Despite lots of improvement at our last show, I was still feeling like Maestro and I needed another chance to iron out the kinks in the show ring. I don’t actually qualify for any rated divisions at the barn’s C rated show, but the low hunter division is unrated and open to everyone.
Friday afternoon (Friday before last now) I got out to the barn to school over fences. The ring we would be showing in I actually hadn’t jumped in at all this year as we don’t usually keep jumps in that ring except for shows and then showing I’ve been in a different ring. So trainer got on him first and warmed him up and took him around. Honestly I could have just done it myself but better safe than sorry and she also is better at getting him thinking about his changes. I got on in her saddle afterwards (I’d never been in a Devecoux before, quite nice!), trotted and cantered a few laps to get my bearings, then jumped the pony myself. A couple singles then a nice trip around a course and we were done. He was really being awesome, so soft and moving up to the fences nicely.
Saturday the forecast looked horrible and I was quite thankful to be going early in the day. We just had a warm up trip and one over fences trip to do. Maestro marched around just a little quick and nervous and with a late change in one corner but totally manageable. Came out for a trip then went back in for our hunter round. The second round was really good. He got all his leads (actually landed all but one) and he was just a bit quick heading home on the last line which combined with me finding the long one in made for a bit of a stronger half halt in the line. It wasn’t a big division but we got second in our round against all professionals.
Sunday we didn’t go until the afternoon so Maestro did get a small amount of turnout beforehand which I’m sure he was happy about. I wish I had it on tape but we had our best trip to date in the warm up round. The warm ups are blue/red and that got us a blue ribbon round and a cute little ribbon. Being picky there was a fence I rushed a bit with my body but Maestro was so consistent and got all his changes and really just felt awesome. Sadly in the actual over fences round he had a late back change before going into a line and I just didn’t have the right pace and he had to chip in. On a plus side, he stepped right up and still got us out of the line in the right strides despite my mistake and was perfect again for the last line coming home. Can’t ask for more than that!
We did the hack after that and I’m still struggling a bit with hacks. It annoys me since in the past they have been my thing – Stamp and I won them frequently. I know Maestro can move well but he just gets so resistant and wiggly (going the first way particularly) that transitions become difficult and not as prompt as they should be. Considering maybe wearing spurs in my hack class next time but if anyone has ideas let me know. The answer could certainly be that he just needs more time in the ring.
In the end it was a great easy weekend of showing that left me feeling good about the rest of show season. Best of all I just had so much fun and that’s what it’s about!
Since then Maestro and I have managed several great field hacks and his new saddle finally came in Friday and he seems to be quite happy with it.
Mr. P has been keeping me busy with skin issues. I’ve posted about it on Instagram but need to do a post here because it’s been an adventure.
Congrats! I think a little spur might not hurt for the flat, but mostly, you’re probably right in thinking it’s just greenness. You two are progressing so well! It’s fun to follow along.
I’m looking forward to that post on P’s skin stuff. That’s been crazy!
Thanks! It’s just funny because you can easily forget he’s green because he’s so chill and then it sneaks up on you!
I wear spurs always so I can use them if I need them. Congrats on your rounds and your placings!
I always have a fear of overusing spurs by mistake and dulling the horse to them but really that just means i need to train myself not to use them as a crutch. P and Stampede weren’t really horses I needed a spur on ever.
Sounds like a great day all around, congrats!
Thanks, it was a fun weekend. 🙂
Congrats on a successful show, and 2nd against pros!
Thanks! We certainly aren’t anything amazing but I’m so happy with him and how much we’ve improved.
Yay for a great show! Do you usually ride by yourself or in a group? Sometimes when horses are used to flatting alone, they get in a group and change a little bit. I’ve found practicing flat classes at home helpful, with everyone going the same direction at the same speed
I actually rarely ride alone because the barn is so big (although I did today). It’s almost like he’s upset with the hurry up of it. Like he’s saying well you didn’t walk a full two laps of the ring or trot enough before you walked again and asked for canter. Maybe after I finish flatting on my own sometimes I’ll walk out of the ring, walk back in, then run through a flat class…
A) I’m super jealous your barn hosts shows- how amazingly convenient!
B) You guys look amazing! I just think it’s so awesome that he is still so young and getting such great experience.
C) That CWD is gorgeous! How is it working for you??
It’s super convenient to be able to do rated shows at home, definitely a huge plus and I would not get to show as much otherwise.
Thank you. When I find myself competing against 4 year olds I sometimes feel like we are behind but in the end I’d like a happy long term partner and there is no reason to rush things.
The situation requiring me to get a new CWD when I liked my old one was no fun but the new saddle is nice and so far Maestro seems quite happy with it. The rep is planning to come out and check the fit coming up but it seems quite good to me. Hopefully I’m done buying saddles for a while now…