Our First Attempt At a Dressage Competition

[shandy84]

Bramble did really well in the dressage test on Sunday.

Walk in at medium walk and salute
4/10 Not quite straight but obedient halt, off centre.

Track Right Then Trot
6/10 Nice bend on turn active trot.

Circle 20m Right
6/10 Active trot fairly good bend.

Working trot then Medium Walk
6/10

Turn right halt at x and stand for four seconds
6/10 Nice Halt

Working Trot
7/10 Active

Circle 20m in trot
7/10

Working trot to medium change rein long diagonal on long rein
6/10 Try to go further past A on down transition walk relaxed.

Working trot then medium walk
5/10 Trot nice but transition a little late

Down centre line then halt and salute
4/10 Straighter than entry, but halted at X rather than G

They also gave good points for:

The paces and way of going of the pony - 6/10
The use of the arena and accuracy - 5/10
The rider's influence and balance - 6/10

Final Comments were: Well ridden, nice test. Pony beding nicely to inside on the circles

We got an overall mark of 74/130 which put us in a respectable 9th position out of 17 riders and seeing as that's the first test I ever remembered uncalled and the first comp for Bramble only two months into riding I was floating in the clouds.

[shandy84]

I decided to plait as her mane wasn't pulled in time, she was fairly good for it, though they were a bit golf bally due to the length of her mane :D We then had lunch let the ponies chill and went out for a lovely hack over the famrlands in a wood etc for about 1 1/2 hours, was a lovely end to a tiring but very happy day :)

[shandy84]

Shandy unfortunatly didn't manage quite so many points, but we knew she wouldn't she is so hollow against the bit, she'll be unlikely to ever be a dressage pony. But she tried her hardest Dave riding did really well and managed to get his confidence in check and then we went out for this hack together where they had their first canter in ages, the first time Dave has trusted her in canter for about 5 months so again a really good end to the day.

He is still insisting that it was a sexist plot as the the two male riders in the whole comp came last :)

If you feel there is anything we can improve apon friendly critique is always welcomed and yes I had noticed the head down thing I seem to have going on :rolleyes:

[KarinUS]

:eek: She looks completely different from what I pictured her. She is so cute and dainty! :o :p

[shandy84]

Is that Bramble you're talking about Karin? She's looking very smart in there needless today some fun with her friends today has put pays to all that grooming :) Shandy also decided to become a showjumper for the day and jumped out of her field five times (guess she heard a couple of the PC kids who said she was really looking like a showjumper :D :rolleyes: )

Bearing in mind Brable is three and so still growing, do you think I look far too huge on her? Just I am at a yard where to be 20 and riding a 13hh you must need your head examining?

[KarinUS]

Yes, it's the cute little Bramble Bee! :)
She just doesn't have anything pony-ish about her. Her proportions are like a horse- just smaller.
I always pictured you with shaggy stocky -sometimes slightly ornery- ponies! :p

[shandy84]

Oh we can do shaggy :p Shandy was shaggy before we clipped her very impressive four and a half inch beard for the comp and Bramble well the mane has a mind of it's own.

It's a shame Bramble could probably do well at dressage but I've decided it's really not my thing and no child can ride her safely so I think it may be a no go

[RachelEvent]

Bramble looks lovely :D I think as karin says, she almost has the proportions of a horse.. but in miniature! The photos look as if her trot movement has the potential to be really nice too - she is already using her hindlegs actively. Congratulations on the good result!

[MeMe]

Well done, on percentage you got 56.92, which is very good :D For a first outing, and at her age you dont want to be pushing it anyway, so wouldent wish to critique on her.

On you, you seem aware of your faults, look up, lower leg could move up and hands up more, just a couple of minor faults.

Do you intend to do dressage on her in the future then? :D

[shandy84]

Thanks Meme I can never work out percentages of things. With the lower leg moving up is that just the ay I'm holding myself would you say or do I need my stirrups up a tad?

I'd love to do dressage on her in terms of I think she could do really well. I have some very irritating habbits such as forgetting tests halfway through and looking down the whole time, also find it very taxing, showjumping is exhilerating and gives me a buzz this dressage didn't but maybe you never know I may one day do a bit of dressage or if I found a small adult to ride her in dressage I wouldn't be adverse to that.

I would at the moment be consider unsuitably mounted for dressage though wouldn't I?

The silly thing is she does all the work, I hop on try not to make too much of a hash of it and jump off again :D

[JaniceH]

Congratulations!!! What proper little horses - ponies....nah...definately not. It really doesnt seem like 2 seconds since you couldnt go anywhere near Bramble and you always said that she was going to be 'interesting to break' well how many times has she been ridden now? less than 10? I'm really proud of you and Dave, you have worked so hard through lots of circumstances that most people would have given up a long time ago - just send a copy of those pics to Southey Green.......that'll show them!

[MeMe]

Its hard to say from stills, Im not one to overly go into things like schooling and position etc from still shots and descriptions, I much prefer to see the real thing.

