2/11/08
Miaren Showing at Intro with me

Miaren and I did our first dressage show together. He was
just wonderful. A little fussy at the trailer tacking up, but
solid and obedient under saddle.
He hasn't had consistent riding this past month, so I was
just hoping he'd do as well as he did at his last show.
This time he got two seconds with scores of 66 and 70.
It takes work to ride him, but he never took advantage of me, and
met me half way most of the time.
Getting ready to turn up centerline for our entrance.
 

I rode him last weekend and the day before to try and figure out his buttons. He likes a light rider, and I had to remember to not ask like I would my draft crosses.
Our halts were mostly off centerline, but otherwise pretty good.
 
He knows how to soften, but it's not a habit for him. The same with bending. He wants the rider to be very deliberate, and even with preparation some things don't happen.
It's nice to ride a younger horse and only be concentrating on the horse. He didn't worry about distractions and seemed happy in the ring.
 
It took some asking, but he did eventually reach down in our walk.
The final trot circle. We had relaxed, so then we worked on a little more impulsion.
 
When they do this, I always think of a carousel horse.
Our second entry was better. My posture could use some work, but I was happy with his entrance.
 
Turning past the judge. She seemed to like Miaren's potential.
We almost had a halt on our first circle...
 
Just a tap of the whip and he kept moving.
The bending line at the walk is always a bit of a challenge. He didn't have that much stretch, but he was forward and thinking about it.
 
Our other circle.
Across the diagonal and headed for home.
 
I'm not sure I ever thought I'd being showing this guy. I can feel all the talent, but it's in a package with an attitude like my other sweet horses.
Standing isn't his favorite thing, but he decided he liked it more than being banished to the side of the trailer.
 
I've been wondering what his canter felt like, but didn't have the nerve to try before today. There's a lot of air time, and he's so balanced. There's a lot more movement than I thought there'd be. He lifts with every stride, and has a lot of jump.