Embo
Well-Known Member
An early start for us on Saturday morning for my very first solo competition - usually I go with a friend but she missed entries for this one so had to go it alone! Thankfully our transport is provided by a very wonderful friend and coach (who also acts as groom when she very kindly brings us out) so I wasn't totally alone - but nobody else riding to distract me from nerves!
We arrived in plenty of time, so we left B to stand on the trailer with his haynet whilst we sat in the car and discussed warm-up tactics before it was time to get started.
A very tentative walk round to the warmup (those big fan thingys on the wall are to be regarded with much suspicion) and off we went. Straight into trot as after the fans, he was now suspicious of everything. A slight incident with a child running with flapping coat between the fence and hedge on gravel... we narrowly escaped being eaten so carried on. After 15 mins he was finally satisfied that nothing was going to pounce on him and he started to relax (and get behind my leg...) so on went the spurs.
Suddenly we were in front of the leg again just with me wearing them! They obviously make me use my calf more effectively as I make such an effort not to have them applied when I don't want/need. Of course I did apply them here and there but only when needed. They were running early so the steward said I could go whenever I was ready. Quick discussion with coach, he was looking good so lets just go now.
Straight into the ring and managed to get a trot around on both reins before the bell rang. It started well, my trot circles were a much better shape and size this time so pleased with that. Some of the transitions were quite tense but overall, OK, downwards were all better. A slight blip when someone took their horse down a ramp outside and B flung his head up and ran forward a stride or two (in trot). But I got him back really quickly so no major marks lost. Some incorrect bend in one of the canters as he had noticed the photographer... slightly wonky C/L and I couldn't help but start laughing as he then noticed the judges in the box as I saluted.
I'm very pleased to say a much better result this time! We finished on 63.077%. Mostly 6 & 6.5s with a smattering of 7s and one 5 (for a trot/canter trans - it was ugly, so I'll take it!). Fair comments from the judge - correct paces, needs to be more consistent working over back into the contact. Which is pretty much the same thing they all say! But we did get a 7 for rhythm so I'm really happy with that!!
We were overall 4th out of 5 in our section (bronze) so even came home with a frilly
we were not going to worry the leaders of the day though, 3rd place was 67.308% and 1st was 68.654% :O one day, maybe!
I'm so pleased that we managed to make an improvement after last time. This is exactly where I feel we should be right now. I really liked the venue so will happily go back. I'm now feeling much more confident for next time and really looking forward to getting out again! Tentative date for next outing 16th April so watch this space
Thanks all for reading and for those of you that offered advice last time it really helped, so any more nuggets of wisdom gratefully received!
E & B
We arrived in plenty of time, so we left B to stand on the trailer with his haynet whilst we sat in the car and discussed warm-up tactics before it was time to get started.
A very tentative walk round to the warmup (those big fan thingys on the wall are to be regarded with much suspicion) and off we went. Straight into trot as after the fans, he was now suspicious of everything. A slight incident with a child running with flapping coat between the fence and hedge on gravel... we narrowly escaped being eaten so carried on. After 15 mins he was finally satisfied that nothing was going to pounce on him and he started to relax (and get behind my leg...) so on went the spurs.
Suddenly we were in front of the leg again just with me wearing them! They obviously make me use my calf more effectively as I make such an effort not to have them applied when I don't want/need. Of course I did apply them here and there but only when needed. They were running early so the steward said I could go whenever I was ready. Quick discussion with coach, he was looking good so lets just go now.
Straight into the ring and managed to get a trot around on both reins before the bell rang. It started well, my trot circles were a much better shape and size this time so pleased with that. Some of the transitions were quite tense but overall, OK, downwards were all better. A slight blip when someone took their horse down a ramp outside and B flung his head up and ran forward a stride or two (in trot). But I got him back really quickly so no major marks lost. Some incorrect bend in one of the canters as he had noticed the photographer... slightly wonky C/L and I couldn't help but start laughing as he then noticed the judges in the box as I saluted.
I'm very pleased to say a much better result this time! We finished on 63.077%. Mostly 6 & 6.5s with a smattering of 7s and one 5 (for a trot/canter trans - it was ugly, so I'll take it!). Fair comments from the judge - correct paces, needs to be more consistent working over back into the contact. Which is pretty much the same thing they all say! But we did get a 7 for rhythm so I'm really happy with that!!
We were overall 4th out of 5 in our section (bronze) so even came home with a frilly
we were not going to worry the leaders of the day though, 3rd place was 67.308% and 1st was 68.654% :O one day, maybe! I'm so pleased that we managed to make an improvement after last time. This is exactly where I feel we should be right now. I really liked the venue so will happily go back. I'm now feeling much more confident for next time and really looking forward to getting out again! Tentative date for next outing 16th April so watch this space
Thanks all for reading and for those of you that offered advice last time
it really helped, so any more nuggets of wisdom gratefully received! E & B
