Beland

Long time no post?
So I ended up doing the dressage show and trying my hand at first level. At this point I was more than over showing and I was fried from the season. I just wasn't into it or excited. It was a freezing and windy day. Carino and another horse Merlin loaded into the trailer. Carino unloaded and tacked up without a problem, nice and calm. Walked over to the warm up field pretty calm as well, but when we got the field he began to show off his "passage" and "piaffe" for everyone..oh and even a little airs above ground...problem was I wasn't asking for this. The wind and all the movement for some reason set him off...this hasn't been a problem for him since the spring when we first started showing so I was completely taken off guard and frustrated with him. We eventually got him so we didn't have a scooting/bolt every other circle. It was time to go in the ring...I heard the bell and wished for the best. Was it my best test? No. Was he relaxed through his back? No. Did we get around quietly and politely? Oh, yeah! So, I was please we managed that test after that warm up and for our first time at this level. We scored a 60.667% and got a third place ribbon in the JR/YR division however I think there were only three JR/YRs. The other riders in my division got 65% and 67%. I placed 9th out of 12 first level test 1 competitors. I might try the test again at Pony Club Dressage Rally in the Spring. I wish I had a better warm up so I could have gotten better quality work in the ring, and I wish I had the chance to practice in a big ring since I kinda got lost in there which threw off my accuracy. Oh well, im pleased for it being our first first level and hey, Im qualified for that scholarship now!
Video of Test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnSXPv20NdM

Wrap up...

As show season comes to an end I think back to the memories this year. Good, bad, frustrating, funny... all made great stories to tell.
Here are the results of mine and some of the other shows I attended or my barn attended. This is not all of them since many from our barn will travel to shows by themselves..but here are some we went to in groups..

UNH-Spring
Erin and Riff,BN-7th
Betsy and Keno, N-8th
Erin and Cosmo, BN-1st
Erin and Tucket, BN-5th
Lisa and Jericho-BN?10th
Erin and Beacon, P- 8th

Mystic Rec. HT
Alison and Cosmo, BN-E
Emily and Rocky, BN-E
Betsy and Keno, N-11th

Flatlands CT April.18th
Carino and I, pre. elementary-R
Cassie and Sunshine, BN-7th
Jericho and Lisa,BN-8th

Valinor Farm rec. HT
Alison and Cosmo, BN-9th
Brooke and Boo, BN-E
Emily and Rocky, BN -E
Betsy and Keno, N-11th
Sara and Diem, N.-17th

Flatlands HT July.3rd
Carino and I,E-6th
Emily and Rocky, BN-8th

Pipestave Hill schooling HT-July 10.
Carino and I, mod.BN-E
Allison and Cosmo,BN-3rd
James and Tucket, mod. BN-1st

Myopia Benefit HT July 24
Carino and I, E- 2nd
Alison and Cosmo, BN- RF
Sara and Diem,N-RF
Betsy and Keno,N-
Sarah and Riff,BN-6th
Emily and Rocky,BN-6th
Katherine and Harley,BN-
Kelly and Brumby;elm.-4th

GMHA August
Emily and Rocky, BN-13th
Alison and Cosmo, BN-12th
James and Tucket, BN -13th
Sarah and Diem, N-21st
Betsy and Keno, N -11th
Erin and Beacon, P-8th

Valinor Farm rec. August
Carino and I, BN-5th
Alison and Cosmo, BN-6th
Brooke and Boo, BN-11th
Samantha and Chance,BN-13th
Emily and Rocky, BN-8th
James and Tucket,BN-10th
Betsy and Keno, N-4th
Sara and Diem, N-8th
Jocelyn and Spot, N-13th

Stoneliegh rec. HT Sept.
Carino and I, BN-1st
Alison and Cosmo, BN-6th
Emily and Rocky, BN-11th
Katherine and Harley, BN-8th
Erin and Aladdin, N-RF
Betsy and Keno, N-RF
Kelly and Brumby, E-TE

Valinor Farm schooling HT
Carino and I, BN-1st
Betsy and Keno, N-1st
Erin and Aladdin, N-4th
Sara and Diem, N- 7th
Alison and Cosmo, BN-4th
Sarah and Rocky, BN-8th
Kelly and Brumby,E.-3rd
Jenn and Cosmo,E-RF

