WelshTilly
Well-Known Member
Well for those who are interested or thinking about having a go, go for it!!
Today I took the plunge and went for my first ever dressage competition. I've owned my mare 9months and today I did my first walk, trot test a low key affair at a local riding school....it all started when my RI / friend suggested going. So yesterday when I got my time, i was one of the first, ouch meaning a 6:30 am start.....
....so having bathed during the week I plaited last night well ok ok ok....
I oversaw the plaiting and was given a lesson by an expert friend plied with copious amounts of coffee..!! My mare transformed into a true dressage diva although her owner was worried she may let her down
rugged up like a jousting pony in her Lycra hood I left the yard, she was under pain of death not to touch the plaits and plied with hay to keep her occupied.
5:30 start this morning all plaits in tact whoop whoop scrub of the hoofs and quick brush. whilst I was mucking out my friend turned up, horse loaded and on the road by 6:30 ...having been extremely keen we were first to arrive and managed to get a stable cue one very happy chilled pony!!
Time flew by and soon had to get changed and tack up, then we went for a warm up. Pony was very well behaved with things going on all around, we went for a wander past the scary horse acting mirrors and she just took it all in her stride
she was forward going which was good as she is normally a lazy cow 
at home!! Before I knew it, it was my time so away I went and did my test with my friend pep talk of 'use all the school, prepare and if all else fails smile' ringing in my ears...thankfully my friend called taking the stress out of remebering the test and videoed me which is really useful.
Was really pleased with how the test went the judge gave some really constructive criticism, which was largely based around sitting up straight i was behind the vertical at a couple of points i felt myself doing it but i was quite tense!! I also chose to ride sitting trot through preference, judge suggested rising to get more elevation I got mostly 6/7's, judge was very complimentary on our use of school and corners and our transitions so all in all very pleased got 69.5 for overall, don't know if that's good or bad but friend / instructor was pleased so must be ok
God I've gone on and on all I was trying to say was if your thinking of trying dressage go for it have fun and enjoy, I did and it didn't seem too bad I'm looking forward to the next one now!!
Oh and is anyone has any hints / tips for remaining straight in the saddle I'm all ears .....
Today I took the plunge and went for my first ever dressage competition. I've owned my mare 9months and today I did my first walk, trot test a low key affair at a local riding school....it all started when my RI / friend suggested going. So yesterday when I got my time, i was one of the first, ouch meaning a 6:30 am start.....
....so having bathed during the week I plaited last night well ok ok ok.... I oversaw the plaiting and was given a lesson by an expert friend plied with copious amounts of coffee..!! My mare transformed into a true dressage diva although her owner was worried she may let her down rugged up like a jousting pony in her Lycra hood I left the yard, she was under pain of death not to touch the plaits and plied with hay to keep her occupied.5:30 start
this morning all plaits in tact whoop whoop scrub of the hoofs and quick brush. whilst I was mucking out my friend turned up, horse loaded and on the road by 6:30 ...having been extremely keen we were first to arrive and managed to get a stable cue one very happy chilled pony!! Time flew by and soon had to get changed and tack up, then we went for a warm up. Pony was very well behaved with things going on all around, we went for a wander past the scary horse acting mirrors and she just took it all in her stride
she was forward going which was good as she is normally a lazy cow at home!! Before I knew it, it was my time so away I went and did my test with my friend pep talk of 'use all the school, prepare and if all else fails smile' ringing in my ears...thankfully my friend called taking the stress out of remebering the test and videoed me which is really useful.Was really pleased with how the test went the judge gave some really constructive criticism, which was largely based around sitting up straight i was behind the vertical at a couple of points i felt myself doing it but i was quite tense!! I also chose to ride sitting trot through preference, judge suggested rising to get more elevation I got mostly 6/7's, judge was very complimentary on our use of school and corners and our transitions so all in all very pleased got 69.5 for overall, don't know if that's good or bad but friend / instructor was pleased so must be ok
God I've gone on and on all I was trying to say was if your thinking of trying dressage go for it have fun and enjoy, I did and it didn't seem too bad I'm looking forward to the next one now!!
Oh and is anyone has any hints / tips for remaining straight in the saddle I'm all ears .....
don't know why!!! In fact when things get slightly difficult or when I'm learning something new I take my stirrups away as it gives me a better feel, hence why I chose siting trot for the test, I haven't had a lunge lesson for a while so may try that on a regular basis to assist ...