PaulaM
Aug. 25, 2009, 05:51 PM
From July 31 - August 2nd took part in a 3 day "Gold" level show, judges were Michael Poulin, Hanne Valentin and Karen Ashbee. Rode for Michael 3 X, Karen 2 X and Hanne once.
Friday started out badly, could't keep Freddy cantering in the warm up and got mad basically at myself for my "short comings". Did Training Level test 2 for Karen and ended up with a 61.786%, went off course in the free walk tour, for the 1st time ever actually got some 7's for my canter work. Than we did 1st level test 1 for Michael, ended up with a 56.667%, marks ranged from a 3 for my left canter depart (supposed to be at K didn't do it until after A to 7's (we got 7's for our walk work). I was so nervous, I did not ride as effectively as I should.
Saturday promised to be a very hot day and my ride times were at 11:19 and 11:52, 1st for Training Test 3, I again rode for Karen, I was starting to feel the heat and again didn't ride Freddy as effectively as I should and he managed to fall back into an old habit (getting behind the vertical), we did get some 7's but a couple 5's as well. We than did Training Test 4 for Michael. ended up with a 54.000% on this test, but Freddy saved my butt. Approx. 1/2 way through this test, I started to feel light headed and that I was going to pass out. Couldn't keep Freddy up in the canter. Was amongst my worst test ever. I got out to the steward asked for permission to dismount and when I did collapsed to my knees. (had a bit of heat stroke), Thank heavens there was an awesome medical person there that knew what to do. After the lunch break, they waived jackets. A severe storm hit at around 5:00, lots of wind, thunder and rain, the sky even went green!!!!!
Sunday, awoke to a much cooler day. The footing in 2 of the 3 rings were absolutely fantastic!!!!! I of course had 2 tests, 1 in a good footing ring and the other in the slippery ring.
My coach had two of us riding basically at the same time, so she didn't get to see my Training Test 3 for Hanne Valentin, but we got a 61.600%, we were almost through our test when there was a flurry of activity in the next ring, My coach's other student's horse had slipped and almost gone down. Her rein got caught up under her horses leg. She stayed on though and completed her test.
Than I had a decision to make, do I take the risk and ride my final test? Or do I scratch? I opted to ride my final test, but with the understanding that if at any time, I truly felt uncomfortable with the footing I would stop and excuse myself. So the test was Training Test 4 and judge was Michael Poulin, I rode just about every step in this test. kept half-halting and balancing Freddy throughout. We received quite a few 7's and lots of 6's, ended up with a 63.600% and tied for 1st place in the class.
All in all, I am very happy with my horse and personally learned some valuable lessons. Very thankful for my wonderful coach and the other competitors were for the most part awesome!!!
One of my long time internet friends was there and took some great pics of Freddy and I during our First Level Test.
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650881078_521861078_3162876_1045759_n-0.jpg
awaiting our turn
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650911078_521861078_3162880_4944247_n-0.jpg
would have been really nice if I was looking up
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650926078_521861078_3162883_1184976_n-0.jpg
OK, I can smile
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650931078_521861078_3162884_4976344_n-0.jpg
back to serious mode
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650941078_521861078_3162885_3677903_n-0.jpg
nice walk picture
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650951078_521861078_3162887_8258992_n-0.jpg
right lead canter, our nemesis
Friday started out badly, could't keep Freddy cantering in the warm up and got mad basically at myself for my "short comings". Did Training Level test 2 for Karen and ended up with a 61.786%, went off course in the free walk tour, for the 1st time ever actually got some 7's for my canter work. Than we did 1st level test 1 for Michael, ended up with a 56.667%, marks ranged from a 3 for my left canter depart (supposed to be at K didn't do it until after A to 7's (we got 7's for our walk work). I was so nervous, I did not ride as effectively as I should.
Saturday promised to be a very hot day and my ride times were at 11:19 and 11:52, 1st for Training Test 3, I again rode for Karen, I was starting to feel the heat and again didn't ride Freddy as effectively as I should and he managed to fall back into an old habit (getting behind the vertical), we did get some 7's but a couple 5's as well. We than did Training Test 4 for Michael. ended up with a 54.000% on this test, but Freddy saved my butt. Approx. 1/2 way through this test, I started to feel light headed and that I was going to pass out. Couldn't keep Freddy up in the canter. Was amongst my worst test ever. I got out to the steward asked for permission to dismount and when I did collapsed to my knees. (had a bit of heat stroke), Thank heavens there was an awesome medical person there that knew what to do. After the lunch break, they waived jackets. A severe storm hit at around 5:00, lots of wind, thunder and rain, the sky even went green!!!!!
Sunday, awoke to a much cooler day. The footing in 2 of the 3 rings were absolutely fantastic!!!!! I of course had 2 tests, 1 in a good footing ring and the other in the slippery ring.
My coach had two of us riding basically at the same time, so she didn't get to see my Training Test 3 for Hanne Valentin, but we got a 61.600%, we were almost through our test when there was a flurry of activity in the next ring, My coach's other student's horse had slipped and almost gone down. Her rein got caught up under her horses leg. She stayed on though and completed her test.
Than I had a decision to make, do I take the risk and ride my final test? Or do I scratch? I opted to ride my final test, but with the understanding that if at any time, I truly felt uncomfortable with the footing I would stop and excuse myself. So the test was Training Test 4 and judge was Michael Poulin, I rode just about every step in this test. kept half-halting and balancing Freddy throughout. We received quite a few 7's and lots of 6's, ended up with a 63.600% and tied for 1st place in the class.
All in all, I am very happy with my horse and personally learned some valuable lessons. Very thankful for my wonderful coach and the other competitors were for the most part awesome!!!
One of my long time internet friends was there and took some great pics of Freddy and I during our First Level Test.
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650881078_521861078_3162876_1045759_n-0.jpg
awaiting our turn
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650911078_521861078_3162880_4944247_n-0.jpg
would have been really nice if I was looking up
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650926078_521861078_3162883_1184976_n-0.jpg
OK, I can smile
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650931078_521861078_3162884_4976344_n-0.jpg
back to serious mode
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650941078_521861078_3162885_3677903_n-0.jpg
nice walk picture
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/e/d/159835/6329_139650951078_521861078_3162887_8258992_n-0.jpg
right lead canter, our nemesis