Dressage Day by Day

Gadget and I made our official debut at third level at a recognized show on June 7-9 at the Grand Haven show. The weather was cold and rainy when we arrived on Thursday and stayed that way until Sunday. Despite the nasty weather, Gadget warmed up beautifully on Thursday evening in the indoor arena. All of my changes were clean, there were no changes in the counter canter, and Kristin gave us great advice to improve the shoulder-in and halfpass. I need to start schooling these with way more bend, then I can regulate it in the test. On the first day of the show, I didn't get him through for my first test of second level test three. It didn't feel fluid or like we were on the same page. This is normal for our first test at every show. I have no idea how to fix it. We scored a 59.7 and placed 5th. About an hour later, I was set to ride third level test one. I was the very last ride of the day. Gadget felt tired in the warm-up, but I got his neck and back softer. The rings were q...

As the year winds to an end, I start thinking of my goals for next year. Some goals are almost too tentative to speak aloud, so they usually end up on legal paper in my desk drawer.   In 2012 I was able to check off the goals I set early in the year: 1. Confirm 2nd level 2. Achieve 2 scores of 60% at second level (We got both scores in June at one show) 3. Win year end award at second level (WPDA Reserve Champ) 4. Confirm flying changes (They are not perfect, but he understands the aids) Some of these were achieved by the skin of our teeth, but it's good enough for me. For 2013, I'm a bit conflicted. I do not want to show at 2nd level because I want to continue regularly schooling the flying changes (and because I now hate 2nd level). Although Gadget should be able to listen to my aids for the counter canter and simple changes without anticipating the flying changes, it will still require me to stop schooling the changes before each show. Although I don't...