Progress at last!
Now bloggers take a seat, I wouldn't want you to hurt yourselves.
Jazz has just come back from a Riding Club competition where he jumped all nine of the clear round fences. OK, he didn't jump them all first time, and SH took off some of the back bars and some he stopped and and then jumped from a standstill. But this is a first, he has never been willing to go round a whole course in a competition before. He also warmed up reasonably well, stopping once at the spread the first time and then jumping very nicely from then onwards. I do feel that, at last, he has made real progress and is beginning to trust me to tell him when to go.
We had also done a dressage test, Prelim 1, and he warmed up very well for a baby and then stayed inside the arena in the test. He wasn't settled, and was obviously very aware that his arena was right next to the gate back to the lorry, but he still scored almost 58%, which I was delighted with. First time on grass too, as was the jumping.
He's a joy to take to a competition. He's quiet and gentle and he'll stand on the lorry or tied to it or by my side watching other people work - while waiting to do stuff or waiting for me to finish chatting to friends and go. He's loading perfectly and although he pawed a little on the journey it was nothing to speak of. If we can just crack this confidence issue jumping he is going to be wonderful to compete.
Zippy has had today off. He doesn't seem to me to be the kind of horse who needs backing every day. He was so totally unconcerned that I'm sure tomorrow will do.
C.
posted by cptrayes @ 2:37 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
oh excellent news, caroline, just what you wanted! onwards and upwards from here, then?
now, you can go read my good news...
Fantastic. Most important in all of this is how Jazz is behaving on and off the lorry when he is not competing. Being able to go to a competition and enjoy yourself without worrying how your horse is going to behave while you are waiting around or socializing is really an important factor.
And as for the course...Way to go!! And, the dressage score is really awesome when you consider how far he has come.
Meantime, I am major sore. Chance fell down on his knees with me yesterday and I went flying off to land on my right shoulder. All I can say is that I don't bounce as well as I did when I was young. Ouch.
Off to Claire's blog to read her news!!
I've left a comment for each of you on yours.
Jean I am pleased with the score of 57.8% The improvement in score is quite significant and was matched by an increase in the number of older and more experienced horses he scored higher than. He'll soon be over 60% and into British Dressage points territory (1 point if you get 60% or over, even if you are not placed. If you are affiliated for dressage, of course, which we aren't but it's still a measure of achievement to score 60 and over). He understands now what is expected of him in a test. He gets his transitions in the right place and as soon as he relaxes a little more, which happens every time we go out, he'll be scoring to match his paces, which as we know are superb.
I am going to bed now basking in the level of improvement today and feeling hugely positive about our future together.
C
I agree with Jean one of the most important things about competing is getting too and from the event and the horses demeanor when you get there. There is nothing more stressful than your horse banging and crashing around the box and dragging you all over the place when you get there. He can only go better if he is in a relaxed frame of mind to do his job
Anne
Well his demeanour on the showground is pretty much unbeatable for a 5 year old :-)
C
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