Pachesham BD 15-07-15

First attempts at Freestyle this year.  Another hot, muggy day - not our favourite!  Thought we'd start with the Elementary as we know it well and was hoping to get qualification for next years Regionals done and dusted.  The boy didn't disappoint. 68.26% and a win so that's that done!  He got 7's for walk, free walk, leg yield left in trot, both medium canters, simple change right to left, first halt and a 7.5 for final halt.  Otherwise all 6.5's.  Collectives 6.5, 7, 7, 7 "Pleasing test. Could have more elasticity and swing but nicely choreographed test and pleasing ending" - Keeva Fox.  Pleased we seemed to re-discover our leg yield today - photos look fab.  He felt like he really tried in the medium trot.  Counter canter wasn't great today though - bit on the forehand and running and didn't feel very balanced.  Really pleased with the photos - he has come on so much in the last year thanks to super trainer Sara-Jane Lanning.  He looks like a totally different horse, is so much more uphill, discovering a medium trot and has got some cracking lateral work.  He really does try so hard it's fab!

Sadly Monts not too impressed with being asked to do a second test.  He was really behind my leg to the point of objecting when I put it on which made it all very hard work.  When we got back to the yard he was desperate for a pee so might have been that or just the heat/humidity he didn't like.  Did still manage 65.5% which is the same as we got back in December on our first attempt at this level. Not a terrible score but last out of the 3 in the class.  They were on 67% though so not a million miles ahead.  We did get 7's for half pass right in trot, the first medium canter, simple change left to right and both halts plus the choreography and music.  This was my first time riding this floorplan and I did think I was running out of music halfway through the shoulder-in and hadn't done the half pass yet so probably rushed the rest of the trot work a bit.  Same judge as the Elem and she said "Pleasing test. Needs more suppleness in lateral work but pleasing floorplan and music" 6, 6.5, 7, 6.5, 7.  Not good enough for Regionals qualification so we will have another go in August and maybe just do the Medium so he is fresh for it.

Next stop is Sparsholt again for Summer Regionals then a few weeks off before some more Mediums and our Advanced Medium debut!  Have just ordered one of the new Prolite Fairfax girths - hoping it's as good as all the hype as if he could just open his shoulders a bit more he'd have a cracking medium trot!