JGC
Well-Known Member
Hello! Having lurked for many years, posted since last year, I thought I'd post a belated comp report for our dressage at the weekend. We (me, horse and OH) live in France, so I'm not entirely sure what the level we're competing at but I think maybe tough Novice/Elementary - our first test had leg-yielding canter walk on a circle, counter-canter loops to the 3/4 line, 12 m voltes and the second medium trot and canter, direct simple changes, 10 m voltes, shoulder-in and travers. I thought I would do a report as I have 400 pics taken by my lovely hubby, who fancies himself as a bit of a pap 
This is my older mare, Judy, who turned 15 today (and it's my birthday too!). I brought her as a knackered and fat ex-showjumper aged 11. She had (and still has) arthritis in her right hock and had never done dressage in her life. Until I got her, she'd always been ridden in draw reins except for comps as she can be a bit of a, ahem, madam. Here's a pic from the early days:
So my tests were on the Sunday starting at 8.30, so decided to cheat the alarm clock and go the night before. It was 32 degrees when we got there so left it as long as possible to get on but it was still about 28 so went for a wee hack:
Then went into to the school to discover that madam was not very happy about the heat and had no forward motion and had forgotten all about going on the bit - see below:
There was also someone putting a tent up next to the arena which I think probably didn't help, the tent kept eating the person and then spitting it out, I think she was quite right to be hysterical?! But I went to have a boozy night out with my friends from the comp and crossed my fingers that a bad dress rehearsal would mean a good test!
Got to the temporary stabling slighty bleary-eyed at 6.30, although that was probably the wine, not the early start! Had made a pathetic stab at plaiting the night before, but I know better than to restart them before my test - replaiting makes me cross Madam seemed in a decent mood (she didn't try to take any chunks out of me, which is a good sign) so I hopped on a went to the warm-up about 45 mins before, as she needs at least 20 mins walking. Put my leg on to ask for trot and the dopey uncooperative mare of the previous day had been replaced by a rocket-fuelled poncey dressage poney I think she likes getting dressed up She was feeling so good, she could have gone in after 10 mins, so tried to think of as many exercises as I could in walk to keep her on the job, but without overcooking it. This seemed to work pretty well and she was still going forwards when we went in (we always get marked down for lack of impulsion) and I managed to avoid assuming the "brace brace" position that I normally adopt when riding tests, although I still need to do something about my hitch-hiking left foot. Grrr. The rest seemed to go pretty well, although I managed not to get into the corners and trot a bit in one of my canter-walk transitions (bit of an achilles heel those).
Came out with 45 mins until the second tests, so decided to take her bridle off and go for a graze in the shade in the lorry park, as if I take her back to the stabling, she tends to think she's finished. Hopped back on with 10 mins to go, as it was starting to get hot again, so just did a wee bit of lateral work and a short canter then went back in. Unfortunately, the judges hadn't changed from the first class so we had to trot round for ages waiting for them to ring the bell, during which time, a horse from the next area managed to hop across the boards and into the fence just as we were going by. Was glad there was a fence or I think he'd've landed on Judy's head and, although her head is quite big, I don't think it would have withstood that
Eventually started thinking 'Poo, she's completely pooped, this is going to be a disaster', but a couple of movements in decided to give myself a big ol' kick up the jacksie and ride the bloomin' test, which seemed to pay off, although I did still do a bit of "brace brace" riding ...
Lots of carrots and kisses once I got off, gave a her a good hose-down and left her with her hay to check the scores. Only blooming well came first with 70.5 per cent in the first class This is our third year competing and only the second time we've won something. Was so, so pleased with her as she's not really built for the job and it's pretty hard work sometimes, but she's just such a trier Got 64.67 per cent for the second and just outside the placings in sixth, but that's the best score we've had at that level, so I'm almost as pleased with that. Here's my favourite pics from the tests (note, she sticks her tongue out to the side because the bits are two thick, I have been borrowing others and she's been fine, but had to give them back, so have ordered a Verbindend bridoon):
Trot:
Canter:
Canter walk:
Extended walk (needs some work):
Shoulder-in:
We need to work on the balance in counter-canter, mind:
My first cup ever:
Thanks for bearing with me and reading this epic report and birthday cake to all who get this far Anyone who has any tips for improving our shoulder-in and balance in the canter would get an extra slice
P.S. I hope the photos aren't too big, not sure how resizing works ...
