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
Ten days after the April 22 dressage show at HBF, we were back for their second show! It felt like a lot of showing after a winter off, but it also was good to test where we were so early on. Plus, these shows are so laid back and ho-hum for us, since it is our lesson barn, it is always good to practice tests in the ring where we lesson!
We had run through First 2 earlier that week in our lesson and Beth really liked how I rode that test better than First 1. This was especially true in the canter work, as you lengthen the stride and then circle 15 m. in First 1 but you do the opposite in First 2. For where we are right now, cantering the 15 m. circle and THEN asking for the lengthening seems to help Ellie balance and develop her medium canter much more than how it is asked for in First 1. I know we are not ready quite yet for the canter loops of First 3, but to me it didn't matter which of the other First level tests we rode. So as Beth is the show secretary haha, she just had me ride First 2 and a reride that Sunday instead of First 1.
Overall, I was really pleased with a 65.7143% and 66.4286% on the reride. While I have managed to finally install a pretty reliable half halt and we do not rush through tests, we still have moments particularly in our balance from canter to trot where she wants to dump on her forehand and rush a bit. Our comments were about more balance in the canter transition and lengthenings but that "the horse is clearly willing and motivated to work for you" which I thought was a funny comment. I also got the comment "fun horse!" on the reride. We did bump up a few movements from a 6.5 to a 7 and 7.5 in the trot work and stretch circle to gain almost a point haha. I am super happy to see 7s and 7.5s for rider position and use of aids! I feel like the new (to me) saddle is finally allowing me to be a much more effective rider and sit in better balance.
It felt good to go in and do the thing without any worry or pressure about a new test. I felt confident and ready and Ellie just feels so much more mature this year! She is starting to understand her job and feel confident in the work as well, which is really rewarding.
She looks really good, and those are great scores! How fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I feel as though we are finally getting our act together and can do this dressage stuff haha!
DeleteGreat job!! I love your blue (teal?) jacket!
ReplyDelete