milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Kira doesn't generally get reports cos there are never photos, but this time I have a few 
I think the last time I did a report she'd just started some Elementaries. We had a bit of a confidence wobble in the indoor at Kings so went back for some arena hire etc, and had some good runs outdoor at familiar venues so Winter qualification is in the bag at Elem silver (I THINK! Haven't had the email yet so always a nerve wracking wait hoping your maths is up to scratch
)
End of Sept we had the first Area Festival at Allens Hill for Elem silver, a bit too early for her as she's still green at the level having only done 9 elem tests but I had hoped she'd go well - it's a good test for her (apart from the rein back. She's very talented at it but naps backwards big style sometimes so we don't practice it enough at home!) and she knows the venue.
We were really early in the class so had time for the arena walk, which never happens usually. We were in the non-terrifying arena furthest from the burger van so when she strode around confidently I started to feel a little hopeful... however, she didn't want to know in the warm up. Napped, spooked, went behind my leg, generally horrible so it was a pleasant surprise when she started the test actually taking me with a smile on her face. Unfortunately the judge beeped us after the first leg yield, then leapt out of her car apologising as it was she who had gone wrong, not me. Kira never quite got going again after that so it was a bit of a poop 64% and no placing. Boo!
Onwards and upwards. Had some lessons, Kira did some cute posing
Then off to Pencoed College for the second AF. Never been there before so we planned 2 warm ups. Kira felt fabulous, I was seriously impressed by her work ethic, getting straight down to it and I was getting the same quality of work as we do at home. Hurrah!
The test was indoors this time, and I thought it would be a spooky venue for her as one long side is open to seating and trade stands etc, so I let her have a good look round before the bell. She started so positively, it feels like we're beginning to crack the indoor-phobia, but sadly a steward standing next to the judge at E dropped some papers as we passed in counter canter and Kira had a big fright. Total loss of confidence so the rest of the test was really backward and spooky. However, we finished scraping 63%, big pats, collected our plaque and left without picking the test sheets up.. I don't need to be told she went behind my leg!
Worried face!
Finally the Native Pony Champs at Solihull. Never been there for BD so another new venue for her. She had qualified for Novice and Elementary. The entries were HUGE which is really encouraging for the future. Watched a few tests and thought the quality was quite high. It was lovely to be surrounded by other natives for once, rather than being the odd bod on a little pony surrounded by WBs
The warm up was indoor, and for the Novice it was absolute mayhem. They were running 4 competition arenas from one warm up so you can just imagine - this is doesn't quite show how it felt but getting there
Kira found it very hard to cope with, firstly being indoors and secondly she was absolutely convinced that someone was going to wipe her out so we had a few emergency stop/leap into the air squeaking combo moves Weirdly loads of people were walking on the track which didn't help, don't know why this seemed worse than usual!
Anyway, she eventually found her nerve and settled, but was absolutely on fire. She started the Novice test (outdoors) firing on all cylinders but I think the drama had taken its toll, as I felt her fading away half way through. We had a few silly mistakes (wrong strike off, and a jog in the walk) so a rather weak 63% was justified. I was chuffed with her attitude though, a year ago she would have had a complete meltdown so I feel like her trust and focus is growing daily.
Long wait for the Elementary. By now it was pitch black so we tacked up by torchlight and headed back to the warm up. Much quieter now as only the one class running, but the fireworks displays had started up so it was a bit noisy! :lol:
Got her switched on and ready to go, then off we set to the indoor arena.
I felt her draw back at me immediately, she had a look at the judge at B and some jumps piled in the corner but she accepted some reassurance and got on with it. Up the centre line, OK halt, moved off sweetly and then spotted the flowers at C and her world came crashing down! Big big spook and nap... then on our way again and she picked up pretty well, becoming more confident as we went. I though the simple changes were OK - I had to compromise the straightness to guarantee correct strike off but they were quite direct. first medium trot was backward in terror but the second was a good effort. All in all a clear round after the nap, not her best work but another promising performance for the future.
