Dear old Jazz. He's been wonderful. He worked his socks off for me, he listened through an entire test and he tried his damndest to do what I wanted him to do. I never thought I'd see the day! Sat in the cafe afterwards, a Grand Prix rider and listed judge who schools my friend's horses commented on how incredibly improved Jazz is since she saw him last October. She described him as "much more together". How nice that someone could see so clearly how he has changed :-)
We scored 53.46%, which I was satisfied with, because we had never done the whole test through and I was very hesitant with the half passes because I really had no idea where we would end up! So there were four 7's in that score (7 at medium - wow!) lots of 6s, some 5s and 3 and 4's for the half passes. One 7 was for collected trot, one for collected canter, one for shoulder in and the last for his paces. He got a 6 for medium trot, which he has never managed to even perform in a ring before today - he really did lengthen and lift, I felt it. I know that we can get a higher score next time we do that test, and I am just delighted with the way he behaved.
Ace was a good boy too. I schooled him this morning and I'm now pretty sure that he has a memory of pain rather than real pain still being there. I stayed in walk until he was really calm. Previously he was jogging in walk but he isn't now. Then I trotted, all on the right rein. He hesitated as if to nap, thought better of it and trotted circles all over the arena. In canter he threw his quarters inwards and bucked, but I told him off verbally, then praised him for going properly, cantered again and ended up with one calm circle, so we stopped and got a lot of pats.
To round things off we got a call from the hospital this morning to say the surgeon himself had gone and fetched Allan's notes, and an email this evening to confirm that he will do his best to meet us on Wednesday next week, apologising for it not being sooner but he is operating in London.
And the weather would have done justice to a hot August day! What a great day it's been.
C
And what will he do without his socks!! *G*
ReplyDeleteGreat news indeed! A bit more practice of putting the test together and I am sure you will raise that score.
How nice to hear such good comments from people who knew Jazz from "before." It is always rewarding to know your training and hard work really have paid off. Sometimes, when we see things only with our own eyes--and the eyes of people like Jo--we can question our own perceptions. I am glad you got some praise from people who know what they saw and were gracious enough to tell you.
Good boy, Jazz....who woulda thunk??? Not last year, that's for sure. The kid has grown up at last. *S*
Wow, fantastic day by all counts. A 7 in medium is something to be proud of, half passes just need work, but 7 for paces, that's a well -earned score. A very positive ride on Ace - let's hope for more in that line. Best news is commitment of the surgeon!
ReplyDeleteExcellent result! I just knew you would get into dressage!
ReplyDeleteGlad also to hear there is some progress with Allan :-)
Well done, glad it was a good day. As for Jazz, how very satisfying that all your hard work and expertise is getting such a good result.
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