"Promising paces"?

[Abi90]

Hello all,

Just completed my first ever proper attempt at prelim 14 with my very green 8 year old and came away with a respectable 60.57% given that it was his first time away from home at a busy competition doing dressage on grass and not in an arena.

Judge finished off in the comments box with "Lovely horse with promising paces"... I take this to be a complement but not entirely sure what it means? He does move nicely, annoyingly his saves his super trot for the SJ arena.

Would anyone be able to give their interpretation?

 

[Shay]

Only the judge can really tell you exactly what they meant. But I would take that comment to mean that the judge could see the beginning of some nice paces; possibly suggestion that they could see the beginning of - or potential for - collected or extended paces. Definitely a compliment at this level.

Don't forget though its a bit like writing several dozen school reports. It is quite easy to run out of things to say!

 

[Abi90]

She did have 37 tests to watch! He does have a big trot when he feels like it... Used it all up doing baby SJ though

 

[Vodkagirly]

Maybe paces looked good but rhythm was missing?

 

[Abi90]

Maybe paces looked good but rhythm was missing?

It was. He'd jumped first and by the time we had got to the dressage he was tired and fed up and was finding holding an outline hard so slowed down and lacked impulsion. He might be 8 but he's more like a 4 year old as far as his education goes.