ODE at BCA

Hi all

It's me again, to fill you in on last month's antics.

This month has been a quiet one for me and Neyo as our Eventing season finished at BCA doing a BE100. I spent 2 weeks in Cyprus and Neyo had a little holiday, his first proper holiday since I backed him 2 years ago.

Let me start by telling you about the Event at BCA (Berkshire College Agriculture), what an amazing day it was! Very long as usual but great all the same. The courses (SJ and XC) looked HUGE, but lovely. Although the XC was very long and up to height, I fel quietly confident about mine and Neyo's chances. Neyo's fitness and performance was really at it's peak, so it was all down to my riding - no pressure!

The dressage went well (it didn't feel great but it never does!) It was an average score on the day of 35.5% - not fantastic but better than I thought so no complaints from me.

After a four and a half hour wait between dressage and SJ we had two poles down due to slippy ground and my riding (or should I say lack of!).

I was one of the first on the XC course and as I was warming up all I heard was problem after problem - this is when panic sets in. However the ground was amazing on the XC course and although the jumps were big, they were perfectly positioned. Neyo was fab and took me clear ( even if a few were without stirrups!)

Unfortunately, I still ended up with time faults of 4.4, even though Neyo was an actual machine! We didn't hang around for the prize giving as I didn't get placed, but I was still pretty pleased for my first half season Eventing, I couldn't have asked for any more from Neyo :)

The plan next month is to try some show jumping, so I'll look forward to updating you next blog!

Hayley and Neyo x