In balance, of course, so use appropriate half halts, and whilst she shouldn't be above the bit, a big no no is if she tightens and shortens her neck.
From your photo you'll be fine but remember she is only a baby and her first outings are more about building confidence rather than winning!
Here are two photos, one trot and one canter of my old boy T the year he won the National Championship at Prelim and Novice Rest. I think we've both come on since those days but you can see how 'up' he in front of me, even if you can't see the power in a photo.
These are from a prelim test, he got 63.3% for. These were the good bits, there was also some bad bits, he was still unbalanced in canter, and on occasions disobedient in transitions, as along as the basics are ther (her outline looks spot on) if she is forward and accurate, yu willbe FINE! She is gorgeous
Grace definitely looks more than ready for an unaff prelim.
Flora got 67% in an unaff novice last week (though has yet to get anything near that score in an aff comp).
This a photo from today...
I'm sure Grace will be more than ready, in fact I bet you will be placed. My brother has been to a few unaff prelims (Surrey area) and seemingly there is a real mixture of young but posh looking horses, and hairy or non dressage types pootling about on a loose rein.
Oh I do laugh about things when they go wrong, and I am honestly not going there to win as that is very low on my priority list at the moment (high on it is to stay on
). I just did not want to take her and have a lot of people sniggering wondering why we were there when we are clearly not ready. She is definitely not ready for affiliated prelims, I know that, but i thought we could get a bit of experience under her belt while continuing to work on her weaknesses.
Your horses are all lovely by the way... and thank you for taking the time to opst som pictures for me to have a look at. I really appreciate it!
Your pretty mare is definitely ready for unaff prelim - just had a look at some more pictures on your blog and a little dark vid
Went to watch some unaff dressage in the beginning of the month - from what I saw in Prelim class, as long as you keep the test harmonious and the rhythm is there, the horse isn't shortening the neck and is willing in all paces you are well able to be in the area of 60% regardless of some mistakes here and there
She looks lovely and her outline on the picture on here is a classic prelim!
As to affiliated Prelim - As long as she consistently accepts the bit I don't think you will be so out of place there either.
Oh, and that 'posh' name is great