A Tale of Two 1-3's

Last weekend's rated show was eye opening.  Saturday's 1-3 was our highest score ever by 0.2% but really...we did the same test we've ridden for 18 months now, only with a lot less tension owing to my better position.

I was frustrated that all that progress we've made was not demonstrated in the scores or the way I rode.  My position was great, my piloting was not. Overnight, I studied every comment on that score sheet until I could recite the test with the comments.  I also thought about how NK always tells me I ride him too politely.  And we BROUGHT IT.  I rode the s*** out of Sunday's 1-3.

Not pictured: Karen off to the side shaking a tree branch at Connor

We scored our highest ever by 4+%, 66.618%, good for second by 0.3% in the open division to a good local pro.  (And remember, I have done an embarrassing number of 1-3's at this point.  Slow learner and all that.  I sincerely dislike this test.)

What have I learned?  That I am totally capable of scoring higher, but it takes more than just getting it done to do well.  I need to have that "bring it" attitude every time.

I thought it'd be fun to compare how different both tests were, (or in some cases, how alike!) movement by movement with judges' comments.  Different judge both days.


A, enter working trot.  X, halt, salute.  Proceed working trot.
Saturday: 7.5, fairly straight
Sunday: 6.0, resting hind foot

C, track left.  H-X-F, change rein, lengthen stride in trot.  F, working trot.
Saturday: 5.0, very little change
Sunday: 6.0, needs clear reach

K-X, leg yield right
Saturday: 6.0, haunches trail
Sunday: 7.0, steady

X-H, leg yield left
Saturday: 5.0, becoming a diagonal line
Sunday: 7.5, nice @ X

C, 20m stretchy trot.  Before C, shorten reins, working trot.
Saturday: 7.0, willing stretch, maintain forward and bend
Sunday: 7.5, correct response, could stretch down more, suppleness improves

R, circle right 10m
Saturday: 6.5, needs more bend
Sunday: 7.0, no comment

B, turn right, X, halt, proceed working trot, E, turn left
Saturday: 7.5, fairly obedient
Sunday: 5.0, not at X, not square

V, circle left 10m
Saturday: 6.5, needs more bend
Sunday: 7.0, no comment

A, medium walk
Saturday: 5.0, walk not held
Sunday: 7.5, active

F-S change rein free walk, S, medium walk
Saturday: 7.0, clear rhythm, some tension in medium
Sunday: 7.5, lovely stretch

[CobJockey in: Please note with a chuckle that the canter work is the only thing that did not improve AT ALL from the first day to the second.  This is because NK told me we're going to have to "make him mad" to fix the canter, so we're not messing with it til after show season.  But she gave me a ton of tools to fix what's in my power to fix right now, namely, everything walk, trot and halt.]

H, working trot.  C, working canter right lead
Saturday: 7.0, fairly prompt
Sunday: 7.0, willing

C, circle right, 15m
Saturday: 6.5, needs bend and activity
Sunday: 6.5, heavy on right shoulder

M-P, lengthen stride in canter
Saturday: 6.0, conservative
Sunday: 6.0, twisting nose, needs reach

P, working canter
Saturday: 6.0, vague transition
Sunday: 6.0, unclear

K-X-H, one loop, maintaining right lead
Saturday: 7.0, could have better balance
Sunday: 6.5, twisting nose

M-X-K, change rein.  X, change of lead through trot
Saturday: 7.5, fairly straight
Sunday: 7.5, straight

A, circle left, 15m
Saturday: 6.0, needs bend
Sunday: 7.0, slight lean

F-R, lengthen stride in canter
Saturday: 6.5, fairly straight
Sunday: 6.0, above bit, tempo quick

R, working canter
Saturday: 4.0, broke canter [CobJockey in: I got aggressive with the wrong kind of rein aid trying to prepare for the down transition.  Le sigh.]
Sunday: 6.0, unclear

H-X-K, one loop, maintaining the left lead
Saturday: 5.0, not to X
Sunday: 7.0, no comment

A, working trot.  F-X-H, change rein, lengthen stride in trot.  H, working trot
Saturday: 5.0, very little change
Sunday: 6.5, could show more reach

B, half circle right 10m, X, down centerline, G, halt, salute
Saturday: 6.0, hind legs crossed
Sunday: 6.5, not quite square