Windsor competition

Well getting ready was interesting, but managed it without me or Chally attracting too much mud.

Walked down to the arena and tucked in behind around 30 of the Oman cavalry, now this is the first time I have ever seen riders with bagpipes!! Very impressive, but I missed their demo due to pegging.

The warm up was interesting, worse than any hunting field with ankle deep mud, I felt really sorry for the organizers as this couldn't be avoided!

We did a practise run, then on to the real runs. In the two prelim rounds I picked up both pegs, but scored 11 for both (max mark is 12, with 3 marks for style and pace), I know where I dropped the first mark as I bumped into myself which made the recovery messy. The second one is a mystery

This is one problem with the BTA system as it becomes a bit subjective like dressage.

I made it to the final and we swapped running partners, unforunately on the first run I needed to correct Chally as she wasn't run straight which made the drill a fraction late and I missed my peg, which is came over for placing! The next run picked up for another 11 (still not sure where I dropped the mark), but was still out of the running.

The team event was next and I was running with the Frontiersmen, on the first run one team member just missed their peg, but was a full house on the next run we got a full house. Another team managed the same, and we just got pipped into second again due to style points. The winners were the royal logisitic core, but with a borrowed Frontiersmen too!

Finally SLR was next, this is sword lance revolver, the ultimate test. We were allowed to jump round the course with no weapons and Chally felt great and was jumping well.

On our run jumped the first jump attacked the dummy, jumped the second fence and attacked the final dummy releasing my sword, all going well.

Pulled out my gun and headed towards the next jump and we ground to a halt miles away from it. Chally had obviously clocked the gun and fence with balloons and just threw in the towel. Even squeezing hard with spurs just resulted in reverse, so at that point there was no consoling her and even putting the gun away didn't help, so I retired rather than embarass myself further.

Clearly more training required at home!

So a mixed day, and lots to work on, but did come home with my first Windsor pegging rosette!!

Windsor arrival

Well we are parked in mud and managed about 1m off the track before the lorry got stuck

Towed by a nice polish guy in a big tractor!

A friend is 3 lorries down and not parked in mud, so clearly I should have arrived 5 minutes earlier!!

Melton - cold and wet!

In the light of cancellations it was dubious whether this competition would go ahead.

However the stalwart peggers turned up the evening before and we were all rocked to sleep with gales and driving rain!

More rain on Sunday, but we were told that the SLR class would happen indoors, but without the final peg.

Putting the majority of clothes I had brought, I then had to strip down to new Frontiersmen kit for the competition. Frankly it was freezing and I could have done with more thermals!!!

I was drawn 3rd to go which was a relief as not too long to wait in the driving rain. I opted to use a small 9mm short nitro blank, as the indoor meant the guns were noisey.

Chally was kitted out with zilco ear plugs, plus extra sheepskin and a fly veil

I felt my round was a bit sloppy, especially as I fumbled to put the gun away and dropped one rein on the final lance run.

However it cannot have been that bad as I ended up 3rd and qualified for Royal Windsor!

Preparation for Aldershot

The first UK pegging event is next weekend, and most of my energy has been focused on gun training this week. I have been doing extensive equine ear plug testing, and the results will be on here shortly.

I also have a new lance to test this week, Harrison rods have sent me a beautiful piece of carbon and my father was able to make this into a lance in just over an hour. This is exciting as peggers don't have easy access to sectional lances, which makes fitting lances into normal vehicles or taking on aircraft can be challenging as they exceed the 1.9m set by most airlines

Lances are something you cannot easily just purchase, so most peggers are adept at DIY projects, (or know someone who can take care of this for them!). The material choices are bamboo (ideally solid), aluminium or carbon fibre. 

I am mulling over my saddle choices for Aldershot (which is in Melton Mowbray this year), at the moment I still have the WOW stock saddle, but I also have Chally's normal WOW jumping saddle. I do think the stock helps you reach, but would require a saddle change for SLR as you cannot (comfortably!) jump in them.

At the moment the weather looks pretty unkind, so I am hoping that this show still goes ahead, my lorry doesn't sink and we don't get too wet. This time last year it was almost barbecue weather, what a contrast!

Talking of lorries, mine is once again being repaired, it has spent weeks fixing various problems. At the moment it leaks.. badly! This appears to be from PRB installing solar panels but drilling rather large unsealed holes in my roof, so these are being sealed from inside and out. Whilst I am at it I have splashed out on some insulation - possibly linked to the -1oC experience

The downside is that the lorry won't come back until Friday, which means I don't have long to clean and pack for the trip to Melton Mowbray, so I need to be super organised, I think this week will be constructing check-lists!

A chilly weekend

Two days back at work and then it was a mad rush to get the lorry ready for the first outing of the season.
My brain really hasn't engaged yet as after turning up in time for the afternoon session at tournament stud, I managed to forget electric fencing tape to pen my horse!! Fortunately I borrowed some from the lovely folks at TS.

