I have been judged by Julie on numerous occasions now, both unaffiliated and affiliated as well as had a lesson with her last year. I like her way of both teaching and judging so was quite keen to attend the test riding clinic to do an Elementary test I had been considering riding early on in the new year.The aim of the test riding clinic was for the rider to enter the arena as they would a competition and do a test, then Julie would come out of her judging box, tell you areas she thought could be improved and spend 20 minutes working with you. Then she would go back to her judging box and you would then ride the test again, having worked on some of the movements with Julie.
I should have known Ceaser was going to be in a "testing" mood yesterday when I found him standing on two back legs and his front legs hanging over his stable door because the local shoot had spooked him. However, I was looking forward to getting out and riding for the first time in my double bridle that I was hoping would bring results.
As usual we were running late and I arrived at Laughton Manor with only minutes to spare before it was my turn to do my first test. After a quick warm up which really wasn't enough time I quickly went indoors to do Elementary 50.
It didn't go too badly considering it was the first time I had ever ridden Ceaser in his double bridle and hadn't ridden since Tuesday. With only 5 minutes to warm up I couldn't expect a lovely test but we still got 60%, so I couldn't grumble. There is a part in the middle of the test where it requires you to walk-to-canter and then do a medium canter up the long side before half 10 meter circling from M to the centre line, doing a simple change of the leg and cantering off on the other lead from the centre line to H. Its not a tricky movement but with such a small space to do it in, it does require lots of collection.Ceaser was rather giddy to say the least from the medium canter before the simple change of leg that he got to the centre line and just wanted to tank on. When I said "No, we're changing legs and going the other way" he complained, reared up and then went on. He's quite a character that when I ask something difficult of him or something that requires his full attention, every known and again he'll do as a young child does, throw the toys out the pram and basically say "No, I can't!"...which is when a rear or a buck occurs!
I then lost a little concentration as I giggled my way through the next couple of movements but at least I saw the funny side. The other part of the test that caused a few problems but thankfully didn't show was a 20 meter circle near the end of the test. Again, after a nice big, medium canter it requires you to collect for 5 meters and then do a 20 meter circle at E whilst allowing the horse to stretch. This is basically the same as a free walk on a long rein and judges like to see the horse given a lot of rein! I hadn't read through my test properly before deciding to do this one so didn't realise it was even in there! When my caller, (boyfriend) Mark read that movement out I knew I may as well have waved at him and shouted bye as I galloped across the arena. Thankfully Ceaser is quite obedient when it comes to something like this and apart from doing a 20 meter circle in a rather fast medium canter, Julie thought it went well. "Doesn't he come back to you nicely" she said after coming out of her judges box. Hmm, what she didn't see or hear was me going "Shhhhh*t" through gritted teeth as I rejoined the track at E and had to collect enough to trot at K and go down the centre line at A. Phew.
Julie commented on exactly what I had known we would get marked down on. Ceaser is still not sitting back enough to get top marks for the collections. He still needs to come back to me just that little bit more and collect when I ask. However, I am sure after a few more sessions in the double bridle he will do as after just a few transitions Julie noticed he was starting to more. She also said he just needs a little more impulsion for the medium movements but again, that is coming and more will so when he collects more.We worked on all of this in the 20 minutes given and I was again quite impressed on how Julie sussed Ceaser out in such a short space of time. She said he is very obedient and has the potential to be getting very high scores such as 8's in Elementary classes. At the moment he is getting 6's and 7's and she said with a few weeks work it'll get to the 8's. She also said how you can tell when he is getting frustrated and confused as he just goes up to vent his anger. I think that is something we will never get out of him now and quite frankly I'm used to our little rears every so often!
When it came to doing the test again I was thrilled to then get 65.71% and receive such lovely comments on the end of my test from Julie. She said it was nice to see such a huge improvement in just 20 minutes and how much of a lovely picture the both of us make. We still had a little buck when I asked for the simple changes but this time I felt it all click into place.This week I will be working on getting Ceaser used to the double bridle as well as doing lots of transitions in order to ask him to collect more.
Sounds like a very productive day Sian - love the photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you , it was very helpful! - I am a little addicted to taking photos, love getting the camera out.
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