Post by brigadier on May 10, 2016 15:27:45 GMT
This weekend we did an 'Introduction to Dressage' Day with BD. I decided to go this route as it was really good value featuring a lesson and then a test marked by a BD judge and individual personal feedback. It was boiling hot and dress was casual, thank goodness, otherwise would have melted! The lesson was with Cathy Burrell who is a very good dressage rider. I knew her Mum years ago so it was kind of nice to meet and share a connection. I enjoyed my lesson tremendously, especially as the last time I cantered Welly he had ditched me, so it was good to concentrate on this element. It was funny as his canter transition isnt fully established but I decided to do the prelim option as I wanted to push us both a little bit. I think Intro would have been too safe despite it being his first one. Cathy hit home on my main faults which stem from my wobbly leg helping me to tip but the main thing I took away was how I was hurrying him a tad at walk, something I hadnt realised and no one has commented on (mainly because how many times in a lesson do you concentrate on walk?)So after I wound my neck in he was much happier.
When it was time for our test he felt hot and lethargic and in warm up once again thingyed his leg at me when mine wandered back. Hence I was a little apprehensive and I think it showed in the test.
However his trot work was great, his entry and first few elements really good and I scored straight sevens. But it all came apart a bit at the canter as he was behind the leg although he gave me the correct strike off both times, but fell out of canter briefly,immediately after strike off on the right. But we managed to pull it back together and his walk was good although I allowed my reins too long on the free walk. I really do believe the guidance has changed on this element as I used to score consistent eights 'back in T'day' . On my feedback was told to never let the rein loop- it has to be taken down. I can see the logic so happy to take that away. Our final trot up the center line overshot slightly but we stayed straight although I think he sensed we were finishing as he did his little head jib which he does when excited or frustrated. His halt was ok but then I nagged him and it went wrong- duh!
Overall I was fairly pleased. We scored 63.5 with all the marks being sixes and sevens except the canters which were 5s (which looking at the video is a little harsh but on feedback she did say she thought he looked pooped and he did feel it!)
It was my first dressage test for 28 years!! will download video when I get a moment and update on here.
When it was time for our test he felt hot and lethargic and in warm up once again thingyed his leg at me when mine wandered back. Hence I was a little apprehensive and I think it showed in the test.
However his trot work was great, his entry and first few elements really good and I scored straight sevens. But it all came apart a bit at the canter as he was behind the leg although he gave me the correct strike off both times, but fell out of canter briefly,immediately after strike off on the right. But we managed to pull it back together and his walk was good although I allowed my reins too long on the free walk. I really do believe the guidance has changed on this element as I used to score consistent eights 'back in T'day' . On my feedback was told to never let the rein loop- it has to be taken down. I can see the logic so happy to take that away. Our final trot up the center line overshot slightly but we stayed straight although I think he sensed we were finishing as he did his little head jib which he does when excited or frustrated. His halt was ok but then I nagged him and it went wrong- duh!
Overall I was fairly pleased. We scored 63.5 with all the marks being sixes and sevens except the canters which were 5s (which looking at the video is a little harsh but on feedback she did say she thought he looked pooped and he did feel it!)
It was my first dressage test for 28 years!! will download video when I get a moment and update on here.
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
cannot wait for the vid,
