Dressage at Gracelands EC with wyvern RC
Today we took a lorry full of horses from @whitfordhorses to Gracelands EC for the monthly Wyvern Riding Club dressage. On a grey but dry day we tip toed through a car park full of muddy puddles to strut our stuff in the ring.
No Walk Trot tests this month so straight into the Prelim tests, 7and 12. Both Queenie and I have been off work for a while. She was lame for two weeks with a pulled pectoral muscle and myself with the lurgy. So with training at a minimum over the last few weeks so were our expectations.
Despite this Queenie was scheduled for a Novice test, the first Nicki has tried in years.
Queenie started the day in fine fettle. Very cheerful and very forward going, without being head strong. She loosened up nice and loked so impressive. But with three riders and five horses there were no free hands to take pics.
Prelim 7 was ok. Some silly mistakes though. Dropped out of canter early, took too long to get into right reign canter then ran away from me in walk. None of this escaped the judges eyes along with a few other faults. But with 62.5% that was enough for a sixth rossette.
I suspect WRC may bar us soon though as our little team scooped 4 of the top places with the reluctant Brad beating me by 1pt!
Prelim 12 was even beter though. All out transitions where i wanted them. Canter was still a little unsteady so once that started the marks went down from 7s to 5s. Still gt one of my best scores at 64.5% I even hung on to the lead for quite some time and remained in the prizes until the very last rider wheb team mate V and matty stormed into first place and knocked me back to 7th. Ho hum. At theast I was still smiling at the end about how well we both went. Onward and upward.
Novice 30 with Nicki was another matter amd the least said the better 
A Whitfordhorses review
We got a lovely mention today on the @whitfordhorses blog:
http://whitfordhorses.blogspot.com/2011/02/dressage-at-gracelands.html
'In the ribbons' is a very generous phrase to which 'by the skin of his teeth' should have been added 
Well done to Helen though. Your first time off the yard with your horse is daunting enough, without having to do your first competion at the same time, especially when you are surrounded by people that make it look easy. I refer to Nicki and V or course there....and certainly not myself.
Brad did a few lovely tests too thanks to the great riding of Nicki. At one point he did spot a jump ahead of him in the warm up and locked on to it, sure that this was what he was really here to do, rather then trot around in circles.
Next outing Feb 22nd and only Prelims on offer. Fingers crossed Spring has really sprung and we can start practicing into the evenings again.
Prelim 7 at Gracelands EC
Second attempt. I thought this was worse...look at that canter transition (groan!) but the judge disagreed...60%.
Perhaps it was that pony tail!
First dressage test of the year
So, I was almost disqualified for a hair malfunction, I could have sworn it was tucked away when I left the lorry. Ho Hum.
So does that explain a 57% was it really that awful ? Or perhaps I am turning into a bearded dressage Diva
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!