This Sunday marks the first event for May and I since May of 2016. 2 Year. 24 Months. I thought it would be fun to look back at that last event. (Full details on the original post here.)
Dressage:
There are a couple of things that I think have improved since this text. My position is a bit stronger now (I think). I have done a lot of work to get May thinking forward into the bridle vs. trying to tuck her nose behind the vertical. The canter is pretty shuffly and off-balance here. I expect that to be better too. May will even be in the Micklem bridle, which she prefers over a traditional bridle with the flash. We scored a generous 27.895. Comment being: “Fairly correct test effort. Great Pair ? Work to maintain steady balance through test.”
However, there is also a lot that hasn’t changed. I plan on wearing almost this exact same outfit (trading the TS breeches for the ROMFH Sarafina breeches). There will still be very little stretch in our free walk, and May will still pop up above the contact in the canter transition. Most importantly though, the ride will still end with big pats.
Stadium
First and foremost, jumps might be a bit smaller. We are doing starter, but the above was super undersized for BN. I will still probably blow one jump, and chip into a few more. May will probably still disagree with my corrections occasionally. I will probably even cut a couple of turns too tight and have to scramble to fix my line. However, we will probably still jump all the jumps.
I have made a big adjustment to how May canters between jumps, and a lot of her balance has come off the forehand. I am hoping that helps us keep all the jumps up on Sunday!
Cross Country
I probably still won’t be able to stop, or change gaits or do any of that. We will probably definitely both be horribly out of breath at the finish. I will probably still lose steering occasionally. May is still going to attack most of the jumps, but not care about banks, ditches, or water. (not that we are likely to see any of that at start)
Finally, I might come in third, or I might come in first (or last). I am sad to say that I won’t be coming home with a new hat and a team-awarded blue ribbon, but I still have the tall guy by my side!
Awww love this! So exciting for you to finally be eventing again after 2 years! You guys look so cute. Have fun out there!
Thanks! It should be a lot of fun.
yay for having an entry back in again!!! seems like solid goals and a solid plan of attack all around – i’m sure you and May will do great and have a blast while you’re at it!
It’s funny how showing all the time vs. taking a massive break in showing can change your goals. I went from wanting a certain score/result to just wanting to go out and have fun with my horse!
have fun and hope the tall one (or someone) will be there taking photos (and or video)! It will be great…..I love her so much she is just adorably eager 🙂 Cute face too 🙂
He better take pictures! It’s his job ?
Good luck and have fun!
Thank you!
Love showing, looking forward to reading how you and the corgi pony did!