But I dont get the impression your stirrups are to long, in a couple of the pics your leg position is not overly bad, some its alot more forward, I think it seems like your maybe getting left behind at points, and having waterski moments?

I think you should give it a try, will really help with the jumping in the future and thats the one good thing about dressage, adults can do it on ponies :D

If you do decide to do it more seriously in the future, go for beige or canary jods, white are incorrect and long boots, or jod boots and gaiters as a senior :D

I wont bore you with ins and outs unless you really really want to do it in future and if you do want to know the ins and outs, just feel free to PM me :D

Ok to work out the percentages, I will give you the formula below, its a good idea to get in the habit of checking your test sheets immediately, add up the score, remembering to double free walk, then add up collectives, remembering to double them, get your points, in your case 73.

So do 73 x 100 =, then divide by the highest possible points in this case 130, then = that, and that will present your percentage overall.

[Mehitabel]

highly respectable scores! well done both of you!

[shandy84]

Thanks guys, :D Janice that really would wipe off some smiles wouldn't it :D

Meme I actually had beige Jods on but they were old so will admit defeat there and realise I need to get a new pair :) I actually felt the judge was very positive and very politically correct in not directing anything at the rider (mine can be a bit of a bitchy yard so was def the diplomatic approach) I probably will continue with the dressage but perhaps next year when she's a little more secure in her ridden work (also gives me a year to train myself out of my habits :D )

I had only one bad point the YO came over and criticised Dave and said he must be far too heavy for Shandy and that she at his weight has to own a 17hh horse, she was trying to suggest this is why Shandy rides so hoolw, prob is I weight three and a half stone lighter and she's worse with me!

I am proud they could both have got 20 points and so long as they behaved they would have been praised just as much. Now for some chilling out, we're borrowing my friends warmblood at the weekend again to practice cantering and hacking so Bramble will have a nice holiday from work, she's deserved it. Shandy well Shandy is always off work so she can't really have another holiday just yet :rolleyes: as it is she's sporting a cut on one back leg and a banana shaped bruise on the other back leg...don't ask!

[Tootsie4U]

I have to agree with Karin! I can't believe that was Bramble! She looks so propper! :D And I'll add she looks extremely relaxed for only doing ridden work for two months! You are doing great with her - you dont give yourself enough credit!

And while she hasn't yet caught onto a dressage posture, she sure is VERY nicely turned out! What a looker Shandy is!

Congrats on the awesome job!

[larri]

Wowsers you guys look great - I feel so totally ashamed that I haven't got the guts to get out there on Safi and do it as well.

The scores and marks were excellent for a first time out on such a young horse - I hope you are feeling suitably proud!!!!!! :D

[shandy84]

Aww Larri, ours was only a yard thing maybe you could convince your YO to do something similar then it's not all scary and new for saf just a little more interesting than normal - any luck on finding a trainer?

[Showjumper]

Yay! Gorgeous, fabulous photos, and what scores! :D Bramble is just adorable and Shandy looks very well.

[Hollymead]

Yay, go Bramble and Shandy (plus Dawn and Dave of course ;) ).
Bramble's a Newfie, isn't she? Holly looks so different to her, yet they're the same age and breed! Bramble is a lot finer than my pony-chops. Great pics, they're both coming along nicely (even with the odd temper tantrum on Shandy's part :rolleyes: )

[MeMe]

lol Dawn, ok faded beige jods!

Well you should be proud, they both done well :D

[shandy84]

Yes Holly she is a millersford new forest pony. Her dad is ashely golden wonder and she seems to be very similar to him in stature, am I right in thinking that you worked out via teeth that Holly is rising four if so she's closer to Shandys age which may have a little to do with the lack of body Bramble has, I think she will be fairly chunky because up close her neck and legs are VERY thick but she's still immature in that sense hence why she's not being forced to be ridden too much :)

Meme my other faded pair I tried on were s washed out that you could see my white nix through them very embarrassing, needless to say they are now in the bin.

I am very proud of the pair of them, they make my life complete hell sometimes but know when to pull the goodies out of the bag......

Did I mention above that I beat the lady riding her arab cross mare that was hitting Shandy?! :D You can imagine the praise and treats Bramble got for that one! The best bit is that she needs draw reins (at least she thinks she does) to even get her mares head to the same level of Shandy's she hasn't spoken to me since the show she's so green! :D

[Hollymead]

Did I mention above that I beat the lady riding her arab cross mare that was hitting Shandy?! :D You can imagine the praise and treats Bramble got for that one! The best bit is that she needs draw reins (at least she thinks she does) to even get her mares head to the same level of Shandy's she hasn't spoken to me since the show she's so green! :D

Ha ha ha ha ha! :D GO BRAMBLE! :cool: Lots and lots of carrots and cuddles.

With regards to Holly's age I think we've decided on 3 1/2 years old, so she's a few months further on than the Bramble-babe. What size rug does Bramble take now? Holly's up to 5'3''. They grow so fast :rolleyes:

[shandy84]

Bramble about a five five if she would have it her way so it'll be a whole new winter wardrobe of 5"6's this comming winter :rolleyes: