I just dont get it!

[not_with_it]

Went to Northallerton today to do the prelim and Novice with Gin. She warmed up really well but not quite going forward as much as she should have been doing. Went in to do the prelim and it was a disaster. She threw her head up, her bum in and completly backed off the leg. Did a really bad test, at one point I even thought about retiring but we struggled on to finish with 68% and 4th.
Took her back into the warm up and got her going forward again then did the novice, did a better test but still out of control and got 61% and 4th place again.

I dont know how she does it, she always gets nice promising comments. It just goes to show that if the madam behaved herself she could do really well.
Im not convinced shes 100% sound TBH. she didnt feel right when warming up but the judge never said anything, it would explain the abnormal behaviour and the naughtyness recently. Im going to ask the YO to check her over tomorrow just to be on the safe side. I cant decide if I worry too much or whether I'm trying to find excuses for her.

 

[lizzie_liz]

well that prelim % is really good and you would think there was nothing wrong with her but from what you say there may be something, its better to get everything checked to rule out any physical problem. if teeth, back, saddle etc are all fine then you can start getting onto her

 

[SillyMare]

Did you video the test?

Odd how often good tests feel rubbish and vice versa (obviously this was a good test with a score like that!).

Worth getting everything checked if it will put your mind at rest - but slight un-levelness in a novice horse can just be loss of rhythm due to stiffness.