So Gadget and I attended our first regional championship and it was great. The atmosphere felt like that of a big horse show and the quality of the horses was incredible. Lexington, Virginia was cool and crisp, and Gadget was very on edge when we arrived on Wednesday. He didn't really quite settle, but Kristin coached me through the ride and we got some good work.
On Thursday I rode 4-1 early in the morning and it felt like Gadget was still on edge. He was trying to be good, but he seemed to be waiting for a boogey man around the corner. I didn't feel like I had much rideability, but Gadget mostly held it together and his changes were really lovely. We won the class with a 64% I was perplexed as it didn't feel like a winning ride. In the afternoon, I rode 3-3, and felt like I had more rideability. I came out of the ring happier with the my ride, so I was perplexed when it only scored a 61% from the same judge that gave us the win in the morning. Gadget was having some uncharacteristic stiffness from a combination of the cold, standing on concrete, and no turnout, so he had a couple funky steps in each warm-up. I could feel that he wasn't as loose as usual and the rhythm in his canter wasn't as good as it has been, so I chalked it up to that.
I scratched my warm-up ride on Friday, and warmed up Gadget for his championship in a lovely outdoor ring and I felt like I had my horse back. He warmed up beautifully. I could feel that as soon as I got on that he was soft and ready to work. Still a little stiff, but his mind was in the right place. We went into our championship, and I swear he puffed up an entire hand trotting down center line! I really think that Gadget likes to show now. We went across the diagonal and I had such power the day before in the extended trot, so I put the pedal to the metal and, unfortunately, Gadget broke to canter. Such an amateur mistake on my part. Trying to finesse the changes, I gave a soft aid and Gadget was late on his left change. Very uncharacteristic mistakes, but overall, Gadget gave me a really great ride. I was so proud of him and proud that we made it so far this season. We ended up with a 63.5% and only missed going to the nationals by 1.5% points.
The last day of our championship, I rode 4-1 again for fun. Gadget felt a little spunky in the cool, windy weather. For the test, Gadget felt a bit strong in the bridle, very opinionated, and he clearly knows the test! It was not our best test as Gadget and I took turns jostling for control, but we ended up with a 61% and second place in good company. As usual, Hani's halo grew brighter and bigger for horseshowing with me in the cold for 4 days. I'm not sure what I did to deserve him, but gosh am I so lucky.
Now that regionals are over, we are officially done with third level and are diving into fourth level with both (all four? all six?) feet. The tempi changes are coming along, but are still not reliable. Just when I think that we've got it, I have a ride where I can't get a single line of 4s. As Gadget gets hotter off the leg, my timing is getting better, and we are starting to get more correct counts. The beginning of pirouettes feels well within reach, but I definitely need some serious coaching for these. I'm excited for our winter of training, and I am beginning to think of my goals for next year.
In other big news, I won the Dressage Foundation Carol Lavel Gifted Grant for Region 2! This grant will provide $1,000 that I can apply toward concentrated time spent getting lessons. I can't wait to put this to good use with Kristin Stein! If anyone can get us in shape for fourth level next year, it's her.
On Thursday I rode 4-1 early in the morning and it felt like Gadget was still on edge. He was trying to be good, but he seemed to be waiting for a boogey man around the corner. I didn't feel like I had much rideability, but Gadget mostly held it together and his changes were really lovely. We won the class with a 64% I was perplexed as it didn't feel like a winning ride. In the afternoon, I rode 3-3, and felt like I had more rideability. I came out of the ring happier with the my ride, so I was perplexed when it only scored a 61% from the same judge that gave us the win in the morning. Gadget was having some uncharacteristic stiffness from a combination of the cold, standing on concrete, and no turnout, so he had a couple funky steps in each warm-up. I could feel that he wasn't as loose as usual and the rhythm in his canter wasn't as good as it has been, so I chalked it up to that.
I scratched my warm-up ride on Friday, and warmed up Gadget for his championship in a lovely outdoor ring and I felt like I had my horse back. He warmed up beautifully. I could feel that as soon as I got on that he was soft and ready to work. Still a little stiff, but his mind was in the right place. We went into our championship, and I swear he puffed up an entire hand trotting down center line! I really think that Gadget likes to show now. We went across the diagonal and I had such power the day before in the extended trot, so I put the pedal to the metal and, unfortunately, Gadget broke to canter. Such an amateur mistake on my part. Trying to finesse the changes, I gave a soft aid and Gadget was late on his left change. Very uncharacteristic mistakes, but overall, Gadget gave me a really great ride. I was so proud of him and proud that we made it so far this season. We ended up with a 63.5% and only missed going to the nationals by 1.5% points.
The last day of our championship, I rode 4-1 again for fun. Gadget felt a little spunky in the cool, windy weather. For the test, Gadget felt a bit strong in the bridle, very opinionated, and he clearly knows the test! It was not our best test as Gadget and I took turns jostling for control, but we ended up with a 61% and second place in good company. As usual, Hani's halo grew brighter and bigger for horseshowing with me in the cold for 4 days. I'm not sure what I did to deserve him, but gosh am I so lucky.
Now that regionals are over, we are officially done with third level and are diving into fourth level with both (all four? all six?) feet. The tempi changes are coming along, but are still not reliable. Just when I think that we've got it, I have a ride where I can't get a single line of 4s. As Gadget gets hotter off the leg, my timing is getting better, and we are starting to get more correct counts. The beginning of pirouettes feels well within reach, but I definitely need some serious coaching for these. I'm excited for our winter of training, and I am beginning to think of my goals for next year.
In other big news, I won the Dressage Foundation Carol Lavel Gifted Grant for Region 2! This grant will provide $1,000 that I can apply toward concentrated time spent getting lessons. I can't wait to put this to good use with Kristin Stein! If anyone can get us in shape for fourth level next year, it's her.
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