I can't believe I am writing a blog about a successful dressage outing, especially as it is about Sky. We headed off to Sissons Farm over near Peterborough for Prelim 18 with Sky and Henry on board. I was fairly confident Henry would do a nice test, however since not eventing since last year Sky hasn't seen the dreaded white boards since. It's fair to say I had no expectations for her.
Henry was first to go in the class and gave a great test which set a high standard for the class. He really couldn't have given me much more.
Now it was Skys turn she warmed up well but, I was trying to keep a lid on it so my aim was to keep her quiet. As we trotted round the ring I could feel her tensing up, lots of transitions whilst hoping the bell wouldn't go untill she was relaxed again. One of my problems is pulling back on Sky rather than giving with my hands I was trying my hardest to be very conscious of this through out the test. We had a few blips where I pulled back when she was hurrying. I came out quite happy she had behaved. I was hoping for a score in the 60's with Sky and a score in the high 60's for Henry. When we went to collect the score sheets Henry's score was out with 77% I was over the moon that is his best score yet. It was a long wait waiting for the rest of the results but eventually they arrived. They called me out as first place and I fully expected to ready Hooray Henry at the top of the score sheet instead I saw Charism. My heart stopped then I saw the score of 84.6%! I didn't even think a score like that was possible. I'm being honest when I say I haven't really schooled her on the flat since we started concentrating on BSJA. It's a test I'll never forget for either horses. Sadly Henry was pushed down to 3rd place.
The following day we took Sky and Harry to a local pony club hunter trail. With Oasby coming round so quickly this was sky's chance for some x country practice before then. She did a lovely clear round the 90 as if she never stopped eventing. Harry was also a super star going clear round his 80. The more he does the better he gets he's such good fun.
Next stop, Vale View for a spot of showjumping before Oasby the following weekend.
Amber
Henry was first to go in the class and gave a great test which set a high standard for the class. He really couldn't have given me much more.
Now it was Skys turn she warmed up well but, I was trying to keep a lid on it so my aim was to keep her quiet. As we trotted round the ring I could feel her tensing up, lots of transitions whilst hoping the bell wouldn't go untill she was relaxed again. One of my problems is pulling back on Sky rather than giving with my hands I was trying my hardest to be very conscious of this through out the test. We had a few blips where I pulled back when she was hurrying. I came out quite happy she had behaved. I was hoping for a score in the 60's with Sky and a score in the high 60's for Henry. When we went to collect the score sheets Henry's score was out with 77% I was over the moon that is his best score yet. It was a long wait waiting for the rest of the results but eventually they arrived. They called me out as first place and I fully expected to ready Hooray Henry at the top of the score sheet instead I saw Charism. My heart stopped then I saw the score of 84.6%! I didn't even think a score like that was possible. I'm being honest when I say I haven't really schooled her on the flat since we started concentrating on BSJA. It's a test I'll never forget for either horses. Sadly Henry was pushed down to 3rd place.
The following day we took Sky and Harry to a local pony club hunter trail. With Oasby coming round so quickly this was sky's chance for some x country practice before then. She did a lovely clear round the 90 as if she never stopped eventing. Harry was also a super star going clear round his 80. The more he does the better he gets he's such good fun.
Next stop, Vale View for a spot of showjumping before Oasby the following weekend.
Amber