JLav
Well-Known Member
Well just got back from Addington after seeming to have been there for ever (got there Wed afternoon).
We've had a fantastic time and met up again with Freestyler and THE_Carthorse and her daughter. We had Mat and HG pointed out to us as well but didn't get to speak to them.
Thursday was music day all day and I was pleased when we got there to see that the enormous Novice had been split into 2 and that my friend and pupil Jane and her horse Jazz (Wall Street) were in a different section to me!!
Jazz did a good test with a fairly simple floor pattern which was commented on for 67% and 9th place. He broke in the second counter canter which would have been obvious to the judges as a mistake, even though it's freestyle, so that probably cost him a couple of technical marks but overall we were pleased as he is not the easiest horse by any stretch of the imagination and he behaved really well.
I had to wait to 2.55 in the afternoon till I was on. I was riding a little Welsh cob/Anglo arab cross mare who was a driving horse until a bad accident in the carriage ended her career and she started to do dressage last year instead. She is barely 15.2 but has a fabulous attitude and the heart of a much bigger horse. I really wasn't expecting to do come better than in the top half as we had horses such as Duchess (The unbeaten 4yo and top priced auction mare that THE_Carthorse was talking about in her report) who was in the lead with 80% and Rebecca Hughes on her fabulous youngster etc etc, and as a group 3 rider I have to ride in the open section. Anyway little Georgie was a superstar and did a lovely test. Had one moment where she suddenly stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth and I thought she'd got it over the bit, but luckily she hadn't and it was just a momentary thing!! I was over the moon to find out she got 69% and we ended up 4th!! She just missed out on a qualifying place as the top 3 go to Hartpury but who knows, we may have a chance of a wild card.
Her owner was so thrilled and we still can't quite believe it. I don't know how to post piccies on here (not very computer literate) but she is the little grey in the picture of the prize giving on the 'team THE_Carthorse thread'.
Friday morning dawned and this time it was Georgie's owners turn as she was doing the prelim. Sandy was so nervous and I think probably felt a bit under pressure not to let the side down after our sucess the day before. She hasn't done a huge amount of dressage and has only been to a couple of affiliated shows. Anyway she rode a beautiful test which was accurate and flowing. She just had one muddled transition, otherwise it looked really good. We were delighted when her score of 67% went up which at that point put her in the lead. She finally ended up 4th much to Sandy's delight.
Poor georgie then had to come out again with me to do the Novice Open. Once again she did a pleasing test with one expensive mistake where I muffed the trot trans after the free walk and she cantered briefly. A 4 off all 3 judges!!!
She was just starting to feel a little tired as well and therefore lost a little of her sparkle but we ended up on 64% and 12th place. I couldn't have asked for anymore from her than 2 top 4 finishes out of 3 classes and she will now have a couple of well deserved days off.
Today i saw Freestyler again who had come back for the Elementary Restricted. No doubt she will be on here to tell you all how she got on. I shall say no more than I suspect she will have a big smile on her face!!! Well done chuck you pulled the stops out today!
We've had a fantastic time and met up again with Freestyler and THE_Carthorse and her daughter. We had Mat and HG pointed out to us as well but didn't get to speak to them.
Thursday was music day all day and I was pleased when we got there to see that the enormous Novice had been split into 2 and that my friend and pupil Jane and her horse Jazz (Wall Street) were in a different section to me!!
Jazz did a good test with a fairly simple floor pattern which was commented on for 67% and 9th place. He broke in the second counter canter which would have been obvious to the judges as a mistake, even though it's freestyle, so that probably cost him a couple of technical marks but overall we were pleased as he is not the easiest horse by any stretch of the imagination and he behaved really well.
I had to wait to 2.55 in the afternoon till I was on. I was riding a little Welsh cob/Anglo arab cross mare who was a driving horse until a bad accident in the carriage ended her career and she started to do dressage last year instead. She is barely 15.2 but has a fabulous attitude and the heart of a much bigger horse. I really wasn't expecting to do come better than in the top half as we had horses such as Duchess (The unbeaten 4yo and top priced auction mare that THE_Carthorse was talking about in her report) who was in the lead with 80% and Rebecca Hughes on her fabulous youngster etc etc, and as a group 3 rider I have to ride in the open section. Anyway little Georgie was a superstar and did a lovely test. Had one moment where she suddenly stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth and I thought she'd got it over the bit, but luckily she hadn't and it was just a momentary thing!! I was over the moon to find out she got 69% and we ended up 4th!! She just missed out on a qualifying place as the top 3 go to Hartpury but who knows, we may have a chance of a wild card.
Her owner was so thrilled and we still can't quite believe it. I don't know how to post piccies on here (not very computer literate) but she is the little grey in the picture of the prize giving on the 'team THE_Carthorse thread'.
Friday morning dawned and this time it was Georgie's owners turn as she was doing the prelim. Sandy was so nervous and I think probably felt a bit under pressure not to let the side down after our sucess the day before. She hasn't done a huge amount of dressage and has only been to a couple of affiliated shows. Anyway she rode a beautiful test which was accurate and flowing. She just had one muddled transition, otherwise it looked really good. We were delighted when her score of 67% went up which at that point put her in the lead. She finally ended up 4th much to Sandy's delight.
Poor georgie then had to come out again with me to do the Novice Open. Once again she did a pleasing test with one expensive mistake where I muffed the trot trans after the free walk and she cantered briefly. A 4 off all 3 judges!!!
Today i saw Freestyler again who had come back for the Elementary Restricted. No doubt she will be on here to tell you all how she got on. I shall say no more than I suspect she will have a big smile on her face!!! Well done chuck you pulled the stops out today!
