[VCT]

Been wanting to do a mini or starter HT for about 5 yrs now.

Between then and now..wrong horses, health issues, lack of skill on my part, etc...

... and finally after 3 years of hard work on a horse who is not an easy ride but one that I trust, I finally made it to a mini event last weekend. We did the intro (18") division. I have been showing in the 2'3" range this summer in schooling shows, but I wanted the XC to be in no way intimidating for this first time, especially since my horse can be tense, anxious and a "over-achiever".

We were in 5th after a good dressage test and finished on our dressage score in 3rd. One mid XC course horsey temper-tantrum aside...I'm just really happy to have finally done it!!!!!!!

[eventerwannabe]

Congrats!!! I was where you are a few years ago so I can completely relate. Glad you had a good time!

[VCT]

Thanks

[Right on Target]

That's great!

[belleellis]

Congrats. That is my long term goal. It is taking us longer than I care to even write....LOL. However it is all part of the journey isnt it?

[VCT]

Yeap! It's been a long but interesting journey with this horse! I got him when he was 7 and not really broke. He had some major anxiety issues to boot.

I figure with just a little more work he'll be quiet around the XC as he is now starting to be in stadium and then I can start really working on improving how we go and not just working on getting around in one piece. My horse made *huge* improvements this year and it's so gratifying to finally see some payoff.

He was great in the beginning of the XC, real calm and soft... then we had a mandatory walk through some woods on a really rocky trail and he was fine with that (even though he was alone ) but then we caught up to the pony that was ahead of us on course.

When we came out of the trailhead onto the second field, I just stopped to let the kid get far ahead of me because it was not a timed XC at this mini and I didn't want to upset her pony incase my horse started acting a fool. Which he did.

Once he saw the pony he start jigging and then he didn't want to stand and wait, so he was acting up, trying to go back to stadium which was fairly closeby, but I just kept insisting he turn back to the field. After a minute he seemed to gather his wits and some guts and was willing to go forward into the field, away from everyone else.

I just trotted everything on XC because he can get a little silly and I just wanted to keep him on the quieter side. Once he feels comfortable and confident out there he'll quiet down. He's gotten really quiet and agreeable for stadium jumping now.
Heres some video. Not too exciting, but an accomplishment for us.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...45129882179271

[Dakotawyatt]

Great job! Congrats to you. Couldn't see the video because of your privacy settings.

[VCT]

I changed my settings.. i think the link will work now...

[MimsEppi]

Doesn't work.

Congrats! We are aiming for our first mini trial in September so it's good to know things work out well

[horseyfrk145]

Congrats! It sounds like you had fun and handled everything well

[VCT]

FB is so odd.

maybe this will work
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...45125932179666

AND then i post the wrong link. *sigh* Above is stadium... below is XC
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...45129882179271

[VCT]

Thanks guys... good luck to you all
MimsEppi, I'm sure you'll do fine!