We did it! Gadget and I officially made the jump to Prix St. Georges. I felt so incredibly nervous and rode terribly in the warm-up until Kristin literally coached every step to get me to relax and ride the way that I know how.
Our first test felt good! I got the fours, but blew the threes. The left pirouette was fairly good, and I got a 6. The right pirouette was way too big (judge described it as "huge.") Overall, I felt like I belonged there. I had lots of mistakes that were purely from inexperience. For instance, I rode the 8 meter trot voltes way too big and lots easy points there. I also let some of Gadget's changes get late after the halfpasses and pirouettes. We ended up with a 58.9% from a tough judge, so I was thrilled with that score for our first test.
The next day I felt much more relaxed and the warm-up went well. I nailed my threes and fours in the warm-up. We cantered down centerline just as lightning struck. I was told to dismount in the ring and the whole show was halted. No one knew how long the storm would last, and many scratched and went home given it was a Sunday afternoon. My trainer had already warmed me up once and needed to leave. An hour and a half later, the show began again. When I came back out to ride, there was a lot of confusion as to what time I should start.
I was frazzled and feeling like I needed to warm up quickly. I started trying to jump right back into work, and Gadget felt tired and stiff. Another trainer whom I had never started calling out instructions for me to take my time, give him time to loosen up, and give my inside rein. She definitely helped get me focused once again. Gadget was tired but he really tried and he gave me a really great ride. I left the arena feeling so proud of our accomplishment to actually be able to put in a solid test (even with blowing the 4s). However, I was completely shocked to find out that we got a 67% and won the class beating 4 other amateurs! We were also High Point Adult Amateur PSG/I1 winner for the weekend. It was such a culmination of my hopes and dreams. I am now only one score away from my silver medal!
Our first test felt good! I got the fours, but blew the threes. The left pirouette was fairly good, and I got a 6. The right pirouette was way too big (judge described it as "huge.") Overall, I felt like I belonged there. I had lots of mistakes that were purely from inexperience. For instance, I rode the 8 meter trot voltes way too big and lots easy points there. I also let some of Gadget's changes get late after the halfpasses and pirouettes. We ended up with a 58.9% from a tough judge, so I was thrilled with that score for our first test.
The next day I felt much more relaxed and the warm-up went well. I nailed my threes and fours in the warm-up. We cantered down centerline just as lightning struck. I was told to dismount in the ring and the whole show was halted. No one knew how long the storm would last, and many scratched and went home given it was a Sunday afternoon. My trainer had already warmed me up once and needed to leave. An hour and a half later, the show began again. When I came back out to ride, there was a lot of confusion as to what time I should start.
I was frazzled and feeling like I needed to warm up quickly. I started trying to jump right back into work, and Gadget felt tired and stiff. Another trainer whom I had never started calling out instructions for me to take my time, give him time to loosen up, and give my inside rein. She definitely helped get me focused once again. Gadget was tired but he really tried and he gave me a really great ride. I left the arena feeling so proud of our accomplishment to actually be able to put in a solid test (even with blowing the 4s). However, I was completely shocked to find out that we got a 67% and won the class beating 4 other amateurs! We were also High Point Adult Amateur PSG/I1 winner for the weekend. It was such a culmination of my hopes and dreams. I am now only one score away from my silver medal!
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