The test sheet was amusing, started on 2s but clawed back enough good scores for 64% and 8th place. Nice to go home with a ribbon after all that It was pretty late by the time they did the prizegiving so just had a quick snap with the rossie on in her PJs at home
That's the last show we have planned for a while - time to settle down to a winter of training, because neither of us are particularly fond of Elem and she has a lot more to offer. She's started her flying changes so we plan to spend the next couple of months getting that established, probably do some arena hire (indoor!!) and keep the rest ticking along with the aim to come out at medium in the new year, as the sideways work is so easy for her. So amazed with her progress, she is one of those 'never judge a book by its cover' horses just needs to get a bit braver :biggrin3:
I think the last time I did a report she'd just started some Elementaries. We had a bit of a confidence wobble in the indoor at Kings so went back for some arena hire etc, and had some good runs outdoor at familiar venues so Winter qualification is in the bag at Elem silver (I THINK! Haven't had the email yet so always a nerve wracking wait hoping your maths is up to scratch
)End of Sept we had the first Area Festival at Allens Hill for Elem silver, a bit too early for her as she's still green at the level having only done 9 elem tests but I had hoped she'd go well - it's a good test for her (apart from the rein back. She's very talented at it but naps backwards big style sometimes so we don't practice it enough at home!) and she knows the venue.
We were really early in the class so had time for the arena walk, which never happens usually. We were in the non-terrifying arena furthest from the burger van so when she strode around confidently I started to feel a little hopeful... however, she didn't want to know in the warm up. Napped, spooked, went behind my leg, generally horrible so it was a pleasant surprise when she started the test actually taking me with a smile on her face. Unfortunately the judge beeped us after the first leg yield, then leapt out of her car apologising as it was she who had gone wrong, not me. Kira never quite got going again after that so it was a bit of a poop 64% and no placing. Boo!
Onwards and upwards. Had some lessons, Kira did some cute posing
Then off to Pencoed College for the second AF. Never been there before so we planned 2 warm ups. Kira felt fabulous, I was seriously impressed by her work ethic, getting straight down to it and I was getting the same quality of work as we do at home. Hurrah!
The test was indoors this time, and I thought it would be a spooky venue for her as one long side is open to seating and trade stands etc, so I let her have a good look round before the bell. She started so positively, it feels like we're beginning to crack the indoor-phobia, but sadly a steward standing next to the judge at E dropped some papers as we passed in counter canter and Kira had a big fright. Total loss of confidence so the rest of the test was really backward and spooky. However, we finished scraping 63%, big pats, collected our plaque and left without picking the test sheets up.. I don't need to be told she went behind my leg!
Worried face!
Finally the Native Pony Champs at Solihull. Never been there for BD so another new venue for her. She had qualified for Novice and Elementary. The entries were HUGE which is really encouraging for the future. Watched a few tests and thought the quality was quite high. It was lovely to be surrounded by other natives for once, rather than being the odd bod on a little pony surrounded by WBs
The warm up was indoor, and for the Novice it was absolute mayhem. They were running 4 competition arenas from one warm up so you can just imagine - this is doesn't quite show how it felt but getting there
Kira found it very hard to cope with, firstly being indoors and secondly she was absolutely convinced that someone was going to wipe her out so we had a few emergency stop/leap into the air squeaking combo moves
Weirdly loads of people were walking on the track which didn't help, don't know why this seemed worse than usual!Anyway, she eventually found her nerve and settled, but was absolutely on fire. She started the Novice test (outdoors) firing on all cylinders but I think the drama had taken its toll, as I felt her fading away half way through. We had a few silly mistakes (wrong strike off, and a jog in the walk) so a rather weak 63% was justified. I was chuffed with her attitude though, a year ago she would have had a complete meltdown so I feel like her trust and focus is growing daily.
Long wait for the Elementary. By now it was pitch black so we tacked up by torchlight and headed back to the warm up. Much quieter now as only the one class running, but the fireworks displays had started up so it was a bit noisy! :lol:
Got her switched on and ready to go, then off we set to the indoor arena.
I felt her draw back at me immediately, she had a look at the judge at B and some jumps piled in the corner but she accepted some reassurance and got on with it. Up the centre line, OK halt, moved off sweetly and then spotted the flowers at C and her world came crashing down! Big big spook and nap... then on our way again and she picked up pretty well, becoming more confident as we went. I though the simple changes were OK - I had to compromise the straightness to guarantee correct strike off but they were quite direct. first medium trot was backward in terror but the second was a good effort. All in all a clear round after the nap, not her best work but another promising performance for the future.
The test sheet was amusing, started on 2s but clawed back enough good scores for 64% and 8th place. Nice to go home with a ribbon after all that
It was pretty late by the time they did the prizegiving so just had a quick snap with the rossie on in her PJs at home
That's the last show we have planned for a while - time to settle down to a winter of training, because neither of us are particularly fond of Elem and she has a lot more to offer. She's started her flying changes so we plan to spend the next couple of months getting that established, probably do some arena hire (indoor!!) and keep the rest ticking along with the aim to come out at medium in the new year, as the sideways work is so easy for her. So amazed with her progress, she is one of those 'never judge a book by its cover' horses
just needs to get a bit braver :biggrin3:
