TMC Dressage Show - First Level Test 2

Finally, Speedy and I are back at it. We showed in March, and look at us, a second show in a season! If the show gods are with us, we hope to do the three remaining Tehachapi shows and the CDS Regional Adult Amateur Competition in August. Our qualifying scores for RAAC aren't great, but at least we qualified.

Lengthen stride in canter 6.0 x 2 ("keep nose out, more supple")

I was really happy with how this test rode, but the judge was slightly less impressed. We scored 60.630%, the lowest I've scored on this test. I don't think the judge was unfair at all. Instead, I think I've fixed a few things, but new evasions have cropped up.

Here's the test.

We scored sevens for our first halt, our 15-meter canter circle on the right lead, and for picking up the right lead at F. The rest of the scores ranged from a 4.0 for breaking into a trot from medium to free walk (how does THAT happen?) to a slew of 6.0s, 6.5s and one 5.5 for developing the working canter.

What I liked about the test was that Speedy was actually more forward than he has been in the past and less against my hand. I've been working on my position which comes across in the video as awkward because I am trying to fix a few things. It's obviously still a work in progress.

The theme for the judge's remarks was that he was "too curled." She said it in about as many ways as you can: needs more nose out, keep nose out, curling in front, 2 curled, little 2 deep, 2 downhill, getting 2 curled, and nose going behind vertical often. This is a not a new problem, but is a big problem if you're trying to move on to Second Level work.

Lengthen stride in trot - 6.5 "Cover little ground" - I think she meant we need to cover more ground?

We didn't get a great score, and frankly, we got a bit of a butt kicking. I don't feel too bad about it though as I know the second place rider has ridden to Fourth Level meaning she's got a lot more experience on me. And obviously the first place rider knows her stuff.

You'll have to click the scores to actually read them!

No matter what the score says, we had a great day. Speedy was his usual awesome self doing everything that I asked of him. He was a perfect gentleman even when he had reason not to be. When I stopped at the judge's booth to give her my number, the wind caught a test sheet sending it sailing through the air. The judge slammed it back to the counter before it could hit Speedy in the face, but she was horrified at what might have happened, and even expressed her concern. I laughed it off as Speedy never even flinched. 

Since we rode near the end of the day, most of the horses had left while we did our first test. By the time we got back to the trailer. Speedy was nearly alone. He could have cared less. He nibbled his hay, took a long drink, and then asked best friend for a walk.

It is so wonderful to have a friend on hand to help. Speedy loves her!

During his little walk break, Speedy woke up and instead of being tired, got a surge of energy. I was very pleased to see it since we still had another test to ride, and the weather was getting warmer. First Level test 3 tomorrow!