Took Monty to Checkendon today. Journey there was yucky - going through centre of Reading with a trailer not really knowing where I was going and what lane I needed to get in next wasn't much fun!
Put Monty back in the hanging cheek for today as had a feeling I might need it! Last time I went there it was obviously summer as we parked in the field, warmed up outside and competing in quite nice outdoor arena. Today we parked in a small yard, warmed up in a small indoor school and then competed in a little indoor next door. Both school walls appeared to be lined with white plastic and it was rather windy today! This made things rather interesting. He was tense from the word go. There were sunbeams on the floor which created a bit more tension and then the wall between the 2 schools wasn't full height so every now and then you got a head coming along towards you above the wall!! On the first walk round he nearly took out the girl behind me as he spooked at the gap between the 2 schools and shot sideways. Then he didn't want to go through the gap between the 2 schools to get into the competition arena although quite pleased that he did go with some encouragement and we had no rearing or spinning.
The competition arena was just a fraction longer than 20 x 40m so we had to go right up to the sides of the arena next to the flappy plastic. You could just about see the horses in the car park above the walls and could hear them banging and whinnying. He didn't think much of going anywhere near A at all. It was almost reminiscent of competing Llewi - cannot imagine what he would have been like in that arena! I mastered getting round on the left rein before the bell went but we had to tackle right rein during the test which was rather interesting! Definitely not the best test we've done by far. Came out thinking we'd be lucky to get 60%!
15min gap so allowed him to calm down and then picked him up again for a few more transitions. Went in again and he was a bit more rideable. Still a lot of tension though. Found the 10m loops really hard as he wasn't soft in my hand at all so not able to bend him. Pleased he offered something in the 1st medium trot although I wouldn't have said it was anything resembling proper medium, not so much happened in the 2nd. The canter work was much better though. Still cant do G&R but everything else was good. Bird decided to take off outside the arena just as I was finishing my 20m circle in trot on a long rein and he v nearly pissed off across the arena - cue frantic grabbing at the reins and a messy final turn onto the centre line. Very glad that was over!
Put him away quickly as it was flipping cold. Went to get results and rather surprised to get given a red rosette and £17 prize money for the prelim. We got 65.8% and so I guess that means we're half qualified for the summer regionals! Think there was only 4 in the class though so not much competiton! 2nd on 64.1%, 3rd on 62.9%, 4th on 60%. Novice also surprised to get 63.8%. Again, only 5 in the class - one retired after the first few moves due to spookiness at the flappy plastic. The open rider got 65%. 2 restricteds got 62.3% and 61.5% so we'd have won the restricted. Not really surprised there weren't many entries given the facilities. Cant say I'd be back there in a hurry although maybe a good place to go if I want another win to finish qualification!!!
Journey home was even worse - nearly got crushed between a lorry and a bus on the narrow lanes going through Reading. Seriously thought one of them was gonna hit me.
Read my sheets once home. Same judge for both tests. Linda Waller - List4.
P14 - Lots of 7's, 6's for right canter trans as it happened before scary A, 6 for G&R in trot, 6 for canter to trot and trot to walk as up at A, 6 for FWLR as he didn't seek rein down and 6 for trans up to trot as he tripped over. 8 for final centre line and halt. 7 for our entry so guessing my riding the outside rein round the corner worked as no quarters right comment on either centre line - must remember that! 7667 collectives. "Much to like with this horse but needs to keep activity throughout for a more consistent contact"
N24 - not ridden this before. Another 7 for entry. 6's for our 10m loops. 7's for the half figure of 8 with trot-walk-trot over X. 5 "hurrying" and 6 "above bit and tightening"" for medium trots. 7 for both bits of medium walk, 6 for FWLR. 6's for left canter circle and medium circle as too much inside bend then she said needed to lengthen frame more in the medium. Got 7's for the half figure of 8 with change of leg through trot over X from left to right (his worse direction). 6's for G&R, stretchy trot ("needs to stretch consisently to contact") and final turn to halt "quarters drifting out". 7's for walk, trot and canter. 6's for impulsion and submission. 7 for correctness of my seat but 6 for effectiveness of aids. "Charming horse, aiming to please - but at the moment rather inconsistent in the contact. Needs to work over the back actively forwards throughout to develop a more consistent connection"
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