20/06/2024
Melbourne International 3 Day Event 💫
Having last competed at this event 10 years ago, I have been eager since then to get back competing at this level and calibre of event. A milestone achievement for me and Bentley to complete our first 3 day event together and having been an active goal of mine for a few years now it’s nice to sit back and reflect on a successful campaign.
For Bentleys first 3 day event in a big atmosphere I couldn’t have asked anymore of him.
Intially being very disappointed with a tense dressage test, which wasn’t a reflection of what we are currently capable of producing, I can now look back and empathise with the atmosphere getting to Bentley a bit. He is very inexperienced as am I in those kinds of environments, so going forward we will make plans now to improve how he performs in such atmospheres in the future. There were still some positive moments though and at least I got a pretty picture 😉
Our showjumping round showed lots of improvements, minus the two silly “rider” rails which I caused by allowing my nerves to affect the quality of the canter too much. Bentley is improving every round and trying his heart out, so I can’t ask for much more than that.
Our cross country round was the absolute highlight where he stormed around, bold as brass with good ride ability adding no jump or time penalties to our score. The course certainly presented its challenges and the fact that we both completed these with confidence I am rapped about.
It can’t be forgotten either that many aspects of a 3 day event can provide added pressure which we don’t often get at a regular event. Being stabled for 5 days is very abnormal for many of our horses, plus being pestered a hell of a lot left Bentley a little bit sick of me come Monday arvo 😬 plaiting, plaiting and more plaiting 🙄walking, walking and more walking 😅 it is hard to keep them in a normal rountine. So with all that in mind, their ability to cope with all that should not be taken for granted either.
Most importantly Bentley has recovered brilliantly, which if any of you know him and his confirmation you know this can be a major downfall and a mission to keep him sound at times. I see it as a big achievement in its self to get him there in peak form and recover well.
I also can’t go without saying that the help and support I have received from so many people in the lead up to this event and at the event itself has been overwhelming. My family, friends, coaches and even my students and their parents who made the effort to come cheer us on or support me from back home was just awesome! And that barely scratches the surface of what those wonderful people have done for me 🥰
I look forward to our next venture while remaining incredibly grateful for this wonderful horse I am so fortunate to own and all those people who are in my corner 🥰
