AppaloosaPonyHorse
Well-Known Member
Hi
Think this is my first post in C&T and I have just started competing at low level with my Appy X who I got at end of last summer
Yesterday I did my first dressage test ever at a dressage show at a local venue. Been working hard for last few weeks to prepare, still have things can improve on and know what need to work on more in training now. I did Prelim BD Test 4.
It was a very positive first dressage competition on my spotty chap and really enjoyed it though was so nervous before as the day before it had taken him sj schooling at a different place and he was spooky and nappy and a bit silly and naughty!
Here is my report:
Well was up bright and early at 5:30am and up at yard by 6:20am to feed Cyrus and my friends horse. I was delighted to discover his plaits had stayed in over night
and he only had one small stable stain on his back end and a few marks on legs. Once he had had his breakfast cleaned him up and gave bottom half of his tail a quick wash.
Then it was travel gear and tack on and he chilled in his box for a short while until we were ready to load. We were on our way about 7:45am and got down in good time before 8:30am. It had lashed rain all night and was some heavy showers on way down. However someone must have listened to our dry weather pleas as the rain stopped and it was dry all morning, the sun even shone for a brief time
My friend and I registered and got our show gear on then unloaded horses and were soon mounted and in the warm up arena. Cyrus was total angel in the warm up and felt lovely and relaxed, no silly spooks or napping at all and he really listened and was responding well in transitions. This made me really relax that he was being so good that my nerves totally settled after a few mins in warm up.
My friend was in right before me for her test so did not get to see it, but could glimpse a couple bits of it
I got my 5 min call so gave him a walk around then a couple of trots and walked over to entrance of dressage arena.
Then my test began and it all went quite well. The good things are: he had nice active trot, he went on his correct canter leads, he even improved his outline on his second trot circle which is something we have not really put a lot of focus on yet as he needed a lot of schooling just in rhythm and transitions until now.
The things we need to improve on are getting better bend, being more supple and not falling in on circles.
He also did a nice halt (judges comment) and I got a 7 for the working trot down centre line, halt, immobility, salute part of test. I also got a 7 for his second trot with the trot circle. Most of our other marks were 6.5's we got a 6 for his left canter circle and left rein canter after circle got a 5.5 that is his weaker rein though so we will work on strengthening him on that side. Right rein canter got 6s for on the straight and 6.5 for canter circle
In the test there were two half 10m circles to do in a medium walk to change reins between the left and right rein canter parts and I was delighted to get a 6.5 for that as had not even heard of them until a few weeks ago
His free walk got a 6.5 too, just needs to have a bit more freedom, it was not quite as free as it is at home but I expect that can happen when out of home environment a bit.
In the collective marks I got a 7 for my position, seat and effect of aids
6.5 for his paces
and 6s for impulsion and submission
The judges comments at end were that it was a willing and positively ridden test, need to develop bending more throughout the body and I got a 'well done'
Overall I was really delighted, he got lots of pats after salute!
The venue was lovely and everyone organising it were so helpful and kind and nice.
The judge was friendly when I gave my name and her comments were very helpful and constructive on the test sheet.
So proud of my little spotty ponyhorse!
We got a final score of 63.86 and we came first place! It was my first dressage competion ever, and first competion in an arena environment really as only other comp I did before was hunter trials on him about a month ago. So we got our very first frilly and it is a lovely red one.
I couldn't believe we had come first! My instructor was delighted when I told her and said all my hard work had paid off
And some photos:
Thanks for reading, chocolate tart and strawberries for you all
Think this is my first post in C&T and I have just started competing at low level with my Appy X who I got at end of last summer
Yesterday I did my first dressage test ever at a dressage show at a local venue. Been working hard for last few weeks to prepare, still have things can improve on and know what need to work on more in training now. I did Prelim BD Test 4.
It was a very positive first dressage competition on my spotty chap and really enjoyed it though was so nervous before as the day before it had taken him sj schooling at a different place and he was spooky and nappy and a bit silly and naughty!
Here is my report:
Well was up bright and early at 5:30am and up at yard by 6:20am to feed Cyrus and my friends horse. I was delighted to discover his plaits had stayed in over night
Then it was travel gear and tack on and he chilled in his box for a short while until we were ready to load. We were on our way about 7:45am and got down in good time before 8:30am. It had lashed rain all night and was some heavy showers on way down. However someone must have listened to our dry weather pleas as the rain stopped and it was dry all morning, the sun even shone for a brief time
My friend and I registered and got our show gear on then unloaded horses and were soon mounted and in the warm up arena. Cyrus was total angel in the warm up and felt lovely and relaxed, no silly spooks or napping at all and he really listened and was responding well in transitions. This made me really relax that he was being so good that my nerves totally settled after a few mins in warm up.
My friend was in right before me for her test so did not get to see it, but could glimpse a couple bits of it
Then my test began and it all went quite well. The good things are: he had nice active trot, he went on his correct canter leads, he even improved his outline on his second trot circle which is something we have not really put a lot of focus on yet as he needed a lot of schooling just in rhythm and transitions until now.
He also did a nice halt (judges comment) and I got a 7 for the working trot down centre line, halt, immobility, salute part of test. I also got a 7 for his second trot with the trot circle. Most of our other marks were 6.5's we got a 6 for his left canter circle and left rein canter after circle got a 5.5 that is his weaker rein though so we will work on strengthening him on that side. Right rein canter got 6s for on the straight and 6.5 for canter circle
His free walk got a 6.5 too, just needs to have a bit more freedom, it was not quite as free as it is at home but I expect that can happen when out of home environment a bit.
In the collective marks I got a 7 for my position, seat and effect of aids
The judges comments at end were that it was a willing and positively ridden test, need to develop bending more throughout the body and I got a 'well done'
Overall I was really delighted, he got lots of pats after salute!
The venue was lovely and everyone organising it were so helpful and kind and nice.
So proud of my little spotty ponyhorse!
We got a final score of 63.86 and we came first place! It was my first dressage competion ever, and first competion in an arena environment really as only other comp I did before was hunter trials on him about a month ago. So we got our very first frilly and it is a lovely red one.
I couldn't believe we had come first! My instructor was delighted when I told her and said all my hard work had paid off
And some photos:
Thanks for reading, chocolate tart and strawberries for you all
