2nd show (with full video)

Taping went way better this time, so I was able to get full video of the test C. I definitely screwed 1st canter (wrong lead and no bend). Very upsetting I have to say (because I practiced it just before the ride and everything was so good in warm-up area, and after the ride I went there again to practice and it was really good again, oh well...). I think part of the problem was riding test in small dressage ring (not looking for excuses, just stating a fact lol!): I found it to be much more hard as there was almost no time to think/prepare for the next element. Never did it before, so something to practice as well.

Anyway, we got 2nd place (comparable to 4th last time for C, I got 2nd for B last time but decided not to ride B this time as with hot weather it's too hard on us both).


And here some pics... (including my new bridle although the pic don't make it justice - the stones are lighter blue ).

Congrats! Love the bridle, too!

Good job! I really like how you kept her at a nice consistent pace! Usually when I get into a show ring, because of my nerves, I cause the horse to be all over the place with his pace.

A quick question as I am just starting into dressage, with your first canter that you picked up the wrong lead, why did you not change it? Are you not allowed to do a flying change or drop back to a trot and fix it? I noticed that you just continued through the circle on the wrong lead. Or were you just not aware as you were riding it?

Great job, though, on the 2nd place!

Actually you SHOULD change it, but NOT a flying change. The test asks for a trot to canter transition and that is what should have been corrected.

As a judge they can not give a good mark for something that was not done. Even if part of the circle was done a decent mark could have been received.

Now I tend to mark harsher and would have marked that movement as a 1 or 2 since the only part I could mark is the transition back from the canter to the trot. If a correction was made ( and no problems with the correction) I may have gone as high as a 5 ( although a 4 is the correct mark...4 being insufficient).

To get a better score you need to open this horse's trot more and ride into the corners better. Accuracy is extremely important at this level. Then yoiu need to work on getting this horse more rounder.

Good effort though for the second time around.

Thank you, Gemini! I'm actually very nervous every time, so I have to thank my qh to stay calm for both of us. It'll be a problem when I'll start showing my paint though as she feeds on me too much.

Yes, you are supposed to change wrong canter by going to the trot and asking again for the correct one. I was unaware at first (as I'm getting very disoriented on test), then it was too late (so you could see I broke back to the trot way before the end of the circle and just kept trotting).

BTW, Spyder, yes, I got very low on that canter. No surprise. And thank you for suggestions! :)

How would you ask for the rounder one? Yes, I know she needs more, however I have quite hard time to get more out of her.

Congrats on your 2nd place! You should be proud!!

I LOVE the new bridle!!! Very nice!

Kitten Val
Look at your photographs real close..........it appears that your left stirrup is shorter............

Thanks, Spirit! I know it does look, but they are on same 13 (I checked just before getting on). I think it's Jemma standing under angle (it's not a very flat area). Will look again in flat arena.

Thank you, MIE!