Last night was ginger ones stressage debut. Wasn't really expecting much as I've only been working him for 4 months and the first 10 weeks of that was concentrating on his jumping. He's never seen a stressage areana before plus it was on grass and sloping.
Well he warmed up ok, bit tense at first but did settle. First test (BE Intro 100) went ok. No real spooking at areana but he did back off my leg a bit. Overall pleased with his performance. Very surprised when I checked the score board to find he had been given 65% and finished 4th
Had a little pop round the CR showjumping between tests as course had been raised to 3'. Numpty rider forgot to change stirrups from back bar to front bar. Just couldn't work out why it felt all wrong but he still made a reasonable job of it.
So on to second test (BE PN110). Made sure he was much more in front of leg for this one. Started really well, trot work felt good. Then numpty rider forgot were he was supposed to go after the first canter circle so drifted around and dropped back to trot briefly. Remembered just in time to avoid error of test but still a major error and loss of concentration by both of us.
Did the same thing after second canter circle
So really wasn't hopeful of a place despite some very nice trot work.
Stunned when the results went up
WE WON with 64%. Could so easily have been 70% without the rider error.
So now back to lots of flat schooling with particular emphasis on transitions.
Vids to follow when they finish loading
Well he warmed up ok, bit tense at first but did settle. First test (BE Intro 100) went ok. No real spooking at areana but he did back off my leg a bit. Overall pleased with his performance. Very surprised when I checked the score board to find he had been given 65% and finished 4th
Had a little pop round the CR showjumping between tests as course had been raised to 3'. Numpty rider forgot to change stirrups from back bar to front bar. Just couldn't work out why it felt all wrong but he still made a reasonable job of it.
So on to second test (BE PN110). Made sure he was much more in front of leg for this one. Started really well, trot work felt good. Then numpty rider forgot were he was supposed to go after the first canter circle so drifted around and dropped back to trot briefly. Remembered just in time to avoid error of test but still a major error and loss of concentration by both of us.
Did the same thing after second canter circle
So really wasn't hopeful of a place despite some very nice trot work.
Stunned when the results went up
WE WON with 64%. Could so easily have been 70% without the rider error.
So now back to lots of flat schooling with particular emphasis on transitions.
Vids to follow when they finish loading