Today I took Percy and Florence to Rodbaston College for the Bailey's Horse Feed sponsored BE Jump Training Qualifier. Percy went first in the 90, he was much more chilled warming up then the other night, although I could feel he was desperate to let off a bit of steam. We warmed up with Sylvia Farmer and were judged by Andrew Bennie. He was rather excitable in his first round and like a little star in the second round, despite having the last fence down. This was good enough for 1st place!!!! Very proud of him.
Florence jumped in the 100 and was fab, so much fun to ride. She was really unlucky to have the last fence down in the first round but pinged round like a true professional in the second round. We'd warmed up with Andrew Bennie and were judged my Sylvia Farmer, unfortunately her fence down cost her a qualifying spot as she was 5th and only 4 qualified. Quite disappointing really because she jumped her little heart out.
The BE Jump Training series is a fantastic competition, it's super to have a professional to walk the course with and to know what they expect of you. Then to be warmed up by them over a fence is very useful before going into the arena where the judge gives you feed back after each of your rounds. I would recommend it to anybody who wants some good practise over well built courses before the start of the season. The team that run the event are such a friendly, helpful bunch and it's a great way to meet and chat with fellow event riders. Also the sponsor's are very generous with their prizes, I came away with a lovely embroidered saddle cloth, £30 of BE training vouchers and £15 Baileys Feed Vouchers.
It's a shame they don't still run the team competition because that was even more fun...maybe next year :-)