European Championships
Wednesday, 11th August 2010
Well I’m back after 10 days of traveling, stabling, corralling and competing. I’ve driven through 5 countries, stabled at 3 different venues and it’s been worth every minute. My superb little pony Tissy has come home with a record 4th place at the European Championships and I am so very proud of her.
It all started in Kreuth, Germany on Tuesday for the opening ceremony where all the competing countries paraded around the massive indoor arena at Germany’s European equestrian centre, followed by demonstrations of local folk dancing, marching bands, horse drawn carriages and farm machinery, agility dogs, vintage tractors and wait for it - whip cracking to music!!!The day after the ceremony was the beginning of the pre-ride vetting where 53 horses were vetted by 8 FEI vets, to ensure that each vet has seen every horse and therefore has a better idea of how it should look and move in the vet gates to come. Tissy enjoyed all the attention and was showing off tremendously and we were very pleased to receive a nice purple 34 on her bum ready for the next day.
The start of our 120km race was at 7am and at 6:45 we were all warming up in front of the start line. This is where the tactics began, where teams were trying to ‘out-psyche’ each other and get the best start position before the off. I’d placed Tissy in the middle of the pack and as we set off down the long, grassy stretch towards the forest she bronked and jumped around in the air. I didn’t fall off, though a Hungarian girl wasn’t so lucky, but I was pleased to see that, even though it was a championship, all the other riders slowed down and waited for her horse to be caught before cantering off into the distance. The first loop I planned to take pretty slowly, hoping for a top 20 positioning, so I placed myself behind the French who were setting a pace of about 17.5kph - perfect for what I wanted to do. We came into the vet gate to a crew of 9 people: Helen Boston - Chef de quipe, Stevie Martin- Team Manager, Georgina Hirst- Team Vet, Dave Hull- Team farrier, Cate Langley - Mum and crew, Carl Langley- Dad and crew, William Langley- Brother and crew, Amy Boston - Sports Masseur and Dan Boston- Chief saddle holder and ‘Goffer’! With such a professional and dedicated team behind me there wasn’t any way the crewing could have gone better. They worked like a well oiled machine, no one got in each other’s way and each individual job was done with such speed and accuracy I’d hardly had time to blink before everyone was sloshing water. Dad was in charge of doing the HR (heart rate) and, when it reached 66 and dropping we would present Tissy to the vets. Her presentation times throughout the day were not on top form, at around the 4 minute mark, but it was a tough course and they were competitive with the other horses. Once we’d passed the first vet gate I really came to appreciate the amazingness of my support team. I sat down, ate and drank while Stevie bought me the loop results; I was lying in 22nd place and everyone else tended to Tissy’s every need. I will be forever grateful for the confidence they gave me to just sit back and relax as I knew my pony was in the best possible care from her shoes to her ears!!
The 2nd loop was 30km and I aimed now to up the pace and move up into the top 10. Tissy took on the tough course with the hard stony forestry tracks and hills with ease and we were breezing around when we came across the chasing group led by the French. This consisted of about the top 15 riders and a defining moment for me was when I thought ‘I don’t have to be stuck behind you’, pulled Tissy around them and cantered off into the distance achieveing the fastest 2nd loop of all the competitors and putting me in 4th position! I hadn’t quite realised how fast we’d taken the loop and was slightly worried if it had been too much, too soon but Georgina reassured me that Tissy was fine and that I should take this loop the same or a bit slower and to let other horses take the lead to minimise the effort she had to do.
Our previous loop had caught the attention of other riders and we were now seen as a threat. They tried various tactics of pushing and leading me too fast, not letting me past or drop behind and crews purposefully getting in the way (which on the last loop broke out into a little bit of a sloshing argument between the UAE and France) but Tissy was totally oblivious to all this and we managed to avoid doing what the other riders wanted us to do - I refused to blow up my horse and in doing so messed up a lot of other riders.
Coming into the 3rd and final vet gate we were pushed back to 7th position though still in the top 10 placing I was hoping for at this stage in the competition. Again my crew were superb and we presented to the vet with no problems. This vet gate had a compulsory re-check in the hold before we left for our fourth and final loop. I had no worries about Tissy as Georgina was constantly monitoring her, Dan had gone to hand pick her a bucket of grass, Dave was checking her feet whilst Mum massaged her - and all the while Tis munched on her buffet of food and downed yet another bucket of Aqua-Aide (Baileys electrolyte), which she drank during the event and even preferred several days later to sugar beet or water! Amy also gave me a brilliant massage which relieved some pain in one of my leg muscles and was so good that the next day this was the only part that didn’t ache. We passed the re-check with no worries and my riding instructions were “Go for it, let her set the pace and if she starts to pull back, ease up and concentrate on bringing her home safely” - and never was a better bit of advice given!
