First ODE (the sequel to the give and retake reins thread!)

Hoof_Prints

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I usually do hunter trials and all jumping things with Finn, as his dressage has been questionable :D mostly due to being super tense and nervous. His jumping has really come on and as he's an XC machine and been jumping DCs I thought I'd brave the dressage bit too.
Warmed up well, used lots of advice from the other thread and didn't bother cantering at all in the warm up so he was just in 2nd gear until the give and retake was over (last time we did this he cantered off and was really upset and jittering about), been doing flatwork with no jumping all week at home though so hoped it would have worked some magic.
Luckily it did ! he went in the ring after warming up well, and although we were a bit wonky due to my weak left ankle (a lot of soft tissue damage with the broken/split open foot a few weeks ago) we managed a calm and respectable test with a pretty fab give and retake. I was a bit too pleased with the calm reaction so probably held the reins out for far too long, had to enjoy the moment :D

Ended up on 40 after dressage, which was pretty good as the others were mostly between 38 and 47 if I remember rightly. Went in SJ and just had a very unlucky pole at the first , we slipped on take off as it was downhill and he clipped the back rail but went clear the rest of the way. XC we stormed round clear and finished 7th out of about 20 :)

Few photos...
nice relaxed Finn just going in to Dressage
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He was far more excited by the jumps, my dad missed the SJ due to forgetful rider leaving her body protector at home ... poor dad had to go fetch it :eek:
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Down the bank
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:) clever horsey
 

nato

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Looks super, and like you both had lots of fun - well done! We have our first ODE in less than a month, am really nervous about it!
 

Hoof_Prints

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Thanks :)
I was nervous because when I got there, as although it was a small event the other horses in my class were obviously well seasoned and knew their job well ! And had done a lot more dressage than me. Soon forgot the nerves as it was so much fun, I can see why eventing is addictive as you feel like you've completed a mission at the end of it !

He was between 15.2hh and 15.3hh last time I measured him. Haha we laugh that he does "the eye" as he goes round, he gives you a really strange look and it's quite funny. He thought he was finished after, but the poor thing ended up doing pony rides around the showground for the kids.
 

Hoof_Prints

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Thank you :) i think he heard the death/ sale threats while he was running away during the G+R training at home :D the judges comment was "G+R correct" , and it was our highest mark. don't suppose it could have gone better than that ! I did have great advice on here so thanks everyone :)
 
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