Saffy does dressage

[gem]

I took Saffy to a dressage comp today to see if our practice is paying off. If you remember, the last dressage we did a couple of weeks ago didn't go well. She was lazy, behind the leg and just generally non-responsive. We've been doing lots of work on transitions, literally hundreds every session.

Saffy was thrilled to be out competing again...



So in we went...










Give and retake But she's not fallen flat on her face, so we're improving!







What do you think??





























69.16%!!!!! Personal best for Saffy and I


The judge's comment was 'Aptly named pony - clearly a well schooled pair with understanding. Ridden well within pony's capabilities - good. Just needs to step under more to lift shoulders. Very pleasing.'



She felt SO much better. She was responsive and, for the most part anyway, forward going. She was flagging towards the end but (possibly making excuses here) I think it may have been that she needs front shoes on (farrier hasn't been answering calls so has now been sacked) and it was on sand. She may have felt a bit uncomfy. Even so, she felt a lot happier than a few weeks ago. We got 8s for the first 20m circle (was P13) and the medium walk before the free walk. Free walk didn't go too well but other areas had improved loads. I think it was quite a 'nice' judge, but still, I'm not arguing

I've watched the video back and *I* have plenty to work on with my position. I need to kill the penguin toes and stop nagging with my leg. I'm sure if I can do that it will only help with her responsiveness.

Hope you like the photos, I'm celebrating our best ever score with wine, chips and an easter egg

xxx

[CityLights]

well done! she looks good,
one of the things my trainer told me that always sticks with me is with a lazy unresopnsive horse do less, so that a small adjustment has a bigger effect, with a sharp horse do more so that a small adjustment becomes accepted more easily, i think it really helps, its so easy to sit and kick kick kick or worry about putting your leg on something hot, but rembering that really helps and then helps me sit better whcih obvioulsy helps to improve the horse

[rowy]

Well done!!! she looks so fab in all the pics! She is so white it hurts my eyes lol. You must give me your tips for whiteness!

[IcarusGirl]

Well done! She does look much more forward. Well done!!!

[Frankie]

Woooo, Fantastic! Well done! She looks awesome and very white! lol

[gem]

Thanks ladies. CL- That's a really good bit of advice. I do try and think that as I ride but then my legs just keep nagging! Think I need more no stirrups work

The whiteness is down to my stiff bristled Oster brush She had a brown neck/head this morning and I didn't use a drop of water to get her clean. I did have to put a bit of chalk paste on her cheek though at one point

[casper_cb]

Super well done.
She looks lovely and soooooo clean! I really like your stock too - I'm a bit of a traditionalist but the pink looks super against all the white.

[chelle83]

Great pics, well done.