My Highclere Report...

SpottedCat

SpottedCat

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Dressage...hmm, lets gloss over that, suffice to say he warmed up brilliantly and then was requested to do his test in the equivalent of a ploughed field (we were given permission to ride either side of the centre line as it was too bad to go down!), so got a poor mark of 43. Stabled overnight then back for SJ and XC today. Ground still quite holding so pleased to only have one down SJ, it was just inexperience on his part of the ground conditions, he didn't quite snap up quickly enough. XC, well, this ihst e best bit, a really nice, big galloping course, just the sort that is made for him. He made nothing of it and came home comfortably inside the time with no need for me to push on really. There's not much to report becasue not much happened, they were fairly big, straightforward fences and he jumped them. Finished on 47, which meant we came 12th if I counted right on the score board. Not horrendous, not brilliant, just call us mediocre!
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It's near Newbury. The dressage arena they used for day before dressage was horrific, horses could barely move in it! I'm a bit annoyed actually, as I am sick to death of getting nowhere with his dressage, how he kept his shoes and did not pull a tendon I do not know. Still, should be grateful for the run I guess....
 
So are you still getting loads of rain then? how rubbish!
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At least all went well and your horse coped with the jumping ok, I expect a lot have horses struggled with the ground.
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So are you still getting loads of rain then? how rubbish!
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At least all went well and your horse coped with the jumping ok, I expect a lot have horses struggled with the ground.
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No idea, it's been sunny all week with me, I am a good 2 hours away from there! Friend of a friend says it only stopped raining there a couple of days ago though?

My horse really struggled with the ground, but he is as honest as the day is long and really tries for me, and is now beginning to respect my opinion when I suggest a rhythm too
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No, 12th is just two out of the placings, never mediocre, especially when you consider rosettes go to 10th and often there may be 40 plus in a section..
I think that's a creditable result, feel chuffed with yourself..
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Thanks HH, but TBH his dressage was so far off what he is capable of, and I really thought we had left the scores in the 40s behind us, so even if we'd been placed on that score I still don't think I would have been very cheerful about it. I know, I'm hard to please!
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Well done, sounds like a good last PN run before the big N
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Cheers J, but if the ground is like that next weekend, I stand no chance of making it as far as the XC...
 
Aww, he sounds a Star!
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I did a TC back in march that was soooo deep!! It was a big track and he got round great, but didn't feel at all his usual self!
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The dressage sounds really tough!
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Well done! At least you got a run - we've called it a day this season so as to keep sound for next year!

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I can see your reasoning! I won't be running in ground like that again in a hurry, that's for sure, and even now I still think I may have made the wrong call...
 
Just fab result!
As for dressage talked to a friend of the dressage judge and apparently judge was just giving whatever marks she felt like giving us as she had no idea what marks to give. She physically could not mark anything so was just marking randomly. My hat. I had comments like 'horse has not learnt the aids correctly' . W. T. F !!!!
 
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Just fab result!
As for dressage talked to a friend of the dressage judge and apparently judge was just giving whatever marks she felt like giving us as she had no idea what marks to give. She physically could not mark anything so was just marking randomly. My hat. I had comments like 'horse has not learnt the aids correctly' . W. T. F !!!!

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I am not surprised - how the hell do you mark horses doing dressage in that kind of arena?! I think it is very bad for the judge too - after all, they give up their time as well, poor lady.

All mine said was 'on the forehand' after every mark, then 'horse needs to move forwards more'. Well, she was right, he was on the forehand and he wasn't going forwards, but there was sweet FA I could do about it! Although possibly getting off might have helped?!
 
Well done, sure you were disappointed with your dressage but it those conditions it could have been alot worse, sounds like he was a good boy (esp in the lorry!) and you got the Clear XC to set you up for your Novice! Good luck for that and prob see you tomorrow!
 
You are so harsh on yourself! I think it sounds like a good result and the dressage you know there is much more to come. None of the dressage scores look very good and it has been a long time since I have seen final scores in the 40s being so well placed.
 
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You are so harsh on yourself! I think it sounds like a good result and the dressage you know there is much more to come. None of the dressage scores look very good and it has been a long time since I have seen final scores in the 40s being so well placed.

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Which is precisely why I don't think 12th is much cop on a dressage like that! I know there is more to come in the dressage, do you think you could have a work with B and persuade him to deliver sooner rather than later? We will sort our intensive trip and next year nothing will stop either of us!
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Well he has picked up a few of the Yaks good ways (standing quietly) except for using his front feet to beat up the box. I wonder where he learnt that!! I think the dressage will come. Everything else is coming together, he has a good attitude and 5 days of us being beaten into shape might work wonders for the dressage. In fact at the end of it I might understand what dressage is about and what I am trying to achieve!
 
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