Cob Jockey: IDS Schooling Show: 1-2

July 28, 2016

IDS Schooling Show: 1-2

Edit: Double posted, no apologies.

Finally, we're to the show!

1-2 was first, and it was fantastic. I was able to put into practice a lot of the things Nancy K had me change in the lesson on Friday, and it helped so much. We scored a team-high 73.125% on that test.

8.0 - balanced halt, prompt step off
All show photos by Lisa Brezina. Thank you!!!

Most of our scores were 7.5's and 8.0's, with two 4.5's and a scattering of 6's and 7's. One 4.5 was for the right leg yield which we totally deserved. It should tell you how one sided we are that the left leg yield about 15 seconds later got an 8.0. The other 4.5 was for a really disorganized first 10 seconds of trot after the halt. We deserved that too. Overall, I can't complain, we got 7 8.0's.

The comments we got were unlike anything we've ever gotten in the past - 'energetic jump' (15m canter circle), 'uphill jump' (other 15m canter circle), 'expressive' (lengthen canter - and that's a good, obedient expressive, not a "your horse bucked and I'm being nice" expressive), 'balanced & good ground cover' (working canter), 'good prep' (downward transition to trot), We got 8's on the things we've gotten our worst scores on in the past - leg yield and lengthenings.

7.5 - stretching with active march, more ground cover

I know he's on his forehand in this next picture, but can I just have a moment over his neck here? I just love chestnuts with flaxen manes and tails.

8.0 - balanced, kept engagement

Lengthen canter is below. Couple of things: I'm not throwing my upper body at him anymore thanks to my Nancy lesson, and while he is tense and on his forehand with his hind end out behind him, this is immensely more balanced than the lengthen canter has been in the past.

Our collectives made me smile because we have NEVER gotten most of these before. For the horse, she circled "freedom", "harmony", "desire to move forward", "engagement of the hindquarters" (!!!!!!!!!), and "clarity" and "subtlety" for my aids. She wrote "lovely canter!", "balanced/confident" for rider (8.5), and "Pretty ride! Keep working for even more uphill balance."

(Also may I point out that this is the same judge that judged our very first Dressage test together four years ago this month, and she also judged the epic meltdown at Majestic. Sweet justice,)

July 2012, same place, same judge. "Distracted, skywatching"

Now, for those of you who are video inclined, my husband took the following video which includes commentary from non-Dressage people, including my husband (who refers to Connor as "Condoleeza Horse") and our roommate Mark (who went to school with Liz...small f***** world!). You will also hear this one horse whinny twice - conveniently both times right as I was beginning a lengthen canter. Thanks for the assist, dude!