This is my older mare, Judy, who turned 15 today (and it's my birthday too!). I brought her as a knackered and fat ex-showjumper aged 11. She had (and still has) arthritis in her right hock and had never done dressage in her life. Until I got her, she'd always been ridden in draw reins except for comps as she can be a bit of a, ahem, madam. Here's a pic from the early days:
So my tests were on the Sunday starting at 8.30, so decided to cheat the alarm clock and go the night before. It was 32 degrees when we got there so left it as long as possible to get on but it was still about 28 so went for a wee hack:
Then went into to the school to discover that madam was not very happy about the heat and had no forward motion and had forgotten all about going on the bit - see below:
There was also someone putting a tent up next to the arena which I think probably didn't help, the tent kept eating the person and then spitting it out, I think she was quite right to be hysterical?!
But I went to have a boozy night out with my friends from the comp and crossed my fingers that a bad dress rehearsal would mean a good test!Got to the temporary stabling slighty bleary-eyed at 6.30, although that was probably the wine, not the early start! Had made a pathetic stab at plaiting the night before, but I know better than to restart them before my test - replaiting makes me cross
Madam seemed in a decent mood (she didn't try to take any chunks out of me, which is a good sign) so I hopped on a went to the warm-up about 45 mins before, as she needs at least 20 mins walking. Put my leg on to ask for trot and the dopey uncooperative mare of the previous day had been replaced by a rocket-fuelled poncey dressage poney I think she likes getting dressed up She was feeling so good, she could have gone in after 10 mins, so tried to think of as many exercises as I could in walk to keep her on the job, but without overcooking it. This seemed to work pretty well and she was still going forwards when we went in (we always get marked down for lack of impulsion) and I managed to avoid assuming the "brace brace" position that I normally adopt when riding tests, although I still need to do something about my hitch-hiking left foot. Grrr. The rest seemed to go pretty well, although I managed not to get into the corners and trot a bit in one of my canter-walk transitions (bit of an achilles heel those).Came out with 45 mins until the second tests, so decided to take her bridle off and go for a graze in the shade in the lorry park, as if I take her back to the stabling, she tends to think she's finished. Hopped back on with 10 mins to go, as it was starting to get hot again, so just did a wee bit of lateral work and a short canter then went back in. Unfortunately, the judges hadn't changed from the first class so we had to trot round for ages waiting for them to ring the bell, during which time, a horse from the next area managed to hop across the boards and into the fence just as we were going by. Was glad there was a fence or I think he'd've landed on Judy's head and, although her head is quite big, I don't think it would have withstood that
Eventually started thinking 'Poo, she's completely pooped, this is going to be a disaster', but a couple of movements in decided to give myself a big ol' kick up the jacksie and ride the bloomin' test, which seemed to pay off, although I did still do a bit of "brace brace" riding ...
Lots of carrots and kisses once I got off, gave a her a good hose-down and left her with her hay to check the scores. Only blooming well came first with 70.5 per cent in the first class
This is our third year competing and only the second time we've won something. Was so, so pleased with her as she's not really built for the job and it's pretty hard work sometimes, but she's just such a trier Got 64.67 per cent for the second and just outside the placings in sixth, but that's the best score we've had at that level, so I'm almost as pleased with that. Here's my favourite pics from the tests (note, she sticks her tongue out to the side because the bits are two thick, I have been borrowing others and she's been fine, but had to give them back, so have ordered a Verbindend bridoon):Trot:
Canter:
Canter walk:
Extended walk (needs some work):
Shoulder-in:
We need to work on the balance in counter-canter, mind:
My first cup ever
:
Thanks for bearing with me and reading this epic report and birthday cake to all who get this far
Anyone who has any tips for improving our shoulder-in and balance in the canter would get an extra slice P.S. I hope the photos aren't too big, not sure how resizing works ...
