Is three tests in a day too much?

sychnant

sychnant

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At the moment we are doing 2 Intro tests per competition. He's going nicely and usually getting high 60's/mid 70's. There's still a lot to work on though as he isn't consistently soft and round, needs to stretch better in the free walk, and is a ****** about square halts!

At one competition we did one Intro and a Prelim. Our canter really needs work as he doesn't always strike off on the correct lead and there's no chance of soft and round as the balance is still coming. He did get 64% though.

We are going to do BD Intros next year in the Gypsy Cob League, so obviously I have lots of work to do. 2 Intros per competition is great as he usually goes better in the second. Not long ago we did B and C, and C felt amazing - I really felt as if we'd turned a corner. He got 75.6% too!

I'd like to keep doing 2 Intros for the rest of the year as we want to be as good as possible for next year. However I will also be doing Unaffiliated Prelim next year, so want to crack on.

After all that rambling - would it be too much to do 2 Intros and a Prelim on the next few outings? He's more than happy to do the 2 Intros, and I don't want to put him off by doing too much, but I also want some practise at canter in a test situation.

Pics to make it more interesting! (pro pics, but purchased for Social Media use)

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Three tests add up to around 12 minutes of work in the arena. A few minutes warm up pre each test and a trip in the lorry. Not exactly hard work for a cob. Good luck and enjoy your days out with him.
 
Thanks AA, that's sort of what I thought, but I'm desperate to do as much as possible so needed sensible opinions from other people!

Thanks Jill, I always have a caller, I don't trust my memory at all :D
 
if your horse is finishing the second test with plenty of petrol in the tank, then why not go for it.

I find 2 tests is enough for both of mine, but they are competing at Elem to advanced medium and the more intense work takes more out of them, with the warm ups it adds up to over an hour of work before you've added on the effort of travelling :) Horses for courses. Only thing is if he is starting to tire, he might find the slightly harder work of the prelim more taxing than if he was fresh.
 
I would say give it a go at your next outing and if he feels good stick with it. If not then you haven't lost anything and can go back to 2 tests! Best of luck, your horse is absolutely gorgeous!
 
Yes, I wouldn't do more than 2 tests at Prelim just yet. Canter is the hardest thing for him at the moment. But after 2 Intros he definitely feels up for more - I think I will try it at our next competition and see how he goes. If it's too much we will stick to 2 from then on :)
 
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