Without further adieu, a little aka long story about a dressage show.
First test was early Saturday morning, 2nd Level Test 1. This was scheduled for the grass ring, which I expected to result in some lack-luster moments. Highlights were medium trots (surprisingly) and final halt, lowlights were medium canters (remember early morning dewy grass?) and comments about collapsed left side. I was just happy to have an attentive show horse, great experience for the both of us.
Further Remarks: A steady/consistent ride. Horse can be encouraged to learn to stay in alignment and therefore be more adjustable.
Centerline to Halt
Looking for sugars for a job well done.
Second test was 2nd Level Test 3 which while technically more difficult is a slightly easier test for us in general. Highlights were renvers left, halt/reinback (8.0 comment: square halt, nice big steps back) and 7.0 for Gaits Comment: Nice gaits, lowlights were turn on the haunches and a too large 10 meter canter circle (oops!).
Further Remarks: Horse needs to be more supple in topline and have more response to rider aids. Rider need to prepare horse more.
Collected trot
Renver left
Rein back
Then we had just enough time before our freestyle to be waiting in the hot humidity but not enough time to go back to stabling and let her chill. So we found some shade by the warm-up and hunter parked over there until our time. The freestyle went well, once started due to some signaling error. I love riding them, they are so fun. I haven't really had the time to polish this one so I was a bit early to my walk music and kind of ran out of arena. So the lowlight of this would be our free walk and the highlights were the 15 meter canter circles and leg yields. As it seems like it always is one judge likes the music better than the other and I knew having some vocals would be a gamble. Either way it was good enough for 3rd place on a 66.933% combined.
Team Dea
Saturday night it stormed pretty good and the stalls flooded, but I don't know what's UNH without that occurring. The fabulous Mommy Michaud took care of that disaster for which Dea and I are most grateful. Sunday morning arose to a tired me, ahem driving right past my highway exit, and a very, very tired Dea; nose to the ground hand walk. My parents came to watch and also be photographers in addition to super groom Ellen. I couldn't be more lucky!
First test was 2nd Level Test 3 again. I kept the warm-up short as I could tell Dea had very little gas left in the tank. As I started the test it was very clear to me that we were at that point running on fumes and around movement #12 we just plain old ran out. Unfortunately for us there are 28 movements in that test. I can literally fold the test in half and it's like two different horses. The first half of the test was our best scoring ride yet so I am very pleased that I got to the point of really riding in the show ring. And I know the mistakes that we made later on are not necessarily training issues but team fatigue. So highlights were both medium trots; 7.0! and the shoulder-ins to renvers and the lowlights were everything after the turn on the haunches left. Ha!
Further Remarks: A clear difference in trot/canter work. Encourage some freedom+ground cover in canter.
Tacking up
Off to the warm-up with super groom Ellen.
Medium trot
Shoulder-in
Renver
Nose to the footing free walk
Family portrait with the 'Grandpony'
Needless to say as soon as I hopped off after this test I walked straight to the secretary to scratch our other class. I was very pleased with our weekend overall and more than happy to save my horse for another day. Good work Dea!
Pez power!
Dea had a well deserved rest day today. Looking back over our rides I know being at Pam's has made a huge difference in our riding. In the un-scored corners and short-sides I was working on the connection and powering the gaits along. I felt confident and was able to make better on the spot corrections movement to movement. We will continue to work on our straightness, building up her back and keeping the shoulders up in the canter. Second level it is.
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