Beginner Novice Event at Curragh

Our dressage went great. Our last test we'd had energy that the judge liked, but it was on the edge of control. This test we were relaxed, but energetic.
It was probably our best test so far.  His canter transitions were exactly what I wanted, no going above the bit, and we got an 8 on our walk.
Our score was a 29.5.

I was a little nervous about stadium for the first time in the pelham. Meg has pushed that I can't interfere over fences and this was out in the open field,
so I wasn't sure how it would go. We were together on our spots and I gave over the fences.
We got a little out of sync at one point, but I balanced at the next fence and we were back together.
We got all our leads and I rode our turns as instructed by using my outside aids and not pulling with the inside rein.
He just played over the jumps, and the one time he tried to put his head down he couldn't, so he just kept going.

I was eager to see how cross country went in the pelham. Our plan was to canter the entire course, because we'd never accomplished that before.
We'd moved up to Novice last year, but had refusals, time penalties and eliminations. This time around we wanted to make it easy to go clear,
so I could focus on making time. He came out of the starting box at a canter, then squealed, which surprised me,
and I dropped my aides, so he dropped to a trot. I immediately asked for the canter again, and we were off.
He settled after the first fence and by the third he was offering to gallop. I wanted to just balance over my feet and let him go,
but I wasn't at that point. I did let him stretch out between the jumps. He nicely came back at each fence to balance
and I was thinking 'whee' in my head as we headed back toward the water to let him know that he was doing great.

I didn't have a watch, so we weren't sure how my time went until they posted. We went 3:45 and 4:17 was the time.
The cut off for time penalities was 3:34, so we made good time at a speed where I was still holding him back some.
The nice part was that when I got off I didn't collapse. I was tired, but not like in the past with him.
I wasn't fighting because my half halts went through, and he couldn't take off with me after every fence, so my adrenaline wasn't exhausting me.
So, we finished on our dressage score, which kept us in 1st for the show. Finally I can't wait to go cross country on him again.



With Meg, watching Emily's round.
 
First jump and we were both together and focused.
 
I'm giving him his head, but still letting myself get too forward.
 
At least I'm sure I'm giving him enough rein.
 
A nice spot and ready to turn right.
 
I like how cute he looks using his neck. I'll spend the next month working on my position.
 
I rode each fence and didn't jump ahead, so I'm not disappointed in my position. I just want to tweak some things.
 
When we come in balanced to the fences it almost seems that simply looking where we're going to go when we land gives us the correct lead. At least that's how it worked this day.
 
I think he was a little lazy behind over the shorter fences. His hind feet weren't always together on the take off. He still reached and tucked nicely in front, though.
 
I felt the long take off and didn't want to interfere. Again, sloppy behind for him.
 
His nose stretches like his front end.

Using the outside rein for the turn and not just pulling in the inside. Then he slows down and I have to work harder pushing, but it gets that hind end under us and ready to jump.
 
That's a lot of reins to deal with, but once we're going I don't think about it.
 
Second jump on course. He's flatter because we're already going faster than in stadium.
 
I like this picture. First I think his nose is cute, how he uses it as a part of jumping. Then I'm liking how defensive I am while giving and allowing. I don't remember hesitation at this fence, but I always want to be prepared.
 
Jump number three. Basically a canter stride for him.
 
Beautiful bench jump. It's definitely spring.
 
Taking the pony barn a bit bigger than needed. He's a bit of a show off.
 
Cantering out of the water looking for the last fence.
 
My parents on the right taking pictures. Too cute. My trainer is over on the left watching. My support group is amazing!
 
The last fence.
I liked looking at this sequence of approach.
First half halting 2 strides out.

Then telling him I wasn't going to interfere.


Sitting down a stride out to remind him I'm serious.


Going to more of a half seat when I feel that he's pulling us to the fence.

Hoping he doesn't change his stride, but just staying back and waiting.

Hands down and back in the saddle.

Loosening the reins a bit as I start to reach forward for the take off.

Hips could be further back, but I'm not bothering him.


Keeping a feel of his mouth on landing because we're headed for home.



He'd like more rein, but I'm not pulling on him, just waiting him out while he remembers he can canter rounder than he'd rather as we're headed downhill and I want him more engaged.