After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
Reva and I competed in our last dressage show of the season on Sept. 16. Actually, I am pretty sure it will also be our last horse show of 2012!
We rode Intro A and scored a 72.5% for a second place out of four riders. That was our highest score yet to date!! I was a little shocked, but she was super good and easy. She was a little more tense than I would have liked, as there was a horse freaking out in the warmup while we tried to warm up. Reva was unsure as to whether or not SHE should freak out too, but she held it together well. We had really nice moments as the test went on; we scored a 6 and 6.5 on the first two movements, but then had all 7s, 7.5s, and even 8s on everything else! I even had a 7.5 on my rider scores. Our right trot circle, change of rein, and final halt were all 8s. I was especially proud that our final halt comment was "straight and square" since we have worked so hard on that. Judges comments at the end were, "Well ridden. Be careful you know where horse's haunches are, likes to swing down long sides and at trot on center line."
Intro B was a much better test and I felt hopeful that maybe we would have another 70% plus test. I was right! We earned a 75.0% for a first place out of six riders! WOW!!! How exciting to earn our highest scores ever at our last dressage show of the season! Again we started with a 6, as our centerlines are always crooked. ARG! It doesn't help that the big plastic letter A is so close to the entrance and she bulges herself around it. We do much better on our final centerlines. Homework!!! ;-) But the rest of the test included a few 7s, 7.5s and eight 8s!!!! We even had all 8s on our collectives, except a 7.5 on submission. The judge's comment was only, "Very well ridden!" We had a lot of "good active trot" and "good stretch" and "steady" throughout the test. I am so proud of my girl, especially for having started as a completely unbroke three year old back when I first got her. I feel sorry for ever doubting her potential to become a dressage horse. Granted, Training level and above are obviously not easy like Intro. But I am hopeful that we can try Intro C next year without too much stress. I think she can easily handle the small amount of canter, as long as she will pick up that right lead consistently!!
Relaxing at the trailer before our first ride. |
Our new saddle pad from Smartpak! |
WHY YOU DO THIS TO ME MOMMA? Reva was not impressed with the first place medal hanging from her ear. LOL! |
Gotta love that face. :-) |
Wow! Congratulations! Those are really awesome scores. :)
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