So we went OD Eventing again. It was my 2nd ODE and I was much more relaxed so able to actually enjoy myself!
So dressage first: Last time Cally was tense, rushed, spooky and silly and we scored pretty badly. This time we did a much better test so I was thrilled with her. I knew we still were a long way off being competitive as she was too strong and fighting me too much but she was much more accurate and more free in her movement.So I was really looking forward to getting my test sheet. And then I got it and we scored WORSE!!!! And were shredded by the judges. I was quite annoyed by it tbh. They hammered every little error. A couple of strides of jog in the walk gave us a 4! We got a 3 for striking off on the wrong canter lead though I corrected it. Oh well. Better luck next time I guess.
Onto SJ: she jumped a lovely round but just caught the final fence for 4 faults. Argghhh. My fault, as I had that 'last fence' feeling and she relaxed a bit too much!! As I entered the ring I trotted her past a big pink fence which she spooked at so I wondered how she'd jump it. I know her so well that we were able to have little chat about it! She approached it and I felt her thinking/saying 'ooooh not sure about this one' and I put my leg on and told her 'it's fine, go for it' and I felt her say' well, ok then'' and she locked on and took me over with no further hesitation. Bless her.
Then XC and she flew round clear. I did not stay around to see if I got time penalties but it was definitely faster than last time which I was pleased about.
Next event: 'The Elympics!' A team ODE on August 21st. Better get working on my flat-work!!!!!!

So dressage first: Last time Cally was tense, rushed, spooky and silly and we scored pretty badly. This time we did a much better test so I was thrilled with her. I knew we still were a long way off being competitive as she was too strong and fighting me too much but she was much more accurate and more free in her movement.So I was really looking forward to getting my test sheet. And then I got it and we scored WORSE!!!! And were shredded by the judges. I was quite annoyed by it tbh. They hammered every little error. A couple of strides of jog in the walk gave us a 4! We got a 3 for striking off on the wrong canter lead though I corrected it. Oh well. Better luck next time I guess.
Onto SJ: she jumped a lovely round but just caught the final fence for 4 faults. Argghhh. My fault, as I had that 'last fence' feeling and she relaxed a bit too much!! As I entered the ring I trotted her past a big pink fence which she spooked at so I wondered how she'd jump it. I know her so well that we were able to have little chat about it! She approached it and I felt her thinking/saying 'ooooh not sure about this one' and I put my leg on and told her 'it's fine, go for it' and I felt her say' well, ok then'' and she locked on and took me over with no further hesitation. Bless her.
Then XC and she flew round clear. I did not stay around to see if I got time penalties but it was definitely faster than last time which I was pleased about.
Next event: 'The Elympics!' A team ODE on August 21st. Better get working on my flat-work!!!!!!
