Bit of a disaster getting there as the A3 was shut and we got stuck going through Guildford for over half an hour. I had planned to arrive around 5pm for my 6.22 test but we didn't get there until 5.35pm and then they had changed the parking around and couldn't see where to go so spent another 5mins working that out. Then my bridle number which I had carefully made up in advance decided to go walkies so had a huge stress about that and wasted another 5mins looking for it then making up my other one. Eventually made it on board at 6pm. 20mins is not enough time at all to warm up Monty. He needs plenty of time in walk to chill out then long and low before picking him up.
So we went into P19 feeling a little underprepared - haven't ridden that test for a couple of yrs either. 1st centre line was a bit wobbly but the rest didn't feel too bad. Got a good mix of 6's and 7's but lost marks in the collectives as judge told me off for hurrying him which I probably was in my efforts to get him forwards to the contact. I felt like he dropped behind my leg when we went in and as I didn't quite have the contact how I would have wanted I ended up pushing him flat instead of up and into the contact and containing the energy. Collectives were 7666 whereas last 2 times she's judged us we've had straight 7's and all through the test as well. Ended on 64.54 and were 3rd out of 7 in the qualifier, 5th out of 10 overall. Disappointed as the winner of the qualifier was only on 65.45 so if I'd just not rushed him and got a 7 for my riding like normal we'd have won and got the £30 prize money. Expensive traffic jam!
Having felt him behind the leg in the first test I was determined to get him off the leg and more up and together for N37 which is another Novice I've never ridden before (only did a few with Llewi and otherwise haven't done Novice since Dan and they've changed all the tests!) Most exciting thing of the day was me suddenly discovering a massive medium trot - I was watching it in the mirrors and he just powered - it looked amazing! I tried what we did with Simon on Sat, just let him slightly lower in the neck around the corner and then he launched into this huuuuge trot! Had to do it a few more times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke!
So, into the test and to me it felt like a disaster from beginning to end. The first halt went ok but then he lost balance a bit round the turn (7, lost connection on turn after lovely halt), then the square serpentine felt awful - felt like I was pushing him beyond what his balance could cope with, mega overshot V and ended up on a well wonky line to P (7, loosing connection), 10m circle right was a bit stiff (6), medium trot I went for the big steps I had in the warmup and overcooked it so he broke to canter (4, broke after promising steps-pity). Then he gobbed into the halt although did at least stand still (7) before performing a lovely rein back (8). I felt his free walk could have taken the contact down more but we still managed a 7 and another for the medium walk. 6 for the trot (not always to the bridle), 7 for the 10m circle left and 6 for the medium trot as big steps didn't quite come this time as I probably wasn't brave enough after the 1st attempt. Canter went ok and medium canter wasn't as crooked as last time but only 6 and needs to stay softer. 7 for the 20m circle right (softer now), 6 for the G&R across the short diagonal over the centre line (a little hollow) - generous as I threw the reins forwards, grabbed them back and he chucked his nose in the air which then resulted in an awful counter canter compared to his lovely ones last time so this time only a 6. 7 for the canter left and 20m circle then bizarrely a 7 for the G&R across the short diagonal (am sure he stuck his nose in the air again!) but again it affected our counter canter so only a 6, followed by the most atrocious final halt you've ever seen as he wouldn't stand straight or still so a 5 for that. I finished shaking my head in despair and embarassed that there had been people watching it!
We got 7667 for collectives and I nearly fainted when I saw the score of 64.64 which would have put us 2nd in the restricted out of 5 and 3rd overall out of 10 - he beat all but one of the Open riders. I was all ready to go and apologise to Sam (judge) for an appalling test when she came and said a huge well done! She said she was fed up of seeing horses going nowhere and mine and the 2 that followed me were the only ones ridden forwards all evening! Considering previously I have thought her fair but she does use the full range of marks so it doesn't take much to drop to a 5 I was expecting something in the mid 50's. If we hadn't broken the medium trot (and not been in the Training section) we'd have won the restricted and with a qualifying score and pocketed some more prize money too! And really with just a little bit more polishing the 9 marks he got below a 7 could very easily be improved up to 7's so I think he could do really well. I think the time may have come to register the Montster with BD! Although saying that, Wed evening BD at Pachesham is now over for the year so we need to adopt another favourite venue! All their winter BD seems to be on Saturday's which isn't a great day for us as work 3 out of 5.
Comments on the prelim:
An active test with promising work shown. Try not to hurry him out of his paces especially in trot as is causes his paces to become rather flat and problems with suppleness and balance.
Comments on the novice:
Super activity today. Now just tidy the connection more consistently and soften the base of the neck for consistently high marks. Well done today.
So, came home feeling a lot better than when I came out of the tests but next time need not to let the stress affect my riding as I really feel I didn't ride him very well at all. Sub 30 is my aim for Sunday - it's about time he got one as he deserves it - just need to remember to create impulsion without rushing him. Might see if I can find that fab medium trot again in the warmup too - school at home is just too small to even get going!
Anyway, aim of the evening was to get our 2nd area festival qualifying sheet for prelim which we managed so we'll be off to Wellie in a few weeks. Have got novice sheets galore now but the Novice is the day after Tweseldown so a bit much for him. Prelim is not until the Thursday. We'll save Novice for next yr. Clever poncy dressage pony.
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