Pinkwellies2
Well-Known Member
Well finally bit the bullet and entered my first dressage in 3 years with new horse. Just a local unaffiliated Prelim 12 and Novice 21. Well last night was the night. Bag of nerves all day getting worse as the time drew nearer. Slight problem loading, but he went on second time. Have to say horse is a bit timid with some baggage from a previous life, was a show jumper in Germany never done dressage and I suffer terribly from nerves. Got to venue tacked up, so far so good. Led him into warm area, at this point heart was pounding. Lots of walk on a long rein letting him have a good look round, he then worked in really well and before I knew it was time to go in. Issue with going from warm up to arena, didnt want to go through sliding door. Instructor tried leading him but he was getting a little stressed so decide to get off and lead him in and got legged back up once in. Got sympathic smile from judge, well thought that what it was! Set of round arena trotting nicely, had a bit of look at the viewing gallery and café but nothing serious, then bell rang and we were off.
Test is bit of a blank just remember talking rubbish to him for the first half, know thats not allowed, but made me feel better, instructor was whispering ssh every time I went past her. Broke in first canter just before change of rein across diagonal but picked up again no problem. Second half was better, managed to keep quiet and finished with quiet a nice halt as he tends to be a bit abrupt on downward transitions. Think I did salute late Walked out of arena into warm-up fine for post mortem, everyone said looked great, instructor said some of the transition looked like Id only remember to do them at last minute but was nice test so really chuffed.
In no time at all was warm up for Novice, had had a problem with ½ circle returning to track whilst counter canter, horse wants to do flying change so had bit of a practise, instructor said would help if looked were I was going!!! Time to go back in arena and decided to lead him in again, will work on his problems at home. Legged up by long suffering hubby who was also on video duty and we were off. Felt much better second time, little less tense and stayed silent, broke early on first canter change, just after X but managed to get almost to track on second one. Serpentines went okay and think managed some medium. Free walk was nice with a fairly good stretch, and again halt okay, walked a little before G. Remembered to salute. Back in warm up to walk him off.
Anyway hubby came out to collecting ring to inform that I had got 68% in prelim and had won! Was totally gobsmacked was so pleased, horse got lots of kisses and shown his rosette.
Horse travelling with was doing next class Elementary so waited in warm up whilst hubby and instructor went to see if Novice results had been posted. Came back with the immortal words That break cost you a couple of marks so you only came 1st Id won the Novice with a score of 70.5% have to admit I had a little cry. Been through so much with horses with my mare going lame and losing my confidence, Beanie has been such a god send even with his confidence issues I always feel safe with him. Best thing was he got 8s for his paces so maybe if I can sort myself out, the dream of doing affiliated isnt unachievable. Judges comment on medium made me smile, be a little braver never been so scared but will try.
So booked in for next one and to thanks everyone who kept going this far, virtually Quality Street all round (got some left from Christmas)
Only downside was horse travelling with refused to go back on box, took nearly 3 hours and we eventually had to send someone to fetch the trailer to take him home so turned into a very late night all-round.
Test is bit of a blank just remember talking rubbish to him for the first half, know thats not allowed, but made me feel better, instructor was whispering ssh every time I went past her. Broke in first canter just before change of rein across diagonal but picked up again no problem. Second half was better, managed to keep quiet and finished with quiet a nice halt as he tends to be a bit abrupt on downward transitions. Think I did salute late Walked out of arena into warm-up fine for post mortem, everyone said looked great, instructor said some of the transition looked like Id only remember to do them at last minute but was nice test so really chuffed.
In no time at all was warm up for Novice, had had a problem with ½ circle returning to track whilst counter canter, horse wants to do flying change so had bit of a practise, instructor said would help if looked were I was going!!! Time to go back in arena and decided to lead him in again, will work on his problems at home. Legged up by long suffering hubby who was also on video duty and we were off. Felt much better second time, little less tense and stayed silent, broke early on first canter change, just after X but managed to get almost to track on second one. Serpentines went okay and think managed some medium. Free walk was nice with a fairly good stretch, and again halt okay, walked a little before G. Remembered to salute. Back in warm up to walk him off.
Anyway hubby came out to collecting ring to inform that I had got 68% in prelim and had won! Was totally gobsmacked was so pleased, horse got lots of kisses and shown his rosette.
Horse travelling with was doing next class Elementary so waited in warm up whilst hubby and instructor went to see if Novice results had been posted. Came back with the immortal words That break cost you a couple of marks so you only came 1st Id won the Novice with a score of 70.5% have to admit I had a little cry. Been through so much with horses with my mare going lame and losing my confidence, Beanie has been such a god send even with his confidence issues I always feel safe with him. Best thing was he got 8s for his paces so maybe if I can sort myself out, the dream of doing affiliated isnt unachievable. Judges comment on medium made me smile, be a little braver never been so scared but will try.
So booked in for next one and to thanks everyone who kept going this far, virtually Quality Street all round (got some left from Christmas)
Only downside was horse travelling with refused to go back on box, took nearly 3 hours and we eventually had to send someone to fetch the trailer to take him home so turned into a very late night all-round.
