vallin
Well-Known Member
Before we begin I should clarify the the super relates to how soggy it way, not how well it went! But the forum is for highs, lows and just plain mehs so here we go 
Took Frenchie pone to Stafford riding club show today, for first dressage in a *very* long time. It was pissing it down and I can tell you now that if I hadn't already hired a transporter I would have withdrawn! But ho-hum, transporter was booked and had dragged the paparazzi out of bed to take pics so off we trundled.
Arrived late (never a good start!) so quickly tacked up, jumped on, 10 min warm up whilst the previous competitor finished their test and we were in. We were doing Prelim 13 first which both me and the horse are more than capable of, but given that it was very wet and on grass I opted for a 'safe' ride. Did, what I felt, was a meh test, but with some nice bits, especially the canter work. Did realise on getting back to the lorry that I had forgotten the give and retakes so no marks for those...woops! But judge was positive and just said lacked a bit of impulsion but overall lots to like. Was very pleased with 7s for canter work given that the entirety of our canter prep over the last 4weeks has been a mooch round Somerford Park, and two 20m circles yesterday!
Pic from the first test (please ignore the numnah and saddle position, usually we use a cliff barnsby grip pad which is brill and the saddle is correctly fitted, but as I only compete about once a year I haven't got roung to buying a white CB pad and consequently forgot to put girth through the loops and this was the result
will be getting a white CB pad for next time!)
Second test was Novice 27 so this was our novice debut, again well within our capabilities, but alas, today was not our day! Due to the disgusting weather and fair amount of people/horses milling around the warm up I opted for a short warm up, but with lots of indirect transmission/transissions within the pace to wake her up a bit. Unfortunatly I got her a bit too forward and then the wind picked up meaning I tensed up and the whole test just went a bit hollow. My accuracy, especially in the two half 10m circles was somewhat none-existent, but the first medium trot was nice and again the canter work was good. So a lower score than the first test, but again the judge was very complimentary (especially about my added perfect flying change
) and said that if I pushed her on a bit more, relaxed and worked on the accuracy I would be in with a very good chance of red rosettes in the near future, which was nice to hear after a slightly disappointing test
Any who, a couple of pics from test two
Leetle uphill
PS Was very dissapointed by Pidgeon's (HHO user, not the flying creature) lack of appearance because of the mild precipitation, pah, wimp!
PPS Yes I did forget my tie and was in borrowed everything hence the slightly (!) scruffy appearance!
Took Frenchie pone to Stafford riding club show today, for first dressage in a *very* long time. It was pissing it down and I can tell you now that if I hadn't already hired a transporter I would have withdrawn! But ho-hum, transporter was booked and had dragged the paparazzi out of bed to take pics so off we trundled.
Arrived late (never a good start!) so quickly tacked up, jumped on, 10 min warm up whilst the previous competitor finished their test and we were in. We were doing Prelim 13 first which both me and the horse are more than capable of, but given that it was very wet and on grass I opted for a 'safe' ride. Did, what I felt, was a meh test, but with some nice bits, especially the canter work. Did realise on getting back to the lorry that I had forgotten the give and retakes so no marks for those...woops! But judge was positive and just said lacked a bit of impulsion but overall lots to like. Was very pleased with 7s for canter work given that the entirety of our canter prep over the last 4weeks has been a mooch round Somerford Park, and two 20m circles yesterday!
Pic from the first test (please ignore the numnah and saddle position, usually we use a cliff barnsby grip pad which is brill and the saddle is correctly fitted, but as I only compete about once a year I haven't got roung to buying a white CB pad and consequently forgot to put girth through the loops and this was the result
will be getting a white CB pad for next time!)
Second test was Novice 27 so this was our novice debut, again well within our capabilities, but alas, today was not our day! Due to the disgusting weather and fair amount of people/horses milling around the warm up I opted for a short warm up, but with lots of indirect transmission/transissions within the pace to wake her up a bit. Unfortunatly I got her a bit too forward and then the wind picked up meaning I tensed up and the whole test just went a bit hollow. My accuracy, especially in the two half 10m circles was somewhat none-existent, but the first medium trot was nice and again the canter work was good. So a lower score than the first test, but again the judge was very complimentary (especially about my added perfect flying change
) and said that if I pushed her on a bit more, relaxed and worked on the accuracy I would be in with a very good chance of red rosettes in the near future, which was nice to hear after a slightly disappointing test Any who, a couple of pics from test two
Leetle uphill
PS Was very dissapointed by Pidgeon's (HHO user, not the flying creature) lack of appearance because of the mild precipitation, pah, wimp!
PPS Yes I did forget my tie and was in borrowed everything hence the slightly (!) scruffy appearance!
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This from the horse that was naked out when we had the hot days but frost overnight and was pinging round the field like a spring lamb hot as anything. Think the cold and wet just got to him a bit.