1st Show of the Season - Part 3

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Our second test of the show was definitely better. The score says so and it felt better. For Training Level Test 2 we earned a 61.79%. 

Still a 4th place finish.

I am not sure about Megan's "no placing" thing. I think she just didn't want her score to be public, and Barbara, who boards at White Birch, wanted to ride later in the day. I don't know what their scores were so I am not sure if we "beat them" or not which is a bummer because 4th place out of 8 sounds a lot better than 4th out of 6. Not that it matters though.

This whole ride was better than the one before. The main reason is that I was a lot looser in my body and made a serious effort at being relaxed. I also focused on sitting more deeply. As I started the test, I reminded myself to not over-ride my horse. Instead, I relaxed and trusted him to do his part without micro-managing him. 

We ended up scoring a slew of 7s (5 of them to be exact) and a pile of 6s and 6.5s. We only had two 5s (for the right lead canter and downward transition). Those were bumpy, but we recovered nicely for our finish down centerline. As we made that last turn at A, Sydney stopped at A, and I was a little worried that he was going to excuse himself before we could get to X. I gave him a squeeze, and he picked the trot back up for our final halt and salute.

I think the judge was very generous with his score for that movement. We made the turn, but I don't think it's supposed to be done at the walk! Our final halt felt very square, so maybe the judge weighted that part of the movement more heavily than the turn itself. He gave us a 6.5. 

Hard to read, I know.

I know the test is hard to read, but check out those 7s! If we can keep this kind of riding up, I will be a very happy rider indeed! Here are the judge's collective marks and further remarks.

Again, the judge was very kind.