Competition Report [3.3.13]

Yesterday (3rd March), we were back to Houghton Hall for their winter dressage championships. 

Intro A:

I had hopes to place in this test with how Pea's schooling had been going lately. He warmed up nicely, and even when a little drama happened (someone's horse got spooked by the speaker and bronked the rider off before swiftly leaving) Pea was as calm as anything. In the test he rode nicely. There are still the odd bits that need working on but he is improving all the time and such a change from how he used to be! In fact, the transitions to walk for a stride and then trotting again and walk transitions were our worst as Pea now decides he'd rather keep trotting, something that before was unknown! We did get a few 8's, which is a bonus! The judges comments were: "Well done - nice pony. Accurate test for the most part, needs a little more hand/leg contact to bring frame together. Pleasing test with good rhythm and use of arena." I'm so proud of how far this little guy has come over the past year especially and we scored 61.3% coming 3rd so I was extra happy :) A video of the test can be viewed here. 

Prelim 15.

I wasn't expecting a great deal for this test after our recent canter issues. However, the two days prior to the competition I felt that his canter had slowly been coming along, though I don't think Pea agreed. In the warm-up, I used the outdoor arena as it was quieter so I thought he would canter better, however he decided to buck his way down the long side cantering and then rush off in trot...on both reins. I decided not to push too much because knowing what he's like he gets quite worked up with canter so I popped back indoors and worked on getting him back to me and listening before we went in. He started the test reasonably well, especially seeing as the test was in a 20x60m arena so aiming to stay straight down the very long centre line was a bit nerving but somehow we managed it getting the comment "good entry, straight and good turn at C (7)" so at least we got a good start. Once we hit canter it all went a bit downhill. I thought we'd be okay as it's canter in the corner, 20m circle, then along the diagonal so very little canter, but apparently Pea didn't like that. He bucked into canter, did half a circle before promptly stopping and reversing along a diagonal. Once he calmed down and we got moving again, we went back to finishing the circle in trot then attempting canter along the diagonal but getting the wrong lead. The second canter follows straight away and it went better...our circle was more like 15m than 20m and we lost some impulsion along the diagonal but hey ho! The rest of the test then went a bit messy as he was running off and not listening as much but we'll get there! The judges comments were: "well done, started well but went downhill after canter transition. good try but Paddy just didn't want to play along today!" Surprisingly he got 52.1% which is better than last time considering he added in his own movement and although we came last, the person who went after us got 52,6% so we weren't that far off! There's a video here. 

Now it's back to schooling at home to try and work on this canter. I am hoping to keep getting him out though as I'm not a defeatist and I know he'll get there soon. Patience is key! 

Thanks for reading! 

Laura & Pea x

[Monthly Review] February 2013

Is it just me or did February feel like such a long month, even though it's the shortest month of the year? I felt like it went on for ages and now I can't remember what happened! 

February has been a rather busy month for me so I haven't been able to ride much. At the beginning of the month we went over to Houghton Hall EC for dressage (posted about here) which didn't go too well! So after that I spent the weekend just hacking and having a bit of fun. The week after I free-schooled Pea which showed he is quite all over the place really and finds canter hard. I was back to uni on the 11th and now have 4 day weeks which means Pea can't get ridden but my dad goes down and does him on a Tuesday for me, bringing him in and grooming him whilst feeding him - he secretly loves it! I then get back Thursday and ride him then :) We've mainly been hacking and a bit of schooling but I think it's really helped him getting out hacking and letting him have a stretch and he gets so happy hacking, no matter how many times we go! 

This week I've properly cracked on with his canter work in the school after his walk trot work has been going nicely and fingers crossed we're slowly getting there! Yesterday (28th) I got him to canter round the whole arena on both reins without stopping. It may sound trivial and like nothing but for me and Pea it's a big step! I then decided to show him the water tray that was left out and he happily walked over it and then cantered over it! Definitely a happy ending after spending 5/10 minutes complaining at him for not listening! I schooled him again today ready for dressage on Sunday and focused on the test movements and whilst they're not great they were reasonable! 

One of the stallions at Kildangan

Last week I spent the week in Ireland with uni on a study tour! We visited various places such as Troytown vets, Kildangan Stud (One of the prestigious Darley studs), Punchestown races (where we got to present a prize), RACE, Curragh gallops and various others which I will blog about just as soon as I manage to get round to it! I will also have a competition report after this weekend where we are heading back over to Houghton Hall for their winter championships! 

Hope everyone's February went well!
Bye!
Laura & Pea x

Competition Report [6.2.13]

Helloo :)

Today was a bit of a disappointing day if I'm honest. 

The Intro was quite a nice test and although we had a few bending issues he worked nicely with good consistency in rhythm. He came away with 61.7% and 1st. The judge's comments were: "Lovely pony and nicely ridden test. Need more engagement into steady contact to encourage more roundedness! Great use of arena and very accurate. Well done. Lots to like."

The prelim was virtually a disaster! He was funny with canter in the warm-up and I've not cantered him properly for a while, only working on it this past week. His canter is really frustrating because for the past year or more that I've been trying to work on it, I feel like we're getting no where. Last month he won with this test and today he came away second from last with 45.8%! His right canter was virtually non-existent and he constantly broke, rode on three tracks, wrong leg, etc etc. His left canter was better to begin with and then he charged off a bit along the straight and I could just vision us jumping over the dressage boards but luckily we made the corner! The judges comments were: "Very well tried, all went well until canter request! Well done for not getting fazed. Lots to like so keep working on the canter transitions and strides. Well done."


Overall, I think I am being hard on myself but it's very frustrating when it feels like I've hit a brick wall! However, the judges comments were very encouraging and I text my instructor and she's the best (as I mentioned on the previous blog post) and is very encouraging and trying to make sure I'm not beating myself up about it! I'm going to work hard on trying to sort out his canter and get the physio out in the next couple of weeks to make sure there's definitely nothing wrong though I'm pretty sure there isn't but it will be good for him to be checked. 

That's all for now! 
Laura & Pea x