wizzi901
Well-Known Member
Well...after nearly an hours lungeing this morning, a brief hack and some very sedate wandering round at the event...no warming up whatsoever (we tried that and he flipped when a pony trotted past lol), I nearly decided not to take Marsden (aka Freddie) in the arena...
I then saw a kiddie with a grey pony cantering around everywhere, she was still grinning and it kind of spurred me on at least give bronco billy a go.
We went in (having been bucked god knows how many times when just walking to the arena from the car park!) and the little so and so died on me! - fortunately I had spurs on for my other boy who needs them!
He behaved impeccably and did a reasonable test! - his first time out NOT pointing, this chap has raced in straight lines and over huge fences and had no idea what I wanted him to do but he tried his little pins out!
AND.....wait for it!! He got placed! He came 3rd!!!! By some miracle my old boy titch came 5th despite his usual turkey impression and was there to mainly keep freddie quiet!
So other half who owns freddie is now gloating that his horse beat mine which I have had for 7 years lol!!
To others debating about dressage (from someone who has never even tried it before let alone on a mad horse!) I do recommend giving it a go. Admittedly we had a very understanding and encouraging judge, who obviously knows a lot about tb types and wasnt at all derogatory about some various freestyle moves that titch made such as bunny hopping instead of halt - and whilst we may never get placed again, it has saved freddie from being sold!!
We were about to give up with him and just throw the towel in but it has proved he can remain calm! So he has the rest of the year to slowly forget point to point to see if he can get his brain around the slower pace of life!
He even trotted past his buddy during the test without napping and being a fruitloop!! So pleased with him, I could burst!
Excuse crappy riding, and very loud SJ hacking jacket, we are not really kitted out for dressage as you can see!!
(AND YES I DIDNT LEAVE THE GROUND AND WAS MORE PETRIFIED THAN WHEN JUMPING...CAN YOU TELL LOL!!)
Well done for getting this far and thank you to those who have given support over the last month or so whilst I have been learning this test before sleeping lol!
PS and I know my stirrups are too short, its the jumper in me.
I then saw a kiddie with a grey pony cantering around everywhere, she was still grinning and it kind of spurred me on at least give bronco billy a go.
We went in (having been bucked god knows how many times when just walking to the arena from the car park!) and the little so and so died on me! - fortunately I had spurs on for my other boy who needs them!
He behaved impeccably and did a reasonable test! - his first time out NOT pointing, this chap has raced in straight lines and over huge fences and had no idea what I wanted him to do but he tried his little pins out!
AND.....wait for it!! He got placed! He came 3rd!!!! By some miracle my old boy titch came 5th despite his usual turkey impression and was there to mainly keep freddie quiet!
So other half who owns freddie is now gloating that his horse beat mine which I have had for 7 years lol!!
To others debating about dressage (from someone who has never even tried it before let alone on a mad horse!) I do recommend giving it a go. Admittedly we had a very understanding and encouraging judge, who obviously knows a lot about tb types and wasnt at all derogatory about some various freestyle moves that titch made such as bunny hopping instead of halt - and whilst we may never get placed again, it has saved freddie from being sold!!
We were about to give up with him and just throw the towel in but it has proved he can remain calm! So he has the rest of the year to slowly forget point to point to see if he can get his brain around the slower pace of life!
He even trotted past his buddy during the test without napping and being a fruitloop!! So pleased with him, I could burst!
Excuse crappy riding, and very loud SJ hacking jacket, we are not really kitted out for dressage as you can see!!
(AND YES I DIDNT LEAVE THE GROUND AND WAS MORE PETRIFIED THAN WHEN JUMPING...CAN YOU TELL LOL!!)
Well done for getting this far and thank you to those who have given support over the last month or so whilst I have been learning this test before sleeping lol!
PS and I know my stirrups are too short, its the jumper in me.
