quick plaiting query

[_daisy_]

just wondering:
do you have to plait up for BD? cant find anything in the rules.

Normally I would always plait up for competing, but I want to try something with my horse to see if it the preparation of competitions that is causing a few problems.

 

[Tempi]

You dont have to, but you will find that everyone does as it looks nice (unless their horse is native).

 

[kerilli]

most people do. you could get away with not plaiting the forelock (the way the sjers do!) and see if that makes a difference.
not pulling the plaits tight until you've done the second cross-over (so the roots aren't pulled tight) can help keep them a bit calmer.

 

[_daisy_]

thats what ive found so far, but I suppose as a one off she wont be too out of place as her mane is very tame, all lies to the right side and doesnt look a bugger.
Its just a trial to see if all the prep winds her up as it seems to be doing but just need to check.

Personally I think it makes you looks as though youve made the effort to just as the organisers have put effort into organsising the event.

 

[_daisy_]

thanks K. I maybe grasping at straws but I need to rule everything out. Im going to try everything I can even if its plaiting her up just to go out hacking to get her used to it (thats if it is adding to the problems)

Wonder what a big warmblood would look like hogged?

 

[Tempi]

what problems are you having out of curiosity? and how old is she?

 

[kerilli]

plait her up the night before, and string a pair of tights along the top with an elastic band over each plait, to keep them tidy.
lots of time for her to get used to the idea of being plaited, that way!

 

[_daisy_]

I do that anyway K but im just wondering if its a bit much for her brain to cope with what with the competition nerves as well? Maybe im being a bit soft with her?

 

[_jetset_]

Oh honey... are you out this weekend?

I think you should send the big girl to me and I'll look after her for you and you can concentrate on your foalie

Only kidding... do you usually plait up the day of a competition or the night before. I always do Grace the night before because it is easier as she is less figgety

 

[_daisy_]

PG where shall I start? shes just 5, 17.3hh - a big baby. Ive taken things very slow with her and shes still got lots of maturing to do.

At competitions she very tense, exceptionally spooky, goes like a giraffe every now and again, very nervous. I can get her working very nicely but then shell loose the plot like we did the other weekend when I took her to a comp. We didnt even complete the first movement before I called it a day as she lost the plot completely and just kept flying of the handle at everything in the arena.

I maybe grasping at straws (very likely) and I know that this years dressage is going to mainly a learning curve and training for both of us but id like to eliminate everything so I can get to the bottom of her behaviour and try to get her settled. Im trying to get her out to lots of different venues and competitions. Ive started just doing lots of moving her around to get her listening to me rather than forcing her into an outline for the whole period - this does work but again she can loose the plot so quickly so its going to be a long slog.

Her problems lie in that when she knows a places shes comfy and works really well but as soon as she goes somewhere else she looses the plot completely. She finds it hard to concentrate on me (maybe a lack of trust because of her insecurities) but she can be so hard to ride. Ive even thought about hiring lots of different arenas just to get some practice in, but that can get really expensive.

 

[_daisy_]

yes were out at Manor Grange on Saturday - hopefully we wont embarass ourselves like the other weekend

.
Normally I do like you do - plait up the night before. She doesnt rub her mane. I dont plait her tail as she rubs that out in the trailer but having thoughts about pulling it as she lives out 24/7.

 

[kerilli]

okay... if she's that tricky, maybe ask if you can go last, have a little chat with the judge first, and ask nicely that if she loses the plot, you be allowed to put your hand up and then just stay in there for the allotted time and ride calmly round, just do a few circles and keep her sweet. don't let her learn that she can chuck her toys out of the pram and escape having to do a test!
she's a big girl for a small arena, and a big baby, so i'd really try to keep the pressure off as much as possible... don't worry about an outline, just ride gently forward and be very happy if you manage to walk, trot, canter and halt in vaguely the right places, for the first few! this might sound pathetic but the key is getting her calm and accepting, not trying to get a rosette at this stage!
i knew a very good rider who got the ride on a horse which had been wrecked for dressage, just couldn't cope with being in an arena. my friend even got off in the middle of one test, waved to the judge, and fussed the horse before leading him out. he got him to top ten placings after dr at Advanced level...
i'd also take the pressure off yourself by either going h.c. or saying that you'll be chuffed to bits to get 50% and finish a test with a smile on your face. at this stage, with a big girlie like that, that is as good as winning.

 

[_daisy_]

K, I really dont care about a rosette as long as we can behave and I dont feel like bawling my eyes out.
I was a bit upset at her first outing as we only got 55% and I felt she was worthy or a few more marks but ive got over that and theres more to life that this.
I was really happy that the last judge was more than happy to stay for my alloted time (and a bit more as I went in the spot before my time as the rider hadnt turned up so I had the rest of the slot I had taken and my alloted time)

Im hoping that as itll be outside she may be a bit happier with life on Saturday and keep all her toys and dummy in the pram and do a respectable test. Like you say even if we dont get it 100% right as long as we go round and behave like normal then its a big thing.