Pigeon
Well-Known Member
One of my life goals is to score >60% at elementary. Pippy is a typical thoroughbred - some days that goal seemed impossible, others easily achievable! Since his injury I've been trying to seize the day more, and as a spur of the moment decision we entered an elem in a pick your own test class, purely with the aim of getting round and not falling off.
I did get nervous before we went in, and for some reason that translates as letting my reins get veeeery long and just sort of sitting there helplessly! But this pony is a good one and he really helped me out today. Not a single spook. To be honest no particular mistakes. Halts that stayed where I put them, canter transitions all sensible-ish and on the correct lead. He was loose and bendy and had floppy ears for most of the round! I was worried because my sitting trot isn't the best and I swore if he started to get tight in his back I would go rising. But he stayed soft so I sat the whole way, and although my face looked a bit like a tomato I think I kept bouncing to a minimum! He did nap towards his friend in the last centre line, but that was my fault for not keeping his attention when we turned, I think I had used all my energy by that stage!!
I rode it all a bit safe so it didn't have much impulsion or wow factor but I don't really mind at this stage, I was just so pleased with calm, especially in the simple change!
I just need to sit up, shorten my reins and kick on a bit next time round.
64%! I know it doesn't seem like much, but I am so so proud of him!
He didn't find it difficult at all, not a single movement felt like a struggle, it just felt easy, which I wasn't expecting at all - I think I ride better in sitting trot. Really wasn't expecting 7s! I know I could have asked for a lot more power without rocking the boat, which has really given me the confidence to try an affiliated test! Unfortunately I'm away until September now but as we both need to be fitter I am going to force myself to jog every day.
Love this little horse!
I did get nervous before we went in, and for some reason that translates as letting my reins get veeeery long and just sort of sitting there helplessly! But this pony is a good one and he really helped me out today. Not a single spook. To be honest no particular mistakes. Halts that stayed where I put them, canter transitions all sensible-ish and on the correct lead. He was loose and bendy and had floppy ears for most of the round! I was worried because my sitting trot isn't the best and I swore if he started to get tight in his back I would go rising. But he stayed soft so I sat the whole way, and although my face looked a bit like a tomato I think I kept bouncing to a minimum! He did nap towards his friend in the last centre line, but that was my fault for not keeping his attention when we turned, I think I had used all my energy by that stage!!
I rode it all a bit safe so it didn't have much impulsion or wow factor but I don't really mind at this stage, I was just so pleased with calm, especially in the simple change!
I just need to sit up, shorten my reins and kick on a bit next time round.
64%! I know it doesn't seem like much, but I am so so proud of him!
He didn't find it difficult at all, not a single movement felt like a struggle, it just felt easy, which I wasn't expecting at all - I think I ride better in sitting trot. Really wasn't expecting 7s! I know I could have asked for a lot more power without rocking the boat, which has really given me the confidence to try an affiliated test! Unfortunately I'm away until September now but as we both need to be fitter I am going to force myself to jog every day.
Love this little horse!
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