Day 1: A Mixed Bag

While it rained this morning, the entire day of dressage was clear/cloudy, very comfortable. Thank you, dressage gods!

We woke up early (why did I decide to have that last Bourbon nightcap??) so that we could make the 9:30 test ride--Erin Pullen on Tag, who Laura knew from FL (and who also used to be a local). She was on a lovely TB who was a tad bit tense--so what could have been a great test was a little...well, testy. Still, it amazes me that these TBs who've done almost 50 starts can come back to do this!

I asked Laura, who has a LOT more experience than I do, about how to get a horse to be supple (since we both noted that it was something that many of the horses aspired to, but....). She quoted John Lyon, saying they need a "calm down cue" like stretching their head down. If they do that consistently at home--stretch down in front of your leg, listening to you while they do it, then they can use that as a cue in a more stressful environment, like the warm up ring (which I think we ALL know is probably the most terrifying places on Earth).

Notes on some of the riders:

Elizabeth Haliday-Sharp had a lovely ride, though her trot work was more impressive than her canter work. And her horse was NOT impressed by flying changes....

Joe Meyer's horse seemed confused and offered flying changes on the center line as they entered, then reared in frustration. They made a good come back, though, putting in a good test.

Felix Vogg and Colero had the best test of the day (and their scores reflected it). THIS horse was consistent and supple....and I learned later that he only had a 10 minute warm up!




Will Faudree and Pfun had a good, solid test. This pair is starting to really gel.



Daniela Moguel and Cecelia from Mexico didn't have the best test, but I was impressed with their partnership--they really were in synch.

I honest-to-God teared up when Chris Talley let the little Pony Club girls pet his horse as he exited the ring. Of course, I almost had a heart attack when he spooked at a piece of plastic and almost knocked the girls over....but all was well, and they got in one last pat before he left the ring.

Some things I learned today:

• Many horses have practiced the canter-halt or canter-walk transition, but in this test, they have to canter to trot, then halt. I saw a lot of almost stop/walks, then go back to trot, so once again, PRACTICE TRANSITIONS.
• Lots of abrupt halts. There has to be a way to halt in balance without it looking like a reining competition.
• Horses are easier to sit if they are through. I saw some bouncy riders, and I fear the horses were tense/not connected.
• Suppleness is SO IMPORTANT. And it's not tense.

During the lunch break, Laura and I finished our course walk (we only got as far as the Head of the Lake), so we started there and finished the course. So. Many. Skinnies! And so much tricky topography. It's going to be a great course.