, multiple times I was late at the marker for canter and increasingly struck off on the wrong leading leg with the simple changes on the centre line. Thankfully, Alex recorded the tests and commented on each movement so I watched the videos later on that evening on the TV and it didn’t look as bad as it felt and confirmed I was being a bit dramatic! Throughout the week I watched the videos and made note of the key points to keep working on before Great Witchingham.
If you have a been a loyal reader (thank you if so) you will remember the goal setting blog, or shall I say essay? Anyway, I had an assessment day for the European Cup team at Boomerang where I thoroughly enjoyed myself with Quiz. The team ride was certainly a fun change from the usual dressage test form, and I felt like a cavalry officer when all six of us successfully staying on board our trusty steads did medium canter down the long side. None of us who went are to know the results of the assessment day yet, but it was an excellent to have been invited and a step closer to achieving this years goal. Also, it was lovely to ride in a squad selection environment and to meet new people who I will see again in the eventing community.
Great Witchingham was a taste of what it is like to manage all the logistics of getting five, fit, event horses ready to compete over two days. And it hasn't been particularly easy without our own lorry. On the Thursday I drove Misty in our 3.5 tonne lorry, and Fritz and Quiz, travelled in Clare’s lorry up to Norfolk. We had early times for the morning starting at 8.06 and finishing all three at 12.30. Misty started the day off with a surprisingly calm dressage scoring 25.5, Fritz did an accurate test for 25.7 and Quiz did a established 29 dressage. The show jumping was a big tough track and not many people jumped clear. I was pleasantly surprised with Misty only having one down and I was really thrilled with the clear rounds with Quiz and Fritz. Misty stormed round the cross country still as mad as ever which wasn’t a surprise and we finished 8th in the Open Intermediate. Fritz was next out on the cross country course and we were in with a great chance of winning, but alas I ended up going swimming in water jump. He hit the log on top of the slope which dislodged me, so I was around his neck going down the slope and ended up plopping of in the water. What went through my head as I fell in slow motion rhymed with the word bucket… At least it was a soft landing, my air jacket acted as a buoyancy aid. Soaking wet, and slightly pissed off I composed myself and went back to the stables to get on and ride Quiz round the cross country next. Quiz was a star and put a smile back on my face and we had a great round to come third in the Intermediate. I wouldn’t recommended riding round cross country soaking wet. And for those who are concerned I always pack dry underwear in my kit bag!
Packed up the two lorries and headed home pretty chuffed with my three horses to swap them over for Bertie, Luna and Faerie to then drive back up the A140 for another early start on the Saturday. I went on my own without my parents - FREEDOM! I wasn’t completely on my own I had the wonderful company of Clare and Phoebe who are great friends who also own the fabulous Faerie and have been very kind in lending us their lorry. Phoebe did exceptionally well with Faerie jumping a double clear in the Open100 to come 5th.
It was my first event with Bertie (Fernhill City Bound) in the Open100 and I couldn’t have had a better beginning with a 29 dressage and a double clear to come 2nd! I am really delighted for Zara and Willow who own him. There are exciting times ahead for sure.
Luna was beautiful to ride in the BE105. 27 dressage, unfortunate 8 faults show jumping as she just gets tight at the wrong time in front of the show jumps, but it will come soon enough. We finished with a confident clear cross country. It was lovely to compete in front of her owners Michael and Cordelia who were very pleased with her progress.
After I had finished the day I had a good chat with Alex whilst grazing Bertie and we celebrated the fact that all five of my horses scored below 30 from five different judges. The RingCraft sessions are 100% working and I am growing more in confidence keeping consistent marks throughout the tests. The results were a huge credit to our RingCraft sessions over the last 6 months.
Finally we have our new lorry! We have named her Jodie Whittaker and she has had a full make over. No longer vintage instead smart and classy. We are travelling in style!
In all seriousness it has been quite an investment for us to benefit the expanding team of horses and the travelling further away from home. I cannot believe we have a lorry like this. For now I am flying high with the eventing gods and completely and utterly grateful for what we have as a family.
With that I bid farewell for this month and hasn’t the weather been perfect for taking off the extra layers, and beginning the early stages of the farmers tan?
Speak soon,
Alice x
