Not happy with how he travelled - kept falling over round left hand bends which is what happened last yr that initially made me think something was wrong with him. Managed to pull a travel boot off as well. Haven't travelled him on his own much recently as always been with Monty and on the left hand side of the box. I know you're meant to travel a single horse on the right but tempted to try him on the left to see if he's any better. Not sure if it's just remembered pain or if it really is hurting him to lock out his right stifle and take his weight on that side to balance round the corners. I always try and go very steady when towing and Monts doesn't have a problem standing up. Worried it means his leg is not better :(
Anyway, got on and warmed up ok. First test was P15. Judge a bit rubbish at making comments - only got 3 comments for the whole test! Got an 8 for our 20m circle right in trot and our final halt, a 5 for our canter to trot across the diagonal from right to left, otherwise mix of 6's and 7's finishng on 65.65% and 2nd of 8. 7667 collectives. Judge (list 6) said " Promising paces and some active, rhythmical work shown. Needs to improve ground cover and suppleness in canter and work consistently on both reins, but a good try. Positively ridden" I feel she was rather generous or it simply didn't look as bad as it felt. The wind was blowing hard, gates kept banging and he really wasn't concentrating.
Had 40mins between tests so got off him and stood him in the indoor school to have a little rest. He was actually shaking - really not sure his brain is cut out for this competing lark. Eventually he calmed down and then got back on and did a little more warmup before 2nd test - N22 - first novice since last yr pre-lameness. Not the easiest one with medium work and counter canter but long arena so plenty of room. At first it felt better than the prelim, he concentrated better in the trot work but the medium trots didn't happen at all and then the canter work wasn't too hot. V tense, just about managed the counter canter but medium canter was fairly non existant and very quarters in. Still, could have been worse. Final score of 64.13% and 2nd of 3. Again managed an 8 for his final halt. 2 lots of FWLR which should play to our advantage but he was too tense and only got a 6 and a 7. Got 5 for 2nd medium trot which said "uneven steps behind, no med shown" which is a bit concerning. He didn't feel unlevel but I'll need to get the vet to check that when he goes back for final check next week. Test started with a few 7's for his trot work and finished with a few 7's but the whole middle section with all the canter work got 6's and some of it probably deserved less. Again I feel judge was on the generous side (same judge as the prelim). Collectives 6677 "An accurately ridden rhythmic test but some marks lost through stiffness behind esp in canter" Def concerned about the stiffness behind comments, coupled with the bad travelling and will be very interested to hear what vet thinks next week - just a lack of strength which will come with more work or is the underlying problem still causing him issues?
Debating whether to take him back there to do same tests again next week - could possibly take both of them and just do P15 on both but Monty is eventing both Sundays so I'm not sure he needs to go out midweek as well. Think might just save the money and so next outing for Llewi wont be until 5th June at GBEC for the open show. Sharer doing P18 (will be first time anyone else ever ridden him at a show!) and I might do the M&M Ridden if he finally loses his winter coat or maybe the DTM class - Jungle Book needs digging out and practising ready for the RC qualifier in July. Might take Dan if he's got his summer coat or might take Monty for WH and SJ if ground ok or dressage if not. Decisions!
Next outing is this Sunday - Tweseldown - first BE90 for Monty. Then desperately hoping for rain before next Sunday at Borde Hill as ground more clay like than the sand at T/down and I dont want to hammer him on hard ground.
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