dancing horses

dancing horses

Monday, September 4, 2017

Connecting- Day 1 Show Recap

Where on earth do I begin? 

Fortified with the advice and support from my friends and readers I loaded up the trailer on Friday and headed off to the show. The grounds were Hants County Exhibition Grounds. Turns out there was a 'Foam Race' and other events that weekend. However, Carmen unloaded onto the parking lot and walked into the barn as calm as could be. Fortunately the show allowed riders to book times to ride in the dressage ring on friday. I paid for two 30 minute sessions because I wanted to make sure that I had time. Shanea was showing as well but she set aside time to give me a lesson in the ring. There were two other riders as well.

Like I said the show ring was inside in a old hockey arena. The entrance is through a large door that the zamboni would use. It's a freaky entrance with equipment there and hallways going off of it. I chose to walk her in and mount inside for the warm up. Carmen was definitely looking around and a bit tight but Shanea kept us calm and working. I was really happy with how we did in the ring.
the barn is the lower 'L' shaped building, the red roof is the warm up and the
big roof beside it is the show venue. 
The next morning I realized that I had forgotten the atmosphere of a rated show. The barn was humming with tension and excitement. I had to work really hard at creating a bubble around myself and Carmen so that I didn't get amped myself. At first it was hard and at one point I completely forgot my test and began to panic. Shanea over heard me and got me centred again. I set about 45 minutes for the warm up and that seemed to be perfect. The stewards were very helpful and one walked us into the ring.

We walked around while waiting for the bell and Carmen spooked at the judges table. I did a bit of walking back and forth and then the judge rang the bell. We trotted down the centre line and halted. I took a deep breath, let it out and then began our test (T-1). Carmen was very tense and was decking away in the far corner and by the judges booth. I did my best to keep her together and on task but she was fighting me. Our scores ranged from 5 to 7. I got a '5' on 'Riders correct us of the aids'. Ouch.  But the comment was about the accuracy of the test so fair enough. it's hard to pick up a trot at C when the horse is going sideways. The final comment was 'The potential does exist- focus on the harmony and acceptance of riders aids'. Totally legit. That's been my work all season- to get Carmen to accept my direction not just when she wants to. That has been our demon from the beginning.

My final score was 59.23 but I had no idea at the time. Our rides were very close together: 11:09 and 11:35 so I opted to stay on her between classes. Our second test was T-3 and our scores ranged from 4- 7. We really had no stretch and Carmen tried to run out between E and H. I was determined that she was not and we battled it out. At least this time I got a 6.0 on myself. Carmen got a 5 on submission. Final comments "keep working on creating a better connection- focus on harmony and straightness to improve'.  Final score was 58.4%.

I felt completely triumphant with those scores and how we did. Normally I would not be happy with a  below 60 score. But my fear was that Carmen would take one look at the ring and say 'nope' and have a total melt down. This did not happen. It was just our normal demons, not a really bad one. And I stayed on task and helped her to finish the test. I kept myself together- I did not forget my tests and I kept my cool in riding her. After someone who's riding I admire said 'you just look so calm even when she's being spooky and tries to run away. You are just 'nope we're doing this'. Wow. I guess I have grown as a rider. We coped with warm up rings, freaky show rings and the show environment. I never felt in danger of coming off or being hurt. I was able to work with Carmen and I never got upset with her- I kept my cool.

The other thing that I was enjoying was reconnecting with people at the show. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive. Nichole has the most stunning of warmblood mares. She has had her struggles like I have and this was her first year showing as well. We bonded at the schooling shows.  I went to dinner both nights with Tanya. We used to show together and now we're starting again with our 'new' horses. It was great to catch up with her and compare notes. She has the most lovely young quarter horse who has a brain to die for. Is it wrong that I threatened to  steal her?

