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| Ri strides out on our 20-meter circle |
The Good News: We got a 66.7% at Training Level 1, with an 8 on gaits, 7s across the board on the other collective scores (submission, rider position, harmony, etc), 7s on the stretchy trot, 8s on one trot circle and one canter transition. This was a first place ride.
The Bad News: Ri trotted twice on his stretchy circle (score of 4, a double coefficient), and our halts were pretty sorry (one 6, one 5). Oh, and our first place? There were only two other rides at T-1, and both were kids, like 12 and 15. You guys are the only ones that need to know that factoid, I feel like a Grinch.
My perspective
Riley had been laid back in the previous rides that Friday and Saturday, and he was an old hand at showing on our home turf. He was turned out all night Saturday. So I can't figure out why he was jumpy the morning of the show. He was uncharacteristically upset by the other horses on the property, spooky about the judges stand, and leaping forward at gusts of wind. During the warmup in the indoor he spooked and bucked twice. When I say this, I should emphasize that he was wound up by Riley standards, which was not anything dramatic by any means. However, it was a challenge for me. I had focused all my preparation on getting Riley forward, and now I had to calm him down.
Given the rather dicey preparation, I thought the test went pretty well.
Oh, and the little back vest -- a Kerrits vest -- is the best money I ever spent (Ebay, $40). At 90 degrees, it felt like nothing and I think looked far more polished than me parading around the ring in glaring white breeches.
Coming next: Training level 2
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Congrats :) Sounds like you have a very good idea of what went well and what didn't. His canter is lovely.
ReplyDeleteAwesome job, you guys look great, I rode this test last month and it was a disaster, Riley is such a nice horse, and you ride him well, I'm sure as he matures the show anxiety will subside. It will be fun to watch you guys move up through the levels!
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done and a well earned score--more important than the placing. Trotting in the walk is a common issue when your horse is a little worried. You might develop s a vocal cue to keep the walk...I can "purr" to my horse and it helps. The judge will never hear. Another thing that sometimes helps is massaging him at the wither area with your hand in the stretch down. Either way, it's no big deal and usually gets better with experience.
ReplyDeleteAs for the halts, again, no biggie. They are something you need to practice. At first just get him to square up in front and do a lot of them asking him to stand quietly for longer and longer.
Everything else looked really nice and well done for T1.
As for Riley's being upset? He may have been home, but there was a lot of new stuff going on. Sometimes disruptions in familiar territory effect horses much more than the same things going on at a strange place.
Congratulations for a fine ride!!
Wonderful job Stacey! I thought Riley looked light and floaty. And you rode the canter very well!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Been following you and Riley and it's lovely to see you hit a big milestone and even better that it was nicely done!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats on the great score and the great ride. I love the vest too - it looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! This is the best I've seen you ride him. You guys look great. :)
ReplyDeleteYou should be very proud! That was a beautiful test. I can see why Riley earned an 8 for his lovely gaits and you looked so pro!
ReplyDeleteMy first real show with my boy involved him spooking at the donkeys on the other side of the trees near the dressage arena. So, we were already a wreck before we went in the ring. Had to have a lead horse to go NEAR the fence to get to 'A'. BUT ... we still scored pretty well regardless of the fact he was inverting and counter-bending at every letter (they had flowers draped nearby that were brightly colored ... sigh).
ReplyDeleteYou rode a lovely, tactful test and definitely kept him together nicely. What I like most about it is that he is forward and you let that energy flow but channeled it into a constructive ride. Y'all have lots of good things coming with this to build on. Congrads!
ReplyDeleteYEAH! You both looked sharp. The score - GREAT for your first "real" time out. I agree with Jean in that he is comfy with his surroundings...but with added "things" - he probably was trying to rationalize it all. So good to see the two of you becoming a true partnership:)
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to apologize for competing versus kids, the kids probably spend a lot more hours a week in the saddle than you do!
ReplyDeleteWhen did they change the rules to allow vest wearing?
ReplyDeleteEpona, Schooling show! And I suppose recognized shows when jackets are waived...
ReplyDeleteNope, I have never seen in the rules that you can wear a vest, even for schooling shows. Even though schooling shows are relaxed they still need to follow USDF guidelines and rules.
ReplyDeleteI am all for revising the rules for more athletic-friendly showing apparel. Believe me I am the first to shed my coat when the ok is given!
I wonder what a judge or T.D.'s take is on this?