Pegging wasn't too bad, but concentration wasn't quite on par!

I was really pleased (and possibly slightly concerned!) to see how well this year's batch of new starters were doing. We have recruited some horseback archers, who seem to have uncanny hand eye co-ordination. In addition is a star from my local VWH riding club, not only dedicated enough to travel everywhere, but also seems to be awesome with the sword!

The evening (drinking) sessions are always my favourite part of camping and pegging and after the gorgeous weather of the UK and India I was thinking we could sit around the fire. Despite leaving and army major and 14 year boy with petrol together, the fire was rather limp and miserable. The the temperature plummeted.

Never fear the lorry has diesel heating and I even checked it the night before.... So it started and died and refused to talk to me! Despite boiling the kettle a lot this was not going to combat the temperature, I had a sleeping bag rather than my full gear and it was FREEZING.

No literally! See the pic, from India to this argh! And my tummy is not quite right, so a 1am freezing visit was taking the biscuit

I was a zombie the following day, and had to break ice on Chally's bucket!

Pegging did not go well, although to be fair I couldn't feel my toes until the third discipline.
SLR was a disaster, apparently not firing your gun since September and not riding your horse for 10 days was not a recipe for success and after the first shot (got the balloon!) the steering went....

So I cribbed a tip from one of my peers who just completed a near perfect round and have bought some massive sheepskin ear plugs from eBay (for Chally not me!!)

I have 4 weeks to get my act together for the qualifier for Windsor, called "Aldershot", but held this year in Melton on the 29th April

Evening Gala Dinner

This was a grand evening set in a new cricket stadium

Brit boys doing their reservoir dogs walk, leaving the girls in heels behind..

Lots of food including a car serving pizza!

 A 3D pan from my xperia

Team Pakistan

Team Kazakhstan

Team South Africa (I missed them on the stage!)

Team Canada

Team Sudan

Team Lebanon

Team Oman

Team India

Team sword round B and Indian File

Well the afternoon didn't go quite as well, we all hit pegs, but not at the same time, so we finished 5th in team lance

Indian file is where you gallop one after another at a line of 4 pegs and need to keep one horses distance between the riders

On the first run I fluffed the lance and the rest of the team picked up. On the second run which was with sword, I picked up as did Gerald, but the others didn't manage it so

The winners were Sudan, despite one of their riders getting kicked in the face and being bandaged up to finish the run

Round A - team sword

We were hoping to recreate the magic from yesterday and bag another medal in team sword.

Our first problem was locating Snow White, the grooms did appear to be trying to give us another horse, but we were pleased when snow white arrived!

The team also checked in on NewLight who has done a tendon, NewLight had his leg wrapped in ice and was being well looked after.

On the first run Jerry and myself pulled the pegs, on the second we swapped and David and Gerald pulled pegs and on the final run it was just Gerald.

Not the best performance, but we are not that far off, but currently in 6th place. We will see what we can do after lunch.

Pairs sword and lance

So our replacment horse Dahnno was brought out and promptly sent back as he was lame, I would hasten to add none of the British had ridden the spare as we were all happy with the drawn horses.

So que some flapping from me, and Dawn grabbing my shoulders and telling me to 'calm down' to be fair my oakleys were misting up...

Anyway the judges sent for another horse and a very cute Marwari called 'Snow White' arrived (the grey in the pictures)

Gerald had a whole 30 seconds to trot to the start and we were first on. We had to trot through dogs who decided to kip on the start line, which was higly distracting. A dog also chased Gerald down the track, sadly I blanked being too late once again!!

The second round Gerald did a stirling job for a 6 and I once again let the side down and was way too late with the sword. Power ran well with snow white, so I have no excuses!!

The day still ended on a high with the presentation of the medals for team lance!

In the medals!! Team Lance

So we began after lunch in third place, so the key was to hold on or improve!!

Our first run was beautiful with everyone carrying their pwgs, our second run sadly ended in disaster as Geralds horse NewLight pulled up lame. We couldn't replace, so had to run as a 3 in final round but we managed a 4 from me (drew the peg, spun it and was so close to the carry line!!) a 6 from Jerry and a 4 from David - we had done it a silver medal despite being a man down!!

The Oman team won the team lance with near perfect scores!!

Shopping (again!!)

After the morning session ended early Amer from the Pakistan team offered to take us to the markets for an hours shopping

The afternoon session is delayed until 4pm due to the heat, so Gerald, David and I jumped at the chance!

The roads were very busy, I am not sure whether we hit rush hour for lunch or if its just normal!!

We got out but Amer found out the market was a bit further away so we crossed the road (which is pretty scary) and jumped in a tuk tuk

The markets were actually much better than I was hoping for, with very little hard sell. It was great fun going with Amer and watching him haggle with the stall holders.

As you can see from the photos the electricity system is what you would call "interesting"!!

