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.