Beland Schooling Dressage
Carino and I, First Level -3rd
Gail and Tucket, Training Level-1st
Erin and Merlin, Training Level-6th

VF Schooling HT OCT.11 (PICTURES)

Valinor Farm Oct. Jumper show and Schooling HT

OCT. 2nd- Jumper Show
This was the last jumper show of the season and I wanted to try to get some nice videos for my scholarship. Warm up was great but our courses were not...Our courses just felt sloppy and the the canter changing consistently at the last minute and taking the long spot. This of course resulting in me getting more and more frustrated. I was tied for 2nd for the 2'6 course and so a new jump off course was made. Of course being me I went for the speed and got the 2nd place. We then went to 2'9, same issues...sloppy and long spots. However, when I looked at the videos...It looked a lot better than it felt...it really came to a surprise to me since it felt like the worst jumping I have ever done. I need to let go of this perfection thing, and when one thing goes wrong to just forget about that jump. Every jump can't be picture perfect..right?
Videos can be seen on my youtube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/MissaRissaJ?feature=mhum

OCT.11th-Schooling HT
This was Carino and I's last horse trials of the season. This was his first season ever showing and this was his third time going beginner novice. My morning started off rough with me feeling very dizzy and sick to my stomach in the car. I was sick the previous week with a bad cold and I think I just didn't get enough rest and food. When I got to the barn I had to get right to tacking up for dressage warm up. He walked right into warm up on a lose rein like he has been and I was pleased. Warm up was good, could of been better if I was on my game but I just wasn't 100% there and feeling right.
When we got to the dressage ring he became a little looky and we lost a little of that connection, but this always happens in the ring. Shows he still needs more mileage in the ring. The test overall felt 'average', I thought we would come out with our average score of a 35% since I just didn't feel a 'wow factor'...but apparently it was just me not feeling so wow because we came out with a 29% our second best score yet! And with a good number of 8's in our test to add. We placed second after dressage so I was surprised but then again we have been placing in the top after dressage pretty much all season.
I then had a good number of hours until I had to jump. So I took care of Carino and let him play in his paddock for a while when I walked my courses. Nothing in the course scared me or came as a shock which was good. Stadium warm up we all seemed to rush since we thought they were running quickly which they were but we all managed to get a perfect amount of time. Carino was great in warm up and listened to me very well. The stadium course ended up being our most fluid and flowing one yet. So, that made the day right there since that was a problem for us at the jumper show and Stoneliegh. We were clear stadium and still in second.
I then had 5 or 10 min. until we went to xc. So we walked around to cool out and have a little break. The first fence was very little and so that was no issue, we were then up the big hill to 2 and he went right over that but had a good look at the jump judges and photographer and took a big scoot type spook but I just kept riding to 3 which wasn't pretty but clear..he then wasn't sure about the hidden trail into the woods but went in warily since there was some sort of machine making scary noises in the neighboring property. Once we got to the bottom of the hill and I could focus him on the jump he knew his job and then up the hill and over the tires fine. A little spook after the tires since he saw all the people in the big field and had a horse galloping right towards him..but showed him our next fence and he was fine...until he decided we were off to the races and showed his big gallop up the hill to the bank which was no issue! He however came back very nicely for the down hill log pile and then flew up hill to the water where he again was surprised there was a person there. I had to 'S' him to the next jump due to rocks and branches but again once he saw the jump he was fine. Then right up the hill and everything was going great to the barrel jump until 3 strides away where we had another spook almost causing a run out but I somehow wiggled and kicked him over it. Then flew down over the ditch as another horse was galloping towards him and flew over the big barn at the end and we were done. The course was clear which was great since no matter what situation he would try and jump it..even if it was sticky. The course felt very fast but this was because he was scooting when he saw a person or something that caught his eye...just shows he still needs mileage to grasp the idea of people around any corner.
We moved up to first after xc since we went clear and the rider in first had a stop during xc giving her 20 penalties. It was a good end to his first eventing season, we have one more show but it is just a dressage schooling show, even though we are going to try our luck at first level for some fun!

