My first ever competition report .. [long]

H

HBII

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Ha ha a change of title as you will read why later on ...

Got to the yard and the first little trail had begun, the gates were locked, my OH was already grumping saying it wasnt safe to load on a road! So flung a load of stuff over and had to drag pony out of her bed
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Plaited not too bad for a first time, looked a bit wonky but I blamed the cold hands, boots on, rug on ready to go!
Got the gates open around 8.00 and she loaded like a star first time ... first time I have ever loaded her.
Got to Rodbaston, signed in and got a cup of tea
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At that point Chumsmum arrived to come and help us for the morning! This was the second niggle of the day, her passanger window had got stuck down
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and as the weather was freezing wasnt ideal! So the AA were phoned ... and arrived in good time.

Whilst the AA man was ferreting about fixing Chumsmums car we tacked up boggers and un loaded her. Hopped on and wondered over to the warm up.

OMG the she warmed up beautifully, I cant believe she was so good! I have never felt so relaxed on her in different surrounding when she has been so alert! Walk to canter, trotting was amazing! Chumsmum kept checking my time and I tried to relax
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Anyway time to go in ..... this is where things fell apart. I started to doubt myself .... First I wasnt sure she would go through the doors [so stoopid] she did, her eyes were on stalks and my confidence did a runner. I didnt want to be riding her at all
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. Anyway after a spook at the horn
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it was time. Trotted up the centre line and my mind said she is going to look at the boards, sat there like a d*ck, she spooked and I went blank. Cantered away from the horse eating board and arrived at a stop. I have had enough .. to many first for one day. So I retired!

BUT I felt really positive about things
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. I was almost looking for the excuse to get out of the arena
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So my goals had been achieved:
Get there safety - yes.
Warm up - yes.
Stay on - yes.
Dont forget the test - yes [well I remembered the centre line bit]
Have a go - yes.

Photos to follow shortly ...... mug of tea/coffee to those who got this far!

Thanks for reading.

Hbx
 
ohhhhhhhhh hun i cant believe you retired
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But well done for going and i bet you are really pleased she was so well behaved in the warmup too
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Next time its positive riding when you do your test too!! I think you need me to come and give you a kick up the backside because you are MORE than capable of doing it
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xx
 
at least you got there, my first dressage comp with my current horse was a night mare, he wouldnt load we got stuck in traffic (evening comp) hes previous owner was coming to watch, me not competed for years... so i got drunk! ops, m8 calling my test went wrong, but in all i got through it, and it set me up for the next time,

get something else set up soon otherwise yr find its like the 1st time again, well done for getting as far as you did
 
What a shame when it sounded like it was all going so well! You definitely need someone to give you a positive pep talk before you go in!

Glad to hear everything else went well though and you are very brave to go out competing in this freezing cold weather!

Can't wait to see the photos.
 
LMAO it cant all go right
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! Everyone was sceaming encouragement but I just wanted to escape as fast as possible lol! Anyway will get the Sloe Gin on order for next time. Yes kick up the arse
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!

Hbx
 
I think you did brilliantly, well done
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It is nerve racking. Such a shame that you retired but nevermind, there will be a next time. At some of the smaller competitions they are ok with you having someone to call your test for you. Maybe next time your OH could call it for you so you can conentrate on the horse and if you do have a blank, the caller is there to prompt you? I have a 4yo I have just started competing and have had a caller at both dressage comps so if he does have a 'moment' and I panic, the caller can remind me where I am in the test! Good luck and WELL DONE!
 
You survived the warm up, that's the hardest part over with! Next time keep saying to yourself as you go up the centre line 'I can do this' and you will.

Well done for getting that far though.
 
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I just wanted to escape as fast as possible lol!

[/ QUOTE ]
I can understand that. It's my reaction to dressage aswell.

I'm told it does get better
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[ QUOTE ]
LMAO it cant all go right
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! Everyone was sceaming encouragement but I just wanted to escape as fast as possible lol! Anyway will get the Sloe Gin on order for next time. Yes kick up the arse
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!

Hbx

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I think sloe gin or some vodkas before your next one!!! Make sure you dont leave it too long, otherwise you'l never go again! At least you know shes good to travel and in the warmup now
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and on the other plus point i bet you both looked fab, dont think of is as you retired, think of it as a dress rehersal, if you stick to the riding club types of comps they are normally all really friendly, which i find really helps, ..... o and just to give you an idea of how drunk i was.... an entire bottle of wine on an empty tum! hehe must use a glass next time!!

and pics... we all love seeing pics!
 
