So, end of week8 of cantering now.
Thur was BD - previous blog entry
Fri - set up some jumps in the school. x-pole at B and E and a small oxer (v small!) with a canter pole each side next to the jump at E.
It was getting dark so didn't do too much and dont want to overdo it at the moment anyway. Popped the x-poles from trot and then canter trying to concentrate on keeping a rhythm. Then trotted over the oxer, landing in canter and finally cantered it both ways no probs. Old habits of fiddling coming back - must stop holding for a stride - fine to a 1foot x-pole but doesn't work so well at 3ft. Did some stopping in straight lines after the fences and also jumped the ones at B/E on a circle. That was plenty for him.
Sat - railway line hack - full of it as usual. Leaping about if not allowed to canter when he wanted to. I had the draw reins back on after last week's hacking incident - they help a lot - permanent fixture for hacking from now on!
Today - was meant to be dressage comp at Merrist Wood but got downgraded to what was meant to be some kind of training comp where you did you dressage test then discussed with judge which sounded useful. Good thing - no plaiting or comp gear needed. So, warmup was good - love working in the big school. Had a play with canter half pass just for the fun of it to see if he got the idea and he did. Did some lovely counter canter and some nice walk to canter although right rein still needs lots of work. Simple changes need work - haven't got the canter to walk at the moment.
First test was N27 - I wasn't overly enthused with it - misjudged my half 10m trot circles slightly on both reins (she put accurate shapes on sheet so what do I know!) and he really lacks suppleness to the right on the smaller circles - must work on that. It just felt a bit disconnected. G&R in canter wasn't too bad - is down the long side so not easy but not bad. Medium trot - well he didn't hollow but it was more quickening than medium. Really backed off the final halt so kicked him forwards once he had stopped as it's annoying me him anticipating and just meant to be training today so ideal opportunity. Judge didn't speak to us after so bit annoyed paid £15 and just got standard sheet back, List4 judge so would have liked to hear her comments. Anyway, she gave us 67.14% so cant grumble with that esp as room for improvement. Got an 8 for our entry, 7's for 20m circle, two 1/2 10m circles and the trot-walk-trot. 6 for canter over X as he anticipated and went early. 5 for G&R (on shoulder), 7 for canter cross diagonal, 5 medium trot, 6 for 20m circle and two 1/2 10m ones, 7 TWT, canter over X, G&R, canter cross diagonal, 6 med trot, 8 FWLR, 7 down centre line, 6 halt coz I kicked him out of a square halt (it was just the way he halted that annoyed me!) 7677. "Established partnership. More engagement to maintain throughness and develop lengthening further." Canter needs more jump. Trot needs more suppleness. Not bad though. List 4 judge. No idea where we came as they weren't running it a competition.
Put him back on the lorry for a 20min breather then hopped back on and tried to get him more forwards and out to the contact. Obviously worked. P14 was next test and it felt lovely. Everything just flowed. No nasty moments. Judge is on BD Trainee judges list and has judged us loads at Merrist Wood esp evening eventers dressage and always middling scores but today he liked us. He did come out of his car at the end but just said there wasn't much he could say - canter could have a bit more jump and that was about it!
Got 9 for entry - I mean come on - this is the horse who got 6's all last year as went down centre line like banana! When did we jump to getting 9's??? 8 for 20m circle. 7 for first TWT and change rein, 6 for 2nd TWT and G&R in trot. 7's for the rest of the test except 8's for FWLR and final centre line/halt (although think someone is blind as looked down from saddle and didn't look v square to me but someone else outside said nice square halt too). 7778" What a lovely chap with ability for extra marks. Could be a little more uphill but I'm being picky" RC has posted on F/book that ours was best test of the day so at least know we would have won it if it had been competition. Would have liked to see other scores though.
So, must work on: Suppleness to the right - smaller circles. More jump in the canter. Those final halts. Medium trot. Making sure he stays up and out to the contact and doesn't suck back or come above bit - must work into contact. I could say G&R in trot, but stupid movement so I dont care! G&R in canter is coming though - need to work on it more in straight lines.
Plans for this week: bit more jumping - increase height slightly. Dressage lesson with Tracey on Sat. BE92/102 at Sparsholt on Sunday.
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