Stoneliegh HT Sept.25.2010 PICTURES

Videos from the show are at: http://www.youtube.com/user/MissaRissaJ?feature=mhum

Stoneliegh HT Sept.25.2010

It just keeps getting better.
I was quite nervous about the xc of this show because it was off farm and I know there was a good chance of Carino taking a good look at some jumps and for us to get some stops. Also months ago the plan was to have my trainer Erin ride him and then for me to ride at UNH the following weekend. However, I could not afford UNH since my budget was running low after a long show season and I wanted to get one last sanctioned in under my own belt...so I decided to go for it. What did I have to lose? Elimination? I spent my first half of the season with elimination after elimination...

So I found myself not getting home until 10 the night before then waking up at 3 to drive to the barn to head off to Stoneliegh with 6 other horses.

Right when we got there we walked xc...parts of the course made me nervous for sure since I was thinking as if I was in Carino's mind. He will look at this, and this is different so this might be scary and blah blah...so I was nervous but tried not to think of it as I got into dressage mode. I went into warm up with tons of time before my ride since I didn't know how he was going to come out but he came out on a lose rein and completely relaxed. So we just walked for a good 10 min to loosen up. We then began to trot where I could let him stretch down all the way to the buckle. We did some canter, transitions, serpentines and circles and then took a walk break. I picked him back up again at the sitting trot and did some lengthening which we both enjoy. Another walk break watched some test and as the rider before me went in we went back to the trot and then went to start our test. I knew the judge was in a trailer at C and I knew Carino did not like this at our last away show and I was prepared for him to spook which he did but I stayed relaxed and made him go through/passed. This time took a lot less time to get over it but we still need to work on the scary judge in the trailer. This spook created a little tension and lost the quality of the trot we had but it was still a decent presentable trot. The test was not like our last show but was average for us and some parts were great. Unfortunately, the secretary lost my test so I could not see my comments and my collective marks but I did get a print out of my scores for each movement. I had a lot of 6's which I was not so pleased with since my last test I only had one and everything else was 7's and 8's. I just wish I could see why the judge marked the way she did for certain movements. But overall very happy with the test since it was our average score of a 35% and we were second after dressage. Can't complain!

Stadium warm up was spot on! He did take some long but that is something he has and always does. The course was clear with no time penalties. I do wish we got the spots better...since he took most of them a little long but none to the point where it was scary since I stayed with him. I was very happy with the results and now that the jumps are not a problem I can start working towards getting the great jumping I get at home schooling in the show ring.

XC warm up was the exact same as stadium warm up. We were the last rider so we waited and then headed up to the start box we walked around until the count down began and then we were off right to the first fence...I didn't know what he was going to do but he jump right over it and up the hill we went to fence two were he took a look at the fence judges and people but once he saw the jump was fine. We had a nice little galloping line then a tricky approach to fence 3 due to rock in the ground right on the perfect line...so we had to S around which got him a little confused to as where he was going and he was looking at all the people and jumps so he broke to a trot but then saw the fence and was over and on to the next long galloping lane. At the end of this lane there was a small red coup that was no problem then on to my first big fear; the ditch to roll top combination. But he flew right over it just giving a little curl at the base of it and right over the roll top and into the dark woods with no problem. However, inside the woods was quite scary for the little man. In the middle of the trail was a person walking and she saw I was coming but yet did not move and she was right in my line...so I screamed HORSE! and she moves a little..after a few seconds.. So I had to make a really squiggly S to the fence that was already in a weird spot I had to S too. So he spooked at her and then at the jump judges around the corner and broke to the trot but I kept talking to him like I did since the first fence and he trotted right over one of the biggest fences on course. Then right over another little log and out the woods..but looking at everything on his way out. Then we had a great galloping lane which I let him really go and when I asked him to come back for the coup like fence he did perfectly and jumped it the best out of them all. And then galloping up a nice hill were I passed my trainer and others from my barn walking their courses. But I had to prepare for my other big big fear which I saw a girl fall off earlier at; two coups set on a very steep hill in a related distance. But my trainer told me to ride it like a bank and that is exactly what I did and it was actually fun. But right after that was my last fear the up bank since Carino has never jumped one in a show situation..but I put my leg on and it was also fun. I had four more and over the wall over the two roll tops and then I made sure to ride the last fence since two of the riders from my barn had stops since they didn't ride it after a clear round and Carino jumped that fence which was the biggest one spot on and then through the finish we went. And that is when I realized that I was first after stadium since the person in first had time faults and moved down and that I just won. I was glowing..and couldn't believe it, still can't but I have a nice big blue ribbon to prove it.

