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Post by racaille on Jan 26, 2015 6:09:46 GMT
What a good boy that little horse is! We took him to a complet just north of Avignon yesterday and the geography is relevant as there was a gale-force Mistral howling down the Rhone valley. Towing the trailer up there was horrible, it was being buffeted around like crazy and going over the long, open bridges over the river was nerve-shredding. Once there it was vicious: freezing and everything that wasn't tied down was being torn up and blown away. The horses were jittery and nervous. But not Sam. He was zen, the lovely lad. He did a reasonable dressage test, our coach thought it was pretty regular and neat with just one 'incident' at the open exit where he tried to leave. I think though that he made a genuine mistake rather than napping, the teenager didn't make it clear enough that they were not finished  But the judge didn't like him a lot and he got pretty average marks. We all thought it was a bit harsh especially as the teenager was marked down for her circles which looked pretty damn perfect to us! Anyhoo, he went on to a double clear, one of only three in the whole class. The SJ was particularly tricky, one of the barriers blew over right next to Sam when he was waiting to go in and there were lots of flappy, bangy things that caused problems for a lot of horses. Sam did have a look at some wildly whipping sandbags but the teenager drove him on and he was brave. They finished ninth overall and the teenager was very pleased with him.  I was very pleased with myself too as I managed a very tricky reverse turn (with the trailer) out of the tiny parking space I'd been shoe-horned into  |
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Post by brigadier on Jan 26, 2015 13:59:14 GMT
oh wow Rac- thats a great result, especially in such difficult conditions. Is a complet an 'event' so did he do cross country as well or was it two show jump rounds he went clear at?
Re his dressage- TBs are not really the flavour here any more, esp for dressage- they can have good correct paces and do nice tests but because they are rarely extravagant and dont have huge showy crests,flowing tails and a bit of a sparkle they dont inspire the judges. Its a shame really as they then have to extra good at the other disciplines or simply stunning looking to make up- although fortunately Sam is good at the other stuff but he isnt a showy horse and being handsome just doesnt cut it now. If you can video his next dressage test it would be useful to see how he looks and see if it is a fashion thing or there may be something that might make his performance sparkle a little more. The Teenager knows her stuff though and to get him to concentrate on such an awful day is great- mind you he was trained in Yorkshire!!!
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Post by brigadier on Jan 26, 2015 13:59:56 GMT
oh and respect re the trailer driving- you have become a real master!
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Post by solomon on Jan 26, 2015 14:22:03 GMT
Love hearing about Sam, such a dude. Lovely honest chap. Well done with the trailer driving too!
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Post by fleabitten on Jan 26, 2015 15:07:09 GMT
Well for a start that's super about how calm he was, that's what everyone wants!! Well done to the teenager, that's really annoying about the dressage, but show jumping had a great result and 9th overall is great. Sounds like tough competition though as you done well, pretty much spot on! And you're a pro now at this trailer towing!
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Post by racaille on Jan 26, 2015 16:00:35 GMT
Thanks guys, yes we are super proud of him!
Yes, Brig, a complet is an 'event' so he did the XC as well. He stormed round without any real problems. He had to make a big effort at the first fence, a log 'spa' , as it was immediately after leaving the box and he hadn't really established his canter but he got over it with room to spare. He did do a bit of a goggle at the pond though - and remember it was freezing! - and slowed right down, almost taking the teenager by surprise as we thought he was 'over' water, but she pushed him on and he almost squeezed his eyes shut and you could see him thinking: Ooooh noooooooo .... but I'll do it since you ask! Jumping out of the water over a log was doddle.
I did try to vid the dressage (but couldn't manage the iphone - duh) but I will next time. There is a lot in what you say Brig about TBs not being in fashion. But Sam can improve with good steady work as he does have a nice walk and canter. Now his foot is in great shape his trot is getting better all the time. Only this week during our lesson our coach suggested something that seemed to click for Sam and now it's a matter of regular reinforcement. The teenager has some areas to improve too which she is working on. So any things you see next time would be welcome.
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Post by pboy on Jan 26, 2015 17:28:25 GMT
Sounds like a great day out Rac! What a super-star, I'm sure a lot of horses would have blown a fuse in those conditions (so much for TBs being crazy ). All judges have a preferred 'type' unfortunately, in Hong Kong we had a limited pool so I could usually predict how well Classy and I would do based on who was judging! I know showing is like that but really dressage should be more objective  I am also in awe of your trailer driving! We're getting a 4x4 on Wednesday so I'm booking myself a refresher lesson - I don't trust myself to be able to reverse a large horse trailer again without some practice first and I'm already nervous about trying to park one at the yard! |
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Post by haffyfan on Jan 26, 2015 17:39:21 GMT
mind you he was trained in Yorkshire!!! Lol all the seasons in half a day some days! That's a seriously good result considering the terrible conditions and harsh dressage judge, i think like Brig says TB are no longer fashionable. I did see a vid recently of a welsh cob in America who won a grand prix so not all dressage judges are biased towards flashy warmbloods i guess. Massive kudos for your trailer driving, i don't think i would have even set out in such bad conditions and as for towing - i daren't even put in for lessons/my test. I have only drove the little lorry empty, i let my OH drive when pen has been in it and also to do all the 'non straight' bits! |
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Post by racaille on Jan 26, 2015 17:50:49 GMT
Cor this does my ego good! I have had to get over myself with the towing, it's me or no one I used to be almost sick with nerves and would anxiously plan how I could get somewhere and park without having to reverse - even planning how I could drive a loop if necessary! The problem is that I've never had lessons - I'm soooooo damn old that you used to get given your towing licence when you passed your driving test  I've had to just learn on the job. But one thing I've found: men just CANNOT help by giving directions when women are reversing. What on earth does left hand down a bit mean? ?? The teenager, when she guides me out of a tight spot or where I can't see at the back, says useful things like: truck bum towards me. That I understand. |
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Post by brigadier on Jan 26, 2015 18:33:29 GMT
That is so true! The left hand down a bit I mean, and they always think they know better! I used to be the same Rac-I would worry every time I took it out, sometimes Id be almost sick at the thought of it, mind you I got the wobbles when my OH drove it without the horse in!
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Post by brigadier on Jan 26, 2015 18:37:27 GMT
And I also forgot to say- finishing an event on a dressage score is a marvellous and rare achievement, Well done Teenager! I hope you have all celebrated properly???
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Post by FirenLady on Feb 3, 2015 19:47:52 GMT
Wow Thats Brilliant. Sam is such a star In France they are quite hardcore being outdoors in January! I've about what bad weather you guys have been having, Everything around us is indoors till the end of March at least. |
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Post by ernieburt on Feb 8, 2015 11:34:28 GMT
Sam is such a star I love hearing about him, well done to all of you and as for your reversing a massive pat on the back.
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Post by fleabitten on Feb 8, 2015 22:35:09 GMT
FL - thats actually a good point! We are all indoors too mostly, theres getting a few outdoor shows starting now at the weekends though.
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But the judge didn't like him a lot and he got pretty average marks. We all thought it was a bit harsh especially as the teenager was marked down for her circles which looked pretty damn perfect to us!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
I've had to just learn on the job.
