Hoofprints & Headaches (Chapter 5)

Diary of A Horse Dad.

CHAPTER 4 - Vol 1

"Osberton - that was fun!" 

Well, that was a weekend! Sorry for late one on this! Osberton 1 Horse Trials ran by Bede Events is always a bit of a test, and this year was no exception. Having had the boys perform at the Burghley Young Event Horse class last year, we were back as they stepped up to Novice and whilst they made it look easy, I think the Novice part refers to me! A raring team was here all weekend though, we had Princess Juela who completed the Intermediate in her usual exuberant powerful style, looking very pretty as she goes. Honorary mates Peter (Bangarang) & Norman (Notaris) all doing their stuff and putting in some cracking scores! Call me bias, but we are going to win big soon! 

As the team packed up the lorry, loaded in the equine superstars and lathered up the greasing gloves, the team travelled across the weekend with – Juela (aka the sassy princess one), Roscoe (aka the “I will kick you” pocket rocket), Chilly (aka the perpetually hungry one) – plus the honorary transportation mates, Naughty Norman, or “Noris” as the commentator recalled, and Peter (aka Bangarang) all headed to Osberton.  

This event was special as we assembled the support crew of family and friends like a scene out of the Avengers albeit we were armed with coffee and waterproofs and not hammers and special effects. Although you could refer to my brother as Dr Strange but we all love him nonetheless - love you bro. Nevertheless, we were all out in full force, with enough questions and enthusiasm to power a small village and, crucially, our brand-spanking-new team Yeti cups! Hydration is key, people, hydration is key!

The dressage phase, let's just say, is a work in progress. It seems the judges have formed a bit of a fan club… for other people. Scores of 35.5 for Roscoe, 35.8 for Chilly, and a 36.4 for Juela (despite them all doing really nice tests) left us feeling like we'd accidentally entered a dressage demolition competition in that we were on our way to win if the scores were supposed to go that way rather than down. Still, as members of the team always says, "that's just one phase!" (Tbh, they probably say it more to make Charlotte be quiet, but the sentiment is appreciated).

Anyway, then came the show jumping, and thankfully, our talented trio remembered how to leave the poles up – kind of. Roscoe and Juela both pinged around with just one unlucky rail each, while Chilly, wanted to be different in his characteristic enthusiastic style, by adding one more to the tally as though it’s a game of whack a mole but with a pole. Yet, we live and learn, right? And at least they looked stylish doing it and will learn much from it, they don’t know we’ve asked them to step up and so they will continue to improve – check out the photos on our Instagram “@WalkernovaSportsHorses.”

Now, the moment we all wait for – the cross country! 6 minutes plus of pure stamina, jump ability and whistles! Osberton always delivers a proper test, and this year was no different. The weather has been… let's call it "character-building" for horse people - whilst 90% of the country have been enjoying sunbathing and beer gardens, horse people have been wondering when it is next going to rain so the grass in the fields will grow...  But the team at Bede Events had smashed it out the park and made immense effort to keep the show on the road. Our incredible horses focussed hard, and all flew around clear over the fences with a few time penalties to be added. Heart-in-mouth moments? Naa, they aced it with Kristina at the helm, which always gets me wondering what she is thinking… is it “wheeeeeee” or is it “wonder what Shane is cooking for tea?” but regardless of what she is thinking, we have every confidence in her exceptional talent! Proud owner moments? You bet! They finished on, clear with 13.2 time for Roscoe, clear with 13.6 time for Chilly, and clear with 10 time for Juela – but honestly, just getting them home safe and sound always feels like a victory.

The results saw Roscoe finish a respectable 12th out of 22, Chilly in 16th out of 31, and Juela in 17th out of a competitive section of 37. Not the podium finishes we dream of, but this is building them for the big time and despite the dressage scores that clearly had a vendetta against them, we were thrilled with their efforts and their development. I might just scowl at dressage judges next time. 

I must make you aware of a situation though. There was a moment of sheer, unadulterated panic, courtesy of our wonderful head groom, Tessa. Now, my phone pinged shortly after arriving on the dull Sunday Morning, sounds uneventful right... well wrong, there it was – a list of meticulously detailed timings, tasks and names. "08:01 Tack up" "08:04 Saddle on" "08:10 Studs on" Erm... My brain, still slightly sleepy from dreaming about the burgers the night before at Lou and Joes in Holmfirth, immediately jumped to the conclusion that these were my timings. I am already late if so! Thinking there must be a mistake, wrestling with tack, meticulously applying studs in the mud, thinking what will I do with Ralph, can Bracken hold Ralph... erm probably not but even (shudder) lunging in the field full of adrenaline pumped ponies, naa, I cant do that, can I? It all filled my head – I thought that was Shane’s job, he's so much more qualified than me, not me. The dread was palpable. I may have even let out a small, involuntary whimper and a look at Ralph who was looking back as if to say "youre on your own with this one pal" but… then… ah yes… the glorious, blessed realisation dawned on me. These weren't my timings. They were Tessa's - she was being nice and sharing the timings so we knew where to be. A schedule for her morning routine. The relief was so intense I nearly collapsed – could've hugged the passer by, although she probably would have punched me square in the face, well it wasn’t but I did have a heart flutter. I continue to owe Tessa a very large hot chocolate (served in a brand-new Yeti cup, naturally) for that brief but terrifying rollercoaster of emotion – and maybe some beautiful brownie made by the wife who now says this is a tradition but its more a superstition. Grooms are certainly unsung heroes of the Equine world especially on show day!

So, a small update to our day at Osberton 1 – you were great, you were challenging, and you certainly kept us on our toes. But as always, you were also filled with camaraderie, laughter, and the unwavering support of our amazing team. And hey, at least we looked good sipping our post-cross country celebratory coffees from our branded Yeti cups! Onwards and upwards!