Show Report - OEC 21/05/17, P17 & P19.

[Embo]

Bit late, but had some dramas to deal with!

Went to Oldencraig for BD on Sunday 21st May. Entered two tests this time, Prelim 17 and 19, both of which I'm getting to know very well indeed!

Warm up was a bit of a nightmare, lots of people warming up and not following school rules/etiquette. Always annoying, but luckily B isn't phased by lots of horses so were able to warm up as well as we could. It was quite warm and he became quite sluggish so wasn't expecting amazing results!

P17 was in the indoor. They were playing weird churchy/bells ringing/monks chanting music through the speakers which B didn't notice as all but it certainly put me off a bit lol. and luckily he's small enough that the windows to the cafe are well above his eye line. We produced a fair test. Circles were all ok size/shape (getting better at this!) and transitions were accurate if not always together/forward/through. He also called a few times... But I was happy with 62.41%.

I had 40 mins until my next test, so mooched back to the trailer and hopped of so I could help my friend get ready (she was doing a prelim and a novice). She rode off to the warm up and we waiting a few more minutes. It was really warm by this point so really did not want to tire B out!

15 mins to go, I got back on and did a short warm up. Again, warm up ring was quite chaotic so did the best we could without getting run over.

P19 outdoors this time. And having to walk back through the lorry park and up a small walkway, so friends could no longer be seen! Que B's best Pavarotti impression. Luckily he can (sometimes) multi-task and was able to complete the movements at the same time as hollering. Despite the sound effects, I do feel it was a much better test. Shapes were better, transitions were better. He wasn't as forward as it was hot and he was now tired, but I definitely felt we did much better, so I was holding out hope for a good mid-60s score.

Nope. 59.16%. I was disappointed but hey, that's dressage. So current mind-set is stick where we are for the rest of the year, clearly there is still so much work to do before we can even think about Novice. My very modest dreams of Elementary seem to be getting further away

My friend did brilliantly, though - so I was very pleased for her and it helped to dampen out my disappointment by being happy for her!

Two days later, B got a nasty kick in the field and came in on three legs. Emergency vet, xrays and scans, bute, a week of boxrest and he was, thank goodness, given the all clear last Thursday. So he's in a small paddock for now and will bring him back to work gently over the coming weeks.

Above friend has been on holiday so she's kindly let me ride her horse until she gets back. She is SO different to B but has a very similar honesty in that she won't give you anything for free. So my halt transitions on her require removal of her ears from my nostrils but other work improving as we get used to each other - definitely a learning curve! Especially as I've only ridden B the last 3 years!!

TL;DR
- Mixed results at last BD outing. Feeling disappointed.
- B got kicked, requiring vet attention. Been off work but now able to bring back slowly.
- Been riding friend's horse and am learning some valuable lessons!

 

[Wimbles]

I am still getting used to the bizarre feeling of thinking that a test has gone well and being utterly crushed by the judge deciding otherwise!

I'm suitably impressed that your horse can neigh and still do dressage, if Brian has anything else to think about he basically just melts. Hope he's better soon.

 

[milliepops]

Ah I think we've all been there. Sometimes just the way the marks fall in the test can mean that a test that feels good ends up not being so high scoring as you'd expect. But well done, and don't let it put you off, it's just one day

Hope he's back on form soon, and enjoy the different challenge in the meantime

 

[Jenni_]

I'm going to give you a kick up the bum here - Novice isn't a million miles away, and I would say there would be no harm in you attempting one of the lower numbered ones unaffiliated, even just to benchmark yourself. If its rubbish, you've got a Novice sheet to go home and work from. Its its not rubbish, it will be a major confidence boost and a rung up the ladder. You don't have to stay there, and can go back down to Prelim.

Do a prelim / novice - one of our first competitions I got 58% in the intro and the 69.84% in the Prelim 17 after it, sometimes a more challenging second test is just the trick.

You may find he likes the Novice better because it will be slightly busier.

Run it through with your instructor, but Dreams are there to be dreamed, and if you want to try novice, stop splashing about in the shallow end and get out swimming!

 

[Embo]

I am still getting used to the bizarre feeling of thinking that a test has gone well and being utterly crushed by the judge deciding otherwise!

I'm suitably impressed that your horse can neigh and still do dressage, if Brian has anything else to think about he basically just melts. Hope he's better soon.

Yeah, not a great feeling! Still learning to not get any hopes up so that I'm able to accept the marks I'm given.

As for the noise! I just try to smile and ignore it, after all, he's telling me he wants to be with his mates, not trotting around in circles with me his meltdowns come when nothing is actually happening (at the trailer, where most other horses are seen to chill and relax!).

Ah I think we've all been there. Sometimes just the way the marks fall in the test can mean that a test that feels good ends up not being so high scoring as you'd expect. But well done, and don't let it put you off, it's just one day

Hope he's back on form soon, and enjoy the different challenge in the meantime

I think I'm extra despondent as that test was the last time I rode him before he was injured. So I've not had any good rides to help remind myself that we're not useless! Definitely not put off, though. More frustrated than anything.

I'm going to give you a kick up the bum here - Novice isn't a million miles away, and I would say there would be no harm in you attempting one of the lower numbered ones unaffiliated, even just to benchmark yourself. If its rubbish, you've got a Novice sheet to go home and work from. Its its not rubbish, it will be a major confidence boost and a rung up the ladder. You don't have to stay there, and can go back down to Prelim.

Do a prelim / novice - one of our first competitions I got 58% in the intro and the 69.84% in the Prelim 17 after it, sometimes a more challenging second test is just the trick.

You may find he likes the Novice better because it will be slightly busier.

Run it through with your instructor, but Dreams are there to be dreamed, and if you want to try novice, stop splashing about in the shallow end and get out swimming!

I know it's not a million miles away, just feeling disheartened that I struggle to improve at this level despite so much effort and training!

I found myself looking at a Medium test the other week realising we can do a lot of the movements required at home, then thinking even Medium isn't worlds away. But then your ass gets handed to you by the judge and, well... yeah, we'll stick to Prelim Bronze haha!

You are right though, nothing ventured nothing gained... definitely something to think about. Thank you for the kick!

 

[Jenni_]

I know it's not a million miles away, just feeling disheartened that I struggle to improve at this level despite so much effort and training!

I found myself looking at a Medium test the other week realising we can do a lot of the movements required at home, then thinking even Medium isn't worlds away. But then your ass gets handed to you by the judge and, well... yeah, we'll stick to Prelim Bronze haha!

You are right though, nothing ventured nothing gained... definitely something to think about. Thank you for the kick!

Its all down to judges too - a judge gave me 58% in an intro last month with not one positive comment. A month later we got 58% at Elementary with a more constructive judge. Once upon a time I'd have been put off moving up based on the judges comments - but don't be. You know your horse, challenge yourself!