TheSylv007
Well-Known Member
Thought I would contribute a little competition report in case anyone is interested! Took Rose to dressage last weekend to do a couple of prelims.
Our first test was Prelim 1 which is such a short test that you feel like you haven't got time to redeem any mess-ups and unfortunately she was argumentative and strong all the way through. Think she needed a longer warm up and it didn't help that she hadn't eaten her breakfast (as soon as she sees the trailer pull up she won't eat). I think the key to Rose being co-operative is having something to eat (bit like me!). Just have to find a way to make sure she eats some breakfast or I need to arrive mega early so she can stand on the box and munch.
Anyway, we managed to get round but I wasn't happy as I felt it wasn't good. A friend was there and she didn't think it looked bad so maybe we had managed to hide it! Turned out we somehow got 66.8% and came 8th out of around 25 so all in all not bad!
Had a two hour break in between so left her untacked with a haynet and waited around in the rain. It was probably the best thing for her actually as she ate quite a lot. Had a longer warm up this time and she was a lot more amenable. The second test was Prelim 18 which was a qualifier for the unaffiliated dressage final at Belton Horse Trials in April so was hoping to try and get a qualification (more for a nice photo opportunity rather than thinking we have a chance of doing well!). She was so much better this time, much more attentive and she did a really sweet test, everything was in the right place and she didn't go tense or spook. We did have a strange moment on one of the canters where she seemed to get something in her ear and started to shake her head and went a bit disunited but we sorted it and finished off nicely. It did cost us on the marks but when I got my sheet back it was all 7s with a couple of 7.5s (one for the free walk which is always a bonus). Lovely comments and a score of 69.8%! So pleased with her. In the end we came 6th out of 36 and got a qualification for Belton!
I've just got a Micklem bridle to trial as I always feel there is something not 100% with her head (she's had a couple of physio treatments), ridden in it twice and already she feels so much softer and happier, so I think it's staying!
Just a couple of pro- pictures (fully paid for by the way) we always manage to look scruffy in winter (my plaits were not my finest as I slashed my finger the day before so was even more cack-handed than usual!) but I'm pleased with how she looks weight wise. I also cautiously hope that she looks a little less ewe-necked than usual but it might be false hope. She's definitely starting to move better, we didn't get marked down for being stilted so maybe we are making progress!
Anyway, Belton here we come!
Our first test was Prelim 1 which is such a short test that you feel like you haven't got time to redeem any mess-ups and unfortunately she was argumentative and strong all the way through. Think she needed a longer warm up and it didn't help that she hadn't eaten her breakfast (as soon as she sees the trailer pull up she won't eat). I think the key to Rose being co-operative is having something to eat (bit like me!). Just have to find a way to make sure she eats some breakfast or I need to arrive mega early so she can stand on the box and munch.
Anyway, we managed to get round but I wasn't happy as I felt it wasn't good. A friend was there and she didn't think it looked bad so maybe we had managed to hide it! Turned out we somehow got 66.8% and came 8th out of around 25 so all in all not bad!
Had a two hour break in between so left her untacked with a haynet and waited around in the rain. It was probably the best thing for her actually as she ate quite a lot. Had a longer warm up this time and she was a lot more amenable. The second test was Prelim 18 which was a qualifier for the unaffiliated dressage final at Belton Horse Trials in April so was hoping to try and get a qualification (more for a nice photo opportunity rather than thinking we have a chance of doing well!). She was so much better this time, much more attentive and she did a really sweet test, everything was in the right place and she didn't go tense or spook. We did have a strange moment on one of the canters where she seemed to get something in her ear and started to shake her head and went a bit disunited but we sorted it and finished off nicely. It did cost us on the marks but when I got my sheet back it was all 7s with a couple of 7.5s (one for the free walk which is always a bonus). Lovely comments and a score of 69.8%! So pleased with her. In the end we came 6th out of 36 and got a qualification for Belton!
I've just got a Micklem bridle to trial as I always feel there is something not 100% with her head (she's had a couple of physio treatments), ridden in it twice and already she feels so much softer and happier, so I think it's staying!
Just a couple of pro- pictures (fully paid for by the way) we always manage to look scruffy in winter (my plaits were not my finest as I slashed my finger the day before so was even more cack-handed than usual!) but I'm pleased with how she looks weight wise. I also cautiously hope that she looks a little less ewe-necked than usual but it might be false hope. She's definitely starting to move better, we didn't get marked down for being stilted so maybe we are making progress!
Anyway, Belton here we come!
