Competition Update - Twas... Interesting ;)

[QueenOfCadence]

Hey guys

So I've just returned from my first show on Big Black Beastie after he was off for about 18 months and it was interesting to say the least

To start off my test's time was at 8 am, So I had to get up at 6 (I'm NOT a morning person), Big Black Beastie (also known as Liquorice or Lici) REFUSED to get into the box (in the rain, it was a miserable day here in SA), so we spent 15 minutes trying to coax him into the box (lunge lines, carrots, begging, tears, you name it we tried it) eventually he walked in and travelled without a problem

We got out at the show, we were the second people to go in so the warm up arena was generally quite for the first bit of our warm up, the big boy got absolutely freaked out though because the lady whose test was before mine was riding bitless and had NO control over her horse, which resulted in my horse (who firmly believes he is a stallion) nearly tearing her horse to shreds (which I felt guilty about, none were harmed but it was narrowly avoided, feel it wasn't completely my fault - especially since her 15hh gelding was the one that rammed into my 17hh boy), the rest of the warm up was peaceful until the pony riders started warming up. Liquorice has a HORRIBLE phobia of ponies, he hates them and pretty much jumps out of the arena whenever one passes by. I have no idea why he's fine with horses - but wants to pee himself at the mere sight of a pony

We were late going into our class because the judges hadn't noticed that they had marked out the dressage arena wrong (all the letters were the wrong way around) so the lady before us had to restart her test (she didn't notice either until she had to turn at H and H was nowhere in sight ) so we went in late

The start of our test was AMAZING and all the trot work was to die for, until he had to canter :L, by this time the big lad was so fed up and tired that he decided to plant himself in the sand and buck on one place (actually nearly throwing me off at one stage) - he continued to do this everytime he was asked to canter, so we lost A LOT of marks

But I'm proud regardless , Liquorice went well, I stayed on and it was good. Now to gather 2 more points so we can go to elementary

Here are some photies:

In the Warm Up:

In the Warm Up:

More In The Warm Up:

In the Warm Up:

In the actual test (trot on a long rein):

In the Test:

In the Test:

Free walk on a long rein:

 

[Honey08]

Y
The photos are lovely. I can't believe that an affiliated judge put the letters out the wrong way!! He looks so big. You look tiny on him, but obviously cope.

 

[Montyforever]

He's gorgeous .. But don't you know these little ponies are terrifying! Will never forget the day I was walking my little pony out on the bridle paths, passed a woman on a huge warmblood who basically stuck her nose up until the horse planted and refused to move because my littlun was whinnying at it! Que her perfect position being ruined by pony club kicks to get her horse to pass mine

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Thanx Honey - he is very big and I do look like a midget on him, but he's nice to ride

lol, I will never understand why big horses are so scared of little horses

 

[caterpillar]

Y
The photos are lovely. I can't believe that an affiliated judge put the letters out the wrong way!! He looks so big. You look tiny on him, but obviously cope.

The judge wouldn't set up the arena, that's what the helpers are for!

OP, nice horse but maybe pop your stirrups up a hole? In the photos you look to be reaching for your stirrups and therefore perching in the saddle.
(Photos can be deceiving though!)

 

[QueenOfCadence]

The judge wouldn't set up the arena, that's what the helpers are for!

OP, nice horse but maybe pop your stirrups up a hole? In the photos you look to be reaching for your stirrups and therefore perching in the saddle.
(Photos can be deceiving though!)

My stirrups were fine (photos can be deceiving) but I was constantly off of balance (being bucked) so felt like I was riding his withers 99% of the time