BRC National Finals - the less said the better!?

So we arrived on saturday evening and Deanna quickly settled to her hay. We somehow managed to get ourselves into the poshest stables which was nice and Deanna definitely approved!! Went for a walk round with two of my team mates then had a quick trot and canter round in the outdoor school before leaving the ponies for the night.

Walked the course on saturday was immediately nervous due to the brightness and spookiness of the fences. Walked it again on sunday morning and it seemed better, but I knew at the end of the day it would all depend on Deannas mood. First rider of the competition went in and fell off at the 2nd fence...not the best of starts :S

Deanna warmed up nicely, going forwards, jumping well - went into the ring and jumped one two down the arena, backed off a little but jumped fine.

3 and 4 were back up the arena, 4 on a dog leg, still fine. Then it was a tight left turn back to no 5 which was an odd fence - black filler plank infront, two poles behind. Came round the corner and she got unbalanced and broke to trot, one stop. Smack and round again, stopped again for no real reason. 3rd time she stopped but managed to get her to jump from a standstill. Dog leg to no 6 fine, turn back to no 7 fine, dog leg to 8 fine.

Then it was turn back down the arena to a treble, first part a triple bar then an oxer with a black wall then a pole/plank to finish. D came round the corner, I smacked her on but she was already looking at the black wall so 3rd stop and elimination. Granted, this line was a bit of an eyesore and I know she doesn't like black...but if she could have done it 2nd time, but had already pissed about too much.

 
 
2nd round - course changed I thought she'd be better. 1,2,3,4 were the same and she jumped through well. Turn back from 4 but this time it was just turn back and head straight to what used to be no 8 - so she'd jumped it before, wasn't mega scary, was on a ok stride and still stopped. Fine 2nd time, over 6 and 7, then dog leg to no 8 (which was the old fence 5 that she stopped at twice). More run up this time + jumped it once, still stopped. Ok 2nd time, round the corner to the treble - smacked round the corner, on approach, thought she was gonna take off...stopped. Elimination.
 

Came out the ring, smacked her over an oxer then got off crying :( I was so dissapointed.

 
Team didn't do well anyway, in 1st round one girl went clear, next had 20 faults, next 8. 2nd round, first girl had 16 faults (2 stops + time), then 18faults, then 4 faults. But if D had of jumped like she can, she would have easily gone clear and who knows what will have happened then.

All in all a bit rubbish really. Had been planning two days of BSJA this weekend but not sure what to do now. Maybe drop her down a height and jump the 80cm and 90cm then if goes well do the 90cm and 1m the next day. Damn mares!

Videos to come...