[bayfan21]

Hello!
I had my first show with my new horse last weekend. It was a CT and Dressage show. We did 2 CT classes and 1 other dressage test. In hindsight, I probably should have just done the two CT classes, but whats done is done. Anywho, PeeWee (my horse) was acting a bit strange. She was great in the warm-up and jumping, however, in the dressage tests, her brain just kind of shut down half way and she really wasn't listening to me at all. No matter what I did, no matter what cues I gave, she was only half listening. I'm not sure if it is something I did or what was wrong, but what do y'all think? I don't think dressage is going to be her favorite thing to do but it is still important. We had a spook in one of the tests due to something happening in the woods next to the arena. I will attach the video of the test. PeeWee can be pretty lazy but never to the extent she was in the ring. I know my riding wasn't the best, I was just trying to keep her going. You can see my leg was on almost the whole time and I used my whip quite a bit. What should I have done differently? How can I help her? I want to make dressage a positive experience for her, but she felt really off in the ring. Note that she was off ONLY in the ring and during all 3 tests. Warm up and jumping she was excellent.

Video:

 

[bayfan21]

We actually hadn't jumped yet. This was like the 2nd test, the first one being just trot and walk. I was just wondering if there is something else I could do for her, because we will probably do another combined training show at some point. She is usually fine doing dressage, just when we got in the ring she kind of died. I will probably try hunters eventually. That interests me the most and maybe she will prefer that as well.

 

[bayfan21]

How did she do in the second jump class?

I see a horse that is capable and a rider that isn't there yet for several reasons. I think it would be of benefit for you both to go back to the basics and work on that. I'd also suggest a different saddle that better balances you. I'd work on not riding from the knee. I'd work on hands. I'd work on effective use of a whip. I'd ditch the spurs. I'd work on softening her back up again. I didn't see a spook as much as I saw a response to how she was asked to canter.

That said you both have potential. You both need work. It may be that you need work apart before coming back together.

I promise I ride better than this than usually. I was really trying to get her moving. She felt like the moment I would take my leg off, she would break. She is a lazy horse, however, she is not usually this bad. As for the spook, I think it was a mix of the whip and a spook. There was a forest right in that corner; a lot of horses spooked there. I also think my stirrups were way to short for dressage when I go back and watch the video.
Like I said, both PeeWee and I are normally functioning much better than this. I found it very odd that she just died like that. Both jumping classes she did amazing. She was forward and we were the only pair not to knock a rail or have a refusal in the whole class. I am thinking that I may have ran the tests too much beforehand; she knew what was happening and decided that she didnt want to participate anymore. That was my fault for signing up for three tests. Physically she could handle the tests; mentally, probably not. This show was definitely a learning experience for us. Thank you for your suggestions.