Gutted - I let Classy down :(

[pboy]

So today was the FEI world dressage challenge competition. The horses moved over the competition centre yesterday for the trot-up, so I took the chance to ride in the competition arena. Classy was very chilled when I arrived, all cuddly in the stable, and he was very relaxed in the arena. Result! He sailed through the trot-up and seemed to enjoy himself, then I drew 18th to go in the competition so I had a relaxed morning today. Even better, the plaits I put in for the trot-up stayed in overnight



Well, I think the laid-back morning worked against me. I wasn't convinced that Classy's relaxed attitude would continue, particularly as the warm-up was next to the horse-eating horse walkers, so I got onto Classy an hour before our time for the 10 minute saunter down to the warm-up so I would have plenty of time to get him mentally 'with' me. Naturally he was completely chilled out AND the competition was running 10 minutes behind. Idiot me, I should have just jumped off and waited for 20 minutes but no, I thought I'd do a lot of walk and gentle trot work to get him warmed up. Classy worked brilliantly - for the first time I could really feel him lift his back during upwards and downwards transitions and he felt supple and forwards.

When the rider before us went in, we were allowed into a warm-up 20x60 so I did a quick run-through of the serpentine and the canter transitions, he still felt great. Then into the main arena, some trot-canter and trot-halt transitions around the outside. Big tick for the little boy.

The bell went and we headed in at A and Classy died. Despite my best efforts, he was behind the leg and nothing I could do would get him as forwards as he was in the warm-up He leaned on my hand and felt tired. We managed to do all the moves and the transitions felt pretty good, but it was all lacklustre and I allowed accuracy to slip as I tried to get him in front of my leg. Idiot.

We ended up 10th of 19 with 62.84% - it should have been a lot higher. Classy was such a star and I really over-cooked the warm up, I'm gutted that it's as good as I could show to international judges, I really let him down

Of course he hasn't got a clue and thinks he's the dog's b*llo*cks, and he got plenty of treats and cuddles!! The winner of the class, a lovely teenager who imported a horse from the UK in the summer, said how good he looked in the warm-up (she hadn't seen the test) and she was shocked when I told her the result. I'm a fool!!!

Anyway, here's a pic of the cuddly horse begging for treats this afternoon...

[pboy]

I just got some pics from a friend who was there, here are some of the more acceptable shots! I also got the score sheet and we had almost all 6s and 6.5s, with a 7 for the right canter 15m circle and my position (yay, the lunge lessons must be paying off!).















This is after we finished - how downhill is he?!

[solomon]

Don't be so hard on yourself. He is not a natural to dressage is he? You have to work so hard! Don't think he could care less! As long as he got the carrots! By the way your position on a horse is so lovely. When I ride now I think of how you look and try to emulate you, my friend even commented one day! You look so upright but relaxed.

[pboy]

Ah, thank you! My legs always look like a curled-up spider on a less forward-going horse, I'm really trying to focus on it but they still sneak up....they're my current focus and then it's the piano hands. So many things to think about when you're riding - I'm not sure I have enough brain-cells to do it all!

[solomon]

He sounds like he needs Antonio's Vacquero spurs!

[ernieburt]

It's just a great big learning curve isn't it with horses. Don't be too hard on yourself another day and he would have needed a longer warm up we never seem to get it spot on but we try so hard!!! I agree your position is lovely and your score is pretty good as well. Looking at the positives he was chilled despite all that was going on you took part in a pretty big competition, successfully completed the test and got a descent score, that's not so bad! Well done.

[zara]

pboy please don't be so hard on yourself as you have come so far with Classy! My only comment on the pics is that your upper body is behind the vertical, just try and remember ear, shoulder, hip, heel! Not that I have any room to criticise with my "duck feet"! Well done and take the positives x

[pboy]

Yep, that's one of my defaults both in sitting trot and when he's not carrying me forward, it's compounded when I have both at once . Still lots and lots to work on.

Oh, and I have duck feet too!!!

[racaille]

Don't be so hard on yourself. It's a tough call, the warm-up and easy to get wrong: too much or too little. The final score could have been so much worse - 10th out of 19 is not humiliating!

At least you get out there and do it and I admire you for it. Onwards and upwards!

[pboy]

Thanks Rac. I'm not very bothered about placings, it just would have been nice to show more accurately where we are with our training. I guess I'll just have to work hard and show them next year instead!!

[brigadier]

Well I think you did really well,judging the timing for warm up is really tricky especially if they werent on time and who knows, it might just have been ten minutes too long, you may have judged it correctly as you do need him at maximum warmth before the spark goes- so everyone is right- YOU ARE BEING TOO HARD ON YOURSELF!

And also in that last pic- the camera has done him no favours- its just at that point where he has to take the weight down in front to allow the hind to come up- poor Classy!
Seriously well done- you both look a picture.