1/17/10
Beginner Novice Combined Test

It's been a couple of years since we've shown. This past
fall and winter we've been fox hunting most weekends, or
at least going out with the hounds at the kennels.

No jumping schooling the day before, but I did ride in the dressage saddle at the
kennels. This shows me that for better dressage scores, we need to do
some arena work before a show. We got a 41%, which wasn't bad for
our up and open look in the test.

Our dressage scores were better two years ago, but I love comparing the
jumping pictures. He still went around the ring a bit confused, and didn't
'get' the idea of doing a stadium round, but so much more relaxed at the idea
of jumping whatever ended up being in his way.
Entering the ring. We only occasionally got rounded up this ride. But, we were mostly relaxed.
 

He wanted to see the people outside the ring. Mostly 6's, so steady and consistent.
We can round more consistently, but then we also might get into a fight. My trainer didn't want me to risk that.
 
The judge really liked his tail.
He wasn't completely submissive to the bit.
 
Our canter transition was pretty good.
Of course the canter itself wasn't as pretty as it can be. Here's where we got the 5s. We kept the canter, made a circle and transitioned up and down when we were supposed to (oh, and got the leads). That made me pretty happy with the ride.
 
I think I see a bend to the inside.
A little leaning in, but really pretty good for us.
 
I love how he comes back to the trot so calmly.
I wasn't sure if the stretch down would happen.
 
But, it did eventually, and didn't pop right back up, either.
Not at all bad after a few months of only hunting.
 
This canter got a 6. Funny that he's better to the right, but I'm better to the left.
Getting ready to transition down. I could be more open in the chest and be sitting up better. Hard to think of everything when there isn't muscle memory for it. Hunting helps some things, but hurts others.
 
I hadn't considered how responsive his halt would be. A stride or two off from the center line. Also, glancing back through, I think this saddle is better for toes/knees pointing forward. There are fewer pictures than in the past with them being perpendicular to the horse.
Watching Miaren. I don't think mum finds the horse shows that much fun.
 
Warm up jumps. He was happy and forward.
I had been thinking of direct releases, so tried one here. We decided they weren't really necessary at this height, but while it looks bad in the picture, I felt perfectly balanced in my leg and not like I was falling forward.
 
No trying to trot through the oxer like he did at the show two years ago.
We had a lovely canter up to the first fence, then he sucked back to a trot two strides out, but still dragged himself over. First rail down...
 
Not gonna hit it. 
It was a twisty course, and I'm so proud to see that I'm looking at the next fence while jumping this one.
Another careful jump. My trainer said he looked happy after this one, as we were headed a bit toward the exit. She said when he started to turn away from the gate toward the next fence he looked confused again.
 
I think the next rail down. It's good he's not over jumping, but we need to find a happy medium.
This line rode well, but I couldn't tell you how many strides we put in. I'm pretty sure we cantered between the two, though.
 
I was so happy with the effort he put in the jumps. He was game, if nothing else.
Compare this to the pictures from two years ago jumping this same roll top. I don't think we've jumped another one since, but we have jumped tons of other things. His confidence and jump have definitely improved. Oh, and once again I'm looking at our next jump across the arena.
 
Not a bad spot, just a lazy/tired horse. I couldn't blame him, I wasn't doing a lot to support him by this time in the course anyway.
Downhill approach, we're tired, let's try to pull it together for the last fence.
Sloppy toes on my part (need to raise the stirrups more for jumping), but he finished the round nicely.