In the barn Carmen was really enjoying herself watching the bustle. She kept trying to steal her neighbours hay. I had put her hay in a slow feed net because she was gobbling it like weddings guests at a buffet. This caused her no end of annoyance. That afternoon Shanea and I were looking at my video (that her mother kindly took) and her mom kept saying 'guys, uh guys'. I was paying no attention and then she handed me a ripped hay net. Carmen had pulled it and broke the string letting the hay all spill out. I looked at it in disbelief and then at a very smug mare eating her hay. I fixed the net with baling twine, much to her annoyance.
the venue is right by the highway but who cares when there's grass?

Another funny thing happened when Carmen was happily eating and I started to pat the horse next to her. She came right over and began to pin her ears and bare her teeth at the horse. When I stopped patting and stepped away she went back to eating. I guess I am not allowed to show affection to strange horses. When I sat in my chair by her stall she would periodically come over and nudge my hat.

That night as I reviewed the days events I had a sudden realization: the areas that Carmen spooked were exactly the same in all three rings: at home, at Five Fires and at this show. It seemed to be too much of a coincidence that there were spooky things in the exact same spot in all three rings.

And that realization changed everything and helped me make a plan for the next day.

PC: Cindy McCullough





26 comments:

  1. Good going by both of you! Just getting her out and around at different venues will help for the future.

    Will be interested to read about your plan . . .

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    1. Yes it has been so good for us to get out and about!

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  2. I've always admired how calm and collected you look in all photos riding her on her spooky days! Can't wait to hear what your realization resulted in...what a cliffhanger!

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    1. I don't always feel calm so I'm glad that I look it. :D

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  3. You had no fear despite everything, are you Vulcan?: )

    Why did she spook in the same spot in every ring?

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    1. LOL no not vulcan- just stubborn. :D

      Live long and prosper.

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  4. Sounds like you did a really great job of staying cool with Carmen. Interesting that she seems to act up in the same spots at all three venues. I think she might be a little jealous of ou showing attention to any one but her too.

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    1. Thanks! I believe that she was jealous as well.

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  5. Sounds like great experience despite a scary ring and busy environment. Can't wait to read your next post!

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  6. Oh my! Carmen must have some Chihuahua in her to pin her ears when you pet another horse. Well, I guess you know semis don't spook her, but memories do? It almost sounds like she's reacting to a memory. I'm looking forward to hearing what you figured out.

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    1. LOL, I think she's just dramatic. And I think your insight is very accurate.

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  7. Good job getting through it. A hockey arena sounds like a pretty scary venue even for non spooky horses. Shasta used to be really good at destroying hay nets so she could eat hay faster. Mares are just too clever for their own good.

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    1. It really is a freaky venue. Irish used to get flustered by the glass and seeing his partial reflection.

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  8. What a successful adventure!! So excited for you and Carmen as you continue to set and achieve these fabulous goals. I can't wait to hear about day 2!

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    1. Thank you. I have appreciated your cheering us along.

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  9. I'd be damn proud of those tests too, no matter what the score! Being able to go out and Do the Thing under challenging conditions is always a win in my book. Always always!! So glad to hear you were able to keep yourself on task, and can't wait to read more about your insights re: how she apparently always spooks in the same places!

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    1. Thank you. Sometimes it's about the training and not the test result.

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  10. It's sounding good so far! I can't wait to read about your troll corner epiphany! Pinning her ears back is very much herd behavior, but you're her herd out there. I like that a lot.

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  11. Sounds like a sucess to me. Way to go Carmen! Interesting about the same spooky spots too

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  12. Congrats on getting through a bustling show!! It sounds like you both figured it out as the day went on and that the judges recognize the potential. I'd be super proud!

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  13. Regardless of the score, I think you should be pretty damn pleased with your guys' efforts! You did wonderfully :) can't wait to hear about Day 2!

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  14. Ah, our crazy possessive Spanish mares. Aria picks on Catalina and bites her if I'm near them.
    Congrats on a great show. You and Carmen have definitely grown. I love reading about how Carmen's antics are not something you worry about anymore. The fear still lives in the back of your mind but your relationship with her is strong enough that you ride confidently. Posts like this ring so true for me because I am also living it. It's very inspiring to know I'm not alone and to see what others have accomplished. <3

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