_jetset_
Well-Known Member
...went really well!
I warmed Grace up for N22 W and she felt really responsive to my leg and hand. Her trot was a bit laboured in areas but I think that is because I have been working on my canter more than anything this week and have sort of neglected the trot
Anyway, the test went very nicely, but at the end after I saluted the judge popped his head out of the car and my stomach flipped thinking I had done something wrong. He used shouted, "She has really come on hasn't she?!" The last time he judged me was at the same venue in July so I felt really pleased
We came out with 66.9% and 1st in the restricted and overall!!!!
Then, after a cup of tea and a sausage sandwich (which was absolutely gorgeous as the sausages were spicy and full of chilli
) I tacked up and started warming her up for the second Novice, N37 WQ. She felt a little tired but still warmed up easily and felt supple and elastic.
We went in early as they were running ahead, and with hindsight we should have done some more canter work before we went in. Anyway, the test was the hardest Grace has ever done as it includes two 10m circles in trot, three halts, rein back, two long counter canters and quite a lot happens all at once.
She seemed to relax into the test incredibly quickly, but in one medium trot she spooked at some electric fencing so didn't really show much difference and got a 5, and in her medium walk she jogged a few steps so again, a 5. Her rein back was much better than I could have hoped for, she achieved a 6 for this and her canter work felt really good. Her medium canter achieved 7s in both tests which is a big improvement because I usually struggle getting above a 5 as she is not really established, but her shoulders lifted and we really moved down the long side... My husband said I had a huge grin on my face in the medium canters
In N37 she finished on 65% and was 2nd restricted and overall which I could not believe as I saw some really impressive horses who were going on to do the elementary afterwards.
I said if she did well in this test I would have a go at some elementaries in December HC... So it looks as though I am going to have to stick by my word
I am so pleased with her today... she has a week off competing this coming week now, so lots of long and low work for her and some jumping too
I warmed Grace up for N22 W and she felt really responsive to my leg and hand. Her trot was a bit laboured in areas but I think that is because I have been working on my canter more than anything this week and have sort of neglected the trot
Then, after a cup of tea and a sausage sandwich (which was absolutely gorgeous as the sausages were spicy and full of chilli
We went in early as they were running ahead, and with hindsight we should have done some more canter work before we went in. Anyway, the test was the hardest Grace has ever done as it includes two 10m circles in trot, three halts, rein back, two long counter canters and quite a lot happens all at once.
She seemed to relax into the test incredibly quickly, but in one medium trot she spooked at some electric fencing so didn't really show much difference and got a 5, and in her medium walk she jogged a few steps so again, a 5. Her rein back was much better than I could have hoped for, she achieved a 6 for this and her canter work felt really good. Her medium canter achieved 7s in both tests which is a big improvement because I usually struggle getting above a 5 as she is not really established, but her shoulders lifted and we really moved down the long side... My husband said I had a huge grin on my face in the medium canters
In N37 she finished on 65% and was 2nd restricted and overall which I could not believe as I saw some really impressive horses who were going on to do the elementary afterwards.
I said if she did well in this test I would have a go at some elementaries in December HC... So it looks as though I am going to have to stick by my word
I am so pleased with her today... she has a week off competing this coming week now, so lots of long and low work for her and some jumping too
