Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Day One: Dressage

Yesterday Johnny and I began our rotational training schedule starting with our dressage day. It was SO HOT outside, but the indoor was dusty and the outdoor had better lighting so we road outside. One long side of the arena was still a little mushy and deep, which as you can see in the video, Johnny struggled through slightly. I cut some of our circles and diagonals a little short to avoid the really deep spots. The last thing I need is (at best) a thrown show and (at worse) a soft tissue injury!

Here are some photos and a video link:

His contact is far from consistent at this stage in his training but we do have some nice moments as you can see by these photos. Plus, I am VERY happy that he is tracking evenly with his front and hind legs...another big issue for us!

Here is the video of our walk/trot Intro. B test...not too shabby for not having practiced much at all!





6 comments:

  1. He looks great! :) But did you know you went off course?? The free walk is across two diagnols, not one. So you go from M to X, but then you turn and go to F, not straight across to K like you did. Then your second trot circle is at E and it is to the RIGHT. And the last trot diagnol is the oppostie of what you did. If you go off course at a show, the judge rings a bell. It can be confusing to have to start again in the middle of the test...your nerves are shot, you suddenly cannot remember your test, etc. Just trying to be helpful (NOT critical at all!!) because I want you to have a GREAT show! :)

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  2. I'm glad you said something! I really only just briefly glanced at the test before I rode through it and I went back to look at it just now and you are right! Clearly, in my haste I mis-read it lol!! Thank you for pointing it out...no offense taken! And thank you for the comment...we will be sure to practice the CORRECT test!

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  3. LOL! I figured you may have just misread it. :) When I first wrote what I did, I started worrying you might take it the wrong way (the internet is hard for tone, etc.) But then I got thinking...."Well I don't want her to mess up in a show!" LOL! He really looks good! When is your first combined test??

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  4. Hahaha no way! I appreciate all sorts of comments (good and bad!) and I'm glad you pointed the corrections out to me because I would have looked like an IDIOT at the show if I just kept practicing the test wrong way! LOL Thank you for the comments! We are shooting for our first combined test on May 2nd...not very far away! I'm a little nervous because Johnny hasn't ever done dressage and I haven't shown dressage in about 9 years! Any advice based on our video? I know that he needs to keep his inside shoulder up better to the right and be more consistent through the contact, but anything else you might notice?

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  5. Hey, this is Dom. I came over from Erin's blog (nowthatsatrot). Your gelding is ADORABLE. He reminds me so much of Erin's Willie. Looks like a nice, honest guy. As you may know, I have my own goofball standardbred. Thought I'd pop in and let you know I'll be reading :)

    harnessphoto.livejournal.com

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  6. Hi Dom! I keep up with Erin's blog and I've heard her mention you many times...great to finally "meet" you! Thank you very much for the nice comment, I will definitely be following your blog now too :) Thanks so much!

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