I have achieved my first step towards becoming an Event Rider

I have achieved my first step towards becoming an Event Rider

Posted on 05. Aug, 2010 by in Henry Beasley, Rider Development Programme

What an experience!

It has been a fantastic last 4 months; I have achieved my first step towards becoming an Event Rider.

I had an amazing couple of days up at Carlton Horse Trials. We went up Friday for the course walk with Nick Turner which was a brilliant start to the weekend. I couldn’t recommend Nick highly enough, he is a great, confident and reassuring character which is exactly what you need in such a demanding sport.  He was great at Carlton making sure we asked all the questions we needed to.

We stayed at an amazing yard in Turvey where we were made to feel so welcome; just a short drive from Carlton it was an idyllic location.

The big day arrived and we packed up for Carlton, my first BE.

I warmed Bobby up as soon as we got there letting him see everything before I was up. My dressage was at 2:06 which worked well as I got on at 1:00 to loosen him up and make sure everything felt ok.

I went into the dressage arena feeling positive after all the work I had put in. He felt great and it paid off as I left the arena with a score of 33.5.

I was so happy with him and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon relaxing as my Show Jumping was at 5:00.

I started warming up 15 minutes before my time which was perfect for Bobby to get in the Show Jumping flow, unfortunately a horse crashed through a fence landing on its head just missing me and Bobby which freaked us out - perfect timing as I was called next. I went in and he was thinking backwards so we unfortunately had 3 fences down.

After this I was very disappointed as we rarely collect faults Show Jumping!

We had Cross Country at 5:45 so I went up 15 minutes before and warmed up, we have invested in a Point Air Jacket which I have to say is a must have as long as you don’t jump off afterwards with it attached!

I had the most amazing Cross Country round which made me so happy as I have been working on this, sadly we picked up time faults but can work on fitness for next time.

All in all I had a great day at Carlton finishing 12th which was brilliant for my first event.

I can’t wait till the next one and am thinking of doing Solihull on the 21st August.

Thank you to everyone involved in the Rider development programme it has been quite an experience and one I shall take with me for the rest of my riding career.

I shall keep you informed with future achievements!

Henry

2 Responses to “I have achieved my first step towards becoming an Event Rider”

  1. Janet Hammond

    05. Aug, 2010

    It’s been great meeting you. Well done with your result at Carlton. It was amazing how close our scores were – identical dressage scores, almost the same time penalties cross country (even though my horse is two hands higher – just shows how slow I am!!!! I think it’s an age thing).
    I hope you achieve all that you want in this very demanding sport. Maybe we will meet up at some other events in the future. Don’t forget me when you become a famous rider, it would be great to see behind the scenes!!!

  2. Henry Beasley

    05. Aug, 2010

    Thank you its been fantastic to see you develop as a rider as well, I won’t forget at the first clinic how nervous you were and now your competing regularly.
    If I do ever get anywhere you can be the first to know!
    Good luck and don’t stop flying up the levels I can see you and Tara doing a Novice next summer!
    I shall see you around at events, GOOD LUCK!!!!!

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