We set off to a count down and Tis exploded out of the gate to a wave of applaud and cheers. I knew that a Portugese rider was not far in front of me and soon I caught him up but I let him go as Tissy’s full speed just didn’t match his pace. However, soon after I passed him walking his horse! My on course crew were amazing, doing sloshes at a considerable speed and holding up her water in which she submerged her entire muzzle at one point. At the last crew point, Mum was so busy telling me that there were 2 tired French horses ahead of me that she forgot to step out the way and I nearly ran her over! Only minutes later I came across a French team horse at walk up hill - the look I got as Tissy galloped past was priceless as I don’t think she had expected it of the little British pony, who later the French nicknamed the ‘little bullet’. I was happy, having upped my placing to 5th and as I was just 2km from the venue hadn’t dreamt maybe another one was to come. I lapped a group of horses coming into their last vet gate including the US girl I’d become friendly with and she moved them all off the track and bellowed ‘Go Beth, go get ‘em’ and as the venue came into sight I saw her, another French horse trotting slowly along and with half a kilometre to go Tissy sped past, but her horse didn’t even attempt to follow. I kept looking over my shoulder waiting for her to gallop up past me but it didn’t come and Tissy came over the finish line in 4th position having done 20km at 24.4kph, only 6 minutes behind the winner. I was proud to be a Young Rider that day as we achieved a 60% success rate and not one horse needed serious treatment - a true show of horsemanship.
I am so grateful to the awesome support team that were there for me every step of the way in Germany. Without them I could not have even got to the event, let alone achieve the placing I got and I most definitely would not have been able to ride Tissy into the awards ceremony and be proud of being British as so many other teams had congratulated us and complimented our professionalism. The French chef told us she was a hard horse to beat and many enquired after her breeding. I was so proud to be the British Rider on the little pony and thoroughly enjoyed cantering around the arena in a lap of honour to the sound of ‘We are the Champions’!
Ludlow
Tuesday, 20th July 2010
On 17th July we took Xerina and Tissy to Ludlow racecourse to do a 40km CR. We were also there to support our next door neighbours in the 80km ER. Xerina was in a foul mood - being an ex racehorse, the white fencing and race track bought back old memories and she wound herself up supremely for the initial Vetting. However, once we were out on course she had calmed down, we settled into doing a steady 40km, as, this being Tissy's last competitive ride before the Europeans, we were using it as a training ride.
With only 2 weeks until Tissy starts traveling to Germany the training is getting tense and the tactics, statistics, packing lists etc etc etc are all being prepared. We really hope to bring home a medal and fly the flag for GB with a world class performance, but in the end it’s the luck of the day. They say luck favours the prepared and hopefully I have prepared as best as possible!
Here’s a link to a video of Madjin at Euston Park, including the dunking I got in a water trough!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwZRP-v5YTE
Euston Park - twice!
Tuesday, 6th July 2010
On June 5th, I recieved a phone call from the Al Maneya stables from UAE to ride one of Sheikh Abdulla’s horses in the 80km FEI 1*. I was glad to accept the offer as I had no horse of my own attending the event so it would be brilliant to have an unexpected ride. When I arrived I was put up in a lovely B&B and given UAE team kit and went off to Vet, weigh in (as it was a senior race with a minimum weight of 70kg) and also meet my horse. I had been allocated a 15.3hh Anglo Arab from France called Nadjem who, by a total fluke, was not only bred on the same yard as Madjin, but was Madjin’s brother! My ride instructions were to take it slow, look after the horse and use it as a training ride rather than as a race - so this is what we did. I had a fabulous time and, due to the fact we weren't really racing, it felt like a hack in the park on a sunny day, though it was 80km and we actually finished at 20kph and in 9th place! The ride gave me a good opportunity to assess the going for Madjin in a couple of week’s time.
On June 26th it was Madjin’s turn! For the pre-ride vetting he was a super star - he didn't scream, pull or misbehave at all. His old jockey came to see him and couldn't believe he hadn't heard him before seeing him. On the morning of the race we warmed up in the big field next to the start line and, though Madjin had a 30 second fit of bad behaviour in which I did one of my best ever staying on demonstrations, he calmed down just before the 3, 2, 1, GO! Then he was off, a little out of control and going a little bit too fast, but after some eventful tugging on the reins and ‘woahing’ around every corner, he settled down along a UAE horse in the same race. However, he didn't cease to pull and have a little scream every time someone passed us on course for the whole 120km but his behaviour in the Vet gates was amazing, he didn't put a hoof wrong and passing each Vetting was a blessing.
On June 26th it was Madjin’s turn! For the pre-ride vetting he was a super star - he didn't scream, pull or misbehave at all. His old jockey came to see him and couldn't believe he hadn't heard him before seeing him. On the morning of the race we warmed up in the big field next to the start line and, though Madjin had a 30 second fit of bad behaviour in which I did one of my best ever staying on demonstrations, he calmed down just before the 3, 2, 1, GO! Then he was off, a little out of control and going a little bit too fast, but after some eventful tugging on the reins and ‘woahing’ around every corner, he settled down along a UAE horse in the same race. However, he didn't cease to pull and have a little scream every time someone passed us on course for the whole 120km but his behaviour in the Vet gates was amazing, he didn't put a hoof wrong and passing each Vetting was a blessing.
