"I have just had a very, very hectic week. With the cut-off date for winter qualification looming ever closer (end of November) I have been trying to complete all of my qualifications as I was a bit slow to get organised.

Almost qualifying

On Monday we took Bracks (Headmore Boadicia) and Dante (Headmore Downtopia) to Wellington Riding for an elementary freestyle to music. The entries were massive, the class ran from 1:00 until 5:30, and was of a very high standard; the judge said to me that it was phenomenal, like a championship class. We were pleased with both horses, Bracks scored just over 73%, and Dante got half a mark less then Bracks! Unfortunately for me, I still only finished third and fourth, and only the top two qualify. However, we were very pleased with how they both went, even though we just missed out on qualifying.

On Wednesday we then took Bracks and Dante out again, this time to Crofton Manor. Dante was first on in the elementary qualifier and it was a very difficult test for him. He coped fairly well with it, although it felt quite green and there were a few wobbles. The hardest part, however, was seeing where I was going as it was very cold and windy so my eyes were watering and I couldn’t really see! He scored just under 68% and finished second, so didn’t quite complete his qualification.

A hit and a near miss

Bracks then did the medium non-qualifier, but Mum and I didn’t realise that her first time was so close to Dante’s, so she must have had the fastest warm up ever. It didn’t bother her as she scored a massive 72% and won, despite a few green mistakes. We then did the qualifier and both Mum and I were very pleased with the test, it was by far the best medium test Bracks had done. However, we were very disappointed with the score as she was only awarded 66%, which was the lowest score she has had at medium. We finished second by one mark, so we were very disappointed to just miss out on completing her qualification like that.

A case of seconditis

Then, on Friday we took Dante and Bracks to Fair Oak Grange for another attempt at completing their qualifications. Dante was first on again in the elementary. He was exceptional in the warm up as he is really starting to gain confidence in new environments. He wasn’t so positive in the test as we had to go from a large outdoor arena into a small indoor school for the test, but it was still good enough to score 70% and win, finally completing his qualification. Bracks then did the medium qualifier. She went fairly well but she also backed off in the competition arena. She scored just under 70% and finished second again!

Quick!

Well, I managed to complete Dante’s elementary qualification at least, and I have another two weeks to finish the others so fingers crossed!"