We got 56.6% today from the same judge as we have had before. She is a consistent marker, and I felt the test was a big improvement on last time, and this mark is now nearer 60% (points level) than 50% for the first time. I can feel that we are getting somewhere now, and he is trying very hard for me. We didn't manage the half passes very well, and her comment on our shoulder in was that we need more angle. I've not had that comment before and I did the shoulder in at the same angle as always. On the video I can see that he is on three tracks, so I think she was just being picky on that for some reason today. I was first in and that never helps, does it?
I need to work on getting more fluid and rythmic 10m circles, improving the half pass and lengthening the medium trot, but that doesn't take away from the fact that today's test was measurably better than any medium he has ever been able to produce before. I love him!
I managed to school Ace before we left and that was VERY interesting. From the moment I got on I knew something was different - my calves were wider apart. He was just a wider horse, there was no mistaking it. Clearly he must have been using his belly muscles to pick up his back, and that pushed out his ribs against my legs. Equally clearly he has not been doing this before, why?
Surely the answer has to be that he did not want to use his belly muscles because they would squeeze his stomach, and that today he was happy to do that? If so, the previous behaviour has less to do with ill-discipline and plenty to do with the fact that he has been on ulcer medication for 3 days. I also think that the improvement has been too quick for this to be entirely a discipline issue. I am so glad that I have not given him a really hard time. There's no doubt that he is oversensitive and needs to learn to concentrate and behave, but if he has been triggered by pain, even mild pain, then he did not deserve a beating, did he?
Two good boys today, so everyone can have a day off tomorrow, as I am working.
C
This was the shoulder in that she thought should be more off the track. Why? It is more obvious with teh movement, but he is definitely on 3 tracks and she has been happy with that amount of bend in previous tests.
This photo shows he is crossing in trot half pass right. The foot you can see in front on the right is his LEFT front foot. The right front foot is hidden by his hind leg.
Well done Caroline, that judge sounds like quite a stickler with a particular set of expectations which are a bit of a secret to her!!! Your Shoulder in looks fine to me, I'm not educated enough to comment on half pass though.
ReplyDeleteThe news about Ace is ACE - if it is ulcers, you know what to do and imagine if this new settled horse stays, you'll be moving him on in his training at quite a pace again soon.
I've gone crazy - my rescue mare has come 8th in her second ODE and is getting bolder with each outing, 2'6" next time I think. But I've gone and entered a BE90 event on my original mare and I haven't been brave enough to do that for 6 years!!!! Eeeeek.
xx T
I almost feel jealous for a moment! I must go hunting soon!!
ReplyDeleteC
Well done.
ReplyDeleteShoulder in during a test often needs a bit more angle than is correct as a judge seated at "C" may not be able to see that the angle is spot on. So that comment is very common. A test with shoulder in down the center line is another story altogether.
More crossover and perhaps a bit more bend will up the half pass scores, but that is something you are already working on. It is a darn good start in the picture and I am sure Jazz can offer more and will when he gets braver about being able to move sideways in a flexible way. It just takes some horses longer to figure out that they actually can move that way freely. Toby is super easy at it and Tucker is like, "Huh? Oh, wait, I think I can...well maybe not...OK...uhm...." *lol*
Actually kind of good news about Ace. If it is ulcers, at least you have an answer and some kind of solution. It would be nice to know his behavior was not bad temperament but physical in nature.
I agree with Jean, hard to tell from photos but a little bit more bend in both movements I think. My eye is in for classical dressage however, not BD dressage.
ReplyDeleteGood news about Ace, think you are right about his ability or inability to lift his back if he has been uncomfortable due to ulcers.
He really struggles to bend and cross Jean. I have no idea why it is so hard for him, but he is slowly improving. That photo is the first really clear crossing I have seen and he got a 6 for that one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracey, more bend it shall be :-)
C
Jazz has a pretty short back, so bending is not his forte. He's a chunky boy too-built that way, so in a way, that muscle gets in the way.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of like trying to train a body builder to do floor gymnastics or ballet.