DressageCob
Well-Known Member
My little horse and I did our first ever dressage to music competition yesterday.
My friend's poor loader bending the ramp meant we set off later than intended. Still got there with plenty of time...or so I thought! Once I'd handed in my music, checked the times, tacked up and taken off my over-trousers I was left with only 7 minutes to work in! Given that the day before we had gone on a 3 hour farm ride, it maybe wasn't the worst thing, but still not enough time to get the necessary balance and bend. Not all bad though, since the wind was incredibly strong and freeeeezing!
I was first in. Thankfully in the indoor arena. I got my music through the post last Tuesday, having gone to a clinic at the start of the month. I was perhaps somewhat under-prepared
Managed to learn my floor plan on Saturday night, but had never ridden it to the music. Nevermind, I thought, and set off. Generally, it was ok. Not as consistent as I'd like (since Albert decided to spook at the judge's box every time we went past) and definitely not bendy enough (due to working in!) and I spent the whole time (a) failing to breathe and (b) riding in the fecal position.
I got a bit left behind. I had just finished my medium trot when I heard my walk music. I was at S and I needed to be at R. So instead of my zig zag free walk I walked around to C and then did a funny diagonal from C to P-ish. Almost there when the canter music started so quick trot then canter (since apparently at novice walk to canter isn't allowed, despite it being in standard BD tests). It was then supposed to be a two loop serpentine in canter/counter canter but I bottled it and changed leads over the centre line.
Albert really enjoyed his canter music, so his medium canter across the diagonal was rather full on! It probably looked better than it felt I was then concerned that I'd run out of music again, so skipped my serpentines on that rein and went straight to the 20m circle in the middle. Good job I did because I was just getting to C when the music changed again. Cue a rather speedy transition into trot, quick trot around to the long side and a hasty half circle to the track. Then couldn't remember when the music was due to stop, so when it did it was rather abrupt.
All in all a rather stressful test...I find it hard enough to remember tests and ride them, without factoring in (a) riding in time to the music, (b) changing gaits when the music changes and (c) on the spot changes to the floor plan without accidentally missing out one of the compulsory movements.
My friend came back with the score sheets and I had won. Before anyone is too impressed
D ) there were only 2 in the class - me and my friend. Still, a good score of 70.83% (although it was unaffiliated and they do tend to be generous!) and I thought again about how awesome my little horse is!
Alas I don't have any photos from yesterday. There is a video, which I'm waiting to be sent to me
Here is a token photo of my boy, from another time
My friend's poor loader bending the ramp meant we set off later than intended. Still got there with plenty of time...or so I thought! Once I'd handed in my music, checked the times, tacked up and taken off my over-trousers I was left with only 7 minutes to work in! Given that the day before we had gone on a 3 hour farm ride, it maybe wasn't the worst thing, but still not enough time to get the necessary balance and bend. Not all bad though, since the wind was incredibly strong and freeeeezing!
I was first in. Thankfully in the indoor arena. I got my music through the post last Tuesday, having gone to a clinic at the start of the month. I was perhaps somewhat under-prepared
Managed to learn my floor plan on Saturday night, but had never ridden it to the music. Nevermind, I thought, and set off. Generally, it was ok. Not as consistent as I'd like (since Albert decided to spook at the judge's box every time we went past) and definitely not bendy enough (due to working in!) and I spent the whole time (a) failing to breathe and (b) riding in the fecal position. I got a bit left behind. I had just finished my medium trot when I heard my walk music. I was at S and I needed to be at R. So instead of my zig zag free walk I walked around to C and then did a funny diagonal from C to P-ish. Almost there when the canter music started so quick trot then canter (since apparently at novice walk to canter isn't allowed, despite it being in standard BD tests). It was then supposed to be a two loop serpentine in canter/counter canter but I bottled it and changed leads over the centre line.
Albert really enjoyed his canter music, so his medium canter across the diagonal was rather full on! It probably looked better than it felt
I was then concerned that I'd run out of music again, so skipped my serpentines on that rein and went straight to the 20m circle in the middle. Good job I did because I was just getting to C when the music changed again. Cue a rather speedy transition into trot, quick trot around to the long side and a hasty half circle to the track. Then couldn't remember when the music was due to stop, so when it did it was rather abrupt. All in all a rather stressful test...I find it hard enough to remember tests and ride them, without factoring in (a) riding in time to the music, (b) changing gaits when the music changes and (c) on the spot changes to the floor plan without accidentally missing out one of the compulsory movements.
My friend came back with the score sheets and I had won. Before anyone is too impressed
D ) there were only 2 in the class - me and my friend. Still, a good score of 70.83% (although it was unaffiliated and they do tend to be generous!) and I thought again about how awesome my little horse is! Alas I don't have any photos from yesterday. There is a video, which I'm waiting to be sent to me
Here is a token photo of my boy, from another time
