I think I mentioned Bridget's saddle was out getting new billets and being reflocked for many months. Enough months that when the fitter showed up the morning of the show, it did not fit. At all. It's way too wide now that B has lost weight and changed shape. A quick look at my jump saddle confirmed it's not as bad, but not ideal anymore either. Ughhh, did not like paying $500 to get a saddle back that didn't fit, but particularly didn't like hearing neither saddle fit.
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| Anyone looking for a County Competitor in super good shape? 17.5", XW tree, short flap. For sale or trade for similar in a wide tree. |
We tried a shimmable half pad, but yeah, with worst dressage test ever happening with that set up I'm going to go out on a limb and say B did not approve. Not that I'm totally blaming the saddle, B was certainly in a mood and I ended up not having enough warm up due to a last minute boot zipper malfunction. I also could find a place to sit with the saddle tipping so far forward, so it was all a bit struggle bus. Our score was 57% if you're curious...lots of 5.5's and 6's due to B being very up and braced throughout. I think the highest score was my 6.5 for rider.
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| B about 5 min after I put her away. Arguing is exhausting! :) |
EC lent me her lovely saddle for test 2, and also gave us a pretty intense lesson after test 1. I'm glad she was there because honestly I was pretty frustrated with B and the sadde situation, so left to my own devices would have probably just called it a day. EC is genius at acknowledging where things went wrong, but also at giving me the belief I can fix those things independently and that it's always worth trying again.
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| Another 17.5" XW County for sale or trade |
So, test 2 went WAY better. B was still in a really grumpy mood, but I felt like I rode to the very best of my ability and got the most out of her I was going to. A solid test with a well behaved B and no errors was good for 63%. Lots of 6's and 6.5's and I get the feeling the judge was just wanting a little "more" from B, although I got a "well ridden" and a nice rider score :) In this very competitive area, that's still good for last place tho, lol.
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| Never in my life worked so hard for 63% or to be 6/6...so this ribbon goes proudly in the jar with all the rest |
I scratched Sunday, because I just wasn't having fun, and I'm sure B wasn't either. And, life is too short not to enjoy it! Instead of showing, I called tests (OMG, calling upper level tests might be a skill in itself - so much happening, so quickly!) and took the new pony for a walk around the grounds.
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| B looking cute today |
Moving forward, I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider giving up dressage with Bridget. She's miserable to deal with when she's in a mood. But then EC and I started talking about that, and I was like "oh wait, she gets like this with jumping, cross country...even trail riding some times. Its kind of just who she is." So EC talked me off the ledge, and lent me her dressage saddle while I get appropriate tack sorted. Worst case, B is a great project for me to keep picking away at in preparation for moving up with another horse. I know this sounds bad, particularly with the saddle situation, but I'm still really feeling like she let me down. The reality in this moment though is that I love her, she's the horse I have, and it's on me to unlock the puzzle pieces if I want to show her more successfully at this level. The challenging horses are the ones that make us better riders, right? :)
I'm sorry the tests didn't go how you hoped and esp sorry that it was a bit of a let down. I hate that feeling :( hopefully tho figuring out the saddle situation will help. And maybe there's also a learning curve to horse shows now that the vast majority of your rides are solo at B's new barn? Anyway good luck!
ReplyDeleteShe's generally pretty sensible about busy environments, but yes I'm sure that played into it. She's actually very hard to get focused even on a normal day because it is generally WAY more fun to look around/pretend to need to stretch/cough/snort/poop than go straight to work. I need to video the procrastination that goes on simply to bridle her...so many suddenly fascinating thing in the distance, so much yawning and chewing and scratching her legs suddenly required. It's pretty special. Ponies :)
DeleteOhhh this brings back so many of the same feelings for me! You have such a good sense of self awareness about it all, and that’s essential for working to improve these ponies while accepting who they are. Keep up that positive attitude! ❤️
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'd be going pretty crazy right now if I didn't have other horses to ride. I do love B very much for who she is, but she's far lazier and grumpier than me and sometimes that drives me a little up the wall!
DeleteHorses are so hard sometimes! We pour so much effort in and when they come out and just don't want to play it's really frustrating. I commend your attitude and self-awareness tho -- that is such an important piece to getting things to a better place <3
ReplyDeleteShe's such a funny little thing, sometimes so keen, then the next day is a big NOPE. I think she is generally quite a lazy girl, and is also pretty intelligent and easily bored. It's to the point where she hears my coach's voice sometimes and goes from happy to grumpy because she knows she'll have to work if EC's around!
DeleteIt is so tough when they don’t show up willing to participate in the activities scheduled for the day. Ponies are so tough and pony mares are that much tougher I think. I can totally commiserate and for all of the difficulties they’re still pretty cool little animals ;)
ReplyDeleteShe's hilarious and I do love her, I just wish sometimes the funny behaviour wasn't at my expense :)
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