I want to start the recap of this weekend’s event with so many “thank you”s. I am not sure who I can thank first or even the most.
Obviously, a massive shout out goes to my friend that really pushed me to sign up for this event. Over the last several months, she has gone from a girl I knew at the barn, to the girl I go to the gym with, to one of my biggest cheerleaders. She got 5,000 questions from me about pretty much everything, and she had to reassure me maybe another 5,000 times. However, I am so happy she pushed me to do this horse trial. Hereby, she shall be dubbed “Motivational Friend” hahaha.
On that note, I need to thank the rest of the barn family. We had tons of people show up both days of the show to watch and help. We had people help out at the barn while we were gone. Our younger riders volunteered both days and were a massive help to the show. My teammates all stepped up to help one another and make sure our ponies were as comfortable as possible over a crazy weather weekend.
My trainer gets a HUGE shout out. Not only did she compete her own horse, but she was completely committed to each of us competing in the lower divisions. She took my warmups and prep just as seriously as everyone else, even though I was only doing starter. It was only my second time showing with her and the first show was a super soft schooling show. At this show, between the atmosphere and the weather, it was an incredible experience. It really is an amazing confidence boost to have a pro in your corner who knows you, knows your horse, and totally has faith.
Finally, I am so incredibly thankful for my amazing husband. I ended up recommending that he stay home on XC day due to the weather (more on that later), but as soon as I got home, he was combing through the pro pictures with me and watching my helmet cam footage. He was so proud of me and excited for me that he posted some of the pics (all purchased) on his facebook. If that doesn’t make your heart grow, I’m not sure what will.
ALRIGHT – ON TO THE COMPETITION
Both days were super long days since we had riders and horses in the first division of each day, and I was in the last division. Since Saturday and Sunday were held at different venues, we trailered out both days instead of stabling. However, that meant that May was on the trailer at 6AM on Saturday, and our first ride time was at nearly 2:30PM. May didn’t seem to mind. She drank really well all day and had plenty of grazing breaks throughout the day… and she took a few naps. All in all, a pretty good way to spend the day in May’s book.
Since day parking at the KYHP is so far from the Dressage complex, we got on pretty early to walk over… and then got lost. Oops. Luckily, Best Husband Ever was there, and he helped navigate me in the right direction. I started warming up quickly, thinking I was running late. May felt AMAZING. We had floppy Dressage ears. Does anyone know what I am talking about? She was ON IT.
Then, there was a delay in our ring. so I let her walk on a long rein. Then, when we were one out, I picked her back up, did a few walk/trot transitions, as per my trainer’s recommendation. I threw in a quick canter transition, and we were ready to go in!
(Below are the movements, score, and a version of what the judge wrote. It’s not verbatim because… drawings. Any of my comments are in italics)
Movement Scores
- Entrance, Halt, Proceed at Working Trot: 7.0 – Obedient to Halt. Square. I am surprised this scored so well. There was a ring and warmup running behind the judge’s booth… As soon as we came down centerline, May REALLY wanted to watch those rings.
- Track Right at C: 7.0 – Smooth Turn
- Circle Right 20M at B: 7.5 – Active Trot Steps. Well Shaped Circle
- Circle Right 20M at A, with Canter: 6.0 – Prompt Transition. Lack of Bend and Poor Circle Shape. I got so excited about a decent up transition into the right lead canter, that I almost forgot to circle.
- Transition in and out of Canter: 6.0 – Well planned up transition. Unbalanced down transition.
- Change Rein at working trot: 8.0 – Good quality trot shown
- Circle Left 20M at E: 7.0 – Becomes a bit rushed. Loses shape a bit. She actually thought about giving me a canter transition here… hence the loss of rhythm.
- Circle Left 20M at A, with Canter: 7.0 – Better plan to start circle. Better quality canter.
- Transition in and out of Canter: 7.5 – Fairly good prep for transition.
- Medium Walk: 7.0 – Keep marching walk I was just super happy that she didn’t jig because she was getting VERY jiggy in warm-up.
- Free Walk: 7.0 – Covers Ground in FW. Show more stretch down. Agreed.
- Working Trot: 7.5 – Smooth and Forward
- Center line and Halt: 8.0 – Straight and Square.
Collective Marks:
Gaits: 7.0 – Some stiffness in Canter
Impulsion: 7.0 – No Comment
Submission: 7.0 – No Comment
Rider’s Position: 6.5 – Keep eyes up!
Rider’s Effectiveness: 7.0 – Effective Rider
Geometry and Accuracy: 7.5 – Well executed test
Overall Score: 29.3
How could I be anything other than thrilled with that? Scores at schooling shows tend to be pretty soft, so I wasn’t sure where we were going to end up. However, I was really pleasantly surprised to see that 29.3, and it put us in second going into SJ!
Those are awesome comments! What a great test!
Thank you! I feel like I really to show off where we are at the moment in our Dressage work.
Congrats on the awesome dressage test!
Thank you! I am super proud of my little mare.
I stalked you on instagram to see the videos and was so so excited for you!! You two look awesome.
Aww thank you! I love all the blogger support. I got SO MUCH MEDIA I am in blogger heaven hahaha
You and May totally rocked dressage! She definitely was floppy-eared, but you two looked damn solid and absolutely awesome. Congrats! Can’t wait to read more!
Thank you! She really came with her A game yesterday
That’s awesome! She looks super relaxed and consistent, nice test!
Thank you! She was super tuned in. She’s not the fanciest pony out there, but she can lay down a good test. I am super proud of her.
well I am your number one stalker all weekend so i knew all this but YAY for you and May you look great and I am so happy your MF’er (Motivational Friend hey guys get your head out of the gutter) made you do it! I am so happy it all went well (except for the weather!!)..And Remus says dude get your horse and turn out the lights SOME people are trying to sleep HA!
May is really looking great! I can see her really improving overall in her dressage. You have to be thrilled. The fact that is so damn cute does not hurt AT ALL!
Thank you! Your digital support this weekend was awesome. I was so thankful, I even held off sending you that pic of your horse until after the sun was up hahahaha
Lovely test! Congrats:)
Thank you!
Congrats! You two look fantastic!
Thank you! She was awesome.
What a wonderful start to your weekend!
Yes! It really was
Huge congrats! What a great test. 🙂
Thank you! I am super proud of it.
Woohoo, congrats!
Thank you!
Beautiful test!!
Thank you!
Awesome scores! Congratulations!
Thank you!