Ironically the first stall we were looking at had two of the Lebanese team in, so they maintain their reputation as shopaholics!!

Team lance round A

It's definitely hotter today, the horses were starting to sweat and the humans melt, even the Pakistan team thought it was hot.

We started at 9.30am and the british team were first to run. We are doing a half section staggered start, but the dressing was not quite as smart as some other teams. On the first run Gerald and I picked up, but the other two blanked, on the second run David, Gerald and I picked up, but jerry missed although was very close. On the third run on the 4cm pegs I picked up and everyone else scored 4 for draws, but didn't carry. I am using my repaired Indian nail head, whereas the others are on full size 1868 heads, which are more likely to cut rather than carry a cardboard peg.

So obviously I'm chuffed that my eye is back in, and to top it all we are actually joint 3rd, so a good result in round B could result in a medal for the team!!!

As a side note I put my stirrups up one on the Wow in the last session for lemons, and I think this has helped with the straight pegging.

The gear is still looking good, although as its the third day the polypads are starting to get a bit stiff!! The reins on the bridles are ideal for pegging, nice and thin but with plenty of grip in this hot weather! We have had comments on hor smart we are!!

I haven't really mentioned it on here, but after every session we actually get mobbed for photos and autograhs which is a bit mad! So I turned the tables on them and took a picture of the crowd that mobbed me this session!!

On the way back to the hotel, one of the south African team, Fraser, decided to risk life and limb and go on the back of a scooter, you'll note he did decide to wear his hat though!!

Rest day

Today we went out for our rest day, but decided the Taj Mahal was a bit too far.

Instead we set off for the Red Fort, which is closer, but still took over 2 hours to get there.

The Red Fort is impressively big, but inside only shades of its former glory with no running water in a complex system of running water installed to act as early air conditioning.

It was very busy and I don't do well in crowds!

After we went to a big shopping mall to make the most of air conditioning in the heat of the daytime. The mall was interestingly, but the western shops and goods were the same prices as home.

We then drove to see the India gate and hopefully visit a proper market. However we were told the market was closed, however that may have been a ploy by our host to keep the Lebanese under control as they were intently shopping and wanted to go to the markets.

At the India gate it was really full, and we were constantly hassled by sellers of small helicopter toys, water pipes and other strange tat.

I got stuck with a woman intent on putting henna on me, when I said no money she said no problem, put the henna on and proceeded to chase me saying 200 rupees (3 GBP). I was stingy and only gave her 10 as I didn't want it done in the first place!!

We moved on to yet another shopping mall to get dinner, however the Lebanese went on another mad shopping trip and took over 2 hours to return to the bus (which contained some quite angry South Africans by this time)

Everyone has now crashed ready for another competition day tomorrw, the classes will be team lance and half section lance and sword

The wow got dissed!

Most people have been admiring the wow stock saddle, but today in the sword class the judge came out to talk me to. He said "you must change that saddle its restricting you".

I said I was pretty sure it had nothing to do with the saddle, so the judge asked me to touch my toes, no problem. Then frowned and asked me to touch my horses knee, again no problem as I can hook my leg on the poleys. Finally, admitting defeat he shook his head agreed it was me and wandered off muttering something in Hindi!!!

There is no way I am swapping my wow for an antique military UP troopers saddle (which is the saddle of choice here)

Wow 1 : judge 0

Ah the whisky comes out!!

The evening meal was in the hotel today, and good food as usual! We are in a vegetarian bar free hotel, which is great for chosing food, but booze is thin on the ground.

Colonel Singh to the rescue tonight with a bottle of whisky, so the team got a little after dinner drink!

We were going to see the Taj Mahal tomorrow, but have ditched that plan in favour of seeing historic Delhi and doing a spot of shopping.

The Taj is 4 hours (at least) each way and the team collectively decided that a further 8 hours of travelling would definitely not help our performance.

So shopping it is!

Thus far no news on Kingfisher airlines, but there is going to be a big announcement on the 27th (we are due to fly on 28th), in view of the fact they have cancelled all international flights after 10th April, we are a bit concerned about getting stuck!!

Afternoon session on saturday

The session started with round B of individual sword, unfortunately Gerald lost his winning streak and drew no pegs, Jerry and I drew one and David got 2 pegs.

In lemons and pegs my first run did not got well and I realised either the oranges were too high or the pony was too small!! Scoring is 6 per the two lemons and 6 for the peg.

Second run went better with 6,0,6, I knocked the second orange off, but not a good enough cut to score.

Gerald got 6,0,0 and second run 0,6,0 - again more fruit knocked but no points awarded.
Jerry 0,0,4 and 6,0,6
David scored 0,6,6 and 6,0,0 second round

The high of the fruit is slightly higher than BTA competitions so and upward rather than straight cut was producing the best results.

The British swords did well with Amer and Prince Malik borrowing our swords. Amer came seond overall which is fantastic.