One step forward, two steps back...

HufflyPuffly

HufflyPuffly

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So last time I posted we were being all gushy and amazed with the black beast having pulled her socks up and deciding that dressage was easy and fun :D. Seems our wheels have fallen off again...

Went out for the unaff dressage at Aintree to try and gain more championship experiance and well Topaz forgot her brave pants. They had trade stands inbetween the warm-up and main arena, and Topaz just couldn't cope with the terror of indoor tents :o. However I was very pleased with her second test she tried very very hard, after a very wobbly warm up test. Unfortunately it would seem that tension at all was not acceptable to the judge, although we were very accurate and did everything in the right place. I decided that as I cannot really influence what the judge feels they see and score, (it's odd as this is the second time we've gone under this judge and both times she has not been a fan, we clearly do not deliver what she's looking for...), I'm taking the positives and feel we ARE improving indoors.

Thought I'd better pick an outdoor venue for our next outing so went to Birtle for elementary 45 and 53, should have been a nice easy day to pick up some more regional points, what could possibly go wrong ;).

Much to her disgust I bathed her so we were actually quite presentable. Working in she was a bit snorty to start but was beginning to settle, when we could hear a horse cantering down the road outside. Thankfully horse and rider were fine I was told but I think it must have stirred a hunting flash back for Topaz :eek:. Complete melt down and insistence that we should go find and hopefully join in with the cavorting horse.

Attempted to settle her which almost happened and then into the test, distracted and teeth gnashing (which is a new thing :eek:). Had a leapy spook in the medium canter (glad I can still stick with the pest :D), judge wrote 'slight disturbance' which I'm not sure if she meant our line or Topaz's state of mind :D. We did everything required but it was not a relaxing, easy ride! Only ten mins before my next test so walked round the warm-up and did a couple more transitions, still holding out for Topaz to decide dressage should be attempted. E53 test went better, a little smoother but still not really on the aids and a bit of resistant about life in general.

However we actually managed two qualifying scores and gained our last regional points (personal acheivement of qualifying in only four tests :D), with second place for the first test :eek: and a win for the second, so happy happy for a good result when we were not at our best!

Might try changing her bit again and have the stubben equisoft coming on trial, so will see what she thinks to that, but I'm wondering if it's because she's in season? She's never really been too affected by seasons, but we've had a riggy gelding (not an actual rig just late cut and a bit randy :eek:) on the yard and she was ragingly in season with him and this is her first season after he left so wondering if she's just feeling a bit hormonal?

We had some nice work the other evening so I know she's not just forgotten how to do it :D.

Almost a proper grown-up halfpass coming :)
[video=youtube_share;SVQpgRBbSyo]https://youtu.be/SVQpgRBbSyo[/video]

Managed a calm flying change! Though our canter rhythm is still a work in progress.
[video=youtube_share;iNoe8bSJq1Q]https://youtu.be/iNoe8bSJq1Q[/video]

Onwards and upwards!
 
Nope, don't believe it, I love your horse and she can do no wrong in my eyes. Bad judge ;-)

I'm terrible for getting down if things don't go right. I haven't been out to do dressage since a disappointing first trip out in Oct and not planning on doing anything in the near future either. But my advice (which clearly I totally ignore myself) is to look at your overall improvement and progression, and the fact that this would have been great experience for tent de-spooking. Bet your next outing is really positive.
 
Bernster said:
Nope, don't believe it, I love your horse and she can do no wrong in my eyes. Bad judge ;-)

I'm terrible for getting down if things don't go right. I haven't been out to do dressage since a disappointing first trip out in Oct and not planning on doing anything in the near future either. But my advice (which clearly I totally ignore myself) is to look at your overall improvement and progression, and the fact that this would have been great experience for tent de-spooking. Bet your next outing is really positive.
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:D Can you come and judge all our shows please :D, the judge was just a little odd, declared that our second test was a big improvement but gave us the same score...

