So very proud of my little Bog pony today, new venue but not a hoof out of line, and no bonnets sat on!! Warmed up really well, although a bit stop/ starty. She produced some good work and I felt ready to tackle the test- which is a good place to start I suppose. I was really pleased with how it rode. Differences from last time: better halts (I promise Lili!), usually medium trots are better for us at the end of test as generally more collected and sat back, but today they were there from the off, and quite surprised as they usually run out of steam a bit at the end ( its a long way on a 12.2 in a 60 x 20 arena!) but today she really got into the rhythm, kept it and got more expression at the end?!?! Shoulder ins comment was I need less angle which I have been working on as when I get this right she is more forwards too. Half passs I rode a bit floppy, didnt ride her and support her like in normal conditions so in trot they both got 5s (at least consistent on both reins in suppose). I do accept I messed up the walk as she jogged in the extended walk which put us down to a 4-but of course it is a doubled mark too), pirouettes need to be smaller behind but the second one was better when I actually positioned/ set up better. Then my other muck up was in the walk to canter over centre line when we picked up the wrong lead- typical as just as I was asking thought to myself I hope it doesnt happen- weird, its like she is listening to me and knows me better than myself, will learn for next time! But best part of test for me was the canter work. Much better marks than usual got 7s for both medium canters and a 6 for our half pass in our weakest direction- work is paying off! Need to make sure I get a sharper downwards transition in simple changes but today I showed proper and equal walk steps on either side of the centre line. Bog finished the test in good style... even after the 60 metre medium canter she came back nicely for the turn onto the centre line in collected canter, then her favourite, medium trot down centre line which was fab! So all in all when I saw the score of 54.7% I was rather disappointed- especially as there had been a lot of high scores in the other classes running up to ours, and the same judge did all tests right through from prelim. But I knew there were my rider errors which of course I can improve on. Saw the sheet and the comments make sense, and at least it is a improvement from last time, just not as much as I may have hoped for! The other scores came out too with the winner in restricted on 60.% which made me feel better and the open winner on just under 56%. But what was the nicest thing about today was I felt she was really trying for me, and her little face going down the centre line as she pointed her toes made day. Now off to fill out some more entry forms!!
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 17:29:16 +0000