jleonard
Well-Known Member
Today I went to my first schooling "show" with my little Locita. It was put on by the local driving club and held at one of the member's farm, which was absolutely beautiful. You could just come and drive the trails around the farm, or you could participate in the little "show" which consisted of driving a dressage test and getting scored, then driving the cones course.
I decided to try the test and course, just so I could get some experience and see where we stood. I had no expectations going into the dressage ring. I had not worked with Locita much and still consider her green, although she is coming along very well. The ring was huge, 100x40 meters I believe, I thought we'd never make it down center line! The test asked for working trot, collected trot, and extended trot. She does not have a solid collected or extended trot at this point, but I was thrilled that she went in and gave me three distinct gaits and tried her very best. We also had to back three meters (~10 ft), and although I don't think we made it quite that far, she backed willingly and walked off quietly. She had nice straight halts, and stood well for the 10 required seconds. I had no idea what kind of a score we would get, having never driven a dressage test, but I could not have been happier with our performance, especially for our first time out. Locita tried her little heart out and did everything that I asked of her.
After dressage we headed over to the cones course. Several people had commented that it was quite a technical course, and though I haven't seen enough to really know, there were some subtle curves between cones that made it fun! I had never driven a course that was actually set to my wheel width, and was a little flustered going in. Locita and I have only driven a cones course together once, and we were not quite in sync for the first few cones, but after the u-chute (don't know what it's actually called) at 5, we finally got it together and were really "on" for the second half. We only knocked one ball at 2, which was before I got my act together. I was later told that the course was set at prelim clearance (I believe it was 30 cm clearance?). So much for an easy first time out!
My neighbor had gone with me, so when I was done with cones we went out on a little trail drive around the farm. We went back to the trailers and unhitched, then left the minis to enjoy some grass while we headed to the barn for lunch. The barn was spectacular, filled with six or so beautiful Welsh ponies. We ate in the barn aisle with ponies hanging over our shoulders. We took a little tour of the tack room and carriage house, both of which were just as spectacular as the rest of the barn. Once everyone had eaten, they gave out awards, and to my surprise, Locita and I won best single pony and a bottle of champagne (which I'll have to wait to sample for another two months
). We got our test back and I was pleased to see that we had all 7's and 6's with only one 5. We even earned an 8 for obedience! I am so proud of Locita, I could not have asked her to give any more than she did. Today also happens to be her birthday, and I think this was the perfect way to celebrate
(Pictures to come!)
I decided to try the test and course, just so I could get some experience and see where we stood. I had no expectations going into the dressage ring. I had not worked with Locita much and still consider her green, although she is coming along very well. The ring was huge, 100x40 meters I believe, I thought we'd never make it down center line! The test asked for working trot, collected trot, and extended trot. She does not have a solid collected or extended trot at this point, but I was thrilled that she went in and gave me three distinct gaits and tried her very best. We also had to back three meters (~10 ft), and although I don't think we made it quite that far, she backed willingly and walked off quietly. She had nice straight halts, and stood well for the 10 required seconds. I had no idea what kind of a score we would get, having never driven a dressage test, but I could not have been happier with our performance, especially for our first time out. Locita tried her little heart out and did everything that I asked of her.
After dressage we headed over to the cones course. Several people had commented that it was quite a technical course, and though I haven't seen enough to really know, there were some subtle curves between cones that made it fun! I had never driven a course that was actually set to my wheel width, and was a little flustered going in. Locita and I have only driven a cones course together once, and we were not quite in sync for the first few cones, but after the u-chute (don't know what it's actually called) at 5, we finally got it together and were really "on" for the second half. We only knocked one ball at 2, which was before I got my act together. I was later told that the course was set at prelim clearance (I believe it was 30 cm clearance?). So much for an easy first time out!
My neighbor had gone with me, so when I was done with cones we went out on a little trail drive around the farm. We went back to the trailers and unhitched, then left the minis to enjoy some grass while we headed to the barn for lunch. The barn was spectacular, filled with six or so beautiful Welsh ponies. We ate in the barn aisle with ponies hanging over our shoulders. We took a little tour of the tack room and carriage house, both of which were just as spectacular as the rest of the barn. Once everyone had eaten, they gave out awards, and to my surprise, Locita and I won best single pony and a bottle of champagne (which I'll have to wait to sample for another two months
(Pictures to come!)
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