Oh no! Sorry to hear your first was a challenge too!

I have got a lesson booked with Chumsmum over the Christmas period to get out and about
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!

Hb
 
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Glad to hear everything else went well though and you are very brave to go out competing in this freezing cold weather!

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I think I have just finally de-frosted
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! I might just have someone to call the test just so someone is standing in 'there' too. Plus I guess riding the test at home would help, and practising riding without the running martingale attachment would be good to do ...
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Hbxx
 
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Good luck and WELL DONE!

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Good luck with your 4yo.

Thank you
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. Yes caller next time just so someone can stand in 'there' and hold my hand so to speak.

Hb
 
[ QUOTE ]
You survived the warm up, that's the hardest part over with! Next time keep saying to yourself as you go up the centre line 'I can do this' and you will.

Well done for getting that far though.

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Thanks Thistle
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. Will book again soon and have another go, this was just the dress rehearsal
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Hbx
 
[ QUOTE ]
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I just wanted to escape as fast as possible lol!

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I can understand that. It's my reaction to dressage aswell.

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LOL!

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I'm told it does get better
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Well it isnt going to beat me just yet
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will book another soon!

Hb
 
Well done for having a go !

Now you can put the first goals behind you !

So my goals had been achieved:
Get there safety - yes.
Warm up - yes.
Stay on - yes.
Dont forget the test - yes [well I remembered the centre line bit]
Have a go - yes.

Thats a big achievement for one day me thinks xx
 
Well done
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It will get better. You will prob be a bit annoyed with youself and it will make you more determind next time. I used to get really nervous about it, but it really does get better
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Well done again.x
 
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Well done for having a go !

Thats a big achievement for one day me thinks xx

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Thanks Scoops
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Hb
 
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Hey well done on getting that far, I fell off in my first dressage test, when my pony spooked at the judge and whipped round! (that was in the old days when you had to halt and salute at the beginning!)
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Sorry but I had to raise a smile at that - hope you dont mind
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Hbx
 
[ QUOTE ]
Well done
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It will get better. You will prob be a bit annoyed with youself and it will make you more determind next time. I used to get really nervous about it, but it really does get better
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Well done again.x

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I am trying not to be frustrated with myself, but it has made me more determined for next time
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. Sloe gin for me and a big KICK ON for Lady Muck!

Hbx
 
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Stage fright
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It happens to lots of people, and happens to my horse so I sympathise greatly! You had lots of positives though, so glad you are smiling
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Thanks Weezy. Sorry to hear that Porrige suffers
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tell her I know how it feels after Sunday. I shall be after the Sloe Gin for next time DEFFO!

Hbxx
 
If it is any consolation, the first show I took the Donkey to - I just sat on her back and we wandered around the arena for our show piece, I was so frozen with fear I could not even breath let alone steer or kick on!!!

Also think Rodbaston entry is quite intimidating - with the gallery right there!

Good luck next time
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I am so glad you are being positive - I am proud of you and S
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It is true about so many firsts in one day - we said that everything was going too good to be true
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You can see from all these replies that it happens to so many people but that it does get better - everything else was great so once you have sorted these nerves out there will be no stopping you!

I really think that we need to start looking at dates again, strike while the irons hot and all that because I am 100% sure that you wont be as nervous next time AND I will remember the Sloe Gin
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So get your diary out missus and let's go there again - the bacon sandwich was lovely
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Well done, you turned up and warmed up and enjoyed that bit, next time you will probably feel like doing the whole thing, but once again well done for doing it.......
 
Oh hon, sounds like you had a real bad case of stage fright.
Oh bless you, sounded like you and boggers would have given the opposition what for too.
HUGS!
Get entering the next one and get someone to read the test for you.
Vxxx
 
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Also think Rodbaston entry is quite intimidating - with the gallery right there!

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It was a bit
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and it rattles when someone walks on it
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!

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Good luck next time
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Thanks SSM
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Well done, you turned up and warmed up and enjoyed that bit, next time you will probably feel like doing the whole thing, but once again well done for doing it.......

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Thanks Heidi1 already looking at booking the next one
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Hb
 
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