The month of May saw Ruby travel up to Pontispool for her first ODE. Having qualified for the area qualifiers, we knew that she needed more experience out and about as she is very sensitive and tends to get overwhelmed with new experiences. Some days don’t go to plan and this trip was one of them!
Rider error in the dressage, spooky in the SJ warm up but clear in the SJ round and after a great start on the XC, a sudden spook at something in the distance before fence 7 meant Amber was dismounted though landed on her feet. Eliminated! More experience was required to desensitise her!
The 25th of May is an important date in the calendar as it’s Mr P’s birthday and is understandably marked with lots of treats! He really is the most amazing chap who we all love dearly despite his many antics!
The end of May saw the BRC Top Spec Arena Eventing Championships. Ruby had qualified for this back in the Spring as a last-minute substitute for the 100cm team. Although she can jump this height with her eyes closed, she had very few miles under her belt regards exposure to a bustling competition environment and the plan had been after the qualifier to get her out and about more. However, with all great plans and is often the case with horses, she managed to injure her eye whilst out in the field and as a result had been laid off for a prolonged period to let it heal.
Having been unable to switch her for Podge, it was decided that rather than let the team down, she would make the trip up to the champs. As predicted Ruby was spooky and green and so she was not placed as an individual but the team did take a 3rd place which was a great result!
