A very different day to last week’s competition. Glorious sunshine, a slight but chilly wind. Pretty good jumping conditions.
A slightly different mix this week. 2 75cm Teams, Blue and Red, one 75cm Individual and one 85cm Individual.
An early start for Emma McCaldin, moving up to the 85cm Individual this week. Both Emma and Katman extremely capable of this height, so great to see them giving it a whirl. A great start with the first two jumps cleared beautifully, somehow in the turn into fence 3, Katman got onto the wrong foot and wasn’t able to jump. Emma was the one who paid the price, as the sudden stop caused her to overbalance. Fortunately, all was ok, but it did mean elimination. Hope to see them back again at this height after half term.
The 75cm Blue team were next with Lily Moore getting them started. She and Izzy had a solid ride with just one pole down at the end of the first phase. The timed phase was clear. Next came Isabelle Wallace on Bess. This pair had such a strong ride, they know and trust each other implicitly, making the round look very graceful. A lovely double clear. In third was Tori Veitch on Ballyerk Canyon. This pair have been working so hard together to ensure they improve each time they jump at the Meadows. Well today, they cracked it! Tori showed her pony that she was in control, he did her bidding thus allowing them to get a well-deserved double clear round. An excellent achievement for this young ‘on loan’ pony. Finally, into the arena came Molly Lee and George. Another youngster on 4 hooves who jumped out of his skin today. Where we had refusals or run outs in previous weeks, Molly held on confidently to the reins and ‘told’ George what she wanted him to do. He listened and they had a super round with just one fence clipped. The team finished this week in 7th place, just outside the top 6.
The 75cm Red team began their round with Izzy once again coming into the arena, this time however, carrying a different sister! Ruby Moore made her first appearance at the Meadows since last year when she broke her leg in the first week of the Tri League. Despite her underlying nerves, Ruby had a cracking round with a strong, steady time and a super double clear. A relieved Mum looking on breathed a big sigh of relief. Brilliant start. Next in were Imogen Heap and Chico. This duo took the first phase in their stride and then changed gears. Immy flew round the course making lovely tight turns and clear jumps to post a very speedy sub 25 second double clear. 2 down, 2 to go. Sophie Johnston and Ben were 3rd to go. This pair followed the same plan as our previous rider, taking the first phase carefully and cleanly, then they turned on the speed! Trusting her pony to listen to her instructions, Sophie and Ben added a 3rd double clear to this round and with a fast time of just over 26 seconds. In come Emma and Katman to finish up for the team and give Katman a chance to have a full round of jumps. Caution was taken again in the first phase with the speed being turned on In the 2nd phase. Perhaps not quite as fast as the previous two ponies, but not slow either. A strong 30 seconds and a double clear. With the fast times, the team was leading until the penultimate team. With one rider from another school to jump to complete their team, they posted a double clear in a fast time. When added to their teams’ other times, they just knocked us off the top spot! So, for the 2nd week in a row, ERGS placed 2nd in the 75cm Team competition. Super jumping from everyone.
The final rider of the day was Maria Elliott on her young (and very ‘green’) pony, Ollie. She has been working with this lovely horse to get him accustomed to the noises and crowds that go hand-in-hand with such a big schools competition. The pair did very well. Despite throwing in a few ‘bucks’, Maria controlled him very well and got him round the course. He had two refusals which he jumped straight afterwards, this incurred 8 faults. A great effort for this duo and I hope a pairing that will go from strength to strength.
Thanks to all parents & grandparents for their support of the entire ERGS squad as usual.
Week 5 – Saturday 9th November.
(Report by R. McIntosh)
