Annagain
Well-Known Member
Wiggy and I went to our first competition yesterday, just a little local dressage. I've not been well all week and have had loads on in work so hadn't even looked at the tests we were doing. I've been roped into doing the Riding Club Area Dressage next weekend and have to do a novice test (they were desperate) so despite not really feeling ready for it, I thought I'd better practice a novice test before going. It wasn't the same test unfortunately but it's all good practice.
Thursday night, I finally sat down and looked at the tests. I've done Prelim 7 a million times so wasn't worried about that (other than it being the world's most boring test) but suddenly realised when I looked at Novice 28 that it had 1/2 15m circles with a loop back to the track, so counter canter. I hadn't done any counter canter at all on him and I was away Friday night into Saturday so the only chance I'd have to see if he could do it would be Friday morning. So at 7.15 Friday morning, there I was giving counter canter a try. Luckily he nailed it on both reins first time (he's just so naturally balanced) so at least I knew we could do it.
By the time we were on yesterday it was getting dark (the venue is a riding school that has lessons until 1.30 so it's all in the afternoon). Wiggy had never been there before but as usual he just took it all in his stride. He was a bit lazy in the warm up and I had forgotten my whip (just carrying it is enough to wake him up) but even after borrowing one, he was still not as off my leg as I'd have liked. We went into the indoor, he saw all the white boards and he suddenly came alive. He grew about a hand (in a good way) and listened to every little thing I asked of him. We did what I thought was a very pleasant test for a first try.
I then had an hour to wait for the novice so Wig went back on the trailer for a munch (or a snooze as it transpired) while I tried to learn my test. Again, in the warm up he was a bit behind the leg and we felt a bit out of our league this time as all those warming up around us were big flashy warmblood types. In the arena though, the same thing happened. He just came alive, like he knew what it was about and it was his chance to show off but still being so obedient and rideable. Again we did a very accurate, 'nice' test and I was thrilled with that... but then this happened...
I can't believe how lucky I am to find this boy. He's something special.
Thursday night, I finally sat down and looked at the tests. I've done Prelim 7 a million times so wasn't worried about that (other than it being the world's most boring test) but suddenly realised when I looked at Novice 28 that it had 1/2 15m circles with a loop back to the track, so counter canter. I hadn't done any counter canter at all on him and I was away Friday night into Saturday so the only chance I'd have to see if he could do it would be Friday morning. So at 7.15 Friday morning, there I was giving counter canter a try. Luckily he nailed it on both reins first time (he's just so naturally balanced) so at least I knew we could do it.
By the time we were on yesterday it was getting dark (the venue is a riding school that has lessons until 1.30 so it's all in the afternoon). Wiggy had never been there before but as usual he just took it all in his stride. He was a bit lazy in the warm up and I had forgotten my whip (just carrying it is enough to wake him up) but even after borrowing one, he was still not as off my leg as I'd have liked. We went into the indoor, he saw all the white boards and he suddenly came alive. He grew about a hand (in a good way) and listened to every little thing I asked of him. We did what I thought was a very pleasant test for a first try.
I then had an hour to wait for the novice so Wig went back on the trailer for a munch (or a snooze as it transpired) while I tried to learn my test. Again, in the warm up he was a bit behind the leg and we felt a bit out of our league this time as all those warming up around us were big flashy warmblood types. In the arena though, the same thing happened. He just came alive, like he knew what it was about and it was his chance to show off but still being so obedient and rideable. Again we did a very accurate, 'nice' test and I was thrilled with that... but then this happened...
I can't believe how lucky I am to find this boy. He's something special.
