Less Than Spectacular, But at Least We W/T/C

8/27/2013

We had a lesson with JL last night, more on that in a few days. She watched the second video (posting it tomorrow), and while she agreed that I don't ride like that at home, there were still some good moments: he actually walked and he looked a whole better than a year ago. She also pointed out that at the show, Sydney had two gears: high and low with nothing in between. She has a great plan for developing his middle gears. That made me feel somewhat better, but still...

This video truly makes me cringe. I can't believe what a terrible ride I gave him. My only excuse was that Sydney wanted to take flight and do the ride at Mach 10 (high gear). After watching though, I can see that if I just let go a little, lower my hands, bring them closer together, and increase the bend, he might relax a little and listen.

I also have to say that this judge was quite generous, in my opinion. I spoke with another rider who felt the opposite, she had expected higher scores. So what do I know? If you think I'm just being too hard on myself, feel free to stroke my ego in the comments, but I am sure you're going to cock an eyebrow in surprise at a few of the 6s that he bestowed on us.

Enjoy, even if you have to cover your eyes in a few places and squint through the blurry footage (not sure what was wrong with the camera). Oh, our score for Introductory Test C was 55.000% (better than that 48% we got a few months ago.). I really miss riding my speedy pony!

Austen link

8/26/2013 11:10:20 pm

I know that sharing a "bad" video can feel really embarrassing, I've been there (and am about to be again, once I get the test from Sunday uploaded ... oh dear!). However, I think there is a lot to be learned from your video, and some good moments that really highlight where you should head!

If you don't mind, I'd like to share with you my suggestions -- they come from riding a picky thoroughbred who often presents a similar picture at shows.

I think you're on the right track with focusing on your hands and bend. It looks like you're pulling back (not a lot!), especially at the trot and in your downward transitions. My thoroughbred won't tolerate pulling on his mouth. He's slowly (too slowly, he would say) teaching me to have an incredible feel for contact. Unfortunately, at shows I get tense in my shoulders and that causes my contact to "bump" him in the mouth instead of follow softly, and I will pull to try to get a feel. Instead, I've found that sitting up, taking a deep breath, letting his head do what it will (so hard!), putting leg ON (even when he's already trotting at 1,000 mph -- also hard!), and dictating his pace with a strong half halt and slowing seat/core, will drive him forward and cause him to seek my contact. Instead of thinking of "maintaining" or "establishing" contact, I think about simply touching the edges of his mouth (equally on both sides) with my hands.

It helps, but it's HARD. We aren't there yet, but with a lot of practice we're getting there. You will too!

Some of your good moments? Lovely free walk. He relaxed as soon as you started feeding him rein, and really has a lovely walk. Your second canter circle, while still a little wild, had a lot of push and was really nice. He seemed to settle in those few strides of canter.

Keep at it, and I'm sure bringing this to your trainer helped a lot!

(Sorry if this is long or out of place!)

Karen

8/27/2013 10:10:51 am

Suggestions are all appreciated. At Monday's lesson, we worked on many of the things you suggested. More on that to come. And thanks for taking the time to share. Your comments were very welcomed. :0)

Kelly link

8/26/2013 11:45:35 pm

Agree with Austen! I think you are right about needing to lower your hands and keep leg on - with a few solid half halts.

His free walk is lovely and I like that you scratched his neck and encouraged him during the test. He had lots of good moments - it will all come together!

Carly

8/27/2013 12:12:58 am

We all have bad rides--nothing to be ashamed of. Good for you for sticking it out!

Lauren link

8/27/2013 12:30:52 am

That test looked like my last hunter under saddle class. It's super frustrating, but it will be better next time!

Brianna Bowling link

8/27/2013 01:31:52 am

100% agree. Thanks for posting. I have posted these "embarrassing" videos as well and we all learn from them. I recognize what you are going through in the test. Its a feeling of oh shoot, how am I going to get relaxation when it feels like he wants to shoot out from underneath me -- really? you want me to relax my hands? if I do I am going to get a shooting bullet!

