And suddenly things go down hill...

Since our first show resulted in a blue ribbon I thought he was right back into show mode..however apparently that is not the case. At Mystic we had a great dressage warm up but a disaterous test however we still managed a score of 35% and was put in 5th place. Our show jumping was great besides one weird distance that led to a little barreling around a corner. However our xc was the worst thing of my life; refused a tiny log at one, jumped a max table at two and then bolted right turning to a crossing that was over a stream that he flew so fast right I stayed put and next thing I new I was standing on my feet with reins in hand. Since the fall was not related to a fence I got back on and asked "can i go?" but jump judge at two told me no. But then start and jum judges at 4 were screaming GO! However, then a lady with a clipboard and walky talky who was apparently the owner of the place comes running and screaming to get off the course. So I go back to start get the TD and they allow me to start over but still with the 20 penalties from one. We restart with no problems all the way until after jump 7 were there was then a water crossing which was a running rocky stream in the words. I tried everything I could do but he just would not go in so I retired. I was so upset after the show and it took me days to be able to talk about it without crying and to begain to look ahead and to what was next but I got over it and was on to the next.

We then had the Valinor HT which was at home and he ushaly always does his best at home. We had a great dressage warmup and I was very excited for my test. However, we get in the ring and Carino wont even go forward all he did was spook, hop and bolt and that is exactly what our test consisted of. It was the worst ride of my entire life. However, after the awful expierence at Mystic I kept trying to just push in the back of my mind and get ready for jumping. Ww had a very quick warm up for SJ but he was spot on so we went right in the ring. We was great a little strong but he was just excited. However, he got a little to excited and began to scoot and even give a few little hops and leaps after some of the fences but I just laughed cus hey? what did I have to loose? I wasn't getting a ribbon and we were having fun. We went double clear stadium and headed right to xc. He was very good xc but strong and not ground covering with his stride but more up and collected and filled with enrgy. He pulled some simillar leaps and such xc like he did stadium but nothing I couldn't handle or get him back before a fence. We had no refusals but a good amount of time penalties because he wasn't covering the ground. But now I know if he gets balled up like that to try to push him on and forward.

I took him on a xc school of the courses and he was great jumping BN, N and even some T fences and questions no problem. Next for us is Scarlet Hill XC Schooling Show and Flatlands Schooling HT to get some more practice in before Area 1 Championships. Hopefully, things will began to click again.

Videos of the show are on my youtube page.