It's all good experiance you're right, though the stall owner popping out the back of the tent periodically made for an interesting warm-up :D. We scored 65% and 66% yesterday, which considering I felt we were really not on top form is pretty amazing as this has been our top end of marks at this level, so you are right we are improving when you look at the bigger picture! Plus we beat some pretty impressive looking combinations so maybe it wasn't that bad (judge did get to use a range of marks though from 4-8 in one test sheet :D).
 
milliepops said:
^^ this.

Getting better indoors, doing well outdoors even with massive distractions -all good. And qualified. You're right to take the positives :)
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Thank you, yes I need to stop being silly or maybe Topaz does I'm not sure now :D, but yes lots of positives!
 
All sounds promising!! well done for qualifying in 4 tests now you can relax!!
It's hard as judging is so individual but if you feel better or positive that's all that matters!!
What breed is she?
 
Dizzydancer said:
All sounds promising!! well done for qualifying in 4 tests now you can relax!!
It's hard as judging is so individual but if you feel better or positive that's all that matters!!
What breed is she?
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:D Thank you, I'm very impressed that we've done it in so few tests!

Yes I'm determined not to be too riled by the judge, she clearly wants something that we weren't giving. She stated and I agree :D, that the second test went a lot better so thats what I'm taking away with me :).

She's a Friesian x Hackney.
 
We were at Aintree a few weeks ago for an affiliated. One lady with a trade stand was highly amused by my horse literally shaking when she looked at him! To be fair I was laughing about it too. Bizarrely he was really ok with them when we got in the ring. We had other issues and not quite what I was hoping for from the test but the warm up was hilarious
 
I am always in awe of how far you have come with Topaz in such a short space of time, and like others have said it is all positive! You have the points you wanted which is fab and it sounds like you are making progress every time you go out to me. I'm at the beginning of your journey and only just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so get lots of inspiration from your posts :)
 
Roxylola said:
We were at Aintree a few weeks ago for an affiliated. One lady with a trade stand was highly amused by my horse literally shaking when she looked at him! To be fair I was laughing about it too. Bizarrely he was really ok with them when we got in the ring. We had other issues and not quite what I was hoping for from the test but the warm up was hilarious
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:D glad it wasn't just us then, she was much better in the ring but still had a good look at the stands, we just can't shake off the tension once its there...
Which class did you do?

Tash88 said:
I am always in awe of how far you have come with Topaz in such a short space of time, and like others have said it is all positive! You have the points you wanted which is fab and it sounds like you are making progress every time you go out to me. I'm at the beginning of your journey and only just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so get lots of inspiration from your posts :)
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:) Aww thank you, amazing that we can inspire anyone with our attempts ;), but if we can do it anyone can :).

Lots of lessons and attempts at overcoming tension between now and summers I feel, we might even go and do some jumping! Jumped her last week and she was so unbeliveably excited, I think she deserves to have some none dressage fun :).
 
Yes you are being too down on yourself ;) This time last year did you ever think you'd be winning at Medium?? :p You've done such a beautiful job with Topaz, she sounds like quite a complicated horse, so all the more credit to you - and doesn't the occasional bit of suffering make it more rewarding when it all goes right? :p
 
AlexHyde said:
:D glad it wasn't just us then, she was much better in the ring but still had a good look at the stands, we just can't shake off the tension once its there...
Which class did you do?
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We did novice 23, he is a quirky horse, miles too big for me really and knows all the tricks but doesn't always want to work with me. Our medium trot is naff as he runs on the forehand, but medium canter is not too bad.

So I went for it a bit and was still cantering at the start of my free walk on a long rein!

And I am going to avoid tests with give and retakes from now on - I do them but comments always say not shown :(
 
Pigeon said:
Yes you are being too down on yourself ;) This time last year did you ever think you'd be winning at Medium?? :p You've done such a beautiful job with Topaz, she sounds like quite a complicated horse, so all the more credit to you - and doesn't the occasional bit of suffering make it more rewarding when it all goes right? :p
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Haha ok fair point and well made (have to add there were only two in my section ;)). She is very complicated and I'm not sure if it makes it better or worse that she is just as difficult for professionals as me, just pro's can deal with her quicker and with more tact than me :D. Erm yeah without the lows the highs would be totally redundant :D :D.

