2nd weekend in May plans

[CanteringCarrot]

Objective 2 achieved!

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Lovely photos.


The judges are so kind there. Not saying you didn't earn your score or placement, but a test with those "errors" would score so much lower here and there's rarely encouraging words or humour to be found on a score sheet ? so it's nice to see some positivity and humour on a score sheet once in awhile.

Plus many judges here admittedly (sigh) don't like Baroque horses or feel they have no place in dressage. ?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

This weekend dressage was alright for small blonde rider. At the lower levels you ride with 2 in the arena (Intro and Prelim) and the other horse launched itself over the whiteboards and into the arena. Then proceeded to kick nap and almost back into my horse (who was a fair distance away). LBR mentioned that the horse should've had a red ribbon on, and I agree, based on its behavior in the warm up. So the mood wasn't so great! Still their test was decent but she rode a bit conservatively (understandably given the shenanigans) and got comments about needing to ride "fresher" and a few accuracy details. The score was fair at 63% just one spot shy of a placement (7th).

The next day the 80cm course was definitely at max requirements but they did very well. Really confident round aside from a fumble at an oxer (jumped like a deer and 2 rails came down). This was also a weird moment because the course designer came into the arena (God knows why) and said something, then someone else yelled "whoa" for reasons unknown and it was just distracting. LBR's mum was understandably frustrated because no one else had their round interrupted by people wandering in and others shouting something. He could've waited until she finished the course ?‍ it was a really weird 2 days as far as outside influences are concerned ? but they handled it well and he earned his first placement in jumping (6th). It was their second jumping competition and they improve every time. She came in 1st on her other (more seasoned) horse. So still a great day for her!

It was nice because we were able to hack to the venue, which was something a little different.

His 10th birthday was yesterday and I have no idea how he's gotten so old ? but he's come so far.

 

[j1ffy]

Lovely photos.


The judges are so kind there. Not saying you didn't earn your score or placement, but a test with those "errors" would score so much lower here and there's rarely encouraging words or humour to be found on a score sheet ? so it's nice to see some positivity and humour on a score sheet once in awhile.

Plus many judges here admittedly (sigh) don't like Baroque horses or feel they have no place in dressage. ?

I completely agree that the scores were far too kind for the errors - I was expecting 3s or 4s for the movements where he broke / boiled over. It was unaffiliated and I don't believe the judge is listed so may have had no judge training. Overall the spread of marks in my test was a bit bonkers, only 2 marks separating really poor movements and good movements (I also think our free walk deserved higher than a 7 in comparison to other 7s we received). Less experienced judges here do tend to be more conservative whereas I'd prefer a judge who uses the full range of marks.

I think judging here is moving to a far more constructive and kind approach. Comments will usually try to find something positive and a little humour isn't uncommon. She also leaned out of her car at the end with a laugh to ask "is that why he's called Chilli?!" ? There's also a big push to support non-warmbloods in dressage...after all it's good for business if more people join BD. The higher levels are still dominated by warmbloods but you get one or two of all shapes and sizes right up to GP.

Well done to your boy and his young rider! That sounds like a pretty stressful couple of competitions but successful in the end.

 

[RachelFerd]

Objective 2 achieved!

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Great photos - he's looking very grown up in these!

 

[milliepops]

Some fab pics from this weekend. Peglo i love your pony's hair

Horse filled weekend just boogering about at home as usual. Frank got his shoes on and had some viewings. Q did some sensible work and was then uncharacteristically laid back about our first handy pony obstacle. he was more concerned about going under the archway into the outdoor yard. Hey ho... i have some more obstacles in mind to add that might be a bit more challenging

My attempt to put Hera and Millie onto the longer grass was scuppered by Mummy Salty leaping the fence to join the fun, she is meant to be on the diet grass so wasn't supposed to be part of that! oh well... i am sure plan B will come to me at some point.

Bale-wrap "tarp" is no problem apparently

 

[Alibear]

@milliepops It looks like you've got barrel racing covered too

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

Are you insured? I’d prefer to block first over scan in case it’s bony so you at least know where if it needs x rays although it is presenting soft tissue isn’t it if I remember, swelling etc? In which case scanning seems sensible.

For piece of mind, and £250 ish for the scanning, I absolutely would. Having had two horses with really minor hard to diagnose soft tissue injuries. In the same sodding leg ?

These injuries are so frustrating.

