Riding Forward to Redemption Part 2: Carmen's Show Report

 Carmen would like you all to know that she also was at the show and that the little twerp does not get to hog all the attention.  (Sorry Quaid, Carmen made me type that). 

Carnen and I showed second level and, while it seems like we have been at this level forever, we at least were showing tests 2 & 3 (instead of 1 & 2). That is because we were finally able to do a counter canter serpentine. I was looking forward to riding the new test and having fun with her. 

Our ride on Friday was really good and I was quite happy with how relaxed and focussed she was in the ring. There were zero spooks at any flowers, banners or invisible gremlins. 

Our rides on Saturday were at 3:00 and 3:30. I was a bit tired by the afternoon and I did not want any emotions from my morning ride on Quaid to interfere. 

square halt. 

When I rode both tests I thought they were really good. And honestly they weren't bad but I was a bit disappointed in my scores. Fortunately, a friend videoed both rides and in looking at them I could see that the judging was actually quite fair. Because to be honest, Carmen was definitely behind the leg. I had mistaken quiet for good. And it's not like they were horrible. They were not. And 3 years ago I would have been thrilled. But they lack oomph. Carmen was giving me exactly what I asked for. 

Test 2-2: Our score was 62.05. Our travers and turn on the haunches were our weak points for sure. As were our medium trots and canters. But our canters were straight instead of her haunches to the inside and our simple changes received 6.5s and 7s. Our counter canters netted us a 6.5 and 7 as well. They felt nice and controlled and not wild. Carmen listened to my half-halts. The final comments were: "lovely pair. Would like to see more thoroughness and  engagement to support balance. 

Of course I didn't know any of this before I rode my next test so I rode it much the same.  And, while there wasn't really time to dismount and check my test before I had to ride my next one I find it a double edged sword. In the past it's caused me to ride harder but not better. So my preference is to ride and then, when I have time to digest the tests, look at them.  Anyway, our score for the first time riding 2-3 was 60.95 which was not terrible. It was a mix of 6/6.5 and 7s with 4s for the turn on the haunches and our travers left. Again, when I was done the ride I was really happy by how it went. We rode the counter canter serpentine without breaking or flying around and our free walk actually got a 7. The judge's comment "willing horse. Would like to see more engagement and balance throughout. 

Overall, it was a good day for Carmen even with the lacklustre scores. There was zero drama and she gave me exactly what I asked for. How could I complain? 

I did talk to Jane about it and she definitely had a plan for us on Sunday. In our warm up she was riding me hard to half-halt and ride her hind end under. I was not allowed to hold and I needed to keep my seat soft. And, by god, I was to ride her forward into a receiving hand. She helped me to understand the angle needed for haunches in (spoiler alert, it was way more than I thought). It was great. 

And it showed in our test. There was a lot more energy and 'throughness'.  Our scores were better this time and my final score would have been a lot higher but Carmen suddenly decided that P was suspicious and so she started reacting to it. Sigh. It is the price I pay with the increased energy, she becomes more reactive. What is good is how we regroup and carry on as opposed to melting down completely. Our ToH netted us a 6 and 7 as opposed to 5 & 6. Our canter lengthen going by P was modest because she didn't want to go and then gave a spook, resulting in a 4. Our final score of 62.82 did not change much compared to Saturday but it was definitely better in parts and more forward. The judge's comment was " well matched pair. Some tension and spooking today. Would like to see more relaxation". Me too. 

So there was one more test to go and then I could relax start to pack up to go home. This test was the best of the 4 (with one notable exception that I'll explain). I came in with the goal of riding forward and staying balanced. And we did. Our SI/HIs were all 7's. Our ToH got a  6.5 and 7, again way better than a 4! While our trot lengthens had the usual 6 and 'cover more ground' comment one of my canter lengthens got an honest to god 7 with the comment 'Bold!'. And it was I sat up, had the outside rein and said 'LET'S GO!'. And our transition back to a collected canter also go a 7. The other canter lengthen went from a 6 to 4 because of the spooking. And our counter canter serpentine was problematic because of Carmen's thoughts about P. In the first one she did a lovely flying change. Alas, it was not correct. In the second she broke twice. But what was good was that I simply regrouped, fixed the canter and carried on. I didn't lose my marbles over it. 

Our final score was 63. 81 so 3 percentage points higher than Saturday. With the comment "fairly consistent trot tour. would like to see more balance in canter." 

I was happy with Sunday and was pleased when I collected my score sheets to see improvements in the moves. The spooking is something that Carmen and I continue to work on. It is so much better but when she gets amped she gets more reactive so that is something we will work on. What I love is how willing she is and how safe she feels (yes even with the spooks). She understands her job and while she sometimes wants to negotiate some of her job description she does her best. What is cool is that she knows as well that she's been magnificent and seems to be quite proud of herself.