Roxylola said:
We did novice 23, he is a quirky horse, miles too big for me really and knows all the tricks but doesn't always want to work with me. Our medium trot is naff as he runs on the forehand, but medium canter is not too bad.

So I went for it a bit and was still cantering at the start of my free walk on a long rein!

And I am going to avoid tests with give and retakes from now on - I do them but comments always say not shown :(
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You know what sometimes you've got to go for it otherwise you don't move forward for all the what if's. Very well done for giving it a go, he sounds a cheeky chappy :).
Our mediums don't always come off either (carriage breeds for you :D), lots of on and back help a lot to set her on her hocks and then power forward for a few strides and then back again so she cannot run on too much.
The trick with the give and re-takes is to make it a clear release of the contact, so your hands must go to the mouth not up the neck to the ears, the best ones show a clear loop in the rein for at least a stride. However I think they are fairly tricky to ride well, so try not to worry about it, it's only one or two marks in a test generally!


Thanks everyone for being lovely and giving me a kick up the bum :).
 
FfionWinnie said:
Great report but I can't believe you've posted a black horse in the dark vid. Do it again in daylight please :p
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:D I'm sorry it's hard enough to pin anyone down to take pics or videos, but will try harder for daylight especially now the days are getting longer. I think it makes us more mysterious ;) plus it makes it harder to see our mistakes :D.
 
Wow if that's what you get when you're not working at your best then the world's your oyster when she does eventually relax, I'm sure she will do. And those pesky judges are funny creatures, some just take a like or a dislike to a partnership although they really shouldn't. Definitely more positives than steps back here I'd say.
 
JennBags said:
Wow if that's what you get when you're not working at your best then the world's your oyster when she does eventually relax, I'm sure she will do. And those pesky judges are funny creatures, some just take a like or a dislike to a partnership although they really shouldn't. Definitely more positives than steps back here I'd say.
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:D Thank you, I thought it was rather generous of the judge at Birtle but then all the comments were fair so maybe I just need to cheer up :D. The other judge is an odd one, I cannot believe that she dislikes us personally but rather the impression we're giving her? Maybe she doesn't like any tension, or too much knee action, I'm not sure but there's not much I can do but strive to improve as much as we can.

Never give up they can always surprise you :).
 
HeresHoping said:
Tsch. 65% and 66%.

Absolutely diabolical scores. :D:D:D:D



You do realise that there are plenty who would consider moving up when they consistently score over 62.5%, don't you?
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:D Ok Ok I need to have a rethink of what I consider to be a successful outing I think :D. My problem is probably aspiring to those who consider 70% to be the magical number in which you need before you are capable of moving to the next level, I need to remember she is not a warmblood and I am not a professional ;).
 
AlexHyde said:
:D Ok Ok I need to have a rethink of what I consider to be a successful outing I think :D. My problem is probably aspiring to those who consider 70% to be the magical number in which you need before you are capable of moving to the next level, I need to remember she is not a warmblood and I am not a professional ;).
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Lol totally depends on what you want out of competition too. Warmblood/professional isn't relevant IMO, other than the fact that you don't depend on an impeccable competition record to earn your living. It's better, because you can take a chance without any repercussions :D

(First time I hit 70% with Millie, I thought we'd made it, only to be thrashed into 2nd place by a local pro on 80%. Happened again on Kira last year. Damn you, Katie Bailey!!! :p ... see, we're never satisfied...)
 
milliepops said:
Lol totally depends on what you want out of competition too. Warmblood/professional isn't relevant IMO, other than the fact that you don't depend on an impeccable competition record to earn your living. It's better, because you can take a chance without any repercussions :D

(First time I hit 70% with Millie, I thought we'd made it, only to be thrashed into 2nd place by a local pro on 80%. Happened again on Kira last year. Damn you, Katie Bailey!!! :p ... see, we're never satisfied...)
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I entirely agree but somehow it's still managed to worm it's way into my thinking of when I 'should' move up or the point where we are established at a level...

