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.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
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.
Monday, May 17, 2010
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)