Showjumping Weekend

This weekend was the first showjumping competition of the year. It is a really important one because the horses had been on vacations for at least two months, and after getting them in shape the last month, you wonder if you are actually ready to start competing again.
I was really nervous this time, because I didn't do too well the final tournaments of last year. In October, my loyal companion Luna, had an accident with a guy (he usually helps my teacher ride the horses when their owners don't come) who passes her on higher courses in some competitions. My teacher says he lost his mind. In a set of jumps, instead of letting her do the three strides as they were supposed to, he pushed her into a ridiculous two stride. Luna tried to jump, but the oxer was too wide and she was too far away, and she crashed into the jump, sending the rider flying into a third jump ahead. He broke his neck bone, and was disabled for two months. Luna hurt herself in the chest, and she got a huge ball of liquid that faded away after a week or so. Luckily she didn't break her neck, which is what usually happens in those situations, according to her vet. After that, she was very scared of jumping, but I was able to ride her and she eventually got her confidence back. That is, after a lot of terrible days in which she sometimes refused to jump. The last time she did, I fell and unfortunately, it was precisely in the last competition of the year. I was eliminated, and lost the chance to enter the finals of the National Amateur 0.80-0.90m Competition. That was so sad, but either way, that's what showjumping's all about. Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose, sometimes you fall.
This experience had my nerves bubbling the whole week before the competition. I kept wondering if I could actually finish the course without making the mistakes that so often make Luna refuse to jump. Still, I was so determined to get over myself and do a good job on the course. My determination seems to work, because I managed to come clean the two courses of the competition. I was so happy, because on the last day, my whole family from my mom's side was there, so I had a lot of pressure. I was hoping I wasn't going to fall in front of my 94 year old grandfather. That would be very inconvenient, because they never come to see me, and that would mess up my honor. However, I did great, and not only did I come out as the best horse back rider in the world for my aunts and grandparents (which obviously don't know anything about this sport) but I was able to convince myself I could do a good job if I put my mind to it. Still, I have to do my best while I'm still in Amateur 0.80-0.90m. I certainly don't think it's going to be that easy when Googies puts me up for Amateur 1.00m. Those are much higher courses, and silly mistakes like those I frequently do are not allowed there. I certainly hope I can manage the height.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3laGKn7b520  
Thanks to Roberto Santamaria for the video!