Gutting to be beaten like that :D, dam pro's on their lovely horses :D, doesn't help when silver is now so open so I'm against all the pro's again, my dream of a top ten placing at regionals is looking distinctly unlikely now, but never mind our attainable aim is to just keep improving on our previous scores.

Though you are the one scoring 70% at medium and 64% at Adv med ;).
 
AlexHyde said:
Though you are the one scoring 70% at medium and 64% at Adv med ;).
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yeah... and if we could master the bleeding changes and "do" the bits in an advanced test that 64% would be enough in terms of permission for myself to just have a go. Honestly. it's nice to wait for the big scores, but I've been taught again and again with this horse not to wait for perfection because you never know what's round the corner. Plus it's easier to drag the next horse up when you've had a go at the level already :)

I don't really *do* "should" :p There's a time and a place for pressure and doing the right thing, and my fun hobby is not that time IMO :D I'm never going to be a national champion so it doesn't matter!
 
milliepops said:
yeah... and if we could master the bleeding changes and "do" the bits in an advanced test that 64% would be enough in terms of permission for myself to just have a go. Honestly. it's nice to wait for the big scores, but I've been taught again and again with this horse not to wait for perfection because you never know what's round the corner. Plus it's easier to drag the next horse up when you've had a go at the level already :)

I don't really *do* "should" :p There's a time and a place for pressure and doing the right thing, and my fun hobby is not that time IMO :D I'm never going to be a national champion so it doesn't matter!
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You are so right and are part of my inspiration for giving things a go :), our changes are still a little wild but I'm hoping that we can start being medium contenders this year and do the area festivals. Our goal is a tail coat, there I've said it :D, so give us a year or so and we'll be being rubbish at some of the higher levels but having a ball all the same :D.

Poor Skylla doesn't know whats in store for her :D.
 
I wonder if the Aintree judge was the same as mine? I know the lady quite well and she is a bit quirky. Although that said I would not be remotely disappointed with those scores at any level!
 
milliepops said:
Pass her Kira's mobile number and they can commiserate together, hehe :lol:
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Skylla isn't allowed a mobile yet she's too young and impressionable :D, she's currently off school as none of my saddles fit so she thinks being ridden is well easy and only happens on short burst before eating/ field duties resume :D.


Roxylola said:
I wonder if the Aintree judge was the same as mine? I know the lady quite well and she is a bit quirky. Although that said I would not be remotely disappointed with those scores at any level!
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I did the elementary classes, judge's initals S.D, we scored 60% in both when she was rubbish in the first test (thought a plus 60 score was generous ;)) but loads better in the second, which was reflected in the comments but not score ho-hum!
 
They all sound like positives! Fab results and dressage is a journey - a frustrating, never ending, biased, no short cuts journey :p

Looks good in the videos! :D

As for judges, I dislike one judge in this area immensely - when I did dressage and/or eventing they always seemed to be my judge for it & they hated my previous horse!! I Would always find my score would be low 60%/High 30s/low 40s. With other judges, the score would be low 30s/high 60% - with me always at the same level!
Even with a new horse (Billy) I still hate to be judged by them!
 
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only_me said:
They all sound like positives! Fab results and dressage is a journey - a frustrating, never ending, biased, no short cuts journey :p

Looks good in the videos! :D

As for judges, I dislike one judge in this area immensely - when I did dressage and/or eventing they always seemed to be my judge for it & they hated my previous horse!! I Would always find my score would be low 60%/High 30s/low 40s. With other judges, the score would be low 30s/high 60% - with me always at the same level!
Even with a new horse (Billy) I still hate to be judged by them!
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That first bit is so true :D:D, love HHO you lots have cheered me up no end :D.

It's funny as I know with my sensible head on (and the fact we are far from perfect) that the judge will have her reasons for scoring us as she has done, but still want to sulk and say she's on my black list ;). To the extent I've not been back to the first venue where she judged me (in my defence is was a bit of a trek :o).
 
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