So, Wednesday we went back to Liphook to see the farrier who was very pleased with the progress - heels already widening slightly, quite happy he shed his entire frog on both fronts and was growing more sole and more heel and most important no solar or heel bruising. Vet didn't seem quite so enthusiastic about him and banned us from eventing for another 5wks although to be fair ground is far too hard to even consider it at the moment. He did feel he was more comfy in his back since having his hocks done. Says he's still overweight. Really must remember to weigh him next time as he's definitely lost weight as girth going up more and can see his quarters are more defined. Trotted him up after the farrier reshod him and he was sound in a straight line, just slightly off on the LF on the left rein on a hard circle but no more than normal for him. Next time he's going to look at him before the farrier shoes him.
Few hours later and we arrived at Pachesham for another attempt at Freestyle to music. Hoping to go one better than last time when we won both classes but didn't get qualifying scores. I thought the Novice went well - the floorplan didnt work as well as last time and I missed out the medium canter as wasn't in the right place for it which then put me a bit behind for the final bit but just worked around it. He could have been a bit more forwards but there was nothing bad about it.
15min break then back on to warmup for the Elem. I really thought the test was pretty rubbish, he wasn't in front of my leg, I didn't collect the canter enough before the first simple change so although he got the canter to walk just about he got the wrong strike off into right canter twice which put me behind the music. Fed up with him being sluggish I booted him up the long side for a terrible medium canter but it worked in that he did a nice 15m circle right and a lovely simple change right to left. Medium trot he did try for me but had to seriously kick him down the final centre line. It felt rubbish!
So, wasn't too impressed to see the score for the Novice of 65.27% and 2nd last in the Restricted (think 6th out of 7 or something) The judge really doesn't like his canter and it got 6's with nodding/unsteady head which is what we got in the last test we did under her. Mental note to not bother next time! (Avoid Bridget Beresford-Wright) Got 7's for walk and trot left ad his halts but otherwise 6's. 6.5 for rhythm, 7 for harmony then only 6.5 for choreography and music :( Comments: "Pretty horse and some promising movements . He needs to carry more weight on the hindleg." Rubbish :(
Imagine my shock to then discover we won the Elem on 68.26% from a List One judge (Sally Merrison). 3.26% ahead of 2nd place. He got 8's for hiss FWLR and 2nd simple change, a 4 for the first simple change, 6's for his 10m circle right and his medium trot and everything else got 7's (even his leg yields and his crappy medium canters) 1st halt got an 8, 2nd one 7 and she gave 7 overall. Amazed at the 8 for the simple change! Only 6.5 for rhythm, harmony and elasticity but 7's for harmony, choreography and music. Not really good enough artistic marks though - if we'd got a 7 for our other simple change we'd have got bang on 70% for our technical marks which would have been higher than our artistic which is not the way round it should be. Need to improved my choreography which is fair enough but I like the music - not sure how to improve that. Comments: "Much to like, you ride well to the music, good halts and walk. Choreography attractive but a pity you couldn't redo the simple change that went wrong" - Comments intriguing given the marks - personally I'd have given lower technical marks and higher artistic but what do I know!
So, we are now qualified at Elem Restricted Freestyle to Music for the Winter Regionals - wasnt really my aim but still! Now need to decide what to do about qualifying for Novice as would be Novice Open if I do manage it. Also if qualify for Nationals at music have to forfeit my place at the Area Festival Finals.
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