cob&onion
Well-Known Member
Took my 5yr old cob to some outdoor dressage today. After all the rain last night i was doubtful it would go ahead but it wasn't cancelled so we went along.
Still very green but she is improving daily
I am very pleased as i have brought her this far alone from backing her myself and bringing her on, she's more like a 4 yr old as she had almost a year off last year due to my pregnancy
I think the time is right to get a bit of assistance in now, particulary as would love to get her up to novice level. I have a lovely dressage trainer in mind who i will be having regular lessons with very soon.
We entered the w&t and the prelim 7, our first prelim!! we have been working on our canter and its far from perfect but we are getting there!
Cob warmed up beautifully, very relaxed, moving much better in the dressage saddle we had altered on Friday. I also added a flash as she was starting to open her mouth to evade the bit (long story!!) but whether its the saddle or the flash thats made the big difference, am not sure yet but will be schooling without the flash tomorrow......(planning on riding last night but the weather was too bad!)
The w&t she was very looky and had a alot of baby moments, not relaxed and quite tense!!
We came away with 62% and a 4th (better than i thought)
After an hour came the prelim, much better much more consistent and really listening but relaxed.
Unfortunitly the ground was very very slippy, a horse came a cropper in the next ring and fell over.
Airing on the side of caution, and being green and canter far from balanced we took it really easy. We slowed everything down. One of the canters we didnt do, as her back legs where sliding everywhere!!
The rest of the test went well i thought.........
Collected the sheet and we got 55% obviously reflecting our lack of canter (we got a 4) and me over-shooting the centre line by a meter!! Whooops getting us a 5!
The canter we did manage was a bit wobbly so gave us a 5. Again possibly my fault as i airing on the side of caution and didn't want her to go over, would be terrible for her confidence!!
We got a 7 for our paces though and or medium walk.....
Judge reflected exactly what i thought. Unbalanced in the canter and lacking some bend.
Both judges have commented saying she has lovely natural correct paces which is a starting point i suppose!
She goes alot better at home, i feel we only get about 60% at shows/dressage tests, i suppose its to be expected being at an unfamiliar place!
Best bits
Stretchy pat after the test...........
Still very green but she is improving daily
I am very pleased as i have brought her this far alone from backing her myself and bringing her on, she's more like a 4 yr old as she had almost a year off last year due to my pregnancy
I think the time is right to get a bit of assistance in now, particulary as would love to get her up to novice level. I have a lovely dressage trainer in mind who i will be having regular lessons with very soon.
We entered the w&t and the prelim 7, our first prelim!! we have been working on our canter and its far from perfect but we are getting there!
Cob warmed up beautifully, very relaxed, moving much better in the dressage saddle we had altered on Friday. I also added a flash as she was starting to open her mouth to evade the bit (long story!!) but whether its the saddle or the flash thats made the big difference, am not sure yet but will be schooling without the flash tomorrow......(planning on riding last night but the weather was too bad!)
The w&t she was very looky and had a alot of baby moments, not relaxed and quite tense!!
We came away with 62% and a 4th (better than i thought)
After an hour came the prelim, much better much more consistent and really listening but relaxed.
Unfortunitly the ground was very very slippy, a horse came a cropper in the next ring and fell over.
Airing on the side of caution, and being green and canter far from balanced we took it really easy. We slowed everything down. One of the canters we didnt do, as her back legs where sliding everywhere!!
The rest of the test went well i thought.........
Collected the sheet and we got 55% obviously reflecting our lack of canter (we got a 4) and me over-shooting the centre line by a meter!! Whooops getting us a 5!
The canter we did manage was a bit wobbly so gave us a 5. Again possibly my fault as i airing on the side of caution and didn't want her to go over, would be terrible for her confidence!!
We got a 7 for our paces though and or medium walk.....
Judge reflected exactly what i thought. Unbalanced in the canter and lacking some bend.
Both judges have commented saying she has lovely natural correct paces which is a starting point i suppose!
She goes alot better at home, i feel we only get about 60% at shows/dressage tests, i suppose its to be expected being at an unfamiliar place!
Best bits
Stretchy pat after the test...........
