We then ran through some lateral work before doing the Medium. He did some super travers on both reins - really soft and supple to the bend. Change of hand in trot must remember to move the forehand over to the new direction before asking for the HP. Canter HP is still his weak point but it is improving slowly. I need to make sure I really use the corners to set him up and create the bend for the next movement. Everything comes up so much quicker at Medium and is more difficult as well so I need to sharpen up my riding to cope with it. Also need to develop more core strength to be able to help him in the more difficult movements and half halt him properly to stop him running off in the lateral work. Fine tuned the floorplan a bit but basically all works ok. Remember heavy elbows, keep elbows in, carry hands. Lift the inside hand in the HP to guide him over and remember inside leg.
On Saturday we were back at Merrist Wood for Freestyle day. They had huge entries so we weren't on till mid afternoon. I decided to use the snaffle bridle for the Elem as he is more established in that. Warmup went well, lots of lateral work and simple changes. The test all went to plan, floorplan worked really well. He dropped on his head a little in both simple changes but was very obedient upwards. Kept the canter through the counter canter and mediums. Judge was grinning madly at me at the end. It didn't feel amazing to me but I like happy judges! Was quite gobsmacked to see score of 71.346% We won the Restricted section and were 2nd Overall out of 19. He got straight 7's for almost all his technical marks. 6.5 for his 10m circle right, 6 for his first medium trot, but 7.5 for the 2nd one down the final centre line!! 7.5's for both his leg yields. 6.5 for simple change right to left. 5 for first halt, 8 for second one! 6.5 for rhythm, energy and elasticity. 7 for harmony, 7.5 for choreography and 8 for music! Judge was Debbie Pateman who said "Great test, made me smile throughout! Horse shows lovely attitude and the music & floorplan worked well - well done!"
Swapped him into the double for the Medium which in hindsight maybe shouldn't have done as only had 10mins to warm him up again which wasn't really enough time to get him settled in it. Test didn't start well with him trying to stop to have a poo as we were about to enter at A. I kicked him on, he threw his head, curb rein tightened and he had a complete paddy coming into first halt. Oops! The rest of the test was a bit uninspiring. He didn't feel like he was moving very freely sideways in the lateral work, he was wobbly in the shoulder-ins, the trot HP barely made it halfway across the arena and the simple changes all involved trotting on the downwards and they should be one of his strong points. Was chuffed to see we scored 65.667% as he has the potential for soooo much more! Even more chuffed to see that we won the Restricted section and ended up 4th out of 8 in the class and qualified for Regionals on first attempt! Judge was Sue Rowlands who said "Well attacked test, needs freedom, mouth open at times. Good pattern. Music really suited paces" He got a 4.5 for his first dire halt, 7 for his collected canter, 7.5 for his collected walk, 7.5 for his final halt, otherwise all 6's and 6.5's except a hurried 5.5 for medium trot. His canter HP's got 6.5's so can't have been as bad as they felt. 6's for the trot HP and he got 7.5's in his last Medium so loads more potential there. 6 for rhythm, 6.5 for harmony, 7.5 for choregraphy, 7 for degree of difficulty and 7 for music.
Had an interview with Horse and Hound today. She said the Elementary judge was really impressed with our final centre line and the Medium judge really liked how I designed the choreography to not include anything he couldn't do. Not sure if will get a photo or just a few words but will be good to be in H&H again. Love my boy!
Next stop a bit of hunting over Christmas and then arena eventing before Regionals at the end of Feb and before we know it it will be eventing season again!
No comments:
Post a Comment