j1ffy
Well-Known Member
I thought I'd do a report instead of burying this in the weekend plans post, as I was so proud of my boy on Saturday.
I was unusually nervous on the day, which was odd as dressage rarely triggers the butterflies these days. I had a think about what was causing my anxiety, and realised it was because I desperately wanted P to demonstrate how well he's been training at home and to do himself justice. Novice dressage isn't ideal for him as it doesn't let him show off the things he's naturally good at, which is collected work and more technical moves. Added to that it was a hot day (not his favourite competing weather, he's Spanish and sun means siesta!!) and his winter coat is coming through, plus his spookiness at the venue two weeks ago, and I was worried he'd struggle to knuckle down and be 'with' me.
I was so wobbly in the warm-up that I had a quiet word with P and asked him to look after me
He did, and in spades. He was a little looky but a bit of lateral work and on and back in the paces, and he tuned into my aids and felt fab. I dropped my stick and picked it up a few times to make sure he wouldn't drop off my leg but he kept up to the bridle. Headed into the arena and he had a look at the flowers and judges' boxes, but again some shoulder-fore and transitions got his attention back on me.
He was wonderfully obedient and soft in the test while staying forward, apart from almost stopping in the medium walk. His medium trots weren't as good as we've managed at home but still better than they used to be. Medium canters weren't as bold as usual either but I think the heat was getting to him by then! Overall I felt we did the best we possibly could have done on the day and I was absolutely over the moon, I got quite emotional afterwards!
At that point I didn't particularly care about the score, so getting a new Novice PB of 66.8% was the icing on the cake. A cherry on top was a qualification in 8th place for the semifinals!
Warm-up photos
He looks so grown-up in this one, maybe he's starting to find his serious side at the age of 12!
Test pics:
And now collapse in a heap:
Obligatory sweaty post-test cuddle:
And video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xveeg3amO6Q
I was unusually nervous on the day, which was odd as dressage rarely triggers the butterflies these days. I had a think about what was causing my anxiety, and realised it was because I desperately wanted P to demonstrate how well he's been training at home and to do himself justice. Novice dressage isn't ideal for him as it doesn't let him show off the things he's naturally good at, which is collected work and more technical moves. Added to that it was a hot day (not his favourite competing weather, he's Spanish and sun means siesta!!) and his winter coat is coming through, plus his spookiness at the venue two weeks ago, and I was worried he'd struggle to knuckle down and be 'with' me.
I was so wobbly in the warm-up that I had a quiet word with P and asked him to look after me
He did, and in spades. He was a little looky but a bit of lateral work and on and back in the paces, and he tuned into my aids and felt fab. I dropped my stick and picked it up a few times to make sure he wouldn't drop off my leg but he kept up to the bridle. Headed into the arena and he had a look at the flowers and judges' boxes, but again some shoulder-fore and transitions got his attention back on me. He was wonderfully obedient and soft in the test while staying forward, apart from almost stopping in the medium walk. His medium trots weren't as good as we've managed at home but still better than they used to be. Medium canters weren't as bold as usual either but I think the heat was getting to him by then! Overall I felt we did the best we possibly could have done on the day and I was absolutely over the moon, I got quite emotional afterwards!
At that point I didn't particularly care about the score, so getting a new Novice PB of 66.8% was the icing on the cake. A cherry on top was a qualification in 8th place for the semifinals!
Warm-up photos
He looks so grown-up in this one, maybe he's starting to find his serious side at the age of 12!
Test pics:
And now collapse in a heap:
Obligatory sweaty post-test cuddle:
And video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xveeg3amO6Q
. Which second round are you thinking of?
where's your second round?