When we passed Vet gate 2 (Madjin having previously never passed this stage) I was over the moon!!! We could have easily caught up with Khalifa, the UAE rider lying in 1st position, but I had decided that it wasn't a day for racing, just for getting round, as completing would qualify him for the British Team and to attend Championships. We let the seniors go past us, with much indignation from Madjin, but he behaved and listened and we kept a steady pace. It would have been equally as easy to take a tow off one of the seniors and let Madjin go at a faster pace but I was so determined to prove Madjin was capable of doing a good 120km that my competitive edge was out the window. When the venue and finish was in sight I couldn't help but let happy tears pour down my face, I was so delighted, not only for me but for Madjin. We had done it! Whatever happened now he'd gone the distance!! He cantered over the finish line with loads of crews and spectators to clap him on and I have never felt so good. All the other Young Rider families were there at the end to help crew us at the finish and all came to watch as we did our final Vetting. If we passed or not, I was so happy with Madjin - he'd been a star. As the Official turned to me and said ‘pass’ I burst into a new wave of ecstatic tears, jumped on the spot and gave Madjin a huge hug. As soon as we were out of the Vetting area a wave of hugs and ‘well dones’ came from everyone around us and Madjin tucked into a bucket of carrots and apples and I phoned his owner who was equally as overjoyed as I was! Madjin came in 2nd place with one other behind us and 2 Vetted out, we'd done 17kph average speed and passed 8 vettings.
Tissy is a little cross with all the attention Madjin has been getting but now all efforts are focused on her in this next month in preparation for the Europeans at the start of August.
Tissy is a little cross with all the attention Madjin has been getting but now all efforts are focused on her in this next month in preparation for the Europeans at the start of August.
Pen Ddol & Dukeries
Friday, 4th June 2010
Well it’s been a busy two weeks!! On the 23rd May Dad and I set off for the 50km CR at Pen Ddol which is one of our few local rides at only one hour and 15 minutes drive from home! The Sunday of the ride was scorching! Heat hazes on the land and sweat and water evaporating instantly off the horses. It’s a fairly hilly course, although I would call it rolling – as I live up a hill my view of steep and flat are a little obscure. Once out of the forestry venue we came to an open hill top with brilliant going, Madjin took the lead with his giant, effortless canter strides and Xerina followed behind. Dad and Xerina struggled a little with the longer distance and combination of heat, but much to our delight when we arrived back at the venue Xerina achieved a Grade 1, her best of the season.
The following Thursday Mum, Tissy and I set off for Nottingham for the Dukeries ride on 29th. I like to arrive to our major events early as travelling takes a lot out of horses and it gives her an opportunity to relax at the venue before the hype of an event. Minty from Baileys came to visit us on the Friday morning which was lovely, and we were very excited to receive some Baileys’ goodies J. That afternoon we polished Tissy up for the FEI vetting. Myself and the other Young riders decided to go to the vetting together and as soon as Tissy saw the marquees and all the hubbub she decided to prance about and be very ‘mareish’. She was naughty until it came to having her heart rate done, then for the trot up she jumped and pranced and broke into a canter so I had to give her a firm telling off and she trotted the rest with a grumpy face. On the way back to her corralling she reared, spun, pulled, struck out and jumped into the air…..she was so excited that her manners had obviously escaped her. Before we could put her away for the day we had a Team assessment with the chef d’equipe, team manager and vet, checking over the horses and asking us about our plans for the ride.
The morning of the ride was good, cloud cover but no rain and no wind. Tissy was rather exuberant at the start and decided to buck, pull and go sideways but within about 8km she’d calmed down a little bit and was no longer bucking. We lapped the seniors in the 120km class and Tissy got faster every loop she did, even though we were out on course by ourselves until the final loop where we met another Young Rider in a different class so we happily cantered over the finish together. Tissy presented to the vets in record time in her vet gates and, despite it bucketing down with rain, lost none of her enthusiasm - as we left the venue on each loop she pulled my arms at a canter. I was so happy going out on the last loop as it meant we had yet again managed to get to the finish of a 120km FEI ride, but even more ecstatic when we passed the final vetting!!! It’s her 9th FEI ride to the finish, her 7th passed FEI ride and her 4th FEI win, she’s my little pocket rocket!! Tissy also has gained quite a reputation for being very relaxed in her corral, in total contrast with her racing performance. She likes to lie down before and after the event a lot and also likes her feed to be brought to her so she doesn’t have to move from her comfy spot to eat (see picture)! 
We’re now on the short list for the British Young Rider team for the Europeans in Germany this year and if she keeps her form and luck is on our side we have a chance of doing really well.
We’re now on the short list for the British Young Rider team for the Europeans in Germany this year and if she keeps her form and luck is on our side we have a chance of doing really well.Madjin is next to compete at Euston Park at the end of June, Tissy is now having a well earned 3 weeks off and Xerina is in training for Welsh Team Selection so all in all a very happy Langley Endurance Yard.