jess_asterix
Well-Known Member
So we finally got our first run of the season in the 100 at Eland on Sunday. We had very sociable times to with dressage not until 11:30 so plenty of time to get there and walk the course (with little 6yo sister in tow so took a bit longer!!)
Got him ready went over to the dressage warmup conscious of how muddy it was and how well he has been working at home with no silly behaviour so gave myself 35 mins (he was having 1hr + last season) by the end he felt more than ready to go in, he had relaxed over his back and was really working around my leg, walk was a little tense but it always is and we havn't been on grass since October or done dressage.
Over to the arena and he got a bit tense but I managed to gain composure before we went in and he did a nice test, at time I thought a little tight through the back where he wasn't keen on the ground and after a out FWLR, MW, WT instead of trotting he popped into cantered (for the 3rd time in this test!!!! I hate 106!! ) quickly corrected and off we went. He felt really solid in the rest of his work though!
Walked the SJ, nothing that should be a problem. Had a brief warm up with a near collision with a slightly out of control pony and he was pinging. Went in and jumped a lovely clear round, no problems there
Onto the fun bit, I was shocked at this point how chilled he had been all day and was slightly worried, well as soon as we got to the start box he was spinning, cantering on the spot and generally knew what was coming!!! Love him!
Flew out the start box over 1 and 2 which were simple, down the hill to 3 before the water and steadied a little as it was muddy, flew through the water and splashed our way out with us both getting water in our face. Over 5 a simple box and up to, 6 a log under a tree, off we went up the hill and through the woods (I'm sure they get twistier everytime!) Over 7 on a bit of a long one, into the woods and through the sunken road at 8, not a problem came back to me nicely and popped a nice stride in.
Onto 9 the greengrocers, he was pulling down the hill but jumped nicely and then flew over 10 the pheasant feeder. Onto the trakehner and I'm pretty sure he didn't notice it, up the hill rather quickly as he was KEEN! down the steps not an issue and onto the water, flew over the boat and launched into the water, then we saw a nice forward one to the arrowhead just after.
Onto the broken bridge and he just did his thing, next up was the house, he was flying up the hill and the undulating ground adjusted our stride slightly so a bit of a deep one but not a prob, off up the hill we went flew the brew and a nice one to the last meant a double clear at our first event of the season!! Happy horse, happy rider!
Found out i got a 24 dressage!!!!!!!! Personal Best
I would have been 2nd but we were enjoying ourselves that much I got 2 too fast TPs, never mind at least I know the time at Novice shouldn't be too much of an issue! He didn't even come back sweating either which makes me happy as I put alot of work into his fitness! We came 5th though so not too bad at all
[youtube]sVIQs6WdBjE[/youtube]
BUT.....The BEST part of the day was the fact MAry King was parked next to us and my little sister had been asking if she could say hello all day and I said not until she has finished, well as we were leaving she had just finished so I allowed her to.
Mary was so lovely, she not only had a photograph but also signed her postacrds and wrote her a message as well as inviting us into her lorry (which my sister now wants!) she has made my sisters year, she is completely starstruck and she was so kind.
Essay over, no food on offer as I am on a diet!
Got him ready went over to the dressage warmup conscious of how muddy it was and how well he has been working at home with no silly behaviour so gave myself 35 mins (he was having 1hr + last season) by the end he felt more than ready to go in, he had relaxed over his back and was really working around my leg, walk was a little tense but it always is and we havn't been on grass since October or done dressage.
Over to the arena and he got a bit tense but I managed to gain composure before we went in and he did a nice test, at time I thought a little tight through the back where he wasn't keen on the ground and after a out FWLR, MW, WT instead of trotting he popped into cantered (for the 3rd time in this test!!!! I hate 106!! ) quickly corrected and off we went. He felt really solid in the rest of his work though!
Walked the SJ, nothing that should be a problem. Had a brief warm up with a near collision with a slightly out of control pony and he was pinging. Went in and jumped a lovely clear round, no problems there
Onto the fun bit, I was shocked at this point how chilled he had been all day and was slightly worried, well as soon as we got to the start box he was spinning, cantering on the spot and generally knew what was coming!!!
Love him! Flew out the start box over 1 and 2 which were simple, down the hill to 3 before the water and steadied a little as it was muddy, flew through the water and splashed our way out with us both getting water in our face. Over 5 a simple box and up to, 6 a log under a tree, off we went up the hill and through the woods (I'm sure they get twistier everytime!) Over 7 on a bit of a long one, into the woods and through the sunken road at 8, not a problem came back to me nicely and popped a nice stride in.
Onto 9 the greengrocers, he was pulling down the hill but jumped nicely and then flew over 10 the pheasant feeder. Onto the trakehner and I'm pretty sure he didn't notice it, up the hill rather quickly as he was KEEN! down the steps not an issue and onto the water, flew over the boat and launched into the water, then we saw a nice forward one to the arrowhead just after.
Onto the broken bridge and he just did his thing, next up was the house, he was flying up the hill and the undulating ground adjusted our stride slightly so a bit of a deep one but not a prob, off up the hill we went flew the brew and a nice one to the last meant a double clear at our first event of the season!!
Happy horse, happy rider!
Found out i got a 24 dressage!!!!!!!! Personal Best
I would have been 2nd but we were enjoying ourselves that much I got 2 too fast TPs, never mind at least I know the time at Novice shouldn't be too much of an issue! He didn't even come back sweating either which makes me happy as I put alot of work into his fitness! We came 5th though so not too bad at all
[youtube]sVIQs6WdBjE[/youtube]
BUT.....The BEST part of the day was the fact MAry King was parked next to us and my little sister had been asking if she could say hello all day and I said not until she has finished, well as we were leaving she had just finished so I allowed her to.
Mary was so lovely, she not only had a photograph but also signed her postacrds and wrote her a message as well as inviting us into her lorry (which my sister now wants!) she has made my sisters year, she is completely starstruck and she was so kind.
Essay over, no food on offer as I am on a diet!
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