Jemayni
Well-Known Member
(Long report, if you just want this jist read the last 2 lines!)
Well I returned home from the u25 championship on wed night, but due to 'exam result' inflicted hangovers, this is the first point at which Ive been fit to make a post about it!
Arrived mid-afternoon on Monday night, after 3 hours travelling, typically we only got lost in the last 5 miles! Put Chance in his temp stable, at which point my atomic bombproof, bold as brass pony started shaking, as he was frightened of the roof
! He eventually settled after Id taken him for a little hack, whcih seemed to give him something else to think about!
Was up first thing Tuesday morning to convert my now skewbald pony back to his snowy white self
. Took him down to the warm up where he warmed up nicely then we went into the arena and he was sooo good; I expected him to be at least a bit wound up by the arena, but he behanved beautifully and came out with a v.respectable 65% & ended up 7th
Late afternoon I retacked him up for the prelim championship; again he did a nice test, but was unfortunatly a bit to relaxed & only got 63%. My comment was "an obedient pony (he's 15.2) and extremely submissive to the bridle despite the conditions (a monsoon) accurately ridden but needs to be more engaged." I did feel slightly hard done by as my collectives were very low in comparison with people who had much lower test scores, but nonetheless I was still pleased.
Now as for my Novice test on the Wednesday morning, it was just basically one long disaster! My test was at 8.45, so I gave myself an 1hr15 to plait and bath (plenty of time.) Got down the yard and plaited, which took longer than normal as someone wouldnt stand still; I then took his rug off and to my horror, he was completely bay on one side
, (I expect a few stable stains, but that was crazy,) so I got scrubbing furiously, but it still took me an additional 20 mins to get him ready, shortening my warm up. I also realised the reason for his bay condition, was that he had been cast in the night
(stupid donkey) he has two cuts on his right hind and a small swelling. Went down v.late to the warm-up arena & he was quite stiff through that hind, I would have needed a longer warm-up than usual to work him through it!
The test was itself extremely annoying, in the majority of the movements he got 6, 7, 8's but unfortunatly (and very unlike him) he made several "errors" in the test, he broke his med trot, did a flying change in counter canter (who taught him those I have no idea!) and had a nosey moment in his free walk, leaving me with 3 4's and a 3! My collectives were again harsh (I got 5,6,6,7)! Despite the mistakes he still achieved 60% really frustrating as there was only 3% seperating 18th & 3rd (63%)
Despite the frustrating moments, I had a very fun week & it was certainly a learning curve & a very interesting experience - never in my life have I ever met so many scottish people, or ponies with flicky toes
!
ETS: can't believe I forgot to say this! I also had the pleasure of being stabled next to Big_black_Beasty, her and her MUm were delightful, I really enjoyed their company. BBB - if you read, thankyou!
Well I returned home from the u25 championship on wed night, but due to 'exam result' inflicted hangovers, this is the first point at which Ive been fit to make a post about it!
Arrived mid-afternoon on Monday night, after 3 hours travelling, typically we only got lost in the last 5 miles! Put Chance in his temp stable, at which point my atomic bombproof, bold as brass pony started shaking, as he was frightened of the roof
Was up first thing Tuesday morning to convert my now skewbald pony back to his snowy white self
Late afternoon I retacked him up for the prelim championship; again he did a nice test, but was unfortunatly a bit to relaxed & only got 63%. My comment was "an obedient pony (he's 15.2) and extremely submissive to the bridle despite the conditions (a monsoon) accurately ridden but needs to be more engaged." I did feel slightly hard done by as my collectives were very low in comparison with people who had much lower test scores, but nonetheless I was still pleased.
Now as for my Novice test on the Wednesday morning, it was just basically one long disaster! My test was at 8.45, so I gave myself an 1hr15 to plait and bath (plenty of time.) Got down the yard and plaited, which took longer than normal as someone wouldnt stand still; I then took his rug off and to my horror, he was completely bay on one side
The test was itself extremely annoying, in the majority of the movements he got 6, 7, 8's but unfortunatly (and very unlike him) he made several "errors" in the test, he broke his med trot, did a flying change in counter canter (who taught him those I have no idea!) and had a nosey moment in his free walk, leaving me with 3 4's and a 3! My collectives were again harsh (I got 5,6,6,7)! Despite the mistakes he still achieved 60% really frustrating as there was only 3% seperating 18th & 3rd (63%)
Despite the frustrating moments, I had a very fun week & it was certainly a learning curve & a very interesting experience - never in my life have I ever met so many scottish people, or ponies with flicky toes
ETS: can't believe I forgot to say this! I also had the pleasure of being stabled next to Big_black_Beasty, her and her MUm were delightful, I really enjoyed their company. BBB - if you read, thankyou!
