The weather was scorching for March and we all needed drinks at one of the checks. Orange squash all round thanks to a local farming family, bless them.
So Radar and I were hot, but he was on fire. Goodness me he has come on this season! He is attacking his hedges with a total confidence and every meet that we are out people comment about his jumping. Today was no exception, with a foot follower and two mounted field asking about him at different times.
It was a lovely meet with lots and lots of loooooong gallops and a fair number of nice hedges. We forded a river four times and did some tricky banks in a wood that had me clinging to my breastplate. One of the hedges was also rather tricky but I know it now, we have jumped it several times before. There is a short plummet down a very steep bank and the hedge, around 4 feet, is at the bottom of the bank with less than a stride of flat ground in front of it. The best way to take it is to come in on an angle, that lowers the steepness of the bank and gives you more flat ground to take off from. The downside is that the hedge is then half as wide again! In spite of that, it does jump well and we always enjoy it.
It was a long day, and we lost a hound on the last leg. By the time we found it, it was half past five before we got back to the lorries, over four and a half hours on horseback. Radar will be tired but satisfied tomorrow, and so will I.
One more meet and that will be it for the summer. Let's hope it's a good one.
C
Bet the river fords felt good to the horses.
ReplyDeleteThose hedges sound quite dramatic. Did they get any pictures this time out? I love seeing you guys soaring over those jumps.
After being out that long with all the jumping and galloping, Radar will be one happy boy. Sounds like a great day was had by all! (Even the stray hound. *G*)
What a wild, fun day. When I read your posts I can almost feel the rhythm of a galloping horse, having ridden one myself today. You are so brave!
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome.. Incredible weather.. we have fires starting up on the high ground now... hate to say but we do need some rain now
ReplyDeleteRadar is fine today, with a very self-satisfied smile on his face, Jean. Me too :-)
ReplyDeleteBrave or stupid ML :-) ? I just need the adrenalin rush, it's part of my psyche.
NH, fires already! Crikey. SH is just about to set up our emergency water pumping facility. We always have water, but after 10 weeks or without rain it's not always in the right place!
C