And hindsight is so much easier than when you are in the middle of the test. I am sure you recognize that you really DID need to relax your hands and that most likely when you did, he was not going to respond by shooting forward but may have even slowed down to match the relaxation he felt in your hands (proof is your free walk). But its hard!

I attended a clinic a couple of weeks ago where the clinician gave us some great advice on calming a horse in this situation -- http://briannadressage.blogspot.com/2013/08/achieving-relaxation-when-attending.html -- ironically I just posted it this morning!

Keep attending the shows -- each one will get better and the trust will develop. My favorite ribbon (and the only one I have kept) is a fourth place one. I treasure it because the first three times at the shows were such disasters. The first I couldn't even get on his back he was so excited. The second I got on but couldn't make it to the ring. The third I got in the ring but had a bucking bronco for a good portion of it. The fourth visit to the show we did well enough to place fourth out of a class of over ten horses. We earned that ribbon through hard work and perseverance and so I treasure it more than my first place ribbons.

Great job staying calm and sticking with it and for the courage to share and let us all learn from your experience. Well done!

8/27/2013 10:14:59 am

Thanks. ;0)

I checked out your post today and yep. I know all of those things work. The trouble with having SUCH a tense horse is that it is hard to school when you HAVE to trot across the diagonal even though you know a 10-meter circle would be so much better to do at that given moment! I wish the judge would just let me ride my own pattern - that would solve a lot of the problem. Maybe I should just move to freestyles.

Thanks for sharing your own story. I totally get how 4th place would feel like the best win ever!

Angela

8/27/2013 06:05:04 am

I just wanted to comment on all these great comments regarding your post. They are so supportive and full of such useful information. You are blessed to have so many great friends :-)
Thanks for posting the stuff that makes you cringe, but it helps us all - really it does!

8/27/2013 10:18:11 am

I wish I knew most of these "friends" personally, Angela. Most people who share here are spread all around the country, and a few live on different continents. They all feel like close friends though, and I am glad you all feel comfortable enough to offer suggestions, tips, constructive criticism, and cyber hugs. The blogging community is a fantastic thing of which to be a part.

Val

8/27/2013 06:06:38 am

I see a brave rider giving her horse a positive experience. You deserve an applause at the end!

The free walk was very nice and so were your halts. He gave you a trot to shoot for after cantering down the centerline.

Amanda link

8/27/2013 06:40:17 am

I'm pretty sure I've had a test or two that looked just like that. It's not fun in the moment for sure, but what will be fun is looking back on these later and see just how far you've come. Keep at it!

Hillary link

8/27/2013 09:50:13 am

I respect you for posting the good, the bad, and the ugly. I feel like a lot of bloggers (myself included) only want to post about the good because sometimes it's not so fun to post about the not so good but when you look back on this when you guys have it together you will see how far you have come and really be able to appreciate all of your hard work and dedication!

Agree with the above comments. It will all come together :)

8/27/2013 10:24:46 am

I wish I had time to fly out and thank all of you personally for your unbelievably kind words. From the very first comment I teared up. And then again at the second comment. You would think by the last comment I would have been over it, but no, Hillary got the water works started all over again.

Rather than snicker and laugh, everyone has commiserated or found SOMETHING nice to say. There was a woman on a fancy Friesian at the show who rode after one of my tests. After I finished, she made a comment to my husband about how courageous I was in dealing with a tough situation. I didn't get a chance to thank her for saying something so positive when she could have just as easily sat on her horse smugly knowing that she was a better rider than me. Or worse, she could have made a catty comment about how lousy I was.

My point is that there seem to be a lot more kind and generous riders out there than there are DQs. I offer a great big THANK YOU to all of you. :0)

Sandra

8/27/2013 12:51:23 pm

WOW rough ride. I can see how you would be frustrated. I think you handled it beautifully and am glad you get to see a video of yourself ride. It helps so much. You tend to be your own worst critic. Watching this ride, I can really see how much you both have improved over the last few months! Well Done and Way to Go!

8/29/2013 09:10:09 am

Thanks, Sandra, :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage