Pachesham BD, lesson and Area Festivals

First off evening BD at Pachesham on the 13th August - chance to have a go at E45 (the Area Festival test) for first time and a second go at E59 (the Regionals test).  Apart from seeing a monster at A which spoilt our rein back it was a nice enough test although we are far from mastering the give and retake inside rein on first half of 10m circle, especially on the left rein when he just tilted his head majorly to the outside.  We scored 64.82%, 6.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 - "Obedient and accurately ridden test. Now needs to work with better eng and imp to encourage better activity and more uphill tendency" We were 4th out of 9 Restricted, 9th out of 18 Overall.

E59 was pleased with - it's a very busy test and takes a bit of practice.  We got 65.31% and were 2nd out of 5 Restricted, 6th out of 12 Overall.  Definitely felt it was a more polished performance than our first attempt at Frensham back in April.  Managed a 7.5 for our halt and 7 for rein back.  Jane Kendall not usually the most generous with us - I think I'm doing well if I get anything over 65% with her.

Thursday evening we went for a lesson with Sara-Jane Lanning at her yard to try and work out some last minute choreography for my freestyle and sort out the leg yields and 10m canter circles.  Got a good floorplan sorted.  Worked out the way to go with the 10m circles was to flex him to the inside first then G&R the rein as soon as start the 10m circle - big improvement.  Do need to watch he's not hanging on my left rein in canter though - he will often tilt his head to the outside if I give the inside rein so need to keep an eye on that.  Leg yields actually went really nicely - have to watch the quarters don't try and lead going left and that he doesn't fall out through his shoulder going right.  Keeping control of that right shoulder is key in everything with him.

Friday we went back to Pachesham to do E53 and the Elementary Freestyle to Music.  First up E53,  Third time doing this test and each time we have improved.  63 to 64 and this time 65.73%.  Again Jane Kendall so happy with that score.  Everything between 6.0 and 7.0 though.  Need to work out a way of getting in some 7.5's and getting rid of the 6.0's to up our scores.  Stupidly I didn't look at how many rein back steps were required and thought it was 2-5 steps so lost a mark for only doing 4.5 steps. She doesn't like his walk for some reason so only 6's for that. 6.0's for his medium trot which is expected at the moment and otherwise just a 6.0 for his leg yield left which needed better fluency - not too bad.  7.0, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 "Very willing and obedient, but needs more suppleness and to develop better ground cover in medium trot"  We actually came last although there were only 3 in Rest and 3 in Open and we were only a mark behind 2nd.

Next up the Freestyle - first proper run through in test situation.  Really enjoyed myself riding to my music that I'd put together and thought he went really nicely.  Score wasn't amazing (67.3%) but was enough to win the class (both Restricted and Overall by 2%) and qualify us for Winter Regionals.  It was quite a big class and she seemed to be marking quite hard comparing other people's scores to their usual ones.  Chuffed I don't have to go chasing freestyle qualifiers for the rest of the year and looking forwards to having another go at it next week at Wellington.   He got 7's for all his canter work except the simple change R-L which got 6.5 as he just braced against me.  7.0 for leg yield right, 6.5 for LY left, 6.5 medium walk, 7.0 FWLR, 6.5 circle L 10m, 6.0 circle R 10m, 6.0 medium trot, 7.0 halts.  6.5, 6.5, 7.0, 7.0 artistic marks.  "Could stay more up to bridle in early trot.  Suitable music for the horse and pattern"  Judge was Sue Rowlands - not had her before but she was also down to judge Area Festival so paid close attention to comments!

I used the Micklem for schooling last week, my lesson and competing as an experiment.  It's interesting as he seems more settled in the mouth and doesn't poke his tongue out the side but I do find he is stiffer and more reluctant to flex to the inside which was commented on a few times in E53.

Went back to Pachesham again yesterday for the E45 Area Festival.  He warmed up really really nicely, back in his usual bridle, soft and swinging, did lots of lateral work, just keeping it within his comfort limits

.

Did stupidly forget to practice any rein back though so think it caught him a bit by surprise in the test and he just resisted me back.  Otherwise it was a really sweet test and I really couldn't have asked any more of him - really chuffed.

We ended up scoring 66.29% which is one of our best scores at Elementary (67% from judge at M, bit less from judge at C).  Winner was on 69 but it was really close between 3rd and 9th which is the place we were given on the day.  Bizarrely the website says we came 10th so not sure what happened there.  5.5 more marks from the test split between 2 judges and we'd have been 4th and qualified for Hartpury - so close and definitely things we can do better with more practice which is encouraging.  There were 29 in the class so really happy to have made it into the top ten and best of all the mounted prize giving.  Monts of course stood like a pro in the line up.  Then we had a little debate as to who of us might be brave enough to jump the hedge in the middle of the field they use for prize giving.  It's a weird Pachesham tradition - they were egging us on in the line-up ad 2 of us decided to go for it.  In a dressage saddle with dressage length stirrups it seemed like a good idea in the line-up.  As I came cantering towards this not small hedge I did question my sanity but we saw a good one, Monts didn't question me at all and just popped over easy peasy.

Decided it was enough fun that we would have a go at pairs jumping but sadly the other girl saw a more backwards stride than me so didn't make it over side by side - still I got another great jump and had a big grin when I landed - what a superstar horse - dressage one minute, hedges the next - we haven't even jumped one for a few years!

Posing after hedge jumping:

Looking at the sheets, from Sue Rowlands at C we only got 6.0's for his 2nd medium trot, trot circle right 10m, medium walks, extended walk and only a 5.5 for the rein back.  7.0's for the entry, trot circle left 10m, canter-trot-canter, medium canter, collected canter, circle L 10m with G&R, 20m stretchy canter circle and final halt.  Collectives: 7.0, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 "Well presented test. Some tightness issues"  Judge at M was Sally Andres and she gave him 6.0's for both medium trots, trot circle right 10m, rein back, circle right 10m canter with G&R.  She liked his walk and gave him 7's and all 7's to finish.  7.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.0 "Some very pleasing work - but now needs to develop more self-carriage and engagement for the higher marks"

Really pleased with how uphill his canter looks here (just about to go into Medium) and our first pro pic of him going sideways :)  Growing up into a proper dressage pony now!

Aston le Walls BE100 09-08-14

Time to make the leap back up to BE100 after dropping back to BE90 for 3 runs and having good, confidence giving XC rounds.  No pressure to get any results, just wanted a clear XC.  Saw photos the night before which gave me a sleepless night as there was a hanging log just before the water that reminded me too much of Farley and it was only fence 5.  Not having quite worked out what the issue was at Farley I was rather worried we wouldn't get past this point.

Had a nice easy journey there - took us about two and a quarter hours and all motorway so easy on Monty's legs.  Dressage first - disappointed to find we were in a lumpy bumpy grass arena when they were running several sections on the nice, big all weather arena but it is good practice as he doesn't work on grass nearly enough.  He warmed up really well, soft and working nicely forwards.  Went in and he just dropped me - really frustrating when he does this as not a lot I can do.  He backs off the bridle slightly so it looks like he's just sitting behind the contact and he doesn't take me forward.  Easier in canter to kick him back up to the bridle but not so much in trot.  It wasn't a bad test though, just a bit backwards in one of his trot-walk-trots and his 2nd canter to trot.  Still, going on previous scores I reckoned he'd get just under 30.

Went to walk the XC course and it certainly had enough questions to keep us busy without being overly technical or big.  Fence 3 was pretty meaty - didn't walk up to that one!  Fence 5 was the water, hanging log, 2 strides on dry land then curved line in the water and then brush fence out.  Saw quite a few babyish horses wobble at it - quite a big water complex so lots to look at.  Fence 6 was a step up, then 2 decent strides to a house then step down. Fence 9 was a log on top of a steep mound with a duck pond the other side.  Fence 10 was a meaty box then 4 related strides to a triple brush but a much kinder one than those we have been jumping recently as it had a nice wide base to it.  Fence 11 was a corner, fence 13 a trakehner, fence 14 a weird, bright white rugby post affair and then kick on to home.  So, a few I thought he might take a look at but theoretically nothing he's not more than capable of jumping.

Went on to look at SJ and watch a few rounds.  Big, up to height course on a nice surface.  Looked huge to me as been jumping 90cm courses on grass and they never build up to height on grass.  Not jumped any decent SJ fences since last lesson with Chris at the end of May!  It was quite twisty and was causing poles to fly everywhere!  Hoped the twists would play in our favour as helps me to sit him back on his hocks and get him power jumping.

Back to check on dressage score and disappointed to get 31. We were 12th after dressage out of 39 in a very competitive section which I guess isn't bad but I've got used to being closer to the top than that.  My sheet was interesting - she did give us several 8's for his canter and the final 2 trot movements/final halt.  But she wasn't very forgiving of anything not quite right so only a 6 for his first centre line because his head wasn't quite steady, 6 for his trot-walk-trots as not forwards enough, 6 for his medium walk as losing energy.  7767 collectives. "Correct and quite fluent. A pleasing test - could take contact forward a little more"  Have been marked quite generously by BE judges recently, but this one marked it more like I would expect at BD and I don't disagree with the comments.  Must stop the little beggar from dropping me in a test.

Anyway, onwards to the jumping.  Hate the 3hr wait - end up feeling so sick with nerves.  Long walk up to SJ arena to find they were running behind so went to watch a few more go.  Then time to start jumping.  Really haven't got my eye into seeing a forwards shot at the moment.  Got in deep to the vertical couple of times so decided to move onto the oxer and just ride forwards and stop trying to see what I couldn't which worked a bit better!  So, then it was our turn.  Long shot at fence one, wasn't sure he'd go on it so sat back hunting styley - not the best start so to make up for it got in deep to the oxer at 2 - doh.  Got a good shot to the wall at 3, then held too much for the big oxer at 4 and he ballooned it, ok over vertical at 5, then rather a long one to the triple bar at 6 but he flew.  Right turn to 2 stride double at 7, saw a nice stride and put my leg on which made him flatten and he tipped the top rail before having to be a bit clever to clear 2nd part as was in a bit deep - doh.  Got an awful stride to 8 which was on a related 4 strides to a bloody huge oxer at 9 - I let him jump right a bit to make some room which meant no way I'd make the 4 strides so sat him back and waited for 5 and got there on an ok stride and he absolutely ballooned it - crazy horse!

Disappointed to have the 4 faults where we did but very grateful for him putting up with my inability to decide whether to hold or kick for the rest of the round.  He is an awesome SJer and giving him a few weeks off jumping to concentrate on dressage did not work out in our favour.  I need to jump regularly to keep my eye in.  Was feeling on top of the world about the jumping in May but no lessons since then really showed.  Thankfully have a lesson on Tuesday and will let Chris kick me into shape again.  Have then booked 3 day jumping camp with Nick Gauntlett the weekend before Goring so hopefully my eye will be well and truly in by then!

So, onto the important bit - XC.  Got to the warmup to find no-one there and a very impatient steward who hassled me through my warmup which I really could have done without.  Saw nice strides to the 2 baby warmup fences but god awful deep strides to the bigger one.  Anyway, got shooed out of the warmup after 5mins and over to the start.  Nice little chat with the starter, lots of strokes for Monty and he just popped into the box nice and calmly and off we went.  New start regime is definitely working well.  Got in deep to fence one, fence 2 not so bad, fence 3 was the whopper so I kicked and we got over that ok, bit deep to fence 4 and then the water.  Hadn't really been kicking on yet but anchored him back anyway, wobbled a lot, couldn't see a stride for toffee, gave a little growl for good measure and over we went - don't think he was ever in doubt.  Popped back to trot to go into the water then picked up canter again and saw a good forwards shot over the brush out.  And then I kicked on!  You can hear the difference in the wind speed on the hedcam.  Got him back for step up to house and let him pop 3 little strides in as planned - was a long 2 for him after a step up and thought better to let him see the step down on the other side rather than try and chase him for 2 strides and catch him by surprise.  Worked perfectly and over he popped.  Saw an awful stride to the chair afterwards and jumped it far right.  He was then really backing off the next straightforward oxer for some unknown reason so got a bit deep to that.  Up the steep mound to the log on top and not sure what I was doing trying to add another stride but he just took over and gently popped over and down the other side - little superstar.  Next to the big box, little deep so really rode for my 4 strides to the triple brush and he flew and then bogged off with me.  Took me the whole hedgeline to get him back under control, had a minor panic that I'd missed my turning through the hedge and had no idea what fence came next lol.  Fortunately we were ok and I realised it was the corner next but they are no probs now, especially when they are right handed ones :)  Over we flew and onto a lovely brush fence - I saw a galloping stride a mile out - what a nice, feeling that is - why can't it come more often?!  We flew - weeeeeeeeeeeee - big grin on my face.  Spooked our way round the corner round a couple of other jumps, popped the trakehner no worries, tanked round the corner, anchored him back for the rugby posts which he glanced at but not really bothered and then kicked on for final 2 fences.

Very pleased to have got a nice, confident clear round under our belts at BE100.  Keep forgetting but that is only my 7th run at BE100 and our 5th clear so we still have a lot to learn at this level.  We ended up 2 secs inside the optimum time of 4mins10secs which left us on a score of 35.  Came 11th out of 39 in the end which really isn't a bad result considering our recent problems.  10th place was on same score as us but 1 second closer to optimum time XC so we just missed out on a frilly!  Top 4 were all on a score of 29 with 3 of them on exactly the same optimum time XC - what are the chances of that?!  SJ caused carnage, very few clears so actually did well to just get 4 faults.  Still frustrating as I know he should have gone clear with a bit more help from me.  More homework needed!  Positive day though.  Did what we set out to do and feel confident to push on with BE100 again now.  We might have the odd blip as it's obviously a new challenge for us but I need to not let it get to me so much.  I have a superstar horse who really looks after me and I just need to make sure I improve enough to do him justice.

Next stop Goring BE100 Regional Finals!  In the mean time it's BD Area Festivals at Elementary and as much SJ practice as possible!

Chilham BE90 Regional Finals 03-08-14

Not been to Chilham before but no local Regionals for us this year - all at least a 2hr drive and Chilham the first so thought we'd get started.  Easy run down there and straight on for the dressage.  He warmed up ok but was a little reluctant to bend right as nicely as I know he can these days.  He is a couple of weeks overdue his routine physio due to a diary date confusion and I'm suspicious he might just be tightening up slightly.  Nothing major, but just not working as freely as I know he can.  I have been working on getting him to go into right canter off more of an inside leg aid as it helps to keep him soft and round which has always been our issue there.  We have also done lots of them.  It has worked well but for the past few weeks he has been really anticipating right canter transitions and thinking I want them here, there and everywhere.  This came back to bite us in the test and he popped up into canter a corner too early on the right rein - clearly trying to be helpful but I just couldn't believe a mistake like that at the Regionals.  He actually did a very similar thing at BCA Regionals last year but we just about got away with it.  Couldn't be that lucky twice.  The rest of the test was ok although he was a little tight which is unlike him these days, kept spooking at the trees marking the entrance at A and basically told me how much he resented having to do dressage on a lump, bumpy, uphill, downhill grass arena.  We have focused on dressage the last few weeks so he has been spoilt with surfaces.  Didn't think it was going to be a winning test which was gutting as this has turned into his strongest phase recently.

Went off to walk the XC course in a not very positive frame of mind.   Was glad to see nothing too technical, just the second water with big roll top in under the trees and then sharp right turn into a muddy puddle.  Could forsee us running straight past the water but didn't want to point him at the water too much given recent issues. Also step up, then 4 or 5 strides on a right curve to a skinny brush with no trees on the sides to guide you in - friendlier version of the one at Goring 100 so good practice!

Two hours later they finally put our dressage score up.  We got 30 along with 3 others which left us in equal 10th place out of a class of 26 - not good enough.  Only a fence between most of the class but Regionals usually a dressage competition so hopes of Badminton qualifying all gone.  Sulked a bit then stressed about the jumping as not done any SJ for 5wks and was rubbish at Eridge.  Went to Munstead to practice on grass on Wednesday and he was great and didn't touch a pole but didn't trust myself not to balls it up.  He had gone to sleep in the break so had to try and wake him up.  Warmup was ok, just lacking energy.  Didn't get to walk course which was frustrating as really like to know my stridings these days.  Watched loads so had an idea but not the same. First fence went well.  Second fence ok but a little close and he landed close.  Kicked for 5 strides as it was downhill and thought he'd make it but realised he wouldn't so had to hang on for 6 last minute - not so pretty.  Fence 4 ok but still landed without enough impulsion to make the forward 6 so ended up in the bottom of the double on 7 which meant he had no choice but to put 2 strides in and levitate over the 2nd part - something we haven't done for absolutely ages :(  Then managed to put 8 strides in the next forward 6 distance and make it seem easy.  Got my act together for the oxer, 8 strides to planks and made it easy then kicked for my life for final line on 5 strides and flew the last.  Amazingly we went clear - very much thanks to Monts as I didn't do enough to create the quality of canter we need to jump a nice round and should have known to then hold for the shorter stride rather than chase him into the bottom of things.  Sack the jockey, medal for the pony.

Fence one:

Fence 2:

Fence 4:

Fence 5a:

Fence 5b:

Fence 7:

Fence 8:

Fence 9:

Onto the XC. He was towing me round the warmup - great feeling, one he hasn't given me for a while so enjoyed that -  gave me lots of confidence.  Chris, the lovely starter we had at Eridge gave us a nice calm count down into the start box and we had no hysterics at all which was fab.  Time was looking tight to get when I checked the scoreboards earlier so set off like a rocket.  Got in a bit deep to fence 4 and 5, holding for non-existant strides - doh.  Flew the double of logs before the water, then the water sneaks up on you over the brow of a ramp so I steadied to him and told him water was coming, water was coming, he just dropped to trot but happily picked up canter again and flew the house out.  Then onto the second water, steadied but leg on to roll top in and then as predicted he tried to bowl straight on.  Had to anchor him to a complete halt.  Pulled right and he napped through his left shoulder - a muddy puddle of water would be just the sort of thing for him to have a complete nap attack at.  Fortunately he did listen to my request to turn 90degrees right then left so as to go inside the flag and not cross my tracks and then I really kicked on as knew we'd wasted time.  Messed up the tiny brush and got in too deep, then the Helsinki steps up the hill which he looked a bit confused about and was tiring up quite a steep hill so a little laboured but ok.  Popped up the little step and then I really rode him forwards for the skinny brush and he flew it.  He knew he was on the way home now so had to really steady for the angled 2 stride double and almost made it in one!  Then really wanted him to woah back to me for hanging log, steep slope in the dark to a hanging rail but he was on a homewards mission and just bowled on over, charged down the hill and flew the rail, looked a bit at the castle for the last fence but flew it and we were home.  Awesome horse - felt completely back to his normal self.  He'll always be looky but he was wanting to go which gives me so much confidence.

Last few fences:

Hatcam:

Coming to the angled double:

Got him sorted and then went off to check the scoreboard.  Slightly concerned might have crossed my tracks at second water so nervous wait for my score.  Amazingly for a Regionals the jumping had caused some problems, a retirement or two, some SJ faults, the leader after SJ on 25 had a run out XC.  The others on 30 had faulted or were faster then us.  We were 4 seconds inside the optimum time and given clear XC - phew.  So, one after the other the scores went up and we climbed the leaderboard.  All the way to 6th.  Pretty good result, except only the top 5 qualify for Badminton.  5th was on 29.5 so only half a mark in front of us.  Our dressage sheet revealed straight 7's with 8s for FWLR, final centre line and my riding but glaring out at me was a 5 for our mistake in the canter transition.  A very, very expensive 5 :(  Those 2 marks we lost there meant we finished on 30 instead of 29 and finished 6th instead of 5.  Gutted doesn't really describe how I feel.  Very grateful we have some more chances to qualify but frustrated we have to trek around the country to still try to qualify when we should have done it there.  The winner was on 27.8 which is a score he is more than capable of getting - in fact, it's the dressage score he got at Badminton.  Argh!

So, lots more work to do on our dressage to make sure we get those canter transitions but without him anticipating them.  Have had to practice canter-trot-canters for our Elementaries and trot-walk-trots are fab for getting him engaged but now he thinks every downwards transition is soon to be followed by an upwards one.  He even does it on the lunge!  He's only trying to be helpful so it's very difficult to get mad at him but do need to sort it!

Also need to sort my SJ out again - I need to jump at least weekly to keep my eye in.  Have suffered from no SJ lessons since end of May due to Chris being so busy competing.  Have got one in a couple of weeks and seriously need a sorting out.  In the mean time I have to manage to cope with moving back up to 100 at Aston on Saturday - eeek!  Must kick on and stop fiddling at the XC and make sure I have a proper, powerful canter for the SJ and ride forwards.  Horse needs a rocket up his bum too - hoping for cooler weather!

Dressage round up - Pachesham BD, lesson and Sparsholt Summer Regionals

Pachesham BD 16/07/14
E40
Not our best effort as I managed to do his noseband up a hole too tight and I think it was pinching him so there was a bit of resistance going on.  He broke in his 2nd medium trot so got a 4 for that and broke in his medium walk so a 5 for that.  Got some 7's for his canter work and his FWLR but mostly 6/6.5. Collectives: 7, 6, 6, 6.5. "Smart little horse with correct paces just needing to work more freely forwards into a more consistent contact today to aid suppleness and earn the higher marks" 63.7% and 3rd Restricted.

E53
Had a discussion about whether we could do leg yield in the warmup and after a lot of protesting we realised we could and ended up with 6.5 and 7 for them which is much better than 5 and 6 from a few weeks ago.  Again, a few 7's for his canter work and also his trot-walk-trots and both his centre lines but otherwise mostly 6/6.5.  Collectives: 7, 6, 6, 6.5  "Fair paces shown - more from behind now needed to help improve medium step and self carriage - poll low at times and lacking impulsion". 64.41% and 4th Restricted.

Sara-Jane Lanning lesson 18/07/14
Mostly worked on straightness and getting rid of his desire to overbend to the inside on the left rein so almost have to think flex to the outside the entire time on the left rein to actually get him straight.  With the give and retake need to start with doing one rein at a time and briefly and build up the time.  If he nose pokes must correct him immediately so he gets the idea of what is the correct thing to do.

Working on G&R the rein on the left rein

Working on straightness

Developing the medium trot

Working on G&R on the right rein

Medium canter on the left rein

Halt work:

Sparsholt BD Summer Regionals 22/07/14
66.397% and 14th out of 31.  Very close - extra 0.8% would have had us in top ten and only 2.5% behind 3rd place.  Not entirely sure where I could have squeezed those marks from though.  He tried really hard and watching the video back I am so pleased with how his outline has improved and how much more balanced he is.  Big difference even just since the Winter Regionals.  Anyway, that was our last Novice - onwards and upwards with Elementary now.

I love this one - he just looks so elegant - almost like a proper dressage horse!