Back from Dressage!

Weezy

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1) If one is doing dressage, one really must remember that the warm up is the most important bit. Lolling about, chatting to mates and only getting on the horse 10 mins before the test, then chatting for another 5 mins will NOT get your horse soft and responsive.

2) Do NOT take your mare's beau with you. Even if she doesn't suffer from separation anxiety it does not mean that he will not scream constantly everytime you leave him and she will not stick her head in the air and listen and absolutely refuse to listen to you.

3) God gave people necks. These necks enable us to look UP and in the direction we are going. Riding around staring at your horse's neck ensures the fact that you have absolutely NO idea of where you are in the arena.

4) If you were taught how to do half halts when you were a child, remember they were taught for a reason. You only have yourself to blame if your horse falls through every change of direction and transition if you do not sit them on their hocks.

5) Just because you can work brilliantly at home do not be lulled into a false sense of security. You still have to RIDE.

6) It is a really stupid thing to do to wear your new boots for the first time at a competition. If you wear them before you would realise that they are really not supporting your ankle and are great at making you feel as though you are flapping about in a pair of wellies.

7) Although your new swan neck spurs are awesome at home, do not expect the same result using a pair of titchy standard ones when out at competition.

8) Putting your stirrups up 2 holes won't actually do you any favours - you have managed perfectly well to ride with them down at a reasonable length - dressage is not the Grand National, and you won't get marks for having your knees by your ears.

9) Although you may think it is a good idea to put show shine on your horse's mane, remember that this WILL transfer to the reins if the horse has a long mane.

10) Although you do it for fun, you really SHOULD ride to the best of your ability at all times - giggling your way around and not trying just because you don't think you are in with a chance anyway is for losers.

I have NO idea how we did! Suffice to say that gorgeous outline we have been achieving was left at home I have vids but the quality is not good and not sure how they will upload but will give it a go!

When I have my sheets back I shall share them with you all

Weezy xxx
P.S. My neck now hurts from looking down all the time

P.P.S. I told both judges that I was only in it for fun and to be nice First one did not smile back at the end but the second was giggling too!

Just found out I got 142 for the first and 108 for the second - whatever that means! (Out of 240 and 220 apparently)
 
oops so not a good night then
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back to showjumping then for you and Porridge?
 
Still laughing at your report
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I can visualise it, esp the new boots feeling like wellies, done same thing myself, couldn't get my legs to wrap around they stuck out like they were broken at the ankles, lol.
 
Excellent and hilarious report Weezy. All those points raised are sooooooo true.

Oh well better luck next time and at least you are out there doing it.

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Well it not going to be too hard to improve then! At least you did it and you did not get any errors for wrong course.
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Video here if you want to chuckle- this is the first test, not sure I can be bothered uploading the second as the quality is dire and I think it will be even more crappy once uploaded...

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=9051212879757166050

Casp was good - he has a very natural outline anyway, so if you looked past the tension and his desire to do everything at 100mph, it was OK! I still maintain he needs his vocal chords removing though
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Sorry Weezy this really made me laugh...
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You never know, one day you may use this as an example of how you started in dressage, the things like the new boots, shine on the mane etc we've all done and regretted (I got blisters from my new boots).
If you persevere your marks are bound to go up, and leaving her best mate at home next time may help..
Put the vids up then we can all see...
 
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Just found out I got 142 for the first and 108 for the second - whatever that means! (Out of 240 and 220 apparently)

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I'm a little confused - prelim 4 was out of 220 and prelim 18 out of 240, so would that not make your marks 66% and 45%, if you got 142 for prelim 4?
 
Ahh ok! Would make more sense if it was 59 and 49% - though I thought your 2nd one was better than the first too!
 
I've just sent off my entries for dressage on the 21st... my first tests in 8 or 9 YEARS, and the first time ever that my ex-racer turned ex-polo pony (double whammy of bad habits!), will have been on a civilised outing.
In preparation for this I'm going to print out your 'Golden Rules' and put them next to my bed!
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Judging eh!!!??? Well I think you did a good job especially on grass too... wow my boy would have exploded and thought it was time to play big time!!!
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I doubt if I would have made the end!!!
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I applaud you because many people never even give dressage a go, and despite what kinda horse you ride, once you start you will want to improve your marks more and more!!!! the marks will start to tot up the more you do . Keep up the good work!!!
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It's the taking part that counts
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at least you gave it a go. I'm doing a couple of prelims next month (including prelim 4). God knows why?!
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Wow another dressage comp! Be careful its becoming a habit!!!
Good for you for having a go and as you have pointed out you are..
1. LIVING
2. LEARNING
Most of all i hope you are having fun! Sounds like you are! Seems pretty cool to me!
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Made me laugh, expecially 3, 4 and 5. Glad you had a fun day. I'm sure the weather was v warm. P was probably just feeling a bit hot and lazy.

FIona
 
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