Pippa’s June Update

Hi everyone,
 
Welcome to my first monthly update! I hope you find it interesting.

 
What I’ve been up to

Well, firstly I have been picked to represent England at the Ireland Cavan Home Pony International, which I’m really excited about!

To be quite honest, other than that,  I haven’t been out much this past month as at the beginning of the year I qualified for everything I need to jump, so I am just waiting for the summer to start so I can start to jump the premiers and championships!

I have however been to some local BSJA at my favourite place Port Royal; the first competition was the 1.10m foxhunter/open, which I won. Then the 148cms 1.20m qualifier, which I also won! I don’t want to sound too big headed but Brownie is immense at jump offs as she can turn on a six pence and is one of the fastest pony’s on the circuit!

On the 25th/26th I am at Grantham for the Arena UK premier where I have the SPOYS qualifier – the mark of my summer! From then I have not a weekend free – the whole six week holidays I am away, so next time Ii write to you all I will be in another country, on the road in my horsebox!
Not my day

As you know I went to Port Royal and the junior BSJA was meant to be in the morning and finish at 2pm, however it over ran and we didn’t jump until 5pm! We got there at 10am so I wasn’t in the best of moods! Brownie had switched off and Ii wasn’t concentrating. So we went into the 1.15m member’s cup qualifier. When coming round to the 5th fence, which was an upright off the corner at the bottom of the ring, and I totally missed it! I was focusing on the next fence, which was a water tray – I don’t think I have ever been so embarrassed!

The worst thing is that I only realised when it was too late and I was right next to the fence, and had to circle to come back to the fence; which meant I ended up on 4 faults. Luckily I had already qualified earlier in the year. But it is a mistake I have to take in my stride and learn from – you can’t let mistakes get you down because everyone’s human and the only way to learn is to make them! Just don’t make them twice!
 
My top tip for being at a big competition

If you’re going to a big competition don’t over phase yourself with the classes you pick, if you’re confident at a certain height, jump that height. Don’t jump the bigger height because your friends are – remember – you’re better off getting a good name by winning the smaller class and then working your way up, than trying too much and failing.

Also at a big competition all the best course designers, riders, owners and judges are going to be there so act professional – but not stuck up; you’ve got to be friendly and inviting! You never know, potential owners might be there.
Don’t get complacent. Just because you’re with your friends! You’re at the competition to win, yes have fun but have a clear distinction between out of the ring and in the ring. Have fun with your friends before your class. You need 100% concentration to win, so you need to know that course inside out! If you can, declare yourself near to the end so you can watch everyone else go so you can see which are the “boogie fences” and which lines you need to take.
 
Last vital thing – make sure your horsebox/car/trailer is packed 24 hours before and you have two of everything because you never know what may happen! Have everything you need to put on your pony outside the stable and have all your clothes out in a pile, so all you need to do is get ready and go! Best preparation you can do is get an early night, you need to be full of energy on the day!

“it’s better to be safe than sorry” is my motto
 
My secret weapon

Rescue Remedy!

Oh I love this, as it calms my nerves allowing me to think straight because I shake for no reason at big competitions, so I use this to calm and clear my head. I have become less reliant on it and the last time I used it was the British Open in 2010. I think it’s a great handy thing for competitors who are just starting out and who get nervous easily!
 
 
 
My product of the month

http://www.horseswithattitude.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=2_68&products_id=630

I can recommend this very handy bag as I have one! It holds all my competition gear in and goes to every show with me! I love it and can’t live without it.
 
What to look forward to

In next month’s update I will let you about how I got on at Cavans Home Pony International! Also on the 22nd June I am travelling to Wales over the Severn Bridge for the Welsh Home Pony International, where I have the 1.20m Championship.
 
I will definitely have lots of juicy gossip, results and photos to update you all next time!
 
Thanks for reading and I hope to see you back here, reading next month!
Pippa
 

 

Pippa Haigh’s Top Tip

“When ponies are going too fast into a fence, take it down a step. Build a cross pole and have 5 placing poles that are spread as trotting poles into it and after it. SLOWLY trot up making sure the pony doesn’t get faster by sitting up straight, if they get faster move the poles closer together and continue until you get the result you want. Over time remove a pole one-by-one. A martingale could also help from putting their heads up in the air and taking control.”