August Valinor Farm HT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIDLyO2Gn0

So, I have finally completed my first sanctioned. After many set backs with lame horses and bad timing I took the my first own horse that I have trained in both his and mine first sanctioned. This was also Carino's first time ever going BN!

This dressage test was the best test I have ever done. Warm up was great he was so relaxed which I was not expecting. I went in warm up did some walk trot canter then went out and went for a little walk then went back in picked him back up took a walk break and then picked him up again and he was calm, relaxed and listening. We got up to the new dressage ring on the top of the hill, he looked around a little but got a little more pep in his step which he kinda needed so It worked to my advantage but he was still relaxed. It was my most relaxed, consistent and smooth test. When I got my score I was very surprised a 28.5% this was my best score ever and this first time I ever got a score in the 20's! When I looked at the placing after dressage I was in 5th, kinda a bummer since I got so use to always being in first after dressage but I was only 1 1/2 points always from the first place score which was a 27%...so was not disappointed at all!

Jumping warm up was great also, super relaxed, spot on and listening. We did our thing and then parked it and waited, I then hopped over the oxer once more and then went in the ring. As we got to the first jump I had no idea what he was going to do...was he going to fly to the side like he sometimes does or just do a slam on the brakes..but no problem and then takes off down the hill to jump 2. We turned up the hill to two and he is on it. We pull a rail at 2 but I didn't care..he hasn't stopped! we turn to the bending line to three and its like I'm just sitting there for the ride. He completely was point and shoot. We leave the ring with just that one rail. I was so happy with that horse. However next time I would like to feel a little more in control..it doesn't look out of control but I would just like to have it more relaxed, and adjustable which will come with mileage. He was just in the zone and loving it.

We then head to xc, which after the awesome SJ round I completely forgot I had to do! We walked over, waited for the other rider to get a good ways on course and we were off. As we came close to the first fence I admit I tightened up because of nerves and uncertainty but then he just started to really GO to the fence! so I let him and he flew right over it and then we turned up the hill to 2, and right over that and then he LEAPED over the little bench at 3 (he knew it was small) and then was a little wiggly going down into the new wooded trail. We trotted and cantered down the hill sense he was a little tense and looky, but once he saw the fence he locked on it and flew over it and up the hill. We then came out to the field..took a little look then over the tires. He then came down too fast the next hill especially for the tight awkward turn at the bottom, so I trotted a few strides and then asked him to pick it back up, but when we turned the corner he saw the ditches and other jumps that made up the coffin to both sides of him and a jump judge up on the hill and came to a halt. I gave him a little nudge with my leg and showed him where to go and he went up the little hill to the bank type log then right over the log pile and leaped into and out of the water..making me lose a stirrup... so i jumped the pyramid with one stirrup and then tried to get it back at the gallop but it was flopping..so I was like maybe I can jump the other half with only one..but then I knew that was a BAD idea and he was in the need of a wake up call so I halted him. We then went on to the combo and that was great and then flew over the DITCH. Up the hill over the barn and then down the wooded trail to the skinny...now this is a fence I was nervous about and of course we have an issue but not fence related. We are going down the hill he is a little looky but Im getting him listening and looking at the jump not the other jump or the way out and right when I have to come off the edge of the trail to make that tight turn to the line he spooks at the judge and people walking and fly's to the other side of the trail and there is no way I can jump this fence this way sense it is angled the opposite way he is facing now so I kick him back to right and then kick him over it and he goes right over. It was so fast I couldn't tell if he stopped or went backwards without me feeling it but I was pretty sure it was all sideways and forward but I was still worried. He then tried to gallop home on the trail we usually take home but I turned him up to the rock cradle and he cleared it and then on to our last fence up the hill. And he does it perfectly. So I then bring Carino back to the barn untack him, hose him off and poultice him. My mom looked at the xc scores and it was CLEAN! yes!

