black_horse
Well-Known Member
Well, i finally bit the bullet and affiliated Delicia. I wasn't sure if we were rady or not but i was pushed into it by a number of friends (thanks! 
).
I choose Bedgebury Park as my venue, a lovely venue with very pleasent staff. My first test was elementary 43, not one i had done before but a lovely test. We got their in plenty of time and tacked up. My god the standard is definetly different to unaffiliated at the same level. But i wasnt going to win, i was going to have the experience and get my foot in the door, so to speak.
There were 16 people in my first class. With only two in the open section so with 14 people in my section i didnt think i had a chance. Delicia is rather playful but after her little worry last time out, i fed her some Coligone before we left home. She travelled beautiful, munching on her hay, and was lovely and calm in a very busy warmup.
So some pics (sorry for bluriness, i need a new camera!)
As you can she, she was rareing to go yesterday
So, i went in for my first test (elementary 43). For some reason dee was a little spooky, probably one of the busiest shows she has been to in a while. She didnt spook but was a little inattentive to me. The test was going really well but she broke in the second counter canter and bucked, kicking the fence when going into the third canter (bad pony!) and so i was justifiably penalised for this! She finished the test but a shocking halt :O (i must work on those more!). We were having a disagreement down the centre line and she started passaging! hmm.
I had an hour between classes so she was taken back to the box and untacked. I went to get my score. I came 5th in my section with 60.89%. All the scores were low, the winner was on 64%. I was really pleased with this, i knew where i had gone wrong and what i needed to work on so was thrilled.
Next was the qualifying class, Elementary 58. Now, i must admit, due to work commitments, i hadnt looked at the test before hand (whoops!) but it was nothing Delicia couldnt do. I knew it would be pushing the boundaries of her high spirits (shes rather forward going) with the 4x 1/2 10m circles and simple changes. Warmed up, but she felt quite sticky to my outside rein so worked on lateral work. Went into the test and there were some beautiful bits (scored 8's for) but i could tell where her tension set in. Her walk pirouettes were tense and her simple changes need more work but she did every element asked so i wasnt too unhappy. I got really heavily penalised for the tension shown in some elements, but thats Delicia for you. If will take time for her to relax into her work as she always wants to give more then asked for.
I was 56% which wasnt too bad considering the tension. I had some very helpful comments from the judge about her and my horse will definetly, once a little more relaxed, be one to watch in the future.
So i came 7th out of 14, not bad really for my first affiliated.
Very happy with the pony and very happy with how well the Coligone seems to have worked. Her appetite never decreased and she was a pleasure to travel and ride.
There is a video of the first test but its still uploading.
Now wheres my food?
).I choose Bedgebury Park as my venue, a lovely venue with very pleasent staff. My first test was elementary 43, not one i had done before but a lovely test. We got their in plenty of time and tacked up. My god the standard is definetly different to unaffiliated at the same level. But i wasnt going to win, i was going to have the experience and get my foot in the door, so to speak.
There were 16 people in my first class. With only two in the open section so with 14 people in my section i didnt think i had a chance. Delicia is rather playful but after her little worry last time out, i fed her some Coligone before we left home. She travelled beautiful, munching on her hay, and was lovely and calm in a very busy warmup.
So some pics (sorry for bluriness, i need a new camera!)
As you can she, she was rareing to go yesterday
So, i went in for my first test (elementary 43). For some reason dee was a little spooky, probably one of the busiest shows she has been to in a while. She didnt spook but was a little inattentive to me. The test was going really well but she broke in the second counter canter and bucked, kicking the fence when going into the third canter (bad pony!) and so i was justifiably penalised for this! She finished the test but a shocking halt :O (i must work on those more!). We were having a disagreement down the centre line and she started passaging! hmm.
I had an hour between classes so she was taken back to the box and untacked. I went to get my score. I came 5th in my section with 60.89%. All the scores were low, the winner was on 64%. I was really pleased with this, i knew where i had gone wrong and what i needed to work on so was thrilled.
Next was the qualifying class, Elementary 58. Now, i must admit, due to work commitments, i hadnt looked at the test before hand (whoops!) but it was nothing Delicia couldnt do. I knew it would be pushing the boundaries of her high spirits (shes rather forward going) with the 4x 1/2 10m circles and simple changes. Warmed up, but she felt quite sticky to my outside rein so worked on lateral work. Went into the test and there were some beautiful bits (scored 8's for) but i could tell where her tension set in. Her walk pirouettes were tense and her simple changes need more work but she did every element asked so i wasnt too unhappy. I got really heavily penalised for the tension shown in some elements, but thats Delicia for you. If will take time for her to relax into her work as she always wants to give more then asked for.
I was 56% which wasnt too bad considering the tension. I had some very helpful comments from the judge about her and my horse will definetly, once a little more relaxed, be one to watch in the future.
So i came 7th out of 14, not bad really for my first affiliated.
Very happy with the pony and very happy with how well the Coligone seems to have worked. Her appetite never decreased and she was a pleasure to travel and ride.
There is a video of the first test but its still uploading.
Now wheres my food?
very proud mother here