nikkimariet
Well-Known Member
Pleased to report that after the slight whoopsie that was Addington Summer Regionals, Fig is on fine form 
We went to Swallowfield last weekend and got 4th and 4th N24/30 with 66.92% and 64.23%. Second test I made a lot of mistakes (namely forgetting to trot and cantering down the centre line....did a good canter/halt though!), and that was under a toughie judge, so pleased with that and pleased we're starting to tot up a few points toward the Winter Regionals. Major breakthrough that Fig went cold turkey, and I didn't give him any calmer - we had zero nobbing so all good in the hood 
Onto today - Vale View and N27/39. Did the double warm up again (wanted to keep him in this routine until first Area Festival and also Vale is a little spooky), and he was super
Ever so sweet and soft. Latest warm up favourite is collect/sitting and then push forward/rising, really gets him swinging and loose over the back and hips. Test started off lovely, lost a little of the bounce and cadence from the warm up but still so early on for him so not worried. Then...! After the first canter/during the second trot we had '.....canter?' 'no' ..... 'CANTER?!' 'NO!' 'I'm going to canter anywayyyyyyywheeeeeeee' about 7 times 
Naughty sod. Need to be braver with my canter aid, stop babying him and then he knows outside leg back really means canter and nothing else! Everything else very nice and accurate So wasn't expecting huge marks, but think it did him good to get told a big fat NO and made to carry on.
Back on the lorry for 15 mins and then got him out again - he's definitely settling at shows quicker/better, as he wee'd a couple of times and ate a lot more haylage than he has done before Warmed up nicely again, did lots of trot-wait for me-canter-wait for me-trot work with him. Used shoulder in to 10m circles to get the front up and the hinds stepping under. We had a erm slight encounter, in which canter shoulder in became 'flying change.....flying change....flying change.....' Nice to know he can do them (and cleanly!) but a little above our current training level 
Remembered to halt down the first centre line We had a teeny spook at A but swiftly built a bridge and got over it 
First medium trot good, second one a little so-so. Medium canters are coming along nicely at home (slower and more up) but still lacks that reaction and spark in the ring. We both fluffed the walk/canter, something I consider his strong point at home! I said 'go', he said 'no.....mmmm okayyywheeee'! So an impromptu giraffe/medium canter round the corner but hey ho!
Pics:
Check out my Fenton face!!
Change?..Sure?...I'll do one anyway!
Scores: N27 65.36% 1st/5 in section and 1st/7 overall, N39 65.52% 2nd/6 in section and 2nd/7 overall. So very because that means more WR points!! Woo!!
Weston Lawns Area Festival is the next stop for one half of the Sparkle Sisters, so hope to see a few of you there and will report back in due time!!
Going out for dinner, so no food on offer :hankmarvinhungry:
We went to Swallowfield last weekend and got 4th and 4th N24/30 with 66.92% and 64.23%. Second test I made a lot of mistakes (namely forgetting to trot and cantering down the centre line....did a good canter/halt though!), and that was under a toughie judge, so pleased with that and pleased we're starting to tot up a few points toward the Winter Regionals. Major breakthrough that Fig went cold turkey, and I didn't give him any calmer - we had zero nobbing so all good in the hood Onto today - Vale View and N27/39. Did the double warm up again (wanted to keep him in this routine until first Area Festival and also Vale is a little spooky), and he was super
Ever so sweet and soft. Latest warm up favourite is collect/sitting and then push forward/rising, really gets him swinging and loose over the back and hips. Test started off lovely, lost a little of the bounce and cadence from the warm up but still so early on for him so not worried. Then...! After the first canter/during the second trot we had '.....canter?' 'no' ..... 'CANTER?!' 'NO!' 'I'm going to canter anywayyyyyyywheeeeeeee' about 7 times Naughty sod. Need to be braver with my canter aid, stop babying him and then he knows outside leg back really means canter and nothing else! Everything else very nice and accurate So wasn't expecting huge marks, but think it did him good to get told a big fat NO and made to carry on.Back on the lorry for 15 mins and then got him out again - he's definitely settling at shows quicker/better, as he wee'd a couple of times and ate a lot more haylage than he has done before
Warmed up nicely again, did lots of trot-wait for me-canter-wait for me-trot work with him. Used shoulder in to 10m circles to get the front up and the hinds stepping under. We had a erm slight encounter, in which canter shoulder in became 'flying change.....flying change....flying change.....' Nice to know he can do them (and cleanly!) but a little above our current training level Remembered to halt down the first centre line We had a teeny spook at A but swiftly built a bridge and got over it First medium trot good, second one a little so-so. Medium canters are coming along nicely at home (slower and more up) but still lacks that reaction and spark in the ring. We both fluffed the walk/canter, something I consider his strong point at home! I said 'go', he said 'no.....mmmm okayyywheeee'! So an impromptu giraffe/medium canter round the corner but hey ho!Pics:
Check out my Fenton face!!
Change?..Sure?...I'll do one anyway!
Scores: N27 65.36% 1st/5 in section and 1st/7 overall, N39 65.52% 2nd/6 in section and 2nd/7 overall. So very
because that means more WR points!! Woo!!Weston Lawns Area Festival is the next stop for one half of the Sparkle Sisters, so hope to see a few of you there and will report back in due time!!
Going out for dinner, so no food on offer :hankmarvinhungry:
Teaching changes over the winter is fun but why do I get the feeling I won't be able to bugger all else after!
I give him walk breaks after he does something well and little pats, esp during stretchy warm up, to keep him soft in the neck and reassure him he's a good boy