Show Report: Part 2

Sunday's show was fun.  I already wrote about it here.  We weren't awesome, but we did put in a solid effort.  I also have to point out that just two weeks ago at the Ride-a-Test, we were a disaster.  This show was our first real event since November's rated show, so overall, I am pretty pleased with how we did.  You probably haven't seen it yet, but I added a new page under the Showing Dressage link that lists every score from every test that I've ridden.  It's really for my benefit, but if you take a look at it here, you will definitely see that we're moving up the levels (slowly, remember I'm enjoying the beauty of being a beginner) and our scores are improving.

Yeah, yeah.  Get on with it!  How did you do?

Okay, here are my score sheets.  First, Introductory Test C ...

Nice score and I actually "earned" the blue ribbon.

So what do I like?  Quite a bit, actually!  The two eights are wonderful as are the sevens for the collective marks, especially the marks for rider position and effectiveness of aids.  Speedy will never improve if I can't use my aids correctly.  So those sevens mean my position is improving which in turn is helping him earn eights!  I also love that the judge didn't use my old friends, Hollow or Braced.  I hate those guys!  Although Resistant might be their very close cousin!  And did you notice how many times she used the word LOVELY?  I did - three!  Those were compliments.  Gotta love that.

Here's the Training Level 1 score sheet ...

I am always happy with a 60.0%.

If you're still with me, bless you.  It can get tedious reading too many details about one low level amateur.  But here goes ...  Same likes - the eight, lovely transition, and some beautiful moments.  Our problems were in the canter.  And really?  I am not upset by that.  We're working hard and we're showing improvement.  I liked how I handled the right lead canter (movement 11): Speedy took off cross-cantering, but thanks to help from Judge Mary (L Graduate), I knew to fix it.  I brought him back to trot and re-cued for the canter.  He got it right by the time we were back to A, but the five shows that he was still fussing about it.  And the nose wagging, well that's me tugging and him ignoring my attempts at a half-halt.  And one more ... I was disappointed about the stretch as we've worked hard on that at home.  He started to stretch, but as we approached the top of the circle, he started running a bit and I had to take up the reins and we fell apart for the last part of the circle. The good thing was that I did get him rebalanced and our 8 on the medium walk shows that.

Overall, I am pleased.  We went to a new venue alone (as usual).  We put it in a respectable performance.  We got more experience.  And I am not a terrible rider.  This is totally self-congratulatory here, but I am rather proud of my ability to do this on my own and still have fun at the same time!