Its the Thursday before the Big B and to be honest its been a bit of a roller coaster. After our lovely win at Moreton we had another solid run at Tweseldown for a 4th place which was great, with Princess on great form and finishing on our dressage score. Since then we haven’t evented but have focused on Showjumping and Dressage. We did the BD Winter Petplan Championships mid-April, with a respectable if edgy test where I was having to be rather tactful on a fit horse, finishing mid-field. Once that was out of the way we were able to crack on with more fitness and some trips to the all weather gallops as things are getting a little firm at home. Princess is definitely built for power rather than speed and her work ethic is probably a bit like mine when it comes to fast work. Neither of us particularly enjoy it but it needs to be done, and having seen the Kitty King course walk I’m glad I have put the time in as the questions look to be towards the second half of the course this year.
I went to see Andy Austin for a show jumping lesson too. I have always trained with him over the last twenty years and have bought three lovely horses from him including Princess. After a good lesson I was feeling very positive about things, particularly as we talked alot about mindset which I think these bigger occasions are all about. However roll forward to last weekend and I thought i’d hire a local facility that has a nice SJ arena and gallops and have a gentle training session. What I actually got was a fire-breathing dragon that was goggling at all the fillers and generally being shockingly behaved. My only sollace on a very miserable and contemplative drive home was that she has done exactly the same the week before Badminton last year, however it does nothing for the nerves especially when you wonder whether something is ‘going down the reins’ from me.
Having worried for 3 days I bit the bullet and entered a BS show to see if this was a blip. Having felt rather ill and negative on the drive there, thankfully normal service was resumed and I was sitting on a normal Princess who popped round as normal, so I have decided to quit while I’m ahead and I am not going to jump again before the event.
Its been quite a reflective time therefore, and I admit to having had a rollercoaster of emotions, coupled with starting a new job!. However, it has certainly made me more grateful for the opportunity to get to compete at Badminton and be a part of this iconic event – and what it should be about. Its a privilege to be there, whatever the outcome, and horses as we know are great levellers. I plan to enjoy the experience with friends and family and then stay on for the big event with the pressure off. I shall certainly enjoy not constantly checking Princesses’ feet and legs obsessively once its over!
Fingers crossed…..
Sue