At The Show
I'm at Rogo's first show of the summer. He went it two walk trots last summer, but they didn't feel like more than getting him out to experience the show grounds. They were in a different location than this one, which is inside. I was so nervous and anxious I didn't even blog about coming. I almost backed out a thousand times. We haven't been able to ride much in three months because of the particularly rainy spring and no indoor, and Joan hasn't been able to spend much time with us, so no teacher. Not a good combination for an inexperienced rider and green horse to go to a show.
The warm up last night started out almost disastrous. He could hardly be led around the ring, which is a hockey rink in the winter. He kept being scared by his reflection, the brightly painted pictures, people coming and going behind the plexiglass, etc. I rode him for an hour before we could canter without a gallop and as soon as I got a canter I quit for the night. We were both exhausted. I had helped with organizing the show too, so I was tired out by the last week.
The dressage arena and flower boxes weren't set up when we rode last night, so I thought for sure it would be bad this morning, and that there was a good chance of elimination. I thought seriously about scratching. Anyway....we went in and he was fine! A little up, but manageable. He scored a respectable 61.25 and third place in a class of six. I know that isn't a high score, but it isn't bad and in the circumstances I'm ecstatic.
The judge commented several times to ride more forward, so for our second test we went for it. It was odd, because after the galloping incidents I'd had at home, I suddenly, in this strange environment and stressful conditions, felt complete trust in him. I didn't feel any nervousness or hesitation in asking for and getting all he had, within manageable bounds.He went for it and it was fun, fun, fun. We only brought our score up by .5, to 61.75, because we lost a little in precision that we gained in forward, but what an exhilarating exercise in mutual trust.
Rogo was a doll and knew he'd made me proud. He snorted and blew as soon as we got back outside and seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself. He's happy as a clam, visiting with everyone in the barn, laying down to sleep, and getting lots of treats and fussing over.
We rode Training Level tests 1 and 2 and will ride 2 and 3 tomorrow. It's an Equine Canada bronze show.
I'll post some pictures when I get home. I'm just so proud of my sweet boy I couldn't wait to write about it :)
The warm up last night started out almost disastrous. He could hardly be led around the ring, which is a hockey rink in the winter. He kept being scared by his reflection, the brightly painted pictures, people coming and going behind the plexiglass, etc. I rode him for an hour before we could canter without a gallop and as soon as I got a canter I quit for the night. We were both exhausted. I had helped with organizing the show too, so I was tired out by the last week.
The dressage arena and flower boxes weren't set up when we rode last night, so I thought for sure it would be bad this morning, and that there was a good chance of elimination. I thought seriously about scratching. Anyway....we went in and he was fine! A little up, but manageable. He scored a respectable 61.25 and third place in a class of six. I know that isn't a high score, but it isn't bad and in the circumstances I'm ecstatic.
The judge commented several times to ride more forward, so for our second test we went for it. It was odd, because after the galloping incidents I'd had at home, I suddenly, in this strange environment and stressful conditions, felt complete trust in him. I didn't feel any nervousness or hesitation in asking for and getting all he had, within manageable bounds.He went for it and it was fun, fun, fun. We only brought our score up by .5, to 61.75, because we lost a little in precision that we gained in forward, but what an exhilarating exercise in mutual trust.
Rogo was a doll and knew he'd made me proud. He snorted and blew as soon as we got back outside and seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself. He's happy as a clam, visiting with everyone in the barn, laying down to sleep, and getting lots of treats and fussing over.
We rode Training Level tests 1 and 2 and will ride 2 and 3 tomorrow. It's an Equine Canada bronze show.
I'll post some pictures when I get home. I'm just so proud of my sweet boy I couldn't wait to write about it :)
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