5/23-25/2014
Beginner Novice Horse Trial on Miaren
It was surprising that we had so much rain in Abilene, but Miaren was
up to the challenge. We were in 3rd after dressage and moved up to
2nd in stadium and stayed there after 6 seconds time faults on XC.
Everything was damp and the truck and trailer had to be pulled out of the mud,
but we were both relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.


He looks a little worried here. Maybe he'd also seen the Accuweather app that said a giant storm was closing in on us.
 
We got a 31 on our dressage. Better than Greenwood because we were relaxed, but I'm hoping to get back down
in the 20s.

The footing was pretty good considering the rain. I did put studs in to help in the corners.
 
We went with a French braid this time. He didn't have as much head shaking, and it stayed in just fine.
 
Our canter is coming along. What really dinged us was when a bug flew in his face as we turned for our walk across the diagonal.
I could feel that if I let out rein he was going to start shaking his head and maybe trot or paw. So, I had to keep him shorter than
usual for all of the walk to keep him focused on something other than the bug up his nose.
 
For the last part of the test he was obedient, but used his ears to say he was being bothered.
 
A nice halt and a nose rub when he got out to deal with that stupid bug.
 
We wore our XC gear for stadium. As soon as we were finished in there they moved us to the start box. I think only
3 or so riders on Sunday had to ride in the rain. They did a great job getting done early to beat the weather that day.
 
First fence on course. I'm riding better if our spot is good.
 
We'd done a jumper show the weekend before that made this course feel fun and easy.
 
Telling him which lead to land on just by looking.
 
This is what I'd like to fix. If he gets a short spot I still stand up and get out of his way. I don't really bother him, but it's not the most secure way to ride a fence.
 
I was so pleased that for all the jumping I was able to stay back and wait for him to jump. Not driving him to the fences,
but not jumping ahead and interfering like I did when I was nervous at Greenwood.

I don't really need the bit for stadium, but I do for XC and we've both gotten comfortable with it.
 
The lizard standards were brightly painted on the other side. I was worried Miaren might take a peek, but he was all business.
 
Getting excited that we might make it around without him touching a fence.
 
Letting him take a leap and a long spot knowing he didn't plan on hitting anything today.

He looked at all the XC fences that he hadn't seen before, but I waited to jump with him at each fence and I never felt hesitation once we were committed to the jump.

I like seeing his hind end under him as we approach the fence.

Another short spot and me thinking standing up is the best way to help him over. I didn't jump ahead, which is much more risky, but I think this is a habit I learned from
being too close to the saddle and getting popped out with the short spot. Some day I'll figure it out and stop riding him as if he were one of my other horses. But, at
least I'm consistent.

He was very suspicious of the bright blue water. It's been a while since he's not wanted to gallop and plung through.