Carino and I were 5th over all in a division of 16 riders both JR and SR. It was the best show ever, I couldn't be more pleased with the day. Especially for both our first sanctioned, his first BN, and for Carino not to even be cantering under saddle a year yet and only jumping since Feb. and doing xc since late Mar.
Erin will ride him at Stonleigh HT Sept. 25th-26th, this will be his first off farm sanctioned(second sanctioned) and then if money allows I will take him to UNH in Oct.

August 12th VF Jumper Show

Yet another jumper show. I got there early to get Carino in the warm up before it got crazy since he can feed off of the commotion. I was able to get a good start and then I walked him for a few minutes. Some more horses came in and a few minutes later I picked him back up..and he began the bolt/spook nonsense. When a horse came cantering by him he did it and then he would not take his eyes off the kids who decided to run around the woods right next to the ring..(great idea!?) so finally their mom realized my horse was having a melt down after 10 min. and they all got out of the woods...So I let him and I chill for a min. I picked him back up did some more walk trot canter to get him back since we lost everything we just did. I then began to jump him and every jump was spot on perfect. When the lower level jumping started I went down to watch to learn the course and watch how the course rode. Before my class I hopped him over the vertical and oxer one more time and still pretty perfect...but a little jazzed after.. We waited for our turn and went in. This was his first time jumping a whole course at 2'6 without jumping the course at a lower height before. We picked up the canter and it was so relaxed! Which made me so confident because I wouldn't have a mad man pulling me around! We come up the long approach to the nice inviting vertical with that great canter and urrrrrrrrr! goes the brakes. Took me by complete shock and I was furious. So I turned around and kicked him over it. Came to the second..same thing...my temper began to rise..so I gave him a boot and made him go on. Did bending line to 3 great, one stride good, and then flew out the shoulder and slammed on the brakes to barrels at 6 which he has never had a problem with. Got him over that and then jumped the super scary skinny on the hard tern spot on perfect...(HUH?) jumped 8 fine, then if i remember correctly I pretty much galloped him over the last line and made him have no choice but to GO! and get over it. The whole time there was no crazy running around canter. listening to when I asked him to comeback or open..but just slammed on the brakes when he felt like it...So me with my demand of perfection was not a happy camper...
We then go in for our 2'9 course and he did this absolutely spot on perfect. Listened so well and was so relaxed. We then did our jump off and when I asked for speed or a bigger stride he did it and only when I asked...couldn't ask for anything better. Well, we did end up tied for first but we had another jump off..and I got greedy got sloppy with my line to the skinny which caused me a rail. If I didn't get that rail we both would of still been tied for first since we had the same jump off time AGAIN!

Myopia Benefit 3phase.

July 24th. Myopia Benefit 3phase. Elementary.
A horse got lose right before I went to get on for dressage warm up so all the horses were worked up. Carino eventually started to become relaxed and was going around quite nice..so when I was called to go to do my test I was relaxed and fine. But then he spooked at the ring, the trailer the judges were in, the flower pots and his brain shut off. He would not listen. Throughout the test I had to yank on my reins just to get him to walk or to stay on the rail because he was completely ignoring my seat and leg and all my aids. I was furious with the test and at him and everyone . It was the worst test we ever had. We got a 46% which is AWFUL for us. But no one in our division got above a 30 and some got in the 50's. However, Carino made up for it by going double clear with two great rounds. Stadium was great, there was a scary plank xrail that many of the horses had stops at. Carino looked at it but with I gave him the reins and put me leg on and he took a little leap over it.. He did the same thing at an oxer later in the course which I didn't understand but I rode it the same and it was no problem. We then went straight to xc. He tried to run out and stop at the first fence but I gave with the rein and put my leg on and it wasn't a problem. The next few jumps he started to develop his rhythm still a little unsure but really starting to enjoy himself. At fence 4 I believe he started to drift like he was going to run out but I caught this from a good amount of strides away and got him straight. After that he was very bold and almost pulling me to the fences. Resulting in his first clear xc course! Despite the worst dressage test of my life, Carino and I placed second in our division (Elementary JR.)

