Prince33Sp4rkle
Well-Known Member
Day started well, 3/4 of the way to the motorway NMT pipes up "do you know the way?" ... "ish" ... "good, I've not got the sat nav"!!!! Fortunately it's not far from a yard I used to do clinics at, so we managed not to get lost!
Passed a guy, out for an afternoon walk, in a turquoise skirt and matching jacket, and trainers (yes really) just before we arrived, bit un-expected and rather random walking attire for anyone of any sex, but sort of set the tone for the day!
He warmed up really well, so well in fact we actually went in 15mins early - normally he is like a diesel engine and takes aaaaages to get warmed up and motoring. But today after a couple of quick transitions and some half steps each way he was ready to get on with it which was a nice feeling, and kept more energy reserved for the actual test.
Whilst I was warming up a spectator was chatting to NMT and asked where we found CS, "did your trainer source him for you?" and she was gobsmacked to discover he is a TB and not KWPN! She also said he looked a "lovely easy ride" which is the best compliment EVER as you all know how tricky he can be and how we have struggled with getting him 100% happy in the work. Clever faux WB pony
Went into the test and OMG it was airless in the indoor, so stuffy and still. BUT he stayed in front of the leg (nearly) all the time and was lovely and forward thinking in the piris (a fab achievement in itself).
He dropped me a bit in the initial 2/3 steps of the first trot HP and watching the vid back I can see the SI right is a bit deceptive; feels forward but in actual fact he just loses the engagement, so that's something to go and work on at home.
I do also need to develop the ext trot and try and get a bit more overtrack - again he FEELS like he's GOING but in reality he's just g-o-i-n-g! Not sure how much of that is a breed/conformation issue as opposed to training but I will try to carefully develop a bit more push from the hind leg with out running him off balance.
Piris yes are big but thats his call now, he does what he feels he can do on that particular day and it was nice that he stayed in front of me in the counter canter to change afterwards, which is one area he can go a bit *squeaky*!
I was REALLY pleased with this test! Myself, NMT and the spectator all guesstimated around 64-66% so I am rather disappointed with 61.31%
However, I was aware prior to the test that this judge is prone to slightly off base comments/marks (needs to breathe more in the 3's apparently...). So score duly taken with a pinch of salt!
Thrilled with how confident and forward he feels, next stop Kingswood AF........he's peaked at the AF's last 2 years in a row so fingers crossed he can do it again!
Vid: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153141665350257
And following on from the Fig comparison, here is CS from 2009 and from today! Just shows what you can do with training and patience!
Nothing on offer except a good nights sleep!!!
Passed a guy, out for an afternoon walk, in a turquoise skirt and matching jacket, and trainers (yes really) just before we arrived, bit un-expected and rather random walking attire for anyone of any sex, but sort of set the tone for the day!
He warmed up really well, so well in fact we actually went in 15mins early - normally he is like a diesel engine and takes aaaaages to get warmed up and motoring. But today after a couple of quick transitions and some half steps each way he was ready to get on with it which was a nice feeling, and kept more energy reserved for the actual test.
Whilst I was warming up a spectator was chatting to NMT and asked where we found CS, "did your trainer source him for you?" and she was gobsmacked to discover he is a TB and not KWPN! She also said he looked a "lovely easy ride" which is the best compliment EVER as you all know how tricky he can be and how we have struggled with getting him 100% happy in the work. Clever faux WB pony
Went into the test and OMG it was airless in the indoor, so stuffy and still. BUT he stayed in front of the leg (nearly) all the time and was lovely and forward thinking in the piris (a fab achievement in itself).
He dropped me a bit in the initial 2/3 steps of the first trot HP and watching the vid back I can see the SI right is a bit deceptive; feels forward but in actual fact he just loses the engagement, so that's something to go and work on at home.
I do also need to develop the ext trot and try and get a bit more overtrack - again he FEELS like he's GOING but in reality he's just g-o-i-n-g! Not sure how much of that is a breed/conformation issue as opposed to training but I will try to carefully develop a bit more push from the hind leg with out running him off balance.
Piris yes are big but thats his call now, he does what he feels he can do on that particular day and it was nice that he stayed in front of me in the counter canter to change afterwards, which is one area he can go a bit *squeaky*!
I was REALLY pleased with this test! Myself, NMT and the spectator all guesstimated around 64-66% so I am rather disappointed with 61.31%
However, I was aware prior to the test that this judge is prone to slightly off base comments/marks (needs to breathe more in the 3's apparently...). So score duly taken with a pinch of salt!Thrilled with how confident and forward he feels, next stop Kingswood AF........he's peaked at the AF's last 2 years in a row so fingers crossed he can do it again!
Vid: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153141665350257
And following on from the Fig comparison, here is CS from 2009 and from today! Just shows what you can do with training and patience!
Nothing on offer except a good nights sleep!!!
roudmum: ......the walk, he's always had a super walk, clear 4 beat NEVER goes lateral even if he is a bit tense/tight, good overtrack etc but the work on the pi/pa has taught him to stay more in front of me in it and not go to sleep/go sight seeing!!!! when he's in front of the leg it has that lovely ping to it 
- gold OR boots would perhaps match the browband stirrup combo better