Feeling a bit 'boggled and directionless'!

[milliepops]

Tweed totally fine so don't worry about that. But.. personally... quite similar. Don't do much else and take a thermos on the day?. If OH ever comes along then we might get something from the cafe, since Mr Moneybags doesn't have to pay to keep the rest running does he ?

The saving grace at the FEI levels is there's generally only one test for you (but the entry fees are higher so swings & roundabouts ?)

 

[palo1]

She sounds like a fantastic and well rounded young horse with potential to go off and do whatever you both want to do. This is very similar to M when he was of a similar age and all in all have continued in that vein and he is now, at 8 years old, a fantastic all rounder who will go anywhere and do anything. At various points in time we have concentrated on something specific, on the lead up to a big county show for example we spent a couple of months concentrating on working hunter and showing shows in order to prepare him for that and another time we were concentrating on pure dressage as we were aiming for qualification scores for the nationals (which we did qualify for but then that was cancelled due to COVID). But most of the time I spend my weeks hacking, flat schooling, jumping at home, XC schooling, arena hires for SJ / WH and going to the beach. He is ready at any point to go and do anything. He is schooled up to medium level dressage and happy to pop a course of 1.10 (althoug I prefer to stick a little lower than that!)

I think if you want to become expert in something so really aiming high in a specific discipline or are aiming for a scpecific show then it is good to concentrate on that particular discipline but otherwise it's good for horse and rider to go and do whatever you fancy.

Just re-read your earlier reply @Wheels; what an amazing achievement to have produced a horse happy at those things at a really quite aspirational level!! Inspiring stuff.

 

[Wheels]

Just re-read your earlier reply @Wheels; what an amazing achievement to have produced a horse happy at those things at a really quite aspirational level!! Inspiring stuff.

Aww thank you, what a lovely thing to say.

It helps when the horse is super easy to train and is basically an angel putting up with my inconsistent hands and wayward legs!!

 

[Wheels]

Aw, thank you I have just done the sums for very basic training and very basic competing. It's really not much but still feels like a fair committment. How do people do this??! I will have to compete in tweed with current tack (all fine actually) so no tack or kit allowance here. Diesel can come out of the everyday pot and I will have to take my own refreshments lol!! Training at this point is of the very cheap sort but I really like my instructor, she is very local, proving to be very encouraging and effective. I have got a bit of flex in being able to go to a more expensive 'specialist' if walking and trotting satisfactorily is beyond us. This 'cheap' training also includes a bit of everything and instructor is happy to video etc. She has a successful (and current) competing record. I have faith in her and Alw loves her. I really will have to master walk, trot and possibly canter within that setting I believe lol!! It is very peculiar to think of needing specialist help with intro/prelim dressage and I hope that is not required at an industrial level but who knows?!

When my kids tell me that I am the 'meanest Mother' it will have a whole other meaning this summer!! Looking down the back of the sofa at this very minute...

ETA - Just realised that most tests cost the same as a fun ride. I don't usually bother with them so in another way perhaps it isn't so expensive...

Your instructor sounds fab. You dont need a specialist instructor but some trainers do have a way of getting the best out of the partnership plus someone who can help you with the test riding accuracy and little tips about preparing for and completing a particular movement can really help to get those extra marks