Pipestave Hill HT

So this was an interesting show...
Dressage felt pretty gross, warm up wasn't that great...he never relaxed. He started to relax as we were going around the ring and during our center line and down the long side but then he saw this green plastic bin that he apparently didn't see during our center line and spooked real bad...so he was pretty tense after that. The test just felt sloppy but when we finished the judge had nice things to say and we placed second with a score of 34.5%..so i guess it wasn't that bad. XC warm up was intense he was flying over the jumps, just really game and wanting to go..but once we got on course he turned into a wimp. Wouldn't get into a canter to the first fence until a few strides away from it, refused it and then went over it..was fine with the really scary second fence and then refused the third over and over and we were eliminated... Erin got the TD to let me go on, some moments perfect others he was just scared and pulling me. This was his first real xc course so what was I to expect? He never has jumped on trails and then come out to a field(real scary for him) and he was introduced to jump judges..the big problem. And then SJ warm up he was spot on and the course was perfect...absolutely perfect..not one issue. So I just need to work on his xc like I had to do with his SJ.. We have Myopia HT the 24th. We are doing elementary just as a confidence boost for xc. But the dressage test is an intro test so that will be very boring and so will the stadium jumping..

VF Jumper Show July 8th

Carino came out a mad man again...
The first round was 2'3 and he was quick and tense..but I feel like we could of got around clear if the second fence wasn't a skinny. He has jumped much skinnier fences than that but never with standards on the side, It freaked him out. We then did the course but at 2'6 and we had no issues at all and we placed third. We then did the course at 2'9 and it was even better and we placed second. I think we both do better with bigger jumps and after we have had a few jumps done and time to stand, watch and chill. We need time to breath and relax.

July Flatlands HT

Carino's first horse trial was a great positive one!

We were first after dressage with a score of 34. Overall the dressage test was good. Our canters could have been better and so could of my halt at the end by being more forceful about him always trying to throw his haunches right. Wish I could get the nice big flowing trot and connection over the top line in the show ring like I can at home but that will just take both more shows and consistency from both him and I.

I wish XC warm up went better, he just never felt like how I wanted him too. Just to quick and rushed. He refused the first little little warm up fence but I could expect that from him..
We then went to the XC field,.. he tried to stop or he just took a good look at the first but it was a little log and he popped over it and he did a similar move at the second little log. We then had a little canter room and he still refused a good sized coop but then cleared it then refused a stadium like fence once. He then jumped the biggest fence perfectly. But then had two run out/refusals at this gate type fence. Then after that he completely found his rhythm and went clear the rest of the round and he was super confident and he was really enjoying it. And that is exactly what I wanted. Not bad for his first time going xc at a show!

Carino really surprised me at stadium. He was an absolute super star! He went completely clear and listened so well. I was so happy and proud of him. The pieces really started to come together. He is starting to get that shows aren't so scary, and hopefully eventually he will realize that it is time to show off. Also, again many people admired him and gave him many complements which boosted mine and of course his confidence. ;)

Valinor Jumper Shows

I have done two Valinor Jumper Shows.
The first one was June 3rd and that was pretty much a disaster. I did two flat classes, a 2'0 class and a 2'3 class. The two flat classes Carino was bolting and bucking..no clue why..he was home I wasn't asking him to do anything but walk, trot and canter in a circle. I got wicked frustrated with him. We ended up getting a second in equitation probably because I sat so well to his bucks and we got a fourth in pleasure..there were four in the class. We then did the 2'0 were he refused the second fence and wouldn't listen at all so I picked up a crop and started over..they didn't count my first attempt and I got first...but I shouldn't of got it and I was still frustrated. I then just went for it and raised the jumps to 2'3 and did that class. Carino had some time to stand, relax and watch everything going on. He was then an angle in the 2'3 class and we got second so I ended it there rewarded him and put him away. Did not understand that day at all.