Yep all insured and tbh we have the money sitting to do whatever needs to be done - we wanted to buy new saddles a couple of months ago and that fund is currently untouched ?
OH just off the phone with the vet, booked in again for next week - have asked for full work up with nerve blocks etc, will probably do more X-rays and scan if need be. There has been a little bit of swelling etc but never anything particularly dramatic! Not sure if that makes it better or worse ? horse is in good form at least, I do feel very sorry for him though, it’s crap being stuck in. Hopefully next week will yield a few answers!!

 

[j1ffy]

Yep all insured and tbh we have the money sitting to do whatever needs to be done - we wanted to buy new saddles a couple of months ago and that fund is currently untouched ?
OH just off the phone with the vet, booked in again for next week - have asked for full work up with nerve blocks etc, will probably do more X-rays and scan if need be. There has been a little bit of swelling etc but never anything particularly dramatic! Not sure if that makes it better or worse ? horse is in good form at least, I do feel very sorry for him though, it’s crap being stuck in. Hopefully next week will yield a few answers!!

Good luck for next week Sheep - I hope you get to the bottom of it.

 

[Britestar]

Show ran perfectly (I think).
200 ish entries, on site at 7.30am, home by 5.30pm.

Long day, feet were killing me. Wonder how far I walked!

Everyone was happy, and the supreme rosettes were obscenely large.

 

[GinaGeo]

I always dreamed of riding at Chatsworth (I always hoped to ride Solo in the Novice or then 1*), but that wasn’t to to be.

But this year for the first time they had Side Saddle classes running over lunch.

So my Aunt’s gorgeous purple costume got another airing and a little childhood dream became a little more true.

It was a bigger atmosphere than Solo has seen before and he was most confused at not being inside the boards. But he was Mr Professional as always and did his very best to stay with me. He was probably fed up of my nattering telling him what a brave and special boy he was ? But he really didn’t put a foot wrong.


He won. He’s claimed full bragging rights and has told Pod he won the 4* as well ?

He especially enjoyed having his photograph taken with his young adoring fans afterwards.

 

[j1ffy]

I always dreamed of riding at Chatsworth (I always hoped to ride Solo in the Novice or then 1*), but that wasn’t to to be.

But this year for the first time they had Side Saddle classes running over lunch.

So my Aunt’s gorgeous purple costume got another airing and a little childhood dream became a little more true.

It was a bigger atmosphere than Solo has seen before and he was most confused at not being inside the boards. But he was Mr Professional as always and did his very best to stay with me. He was probably fed up of my nattering telling him what a brave and special boy he was ? But he really didn’t put a foot wrong.

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He won. He’s claimed full bragging rights and has told Pod he won the 4* as well ?

He especially enjoyed having his photograph taken with his young adoring fans afterwards.

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You both look beautiful! Well done.

 

[Bernster]

Wow, amazing well done!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Bit of a mixed weekend at Chatsworth! The ever hot Bob warmed up beautifully and then was thoroughly overwhelmed by a very busy and noisy dressage arena!
But he seriously pulled his wee socks up to jump clear in the showjumping and only one second over the time! Course wasn't enormous but very technical!

And the cruised round an enormous, very tough cross country track! A good handful of time but not a terrible number! That's his first 4* completed!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Amazing!! Those fences were huuuuuge

 

[Jeni the dragon]

The cross country was mental AE! Why have one massive fence when you can have three?!?

 

[Bernster]

Wow, that’s brilliant Jeni !

 

[j1ffy]

Bit of a mixed weekend at Chatsworth! The ever hot Bob warmed up beautifully and then was thoroughly overwhelmed by a very busy and noisy dressage arena! View attachment 92794
But he seriously pulled his wee socks up to jump clear in the showjumping and only one second over the time! Course wasn't enormous but very technical!
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And the cruised round an enormous, very tough cross country track! A good handful of time but not a terrible number! That's his first 4* completed!

Fantastic Jeni, you must be so proud!!!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Thanks everyone! We're all thrilled with him!

 

[RachelFerd]

Bit of a mixed weekend at Chatsworth! The ever hot Bob warmed up beautifully and then was thoroughly overwhelmed by a very busy and noisy dressage arena! View attachment 92794
But he seriously pulled his wee socks up to jump clear in the showjumping and only one second over the time! Course wasn't enormous but very technical!
View attachment 92795
And the cruised round an enormous, very tough cross country track! A good handful of time but not a terrible number! That's his first 4* completed!

Doesn't sound too mixed to me - sounds like an excellent day - first 4* and double clear - very cool! I have to say walking the 2* that those 4* fences often looked absolutely ginormous in comparison!