Save the Best for Last: Show Recap, Carmen the Magnificent Edition

 My last post was all about Quaid. But Carmen would like you to know that she also went.  I realised after my ride on Quaid on Friday that I was looking forward to an 'easier' ride on Carmen. The whole weekend showed me that with all the focus on Quaid I just assume that Carmen will be fine. 

Freshly bathed and ready to shine

Spoiler alert: she was more than fine. As long as her servants (Paula and me) made sure she had fresh water and hay she was quite content.  On Friday I tacked her up and took her to mount. Just as we left the barn a woman mounted her horse who immediately dropped his head and bronced her off! She had the wind knocked out of her but ended up being fine. It was scary. I was starting to think that this Friday the 13th thing was real. Or it was me.  Our ride was good. She was very mature in the ring and we had a really good schooling session. 

honestly, all she needs is a bell to ring for service

We were riding Second Level Test 1 & 2. and they were scheduled for the middle of the afternoon on Saturday. I was tired which actually took care of any nerves. Our warm up was good. To be honest, it's kind of a blur. I do remember thinking she walked into the ring saying Which one of you scared my Quaid?!   I don't have videos of the tests but they felt really good. She was good with the half-halts and didn't get too fussed about things. For 2-1 our scores were really consistent: 6-7.  She got 7's for her gaits and I got it for 'riders position and seat'. Our final score was 65.57 with the comment to work for more suppleness. 

At the time I didn't know the score because I usually don't check and I didn't really have time to dismount between tests. I did know that it felt good. In between the tests I walked her in small serpentines, SI/HI to keep her supple and on the aids. Close to our ride time I did some canter transitions. Going in I was pretty sure I had 5 minutes of riding left in me but it was a close thing. Our test was really consistent again: 6-7 with 5's for our turn on the haunches. The comment was that she was stepping out. It's hard because I actually don't feel her step out so that's something to work on. Our final score was 64.74 and the comment was to work for more engagement and self-carriage. We had first place for both classes. 

enjoying some post show walking and grazing

By Sunday afternoon I was pretty beat. I was really glad that I had paid a young woman to clean my stalls (it was a great option for this show).  But no one forced me to show 2 horses so I got my butt in gear. When we went into the warm up Carmen felt stiff and tight. Fortunately Jane was there to coach us through it. She had us walk and change the flexion left and right. then we did shoulder in to haunches in. That helped so much. I could feel her start to loosen up and begin to swing over her back.  

For our first test (2-1) I worked really hard to sit up, half-halt and keep my butt in the saddle. We had a few bobbles but I was able to sort them right away. It felt really good. Our scores were 6-7 with a lot of 7s! Our final score was 67. 29. Again I found this out later but I was thrilled. This was a personal best for us!

Soon enough it was time for our last test (thank god I thought). This time I tried to really pay attention to the turn on the haunches. Our first one received a 5.5. In the second one I kept my outside leg on to stop her from swinging wide, which resulted in a brief hesitation but garnered us a 6 so I'll take it. Our other low score was as 5.5 for the free walk. But otherwise we had 6's and 7's. Our final score was 65 even. 

This was the most consistent Carmen has been at a show. Often by Sunday she is over this crap and gets feisty. But not this time. She stayed right with me. Any 'squabbles' were small and short and we carried on. I attribute that to the work I've done at home not being in to any spooking. 

At the end of the show they always do the awards. They give out the ribbons for the afternoon and then the champions for each level and high points. It can be a bit long but it's important to support other riders. In our classes I placed first and second. Which was lovely.  Then I sort of zoned out while they started on the awards. Not completely I clapped for everyone but I was mentally thinking about the trailer ride home and that my feet hurt. All this to say that  when they said that the Second Level Champion was me I stood there stunned, pretty sure I heard it wrong. That's you! Said Paula. Teresa you won!  said Tanya. 

No.  I said. it must be a mistake. 

Spoiler, it was not a mistake. I freaking won.  I actually got a little teary. Which probably sounds silly but I've worked so hard with this mare. And she's not been easy but this weekend she was there for me and it paid off.  A few years ago I said to Jane I know that it's shallow, but at some point I'd love to win an award at a show. It's not why I do it and I know it's not important but still.. Jane just smiled and said 'don't worry,  you will' 

Jane was right

I won a beautiful blanket and a bunch of swag. See that fern behind Carmen? As we turned to go back she spied it and dove right in. NOOOO  shrieked the poor woman who had arranged for the loan. For a second I thought I bought a fern but it seemed to be okay. 

I was so happy

isn't it gorgeous?

the lovely thing about the blanket is that it was sponsored by Steele Family Warmbloods. Theresa Steele has always been so encouraging and supportive to me which made this all the sweeter. 

So that's a wrap on the weekend. It was hard, tiring, fun, stressful, and absolutely fabulous. I was so proud of my two horses.  And of me. And Jane. 

I knew that Carmen the Magnificent could live up to her name.