The second Jumper show was June 17th, this time I had my horse back. We did one flat class..the equitation class. There was only me and one other in the class but we were asked to do more complicated tasks then at the last show. We won and not because my horse was crazy this time but because we actually did well and looked nice. Carino was nothing like how he was at the last jumper show. We then did a 2'0 class and he was perfect,..a little too hungry for the fences and we won. We then did 2'6 where he was perfect again but I let my pride in him get to my head and I forgot the last jump so we did not make it to the jump off but I didn't care he was being great. I contemplated going higher..and finally I decided to go for it and try 2'9. I know he can jump the height easily since he is so athletic but I didn't know if a whole course like this would psych both of us out. We went for it and it was our best course and we ended up winning! Couldn't of been more proud of him. I guess Carino redeemed himself and showed that he could act like a grown up.

Dressage Rally May.30.10

Carino was a superstar!
This was his third show ever and his second away show. He loaded on and off no problem like he has been doing it forever. Stayed tied to the trailer all day happily eating hay. Walked into warm up as if we were walking into the arena at home! So relaxed. Our first warm up was quite long we had about half an hour. So I started with just walking him around then did shoulder forward, leg yield off the wall and then just leg yields. We then picked up the trot and did some trot work. Had a walk break, then some great canter. Then another walk since we had a lot of time. Then I picked him back up did some center lines and transitions and some more walk, trot and canter. Our first test was the best he has ever done and the judge liked him too. We got a few 8's and our score was a 65. Then we had a few hours so he hung out by the trailer. When it was time to go to warm up we only had like 5 min. which was weird because I know I wasn't running late but he felt good so I went in the ring. He was doing pretty good and then we got to canter and he was having a little to much fun. He got to quick and strong so then the trot after it was tight and tense. After the free walk he started to relax a little more. The second canter was better but I think he would of preferred to go jump a course then do another dressage test. This was shown in our scores because we had all 7's until our first canter were we got 5's then after the free walk we went right back up to 7's. So with the yee-haw canter and all our second test received a 62, not bad for a horse who has only been cantering since November.

My PC team got 5th overall. We could have done better at the HM part but it was 3 of our first rally ever so it was a great learning experience. And all I really wanted to do was get my horse in a ring and he was great...I was so pleased with the day.

and we begin..

Carino has begun his show career.
April.18th was his first show. It was away at Flatlands Equestrian Center. We did the two phase, Dressage test Beginner Novice A and jump height 2 foot. Dressage test was pretty decent considering it was his first time in a dressage ring ever. Would have been better if we didn't have to warm up outside and then do the test in the indoor. Jumping did not go well at all. He begun to fall apart in warm up and due to the fact that I completely pulled my back out 3 days before, I physically couldn't help him through the rough moments just causing things to get worse. I ended up falling in warm up and Carino and I hit heads and I then landed on my back. I got back on but I physically couldn't ride. So, I scratched and had Erin (my trainer) take him around the course. I wanted it to be a positive experience and I knew I physically wasn't capable of being any help to my horse at that moment.

We had another show the following weekend April. 25th. This time at home. Dressage went much much better, he did spook since again we had to warm up outside then ride the test in the indoor, he was a little confused by the chain and the table and everyone looking at him. But he was more relaxed then the previous weekend resulting in a score of 34.0 and putting us in first. In jumping warm up it took him a while to figure out his feet, but once he did and we got in sync it was great. He of course refused almost everything in the actual ring due to just being green but towards the end he became bold which was a good sign. Even though we got eliminated I saw the progress and I was very very pleased with the day and proud of my horse.
After the show we did a XC school were he did absolutely amazing. Jumped all the logs, coups and barns I asked. He jumped his first ditch (took him a few tries) and jumped his first bank ever! which was out of water! I was very impressed with him.
Also the next day we had a lesson over the same stadium course and he didn't refuse a thing. We even jumped the barrels set at a higher level and this jump wasn't even in the course the previous day, he even could do the inside turn to it. In fact he was so bold he was practically doing the course himself. So i think he had a confidence boost which was a great feeling.

Next we have Pony Club Dressage Rally maybe a little jumper show and then hopefully his first 3phase in July.