Dressage party!

[rara007]

Another first for us together- this time 'between the boards'. Chose the venue we have done a lot of training at (mainly as it is closest and they had some on tbh!) so he warmed up sweetly. It was -7*c when we left home Sunday... and not much warmer when we got there! He did think it was time to stand in the middle in the line-up after our second canter but we stayed on track Only did a very quick spin around as two tests 35min apart is about his energy/strength length so keen not to leave the test in the warmup. Just an intro for the very first one- two looks at the judges table and we were away
Warming up:

Checking the test!

Then a casual wander around until the person before went in and we got canter on both legs, and in again, a pro with the table this time for the prelim!

Down the CL:

Trot work:

And canter:

A nice 69% in the intro (a win) and 68% (3rd) with very fair comments. I really need to decide in my head what his 'dressage' rhythm is but fortunately he totally ignored my requests to rush as we got good comments on the rhythm! Mainly need to work on keeping the canter 4 beat round the 'tighter' corners and keep working on building up the stretch he offers. Possibly some more dressage early feb next up for him, if not showing mid feb including baby workers, via RC lessons most weeks!

Some snaps from last night- our 4th jumping session and built up to the giddy heights of 2'3! His affiliated Novice workers will only be 65cm for this season so not actually too far off the mark, he loves it! It's not like the old pony was big (15hh) but the balance required to jump a keen 12.3/13hh is something else!

Dominance issues!

Until next time!

 

[{97702}]

Wow he is absolutely GORGEOUS - how have I missed your posts before!!!! A lovely report, some fantastic pics and a really good result - very well done, I will be stalking your posts unmercifully from now on

(PS - any stats for idiots like me who haven't seen him before would be good if possible - age/breed/height/training aims?)

 

[ahml100]

He is lovely! Are you planning on showing him as his career as such, or more allrounder? Either way, i think it is safe to say whatever he does, he will be successful 😀

 

[rara007]

Ha! Rising 6 (broken summer last year) 131cm (12.3) Welsh section C. I can link to his breeding for Welsh buffs but it means very little to me! Long term aiming for international FEI driving but the minimum age for that is 7 as a single and as it still has roads and tracks he won't be strong enough this season to enjoy it. So for now we're enjoying life! Showing (both flat and WH), and riding club are the targets this year, maybe with a scurry or young pony class or two! We're dabbling with the amateur RI qualifier for the start of the year and WH training classes but no idea how he'll do! Really just playing it by ear, he may well not be sharp enough for the level of driving I want but he'll make a cracking all rounder if not! Or maybe we can breed lead rein ponies with his temperament.....

 

[{97702}]

Wow 12.3hh! Can I ask how tall you are? You don't look too big for him at all I am just wondering about making an offer if he doesn't like driving I do hope that was you who I stalked on FB the other day.....

 

[Cortez]

Just FYI - canter is always 3 beats, not 4. He's very cute

 

[rara007]

Yes I know it should be- maybe a typo in the OP! Whoops! Around 20m circles (and jumping!) he maintains that but at the moment tighter turns (i.e. turning across the short diagonal!) he falls down onto his forehand for 4. He'll get there, he's actually much weaker than he looks like he should be. He has normal strength for 6 months in work in a built up body.

I'm 5'4 On a bit of a diet as heavier than I look too but he's well within his comfort zone for general stuff! I wouldn't hunt or event him at my weight but that's not an issue He is quite a 'big' 12.3 (his stud card said 13.1!) but he's well within 133cm!

 

[Bernster]

What a pretty pony!

 

[j1ffy]

He's so pretty! Even if driving doesn't work out you'll easily find a home for him, what a smart little thing Keep the reports coming!

 

[Lyle]

Oh mah god, he's adorable! Well done you, looks like you both have a cracking partnership