Show Results

My scores don't reflect how I felt the rides went.  Introductory B was 55.625% and Introductory C was 57.50%.  When we left the show grounds at 11:30, the highest score posted was 60%, so my 57 seems pretty good.  I was actually relatively pleased with both rides.

Since last year, I have memorized my tests to avoid having to find a reader.  It didn't help for this day though!  At the corner near F, there was a dripping sprinkler that spooked Speedy a bit as we entered at A.  That fussiness and spook caused a moment of confusion so when I tracked left at C to make my 20 meter circle at E, I got a wee bit lost and went off course. Ding!  The judge rang her bell and sent me back to to E to make the circle.  Two points lost.

While it wasn't a perfectly ridden test, and I didn't bend my elbows as much as I needed to, Speedy G was reaching forward under himself with his hind legs and trying to listen.  The judge did dink him quite a bit for being so "braced", but I know it was a better test than we've been doing.  When we halted at X and saluted, I rode forward to thank the judge and started my turn to exit.  The judge stopped me and quite loudly told me that I was riding a very nice horse and that she liked him a lot.  Well, my goodness - a fine compliment!

Test C went much the same way.  Our canter transitions were still fussy and sticky, but we did ultimately get the canter going both directions.  Interestingly, as I was picking up the canter at A the second time, I heard the bell ring and wondered what was wrong.  I knew I was on course, but I figured I must have done something wrong.  I pulled Speedy to a walk and headed up the center line to discuss things with the judge.  As I got close enough to hear her, she said that I was to pick up the canter between A and F.  I told her that I was cueing for the canter.  Oops!  She suddenly realized that she had gotten confused and had rung the bell in haste.  She apologized and asked me to start again at E.  It wasn't a big deal to me, and it didn't seem to affect Speedy at all.  We walked over to E, picked up the trot and continued with the test.    

My mom was there to watch and offered to video both tests.  When I have a few minutes, I'll get them processed and uploaded.  Even though the scores don't scream "success", I am pleased with the rides we put in.