04/04/04
Herbie Showing in Dressage
I took Herbie in Intro 2 and Training 1.
We had some trouble with our canter transitions. After
3 weeks of practice, we still run into the gait. It's better
at home, so I know we'll have it down pretty quickly.
My husband commented that it was funny that Herbie
got the highest and lowest scores of all my tests for the day.
He got a 65.7% for the intro and a 54.5% for the training.
A couple of 4s on transitions will bump you down...
So, besides his 3rd for Lydia, we got a 3rd and 6th place.
(click here for Lydia's pictures on Herbie)


 Really nice about the halts.
 

 I'm trying to get him to keep his neck long, but not give him too much rein that he tries to stretch down (it's a tough balance).
 He's a nice mover. The first time we saw him free in the pasture, we couldn't believe a little guy had such a nice trot.
 
 The judge said our canter was too quick, but I think I pushed him - worried that he'd break down into the trot.
 And the other direction. Spurs might help, but I think (like Bob), once he understands that I want him to canter, he will. He really doesn't act lazy (in the draft horse sense), just a little unsure of what and why...
 
 When he got distracted by things outside the ring, he wasn't silly. He showed me that he has the potential and mind to deal with a show situation.
 Our Intro 2 test. A bit more chewing, since by then he'd been in two tests and was probably starting to question the fun of dressage.
 He doesn't take up all my leg, but I don't feel too big for him.
 At the end of the stretchy walk. The judge seemed pleased, said good stretch and gave us a 7.
 If I remember to ride the corners and keep the outside aids, I can get some nice bend from him.
 So, he travels straight, even if I was a little off and not headed toward K like we're supposed to be. I bet this is what the judge meant by a horse with 'a lot of try'.
 Definitely reminds me of Thuy, but not really built to carry as substantial of a rider as Thuy can. Herbie's also friendlier. He'll come up to you in the pasture for a pet. Thuy's always too busy looking for that last blade of grass...
 One thing about a small horse that's nice, is when you are doing a figure in a test, you can control every step and have a lot of time to make the figure accurate. Of course that can work against you. Because it's pretty obvious, as the pony is taking his time crossing the diagonal, if he's leaning against your right leg and drifting toward his friend standing outside the arena...