Post by racaille on Sept 19, 2011 4:15:36 GMT
The Teenager took part in her first affiliated SJ comp on Sunday and had a whirl on both Racaille and the new pony Jana. She had lots of fun!
R did his very best and I was thrilled to see that he has utterly given up his silly behaviour (getting overexcited and throwing himself about.) He was calm and sensible and tried hard at every jump. However, although he did do some nice ones, it is clear he has no natural talent for jumping, perhaps because he is put together so badly. But he didn't run out or refuse anything, bless him, although the jumps were quite high for him. But he made mistakes and brought down 4 or 5 bars. One time he misjudged his strides and had to put in a tiny stride, then was too close to the jump and had to sheep leap over it. The teenager made some mistakes too: I think that in an effort to ride him calmly she slowed him down too much and lost that vital impulsion. Anyway, in a class that saw lots of people eliminated for falls or refusals, I think he did really well, he tried his best.
Can't get the link to work for next pic so click on the link
i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee14/pacoraco/rackersCSO/312929_173705602708746_132256876853619_349309_259251779_n.jpg
Then the teenager took Jana into the next class, 90cm and the pony certainly knew her job! It was the first time in years that the teenager has ridden a horse that is not tricky (Racaille, Alexandrin ....) and they just sailed round together. Jana saved her once when she came round a tight turn to the double and Jana just pulled a huge leap out of the bag to get over it. And they came second!!!!
The next class, 1 metre, went well too but they got a bar down. Entirely the teenager's fault as she just didn't get the turn into the triple right and poor Jana could not save her on that one. (There are pix but I haven't got them yet).
She was slightly sad to hear everyone say that she was mad not to stick with SJ with Jana as that is what the pony knows and they all say she is rubbish at dressage but the teenager is determined to qualify her for eventing, saying Jana is responding well to flatwork schooling. Slightly typical of the teenager to not want the easy ride but I sort of admire her guts. If she can qualify Jana for the ODE then she will at least know it has been mostly her own work, not just taking an easy ride on a talented pony. Fingers crossed .....
R did his very best and I was thrilled to see that he has utterly given up his silly behaviour (getting overexcited and throwing himself about.) He was calm and sensible and tried hard at every jump. However, although he did do some nice ones, it is clear he has no natural talent for jumping, perhaps because he is put together so badly. But he didn't run out or refuse anything, bless him, although the jumps were quite high for him. But he made mistakes and brought down 4 or 5 bars. One time he misjudged his strides and had to put in a tiny stride, then was too close to the jump and had to sheep leap over it. The teenager made some mistakes too: I think that in an effort to ride him calmly she slowed him down too much and lost that vital impulsion. Anyway, in a class that saw lots of people eliminated for falls or refusals, I think he did really well, he tried his best.
Can't get the link to work for next pic so click on the link
i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee14/pacoraco/rackersCSO/312929_173705602708746_132256876853619_349309_259251779_n.jpg
Then the teenager took Jana into the next class, 90cm and the pony certainly knew her job! It was the first time in years that the teenager has ridden a horse that is not tricky (Racaille, Alexandrin ....) and they just sailed round together. Jana saved her once when she came round a tight turn to the double and Jana just pulled a huge leap out of the bag to get over it. And they came second!!!!
The next class, 1 metre, went well too but they got a bar down. Entirely the teenager's fault as she just didn't get the turn into the triple right and poor Jana could not save her on that one. (There are pix but I haven't got them yet).
She was slightly sad to hear everyone say that she was mad not to stick with SJ with Jana as that is what the pony knows and they all say she is rubbish at dressage but the teenager is determined to qualify her for eventing, saying Jana is responding well to flatwork schooling. Slightly typical of the teenager to not want the easy ride but I sort of admire her guts. If she can qualify Jana for the ODE then she will at least know it has been mostly her own work, not just taking an easy ride on a talented pony. Fingers crossed .....
Sounds a great day for all; lovely pics too x
