I went to a dressage competition today, we did two Prelim classes, 10 and 18, we have to compete in Open classes rather than Restricted as he has (amazingly!) won at Prelim level in the past. This is how it went....
When we arrived in the car park, I cast my eye over the warm-up arena to see 5 or 6 horses warming up - all much finer nags than our Clyde - thoroughbred, on the bit, huge, white bandages etc. I had a little giggle, then, when our ramp came down and Clyde shambled down - small and hairy with bits of hay stuck in his (unplaited, sticky-up) forelock.
Anyway he warmed up for the first test (prelim 10) like a dream - better than he goes at home - on the bit and forwards. I didn't expect that in the test though as he always gets my hopes up by warming up nicely then dying on me as soon as the bell goes.
This time wasn't much different and indeed he fizzled out once in the test (he started going so slow at one point I thought he was stopping to poo! Fortunately he wasn't), but his test was quite neat if a little lacking in impulsion and bend. Prelim 10 is one of the tests we find quite difficult so I was fairly pleased with him as he didn't drop canter or fidget in the final halt, two of our problems of late. He also went on the bit some of the time.
At the end of the test I was leaving the arena when the judge got out of her car and asked if she could have a word - I started panicking about which item of tack was illegal, whether he had looked unlevel etc. However she said, very nicely, that I had missed out one of the circles, so she averaged a mark for it and had deducted 2 penalties, but otherwise it was a nice test. Poor pony - that's the fourth time I've let him down by forgetting Prelim 10 (interestingly the only test I've ever forgotten), and he wouldn't speak to me for 10 minutes or so.
Second test prelim 18, again warmed up nicely. As I was warming up Mum came and told me he came second in his first test! I almost fell off him in shock! Actual test I thought better than his first, more forward. Again didn't drop canter or fidget so was pleased with him. Different judge, who previously hasn't been that keen on him, so was absolutely flabbergasted to find he had won that test!
So, from thinking I'd have to give up dressage until I got a 'proper' horse, we've come quite a long way - clever pony. (Pity about the idiot rider - but comfortingly the person who won the first test beat us by 3 marks - so we wouldn't have won even without my penalties!)
I will get Mum to post a picture...I couldn't believe it when dozy DP forgot Prelim 10 again - Poor old Clyde eh!
Anyway here he is with his ribbons:one day Clyde will remember Prelim 10 on his own, so an absent minded DP won't be a problem.....
Well done to both of you
one day Clyde will remember Prelim 10 on his own
DP has just gone to bed, but she will like that answer.... Congratulations on your great results! (And there's more glory in doing it on a hairy pony than on a "proper horse"!)I does think an old hairy pony IS a proper horse - been there, done that, DP not the only rider I've had wot have memory lapses etc!
Good old Clyde - where's his apples?
Wergh, and a and PURRS for DP too, Clyde wouldn't be so obliging if he did not like her.Gorgeous picture of Clyde ... and I've had the same experience with a dressage test; it was Training test 3 that did me in this year - every single time I rode that test I messed something up. And between shows I was always so certain I knew it - but then inevitably I'd forget something, or go the wrong direction, or do something wrong. :sigh: Poor long-suffering beasts, having to put up with us!
I know this is a little late, but congratulations to J on a job well done - I'm always rooting for Clyde. And it doesn't matter whether he's a fancy dressage pony - I truly believe that dressage isn't only for "proper" horses! It's making the most of the materials you have ... any horse can improve, and that's so wonderful to see.
Besides, in the end, it's their heart and their willingness and their spirit that makes us love them, isn't it ... and those things definitely aren't limited to fancy horses - Clyde clearly has them in spades.
Poor old Clyde eh! 
and PURRS for DP too, Clyde wouldn't be so obliging if he did not like her.