Follow on from canter post how out classed would we be if affiliate ?

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mickey17

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Hopefully this will take you to the couple of vids i have loaded on to you tube ( bit novicey at this! ) I am having probs with canter which hopefully from you guys advice might improve!! However i really would like to affiliate and start at prelim and work up, but dont want to get there and look totally out classed idiot on horseback!! Can you guys take a look at my vids and give me honest advice of when it would be ok to affiliate him. Done a few unaffiliated comps, always do quite well ( although last weekend was shocking!! ) did our first novice 2 weeks ago and won ( luck i think! i went wrong in test to!! ) Any advice welcome im a bit lost at the moment with what to do next!

http://uk.youtube.com/mickeymould
 
Well i’m no expert (having not affiliated myself) but I’ve all I can say is I’ve seen a lot worse at affiliated competitions. Do you have an instructor? If so maybe ask them what they think? If not just give it ago and see how you get on maybe (that’s if you don’t mind paying out the money to affiliate?).
Not very helpful really, sorry!
 
Hi...

looked at your vids, and I wouldn't say you would be outclassed at all.

My advice would be to work out how often you can afford to go out competing... and then make the best plan to suit.

I always prefer doing 3 tests to start with. Might sound like a lot, but if you are going to the effort of plaiting up, and the cost of filling up with diesel.. you may as well get 3 sheets back for analysis as 2 ! Plus, if you are a bit nervous for the first test, you can treat that as a warm-up and ride 2 good tests after. If you only enter for 2, and the first isn't great, and the second has a couple of wobbles, you don't feel like you had a good day. (you may have to do 2 levels.. ie 2 prelims and one novice to start with.. later one prelim and 2 novices)

Then, I would leave yourself enough time to work on the weakest movements from that competition before you enter something else, and aim to improve on the previous one.

If you have the time to spare, it would also be really advantageous to offer to write for the judge at an affiliated venue, so you get an idea of the levels that are performing.

Wrt to the videos, my first observation, is that I would put your stirrups up a hole, or even 2. You seem to be stretching for them, and therefore your leg is not as secure and effective as it could be. It will help all your paces, for you to maintain a more consistent balance with him.

Good luck... nice horse!!
 
Thanks for reply, i do have an instructor who is undecided ( safe option sitting on the fence!! ) i suppose he sees the good and the bad!! Am going out tomorrow and am going to ride in the open section as a tester hopefully !!
 
Thanks for you feedback, 3 tests would kill us both at moment!! We both need to increase fitness!! I have started diet and exercise plan to try and lose some weight and fitten up as that will help us both, sometimes i feel to weak to ride him properly esp when instructors are shouting and im trying to hold him together , will hitch stirrups up tomorrow and see how i get on! I have shortened them up before and he seems to switch of a bit and i dont feel i can get my leg on properly but will try again!!
 
3 x 4 min tests won't kill you!! Not if you aren't holding your breath anyway!!!!

Seriously though, you'll probably get at least an hour between 2 of them, and as you are riding 3 you don't have to "warm up" as much.

I certainly wouldn't go for just one!!!
 
I usually try and do 2 then im bound to remember 1!!!! It doesnt help my horse is very impaitent and is a pest when your waiting about! He dug a massive hole in a car park last week and gets very rude! Im usually battered and bruised after a show!
 
If you plan on starting at prelim, you don't need to affiliate for those and you can do novice tests (and higher I think) on a day ticket. Just go out and give it a try and at least the test sheets should at least give you an idea of what to work on. I don't think you'd be outclassed at all. I'm doing a couple of tests next week at prelim and on a ticket just to see how it all goes.
 
don't forget you can have the tests called... so you don't have to remember all 3.. and the more you take him out, and he has to learn to wait, the more he will!

Probably best to re-load him if he won't stand quietly.
 
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