{"id":2177381,"date":"2021-09-10T17:06:03","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T16:06:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forelockandload.com\/?p=2177381"},"modified":"2024-03-13T14:12:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T14:12:43","slug":"eventer-turned-show-jumper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/flld\/eventer-turned-show-jumper\/","title":{"rendered":"Eventer turned Show Jumper – Staying away at Arena UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s great to see our supported riders out and about competing, this time we hear from eventer Sophie Reason who spent a week of her summer show jumping at Arena UK<\/a> in Leicestershire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018After lockdown finished I\u2019ve been super busy with work and not updating everyone as much as I\u2019d like! We have really gone from 0-60mph with the horses after lockdown and I hope everyone is well and enjoying being back out competing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in July I headed to Arena UK for a week of show jumping (my first SJ stay away) after being persuaded by my friend, who took 3 horses herself and another 3 from her yard, so there was a decent crowd of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After packing the trucks, we left on Tuesday morning in a convoy (5 lorries) to Grantham. After getting a couple of lorries stuck in the mud when trying to park, we got settled in and once the horses were in their stables and camp was set up.  So, what did we do first\u2026? We cracked open the first of many bottles of fizz! Before too many glasses were consumed, we thought we should hack the horses \u2013 who were all super chilled and ready for a week of jumping.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Who did ‘the walk of shame’ with the empties?!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I started off in the discovery and 105cm on the first day to get the horses used to everything and to warm them up. For the rest of the week, we stepped up to the newcomers, jumping in the big arena. Both Angelina & Buddy jumped some cracking rounds in their first newcomers, which were up to height and technical! Unfortunately, no placings for us as although we can gallop, we eventers are not quick enough on the turns! It was truly an eye opener to see how fast showjumpers go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had an awesome week with great friends and jumping some technical courses every day was very educational. I can\u2019t say I\u2019m completely converted (won\u2019t be getting anymore bling yet) as I love eventing too much. But I will definitely be attending some more stay-aways as it\u2019s a great way to consolidate training, step up the levels and get more rounds under our belts.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n

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Smiles all round!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After her first stay away experience Show jumping, we asked Sophie what her top 5 essentials to pack when staying away with horses\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n