dancing horses

dancing horses

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

The Nitty Gritty

I was so tired after the show that, despite the weather being beautiful I couldn't bring myself to ride. Instead I cleaned things up and put everything away. Carmen was fine with my plan as she hung out with Irish catching up on her grass consumption.

This allowed me to reflect more on the show and actually read my tests. Overall, the judge, Ron King tended to score people low - I think that the highest score of the day was 69. But he was kind and consistent and I really enjoyed the experience.

The low scoring items were not a surprise: the stretchy circle and free walk were consistently my lower scores (5.5 on Saturday and 6/6.5 on Sunday). The issue is that Carmen tends to hollow and raise her head during these moves. On Sunday though we were able to get a half-decent stretch on the free walk (actually scoring 6.5 on Sunday). I am actually pleased with the frame she has here- she's stretching it out and not curling behind.


I think this was one of Sunday's test (PC Sam McCullough-Lyons)
I was surprised and thrilled that our medium walk scored 7 and 7.5. We've never gotten that so it seems that my work on that has paid off.

Our leg yields were mediocre, scoring 6 or 6.5. On Saturday keeping her straight and not flipping her head to look out was an issue. This was better on Sunday - partly because she was more relaxed and partly because I got off my inside rein
I think that this is the leg yield (PC Sam M-L)
Not surprising our lengthens were our worst scores. But we haven't really been able to school them either. The best part about the 5.5 or 6 we scored? That she really tried to do it but thinks that going faster in trot lengthens is the answer. For the canter lengthens she was as fluid as we can be. 

Other marks were lost because I was a bit inaccurate in some of my shapes. Some of that was unintentional, other was me going for 'flow' rather than pick a fight. 

The experience has taught me that the basics are there. It seems to me that our tests were pretty consistent with where we are in our schooling. 

It's easy to get up in the criticism of the things I did wrong. To help me remember I  did a short video comparison of the same movement in test 2:


Clearly this was a way better experience for both of us.

This gives me all the information that I needed to build my confidence that we can do this thing. I know you guys were all so encouraging and I truly appreciate it. But I was less sure. Now, not so much.



20 comments:

  1. Sooo beautiful! I was wondering about a video you posted in the last one, where you are doing groundwork/lunging. You seem to be asking her to trot only when she reacts to the corner. Is that a TRT thing?

    Anyways, you totally got this now. So amazing that all that athletic potential can come out and play. As for stretching and lengthening … my nemesis. Curse of the andalusians? but wouldn't trade it for a thing. :-)

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    1. In the video you mention, what I’m doing is asking her to work where she’s comfortable: away from the corner and the bag. The corner was a spooky spot for her so I used the bag to help her understand because that task she knows. So every time she approached the corner I took all the pressure off. When she passed, usually rushing, I asked her to ‘work’. Rinse and repeat. That way she learns that the scary place is the place to rest. Otherwise she will always rush through the corner and relax away from it. This is TRT but also other trainers method as well.

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  2. Congrats again on a great show experience

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    1. Thank you. It was a real confidence booster

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  3. Well, wow—that comparison video is dramatic. Congratulations!

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    1. Isn’t it? It helps me put it into perspective

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  4. The difference in Carmen between the two tests on the video - DAMN. Like, I see that change in recent videos/photos, but to see it with that comparison boom-boom one after the other?! DANG. You've done incredible work with her, Teresa. It's a really beautiful thing.

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    1. ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’•thank you for that. A lot of people have done a lot of work.

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  5. yessssssss!!! so many good takeaways and so much to like :D

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  6. omg the before and after is crazy - not just her but you! you ride so much more calmly and confidently. It's great to see BOTH of your improvement.

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    1. I agree- I am riding better and more relaxed. It’s a bit of a feedback loop.

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  7. So glad you had a good show. All your hard work really shows and you two look great.

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  8. Wow the difference in those two videos... You're a totally different horse and rider! So happy for you guys!

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    1. If it wasn’t for the clothes and the colour.....who would know it was us? ๐Ÿคท‍♀️

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  9. There was a big difference in the comparison video, like night and day. Congratulations on a great show. All your work is paying off!

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  10. It can be hard to focus on the good but you clearly do it here, big kudos to the both of you for going out there and competing and taking the feedback gracefully!

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    1. It can be hard. Making sure I was clear on my goals ahead of time really helped.

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