Entry Time

Tomorrows the big day opening for the entries and if you didn't know if you enter early you get $100 reduced cost which is fab.
Last time Toby and I went to the AECs it was a last minute thing, as I had not realised we had qualified. I was flicking through the horse names and their was his! We had only qualified for Prelim horse but still we had time to enter.
This year is totally different as our First at Poplar CIC* in the fall last year qualified us for Am Prelim and we had already qualified for Prelim Horse again. So very happy we could do Am Prelim but then our Intermediate runs went so well in the Spring with three clear XC rounds we now are qualified for Intermediate championship too!! "never rains then it pours"
So decision time!!
I had left my decisions until after Heritage Park HT which Siobhan O'Brien and I travelled up to weekend before last. We wanted to do a summer event and with no Champagne Run HT this year. We decided to check out Heritage as we had heard good things from others. I was their only IP entry but they were more than happy to accommodate us. We had a great time even if it was a bit hot and humid but totally worth it for the fabulous footing and well run event. The XC course was a good prelim course not all maxed out but lots of great combinations and different questions over rolling hills in a park setting.
I tied to make some of the questions a little harder but it didn't matter..just another jump as far as Toby is concerned. So really he found the XC not very taxing at all and we just cruised around in the time easily.
So decision was made then...Intermediate Championship he we come. Not expecting to win or anything close but would love to finish in the top 12 but that will be tough against all the pros! but at Poplar Place we were in a class of 17 riders and 90% of them were Pros and we finished 8th so there is some hope!!
In the meantime, working on a plan for how to get ourselves totally healthy, fit and mental ready for this.
For Toby, making sure he gets new shoes bang on time, his teeth need checking and a trip to the Chiropractor too. I would love a new pair of shoes with the price tag he has for his. Not so keen on a trip to the dentist but my chiropractors will defiantly be seeing me a few times before we go!
We have a dressage clinic to go to with Sherry Guess in a week or so and get some more time with Mary, Mike and Heather too in the next 6 weeks or so. Also, get our fitness work planned out for both of us. Toby and his canter sets and me with my lap swimming!
We have our ride just sorted out we are sharing again and have already a small convey going.
lets hope that August is nice to us with the heat and that we get some rain for the footing too. But very early morning riding seems to be the norm for now.
Will be back with more soon.