Scotts of Thrapston

I’m totally addicted to the sport of eventing!

Posted on 04. Aug, 2010 by Janet in Janet Hammond, Rider Development Programme

After 4 months of training as part of the Scotts of Thrapston development squad, the programme culminated at the weekend with the Carlton Horse Trials.

My aim through these months was to do all that I could to give us the best chance possible at our first ever affiliated event, through training clinics and carefully selected competitions. Nick Turner, Caroline Moore and Sara Tusting were all generous with their knowledge, helping me to better understand the format of the event and how everything would run on competition day.

All this effort served me well, knowledge and experience helped to keep nerves firmly under control on the day. Also, the stewards on the day were so knowledgeable and helpful, which is a great support when you feel a little unsure.

Just a quick word on Carlton – the course and arenas were immaculate, providing great conditions despite our continuing drought, everything ran like clockwork, and the commentators were interesting and entertaining – apart from the description of Sara Tusting’s chocolate cake. I was waiting in the start box and suddenly became very hungry!!! I hadn’t realised that a vet and farrier would be on site, as well as the obligatory paramedics – it all helps reassure the nervous novice!

Tara and I got off to a good start with a nice dressage test, and I was delighted with our score of 33.5 penalties, putting us in 3rd place. Unfortunately our show jumping didn’t go quite so well. Tara slipped round a turn, and the loss in our rhythm resulted in a pole coming down at the next fence. We then went clear until the last. I allowed her to run on and take a flyer, and we had another pole down – I could kick myself for such a basic error, giving us 8 penalties to add.

Following the course walk with Nick Turner on Friday I felt reasonably calm at the start of the cross country. I had a clear picture of the line I would ride and how to tackle each fence. We set off at a good gallop, and all our training paid off as we jumped a smooth clear round. We did pick up a few time penalties, but Tara wasn’t quite as fit as I would have liked. It has been difficult to maintain speed work on the hard ground – this is a key learning and I will make sure I take Tara to train on local gallops as part of our preparation in the future.

All the same, I was thrilled with our efforts, which resulted in 10th place in my BE90 section. I had managed 2 out of my 3 wishes for the day – I didn’t have any “unplanned dismounts” and I got placed. My 3rd wish was for a double clear – that’s one to aim for.

I cannot put into words how much this opportunity has meant to me. Tara and I have progressed so much further than I could ever have hoped for, I’ve met some really lovely people and I’m totally addicted to the sport of eventing! Thank you to Julia Berrie for your support at the weekend. And the most enormous thank you to my lovely patient husband, who is my biggest fan, my greatest critic, an expert with studs, and an improving film-maker!

And finally – Sara, thank you for being such a fantastic and enthusiastic supporter of this programme. I hope to see you many more times at your beautiful cross country venue. And thank you so so much for putting the photo of Tara and me on the front of the programme.

I will never forget this.

Janet

Tags: Carlton Horse Trials, Caroline Moore, Nick Turner, Scotts of Thrapston