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.
