tigers_eye
Well-Known Member
Now we're talking! Haven't realised how bored I've been with my competing since Deco's retirement until today. It was the first time in ages I've been scared and thought "I'm not sure I can do this", and then when you do it's the best feeling in the world!
So, dressage - CIC**B test - involves lots of sidewaysness, some interesting counter canter, a simple change etc. All stuff that W can just about get his head round on a good day without too much pressure at home. Something that we have been having major clashes about at home in the last four days. So I decided to put him in a double and then pretty much leave him alone. I decided that by riding for a 6, not an 8, we might actually have a chance of getting it, and not a 4 if that makes sense! And it worked! He behaved the whole way round, just apart from one turn abound the haunches which he did in a manner Cazza (sorry, think it was this user, the one who explained the polo way of doing it) would have been proud of - slammed on the brakes, lifted the forehand into small rear and whipped round in one
- a 3 from both judges and "resistant" as comment
. Both judges said calm, rythmical, but needs to lighten forehand in almost identical remarls in the collectives, very fair. He got 41 which I was actually fairly pleased about.
Off to xc, much to his surprise and delight. Had a bit of a wait, and had a cigarette, which I shouldn't have done that close as I ended up very out of breath! Had him back in a snaffle for the first time since last year now that he's had his wolf teeth out and as we set off my heart sank as he was leaning on the left just like he did at Charlton at the end of last year. However, after 2 I found with my weight and legs I could keep him off the rein and by the end of the course he was pretty straight, so I'm hoping it's just the memory of the pain and habit. He charged round, gave me the most superb round on the most fabulous ground. I was having a day of seeing longer rather than shorter strides which is always so much more fun
. Had a bit of a wobble going into the owl hole as he's not seen anything like it, but some vocal encouragement saw us through. Finished with 4 time penalties.
Cooled him off, walked him and gave him very small, very sloppy feed with some electrolytes, then went to inspect sj and running order. Walked sj and my god it was huge
*insert green sickly smiley*. I honestly haven't jumped anything like that since Rolleston 2005, and the big spread at 6 was truly massive! Certainly wouldn't catch me over it in cold blood! Was running about 15th so watched a few, then went to get him. Didn't have very long warm up, went in and Mr Dozy's brain was still on the lorry - he had the first down which was barely 1m! But then he gave me a cracking round (I was still seeing a few long 'uns!) and left everything else up round a course that caused a fair few problems. I was utterly delighted with his round as I have wondered about his scope in the past, particularly over spreads, but he rose to it and having the xc first really did help him. Absolutely cracking day, have not stopped grinning as I am so proud of him. I forget he's still so young, I saw someone there I've known for ages who asked what it was I was on, and she eventually worked out it was the scruffy 3 yo she'd last seen in the field! He turned 6 last week for those that don't know him
. Photos going in gallery (well I'll try, wasn't too good at that last time was I?!)
So, dressage - CIC**B test - involves lots of sidewaysness, some interesting counter canter, a simple change etc. All stuff that W can just about get his head round on a good day without too much pressure at home. Something that we have been having major clashes about at home in the last four days. So I decided to put him in a double and then pretty much leave him alone. I decided that by riding for a 6, not an 8, we might actually have a chance of getting it, and not a 4 if that makes sense! And it worked! He behaved the whole way round, just apart from one turn abound the haunches which he did in a manner Cazza (sorry, think it was this user, the one who explained the polo way of doing it) would have been proud of - slammed on the brakes, lifted the forehand into small rear and whipped round in one
Off to xc, much to his surprise and delight. Had a bit of a wait, and had a cigarette, which I shouldn't have done that close as I ended up very out of breath! Had him back in a snaffle for the first time since last year now that he's had his wolf teeth out and as we set off my heart sank as he was leaning on the left just like he did at Charlton at the end of last year. However, after 2 I found with my weight and legs I could keep him off the rein and by the end of the course he was pretty straight, so I'm hoping it's just the memory of the pain and habit. He charged round, gave me the most superb round on the most fabulous ground. I was having a day of seeing longer rather than shorter strides which is always so much more fun
Cooled him off, walked him and gave him very small, very sloppy feed with some electrolytes, then went to inspect sj and running order. Walked sj and my god it was huge
