Thankfully we were entered for two, which was a very good idea, as it turned out. I had time to take him into the warm-up again and get him going forwards, and for the second test he scored six 7's, but he still messed up one of the canters so we only scored 62% and came last of five.
But he has learnt an awful lot today, about keeping calm under pressure and that doing what he is being told to do actually makes life easier for him because someone else has taken responsibility for his safety. I also learnt how hard to push him, and that if I push but not hard enough (first test), he bucks and naps badly, but if I push him up into my hand and really mean it (second warm-up, second test), he knuckles down and does the job.
On the really plus side, three people started asking me questions about him. One who knows me, who breeds and rides a Grand Prix stallion said he was "very nice", which is a comment worth having from her. One of the others called his good moments "special" and the third just thought he was absolutely lovely. Which he is of course!
Perhaps the most fun bit was that after the bucking display in the first test, he had a huge audience for his second test all hoping he'd do it again. I wasn't sorry to disappoint them!
We'll take him again soon, and again, and again until it is all so normal that his stunning paces just shine through and we get a score in the 70's. It'll happen. Jazz next time though!
He really was very naughty, as you can see!
C
Sorry, I had to giggle at your audience interest for the second test. Reminds me of a time or two with a certain Tucker.
ReplyDeleteNot really all that bad, considering. This is what, his second time out? And he hasn't been going many places lately. Once he gets out and about, it won't be so overwhelming.
How nice to get those compliments. He is a beautiful boy and a beautiful mover. I'm not surprised he's attracting attention.
Pics added Jean. Third time out but very busy there today because of school holidays.
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Oh my goodness!! He and Tucker could be in a pas de deux...with the "pas" being bucks. You look like you sit them a lot better than I do! The rearing, however....I hate. That is scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteTuck used to do a little reary thing and then launch into one of those bucks. I suspect Ace is doing the same thing from the looks of it. I call it a "rocket launch."
However, unlike Tucker who's not that fab a mover, Ace looks wonderful when he is cooperating.
Keep Jazz in mind. It took a few years, but look what you have now. I think Ace will come along more quickly, but I fear you will simply have to work out the kinks first.
Well ridden, nonetheless. I hope your seat got good marks.
Yes that's exactly what he was doing Jean! If he starts to do it again at home I'll put him back on the ulcer meds, but between the two tests, back in the warm-up, he didn't do it at all, and he only did one kick-back in the second test. The stress obviously gets to him, so all we can do is keep going until it stops getting to him.
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Great pics, both the working well ones and the naughty ones :-D So he gets his hind leg so far beneath him the buck is almost to throw his weight out back behind him, is that what you mean?
ReplyDeleteYes Sarah, take a look at the canter shot and imagine where that hind foot is going to hit the floor - somewhere under his girth. He does not have the strength in his hock, yet, to take the weight onto that foot and lever 2/3 of his body over the top of it and then push off. So what he does is kick upwards (violently as you can see!) to get his weight off the hock. It always starts either at the transition, or on a change of direction away from the lorry park, where he unbalances himself by thinking of getting out of the arena, instead of the direction he is moving in. It's actually a very common evasion with young horses, though not normally quite as expressive as him!
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I'd be inclined to put him on the meds regardless. The stress of showing could aggravate any minor ulcer issues he has and treating him would eliminate that so you could cope with general naughtiness. My vet said the meds to no harm.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought. But you know your boy better than I do, so go with your best insight.
At least you are laughing about it...sort of. Tucker had me in tears more than once and, to be honest, really had me intimidated. My seat is not as "brave" or strong as it was when I was younger. (gee, to think of what kind of horses I rode as a kid....oh my!)
Got there before you Jean :-) I have all the horses on double dose of Settelex every time they leave home, to stop any worry-related acid issues.
ReplyDeleteWell sat, that was really naughty. Glad he was good in the second test though. He should soon learn what it is all about and as you say, all you can do is keep taking him.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine who watched the video has pointed out that in the first test that chestnut horse behind A was trotting constant circles between the A marker and my arena edge. Not really fair, and Ace may simply have been napping to him. We will keep going until he learns not to be so scared, I'msure that it isn't evil behaviour, it's nerves. But it was naughty!
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Oh my, what a display of young energy! No wonder you had an audience for the second test. Even with calm, experienced Tetley I always do better on the second test.
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