.With ten GCSEs and 18-or-something exams looming in May and June, I decided to make February my "competition spree" month before I concentrate on revising and schooling Ceilidh instead of competing.
My highlight of February half-term, was probably when I "borrowed" Mum's horse (Praline) and took her schooling at Tweseldown with Pony Club which was such a blast. Dad was keen to attend so I actually managed to get some footage of us! I cut out the bloopers, just so I don't have to internally cringe while I watch it back. Perhaps I'll post some bloopers if I do a #FailFriday post.
My highlight of February half-term, was probably when I "borrowed" Mum's horse (Praline) and took her schooling at Tweseldown with Pony Club which was such a blast. Dad was keen to attend so I actually managed to get some footage of us! I cut out the bloopers, just so I don't have to internally cringe while I watch it back. Perhaps I'll post some bloopers if I do a #FailFriday post.
Dressage wise, Kings Ceilidh and I had a fantastic day of it at Brinsbury College for the PC Novice Dengie Qualifier. We did our first test outside - she was very good but we got 61% as she had quite a few green spooks at the glasshouse (!) behind the judges car. They were blissfully unaware but we shared a laugh on the final halt. She did a beautiful halt, and as we went to move off, some plastic was flapping inside this giant greenhouse and she jumped on the spot! The second test was much better, despite a rather chaotic warm up!
In our second test, she was much more relaxed and despite one very naughty #CeilidhCatastrophe , did a nice test for 64.1% - 6th over all, qualifying for the Novice Dengie Qualifier, which was a surprise considering she is only 5 and we are still getting to grips with flatwork (admittedly quite slowly as our schooling field is a quagmire and we only have lessons once a week in a school).
The rest of the week was scattered with lessons, hacking (and non-horsey shopping - *groan*). We rounded off half term with another productive lesson and a competition at Priory EC. We got very lost on the way there but when we arrived we had a brief warm-up before scoring 64.1% in Novice PC 2013. I then did what I presumed to be my best-ever test in the Dengie Qualifier (Novice) to get my worst ever mark (with her - i've had far worse on Bingo!) for 57% with one error of course. It did come as a bit of a disappointment, and the comments did surprise me - it was a bit of a wake-up call. After reviewing it the judge's comments were fair - I think I presumed it had gone well as we had no green spooks or anything, but in fact it lacked expression and needed more energy. Next time I shall canter down the centre line as we did in our first competition!!!
At the end of March (20th) we will attend the Dengie Novice Final at Sparsholt, for a good day out (not expecting any results against the buzzy ponies - we look rather out of place!!)! Then I shall be attending some competitions on and off to keep her ticking over, but I am mainly teaching her how to jump and working on getting her working over her back. With her soon being able to be turned out, I think she will be less sharp and hopefully we can school in the field soon.
Lots to look forwards to! Stay positive - (exams...yay...!)
The rest of the week was scattered with lessons, hacking (and non-horsey shopping - *groan*). We rounded off half term with another productive lesson and a competition at Priory EC. We got very lost on the way there but when we arrived we had a brief warm-up before scoring 64.1% in Novice PC 2013. I then did what I presumed to be my best-ever test in the Dengie Qualifier (Novice) to get my worst ever mark (with her - i've had far worse on Bingo!) for 57% with one error of course. It did come as a bit of a disappointment, and the comments did surprise me - it was a bit of a wake-up call. After reviewing it the judge's comments were fair - I think I presumed it had gone well as we had no green spooks or anything, but in fact it lacked expression and needed more energy. Next time I shall canter down the centre line as we did in our first competition!!!
At the end of March (20th) we will attend the Dengie Novice Final at Sparsholt, for a good day out (not expecting any results against the buzzy ponies - we look rather out of place!!)! Then I shall be attending some competitions on and off to keep her ticking over, but I am mainly teaching her how to jump and working on getting her working over her back. With her soon being able to be turned out, I think she will be less sharp and hopefully we can school in the field soon.
Lots to look forwards to! Stay positive - (exams...yay...!)