You would expect, when doing an event on the 5-6 August, that you might be treated to some sunshine, some good weather, good ground and perfect camping conditions.....
But after the summer we have had, that would be a foolish expectation.
This was the first time the 80cm had been a two-day event due to include the 'Phase C' - roads & tracks and steeplechase' element before the cross country on day 2. Sadly, but sensibly with just torrential rain providing horrid ground conditions, 'Phase C' was removed.
However with the power of lots of shampoo, chalk and henny's new space suit, Henny came out sparkling on Day One with his dressage shoes on, to produce a 32.8 score - with a few little moments due to slippery ground. This was followed by a super show jumping effort with two unfortunate poles from getting a little deep in the boggy ground.
Over night Kaye and Henny were sat in 24th with more rain to come, "Team Henny" decided to wait and check the ground conditions before running on the cross country.
With more prep done to the course, Kaye studded up and kicked on for a lovely cross country round with 2 unfortunate time faults - understandable going a little slower to ensure they both came back safe although a little soggy!
We couldn't be more proud though of Kaye Popham and Hennesy, back at Swalcliffe for yet another championship and finishing an amazing 13th against very strong competition on very testing ground 👏
We now look ahead to our next championships for the club on the 19th august for the SWWRC champs where we have 4… yes 4 teams competing including team henny in 3 of them 🥳
In Kaye's own words:
Henny and I took part in the BRC National Horse Trials Championships at Swalcliffe, coming a very respectable 13th in a big section of 30 and while tackling some awful weather and ground conditions!!
It was a very wet, very muddy and very slippery affair this year, but the big man tried his very best for me as always and was an absolute super star putting up with the rain, the baths, the ground and taking another stay away show all in his stride.
We started with a good dressage score of 32.8, a couple little moments with a tiny miscommunication and being a bit unsettled, but overall I was super pleased, as I could feel he was riding quite guarded and felt a bit tense and unsure about the ground underneath him.
We then went on to our SJ, in what was another rather wet, muddy and quite poached arena! Henny was flying in the warm up, and around the course too!! We were just unlucky to role a couple of poles, and again I felt he just wasn’t enjoying the ground at all bless him!
Sitting in 24th over night, and the rain still pouring down, we weren’t sure if we were going to XC, or to save him for another day …
A good night sleep, and with the roads and tracks elements removed, we decided to walk the course again and see what the ground was like! I decided we’d go for it. Yes it was soft, but all take offs and landings were good and Swalcliffe had worked hard to move ropes and track lines from the day before! I also felt a blow out around the XC course was just what we both needed … and I wasn’t wrong!!
We jumped a fab clear round, with Henny flying around the course aside a rather sticky moment at the second water … Beth knew we were coming though, she heard me growling stood at the finish line! We stormed home clear with just 2 time penalties to add for being 5 seconds too slow!
The ground didn’t quite ride like I’d hoped, and was quite deep and slippery in places, so I did take some turns quite wide and careful, hence the timing, but to come across that finish line safe and sound is what mattered and with a big smile on my face just says it all … And then to top it off, go and climb 11 places up into 13th was just amazing
What another great weekend away with Henny and the girls too, lots of laughs, lots of wet socks (and wet everything really) lots of mud, Casper coats and I even got to hold Jonty Evans hand on the XC course walk … my one and only claim to fame
A massive thank goes to Beth Date, Jayne Harman and Rhea Kellow for all your help with Henny and I. Beth did an amazing job as ever keeping Henny clean, especially with all that red mud
And yes Mr XC Commentator, I do have a groom.... in fact I have 3 this weekend actually!
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