Eldest Mini Mirage's first ODE

mirage

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My daughters are 10 and 11 and despite riding from the age of 4 and belonging to the PC we have never taken part in any competitions, we've only ever done clear round and gymkhana games at small local shows.We've always had the ponies that other people looked down on and laughed at.
However,recently,we were lucky enough to loan a lovely veteran cob,we've had him a month and eldest mini mirage took him to camp this week and had a blast,so much so that she decided to have a go at the ODE today.As she can count the amount of clear rounds she's ever had on one hand and had never done a dressage test in her life and hadn't had time to practice due to holidays, we decided to do it just for fun and the experience. My lovely friend read the test for her,as I don't have a clue about dressage,but it seemed to go all right. She then went clear SJ and XC,which was a novelty for us.We were packing away the jumps at the end of the day,when someone shouted for her to go to the presentation table,she had come 4th in her class,and also won highest placed PC member and the cup for best dressage score! We were stunned,we had no expectations of coming anywhere,so are so happy for her and her pony. Her dressage score was 29.2,and I had to get my friend to explain to me if that was good or bad as I really do know nothing about it at all. I guess I'm going to have to learn now. I'm just so pleased that after all these years of struggling,she finally had her day in the sun.
 
Fantastic! Very well done done to her, you and the lovely pony.
Don't hold your breath for many more relaxed casual pony days.... bet the bug will have bitten, and she'll be begging you for more competitions!
 
Fantastic :) grrr at people laughing at your ponies, maybe they did [though not many would do that], but your strategy has paid off big time now!
P.S.
I am not sure what ODE stands for, assuming it is One Day Event!
 
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Thank you all. I don't think she has come back to earth yet. In her ride at camp,there were siblings who were really struggling and their mum kept apologising to the rest of us for taking up so much of the instructors time. We told her not to be ridiculous, we've all been there and that is what camp is for,also that whatever their ponies were doing,ours had done worse before now. Mini m told them about the time her old pony not only refused in the clear round at a show,but added insult to injury by reversing into the jump and bucking it down in front of everyone. Bless them,her camp ride were all there cheering her on yesterday,it was really lovely.

Now I need to learn about dressage,any recommendations?
 
Well done Mini M!

Well - you just need to get yourself on top of the cob and start training for your first dressage test ;-)
 
Well done Mini M!

Well - you just need to get yourself on top of the cob and start training for your first dressage test ;-)

I'm not capable! I don't really ride,I can manage the odd hack out,but that is about it.I don't go faster than a trot,but am hoping to steal him for a hack at some point. He is so gorgeous and chunky with a lovely Roman nose.
 
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