Not sure what word best describes our day Eventing at Tweseldown yesterday......

Milli was having her second Novice run this season and after not being to an event since Chilham at the end of April she was very pleased to be back out! She warmed up well and performed a super dressage test for 33 (a PB for us at this level!). She then had an unlucky 4 faults SJ around what was a very big track for us but I wasn't bothered by it as it was just a babyish mistake, as we turned to face all the tradestands which made her hesitate slightly meaning we were a bit too close to a big upright so she just tapped the front rail. However she topped up a good start by going XC like a pro and she jumped an awesome clear XC picking up just 3.2 time faults! The track was a very challenging course causing lots of problems even for more experienced horses!! We finished just out of the placings in 12th in what was a very big arena of 40+ competitors so I was very pleased with her!                         (More pictures and a video to follow shortly)

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Roxie however isn't enjoying a nice relaxing day in the field unfortunately.....she did a super dressage test to score 36.4, and had a very unfortunate two down SJ but she jumped a super round putting into practice new techniques I've learnt in recent SJ lessons. On to XC and this is where it didn't quite go to plan!! She started off super, being very bold around what was another tough track causing multiple problems! We got towards the end of the course and approached the skinny house jump into the water, we were on a great stride to the first and just as we took off I looked over to the 'b' element......next I knew we were both lying next to each other in the water! Roxie got up and headed to the next fence, shortly followed by a very damp rider, me! The water went on to cause further falls and problems, so many that both fences were removed from the course so it was just canter through the puddle!

I set of towards the fence judge at the next fence who had caught Roxie for me and I could already see quite a lot of blood and as I got to her I could see she had badly cut her left knee. She didn't want to stop so I began the long walk back to the car park to meet the vet who began washing it all. She had a few other superficial scrapes but the knee was the major concern as it was clear she'd badly damaged it :( So many people came to help us get her untacked, studs out etc which was greatly appreciated, I can't thank them all enough. The vet advised we took her straight to Bell Equine for them to look at further so we got her bandaged up and comfortable and headed off to Bell. She travelled really well and on arrival it was all cleaned again and her knee was scanned as well as x-rays being taken. On the x-rays you could very easily see the amount of grit and dirt that was in the wound. She was being a first class patient and standing very quietly for the vets but the next thing to decide wasn't do they operate or not it was when do they operate. By this time it was late at night so the decision was made to let her recover slightly and operate  first thing this morning. The good news is that the operation went well and she came back round safely and is back up on her feet now but all three joints in her knee were quite badly infected with dirt and grit so the main focus now is to get the infection under control. To say I'm worried and scared would be a huge understatement but I know she's a fighter and will try her very best! I am off to see her this evening and take her some treats as she's not been eating much, I didn't think she would as when I had my car accident in 2010 she hardly ate at all whilst I was in hospital as the bond between us is so strong! The yard is very quiet without her but all my fingers and toes are tightly crossed that she stays strong and will be back home as soon as she can be so the long road to recovery can begin.........

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I will of course keep you all update of her progress.....

SG Eventing
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***Keep Calm & Canter On***
***Eventing 2014***