Post by zoeshiloh on May 30, 2006 14:14:39 GMT 1
I took Ben to Ashen EC for their monthly dressage tournament on Sunday. It was the first time I have been, and I have to say that the yard is amazing - Becky Chapman who owns it is a RWYM instructor, and the yard is very very close to my 'perfect yard' scenario, with turnout pens attached to the stables so horses can choose to be inside or outside etc!
Anyway, we turned up and I panicked as we had a 20x20m area to warm up in (the school is 60x40m and the tests were in 20x40m so the other 20x20 was for warming up) right next to people trying to do their tests. However we were given 5mins before our tests to use the whole school.
I did three classes on Ben - the first one he was still a bit lazy and not quite listening so I was amazed when he got 71.5% and won the class! Then as I entered for the 2nd test I knew we were going to get a really bad result - he had completely switched off and had gone into 'lets gallop flat out when I'm meant to canter' mood. My arms were being pulled out their sockets. So I was extremely surprised when he won the second class with 68.18% - the official photographer showed me some of the piccies on his camera display and I have to say that he did look fab!
The third class was a lot harder, and I stood and watched the horses before me and they were going absoutely brilliantly! However Ben felt wonderful, did a superb medium trot but still, he didn't feel as if he was going as well as the others had looked. So I was completely shocked when he won that class as well with 69.8%
I felt absolutely awful - like a real trophy hunter
but I really hadn't entered thinking he would win any of them let alone all three! The other competitors were really nice and said well done, but I felt awful! Why is it we always strive for a good result and when we get it we can't be happy, lol!
Even better news is that we have now qualified for Equestrian Monthly Magazine Championships down a Towerlands on 11th June
All the hard work is finally paying off! Funny thing is I didn't even realise the classes were qualifiers until they handed me the certificates!
Anyway, we turned up and I panicked as we had a 20x20m area to warm up in (the school is 60x40m and the tests were in 20x40m so the other 20x20 was for warming up) right next to people trying to do their tests. However we were given 5mins before our tests to use the whole school.
I did three classes on Ben - the first one he was still a bit lazy and not quite listening so I was amazed when he got 71.5% and won the class! Then as I entered for the 2nd test I knew we were going to get a really bad result - he had completely switched off and had gone into 'lets gallop flat out when I'm meant to canter' mood. My arms were being pulled out their sockets. So I was extremely surprised when he won the second class with 68.18% - the official photographer showed me some of the piccies on his camera display and I have to say that he did look fab!
The third class was a lot harder, and I stood and watched the horses before me and they were going absoutely brilliantly! However Ben felt wonderful, did a superb medium trot but still, he didn't feel as if he was going as well as the others had looked. So I was completely shocked when he won that class as well with 69.8%
I felt absolutely awful - like a real trophy hunter
but I really hadn't entered thinking he would win any of them let alone all three! The other competitors were really nice and said well done, but I felt awful! Why is it we always strive for a good result and when we get it we can't be happy, lol!Even better news is that we have now qualified for Equestrian Monthly Magazine Championships down a Towerlands on 11th June
All the hard work is finally paying off! Funny thing is I didn't even realise the classes were qualifiers until they handed me the certificates!
lol 
you must be so chuffed!! ;D
