alice.j
Well-Known Member
So little spot and I went to our third dressage competition together today. The first outing it was peeing with rain and I think we got a few sympathy marks, the second time was a disaster - he was terrified of everything and we did a lot of lateral work, not needed in an Intro! So this time I was just focusing on straight lines and impulsion (he is starting to get a bit lazy when he thinks he can get away with it - aka when I'm concentrating on straight lines!).
Warmed up really well, even did a bit of cantering as the warm-up arena was so quiet. Went into the ring for our test, spooked at a patch of sunlight on the sand, eyed the jump wings and poles, eyed the flower pots, then started to pay some attention to me as we were trotting around the outside. Judge buzzed the buzzer (very quietly though, I wasn't 100% sure I should start but just decided to get it over with!) and off we went. No spooking - though he tried to as we came around the top corner, I could feel him drifting but just gave him a prod with my inside leg and he forgot about being scared, probably because nothing scary was there and he was being a muppet
We did everything in the right place at the right time, circles were circular, lines were lines, a few wobbles here and here but altogether so so proud! My friend gave me a few things to work on, mostly not changing diagonal on X as it puts him off balance, and using my corners more now we know he isn't scared of them (he is generally scared of everything, not sure how I keep getting spooky ponies!).
We came away with 56.95%, I think we deserved higher but am probably biased as I know how terribly he went before! We also followed a stunning pony which won the class, so I think little spot was a slight disappointment We weren't last (always the goal) and the class was huge - 21 entries. Lots of people were doing both Intro and Prelim, and there were a few little kids, so I think we did very well in the baby-pony Intro-only 18-25 category that I made up for us Super pleased with him, and I think he's pleased too, as I gave him an extra big dinner for being so brave 
Next month there doesn't seem to be an Intro test, so I think we may have to crack on with our canter leads and try a prelim!
Warmed up really well, even did a bit of cantering as the warm-up arena was so quiet. Went into the ring for our test, spooked at a patch of sunlight on the sand, eyed the jump wings and poles, eyed the flower pots, then started to pay some attention to me as we were trotting around the outside. Judge buzzed the buzzer (very quietly though, I wasn't 100% sure I should start but just decided to get it over with!) and off we went. No spooking - though he tried to as we came around the top corner, I could feel him drifting but just gave him a prod with my inside leg and he forgot about being scared, probably because nothing scary was there and he was being a muppet
We did everything in the right place at the right time, circles were circular, lines were lines, a few wobbles here and here but altogether so so proud! My friend gave me a few things to work on, mostly not changing diagonal on X as it puts him off balance, and using my corners more now we know he isn't scared of them (he is generally scared of everything, not sure how I keep getting spooky ponies!).
We came away with 56.95%, I think we deserved higher but am probably biased as I know how terribly he went before! We also followed a stunning pony which won the class, so I think little spot was a slight disappointment
We weren't last (always the goal) and the class was huge - 21 entries. Lots of people were doing both Intro and Prelim, and there were a few little kids, so I think we did very well in the baby-pony Intro-only 18-25 category that I made up for us Super pleased with him, and I think he's pleased too, as I gave him an extra big dinner for being so brave Next month there doesn't seem to be an Intro test, so I think we may have to crack on with our canter leads and try a prelim!