Fantastic day - major milestones!!

Santa_Claus

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www.katiemortimore.com
Went stressaging today with Fleur. About her 6th and 7th dressage tests ever.

Have been having some lessons recently which have been going very well but its a case of reproducing it away from home as she gets far more interested in what is happening around her!

First milestone of the day was being left in after everything else turned out without trying to jump out of her stable. She did dig up her bed abit (in the 20 mins she had to wait) but wasn't sweated up or stressed just more a 'come on im waiting' type attitude.

Second milestone put her into stable in american barn so with company (housemate's horse she was taking and her other one who she needed to turn out who is Fleur's fieldmate), even when her field mate was taken out she stayed calm.

Third milestone (and not even 8am) loaded straight away without any issues with housemate only there to supervise effectively. (had major issues just about year ago which resulted in taking 3 hours to load her at a competition and her going up and over, although hugely improved its taken a lot of hard work and patience).

Fourth milestone singlehandly got her ready/tacked up unloaded etc without her throwing hissy fit in lorry.

Fifth milestone warmed up well with no spooking/napping (god such a huge thing) not even when another horse did a bucking bronco into her arse!!!
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Did first test although not as soft over the back as I would have liked nor moving forward quite enough it was a half decent test with some really nice bits and we ended up 3rd with 60% (although unaffiliated score shouldn't have dropped much if at all if had been affiliated) and again no napping/spooking!! (sort of sixth milestone in that much better quality of test than previously! so lets say fitfh and a half
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Sixth milestone, tie up to lorry with haynet alone (well i stayed within sight at all times) whilst she stood quietly. Had a little iffy moment when a loose horse bolted past her but I think we can excuse her that as calmed quickly and didn't try break free etc!!

sixth and a half milestone warmed up and did another good test, this time a lot softer over her back although still no where near as good as she can be. But she was obedient, off my leg and consistently into my hand. finished 4th with 62%

seventh and biggest by far milestone untacked her sorted her out and loaded her first time all on my own no one even standing near by! that left biggest smile of day as loading has been such an issue for her.

To add to the good day the weather was glorious, everyone else from my yard had a great day (housemate even won a class and was totally gobsmacked when we told her), was great to see one lady from yard who is fairly novicey get 60% she refused to believe me when I told her, so deserved it though.

Also had at least 3 or 4 people come purposefully come and ask about Fleur asking about breeding etc. Not had that for a while
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So yes fantastic day, horse proving to a lot of people she really is growing up and coming away with rosettes in both classes. couldn't have had a much better day if had tried
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Katie
 
yep and now having yummy chinese to celebrate
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Going to be really brave and hack her tomorrow as well! another of her big no nos (although took her out for an hour two weeks ago)

by the way everyone this is the horse who once reared vertical 17 times within 5 mins when owner attempted to hack her. Tigers eyes had to get off and wrap her jumper round her head on another occasion to make her go down a track (still giggle at that!), and who was almost at one point written off as too dangerous to ride as a 4yo. That is what makes it even more monumental especially as last time YO saw her off yard it was again dressage where we reared three times on the first centre line alone!!!!
 
Hooray, I'm really pleased you had a good day
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Sounds like Fleur is coming on really well, and its a tribute to your hard work
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Excellent! where was it? was it the unaff at Poltimore?
Its great to have these moments where everything just clicks into place!
 
yep unafil at poltimore! trying to find more to do now. tried to get late entry into next weeks ODE at pontispool (only saw schedule yesterday) but full with wait list
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no more dressage at exeter now except one friday which can't do till september ish time. think will be heading Wellbeck or upton pyne wards next!!
 
Shame Shadow is going or it would have been good to meet at events etc. Was planning to head up to Upton Pyne for a coulpe of tests. Well done and good luck for the season!
 
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