By the skin of our teeth we have done it, and come home with Ace's first affiliated point, earned for an Elementary test of over 60%. Only just, but considering the fact that I was riding as stiff as a plank, he has done an amazingly good job. He did everything exactly where it was supposed to be, it just lacked suppleness. Nothing was as good as the Novice last time, except the free walk which was really good and scored a double 7. I deliberately didn't push for any of the mediums, I just wanted to get a steady test under our belts and leave that for another time.
He held it all together really well, considering just how much tension I was transmitting to him, until the last but one movement when he spooked big time at B. I didn't over react, but let him look at it and swing his body out, and then half way through the movement he came back to me and his final bend, final centre line and halt scored two 7s.
So that's that one out of the way, and next time we can relax and enjoy ourselves and get some of our sparkle and fluency back. I'm pleased that it confirmed my decision to go for elementary, because he's well capable of it and it's a lot more fun to do the more complicated tests.
Affiliated wise, we have missed out Novice completely, which is nothing unusual - the big boys often bring their horses out for the first time at Medium! When we are consistently scoring above mid 60s for Elementary then I'll probably go medium because he already does everything he needs for medium at home.
C
Well done, the first is always the hardest.
ReplyDeleteI'm just so glad it's out of the way!! Now we can get on with some real work. I am pleased with the video. The test was fairly marked but his potential to do a seriously good test just screams at me.
DeleteC
the hip flask didn't help much then?
ReplyDeletewell done both!
A lot! You wouldn't want to see what the score would have been without it :-)
DeleteC
Congratulations! The first big hurdle is jumped cleanly! On to the rest of the course.
ReplyDeleteWell, not exactly a dressage comment, but well suited to the day. It's all a matter of riding the horse as if you are in your home arena, you know. (Easier said than done.) Enjoy the victory and keep your sights on medium. I know you two can do it!
I know the next one will be easier. It was so hard for the poor boy to do his magic with a hamfisted plank on his back. Its a measure of how improved he is that he got nearly to the end before he spooked and scored a 4. And how forgiving he is that he finished on two 7s. He's a sweet, sensitive creature.
ReplyDeleteC
Woo Hoo, Dressage Diva :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you aren't laughing at me. :-))) ???
ReplyDeleteC
Nope I just remember when I said you'd become a dressage diva and you laughed at me!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteNice job!
ReplyDelete