Sunday Show B-Rated June 10

We tried a new format for our shows this year, in order to maximize the opportunity to ride in front of a judge, as well as, provide the opportunity for our members to maximize their points earned on a national level, while trying to keep the cost of the show down. It also increases the number of times we can show in front of a new judge (we have two new-to-us judges this year), which helps both the sport and those of us chasing points for awards or medals on the national level. The only downside is that it makes for two long days.

I woke up Sunday tired. Wary, wary tired, but with no anxiety. At least not yet. It would come but not until I was already at the show and even then it was a small fluffy kitten compared to the roaring tiger of Saturday. I got up, started stew for J's bike trip on Monday, finished making potato salad for the competitors lunches and headed for the barn. We stopped at Safeway to grab something and I ended up getting a box of cornpops for breakfast. We drove to the barn with me eating dry cornpops by the handful. Real breakfast of champions. At least it didn't upset my stomach.

Ashke, amazingly enough, had stayed clean overnight despite no sheet (too hot) and so it was a matter of pulling him out of the stall and loading him in the trailer. He was willing and interested, so loading went quick and within fifteen minutes we were pulling into Circle Star. J went to print the tests for the show, while I got Ashke completely set up at the trailer. We were the second to last ride in a group of sixteen, so I had a couple of hours to wait.

Can I tell you, Ashke was a rock star. He didn't pace or paw. He whinnied every time he saw me and was interested in what was going on around him, but didn't fret or worry. I kept his hay bag full during the day, and provided a few carrot treats through out the day to keep him eating and drinking. I took a half dose of anxiety medicine and drank a gatorade, since it was already pushing 90. During the day, I drank three big gatorade, three waters, and four or five sodas and was still dehydrated. There was one point during the day when I sat down on my tack box, in the shade, and Ashke dropped his muzzle onto my shoulder, while we both dozed in the heat.

Our dressage ride was just before eleven. I did about fifteen minutes of warm up, a lot of that at the walk, ran through the key parts of our test (trot leg yields, canter circles) and then went into the arena. Jill was incredibly consistent in her scoring and we scored the exact same number of points on test movements as the day before. I felt like I had more horse, we rode some of the stuff better, but some of the other stuff not as good. We ended up with half a point difference between day 1 and day 2.

L4 Intermediate Dressage Test

One of the things I think Ashke is doing much better with is not throwing his head up and bracing against the bit. The one thing I still need to work on is maintaining the same level of connection in my tests as I do during our practice and lesson rides. Amanda did say that it was better, but I still feel like I could step up and meet him half way. I also am struggling with the concept of collected vs medium gaits in both the trot and canter and what that is supposed to feel like. Jill's comments were consistent between the two days, and I talked to Amanda about what she said. I feel like this is one of the things that will develop as we continue to work. Ashke tried really hard for me, but I could feel that he was a bit more tired. That showed in our down transitions. Another thing to work on for future shows.

The pacing of the ride and my newly acquired mental acuity while in the test, means that I no longer feel panicked about the timing of the movements. I no longer feel off balance or rushed. I have time to mentally prepare both of us for the next movement. That is a really nice feeling. Just like with the EOH, my confidence in executing the dressage test has increased, which helps Ashke feel more positive about our ride.

I waited until the walk through for the not-Intro classes was complete before saddling Ashke and wandering to the indoor. By that time the temps were in the upper 90s and I was really hot. I had used my inhaler just before the walk-through and I was feeling jittery and nauseous at the same time. All of the riders were hosing off the horses and soaking their heads with cold spray from the hose. I joined the party and sure enough, that was what I needed. I continued to drink everything I could get inside of me and the cold water combined with fluids made me feel a lot better. Ashke and I did a minimal warm up, just mostly a check in to make sure he was listening to leg and seat, then we waited until it was our turn.

A couple of the lines were a little awkward but I thought we made good choices in our ride. He was a rock star and listened very well.

We had another bit of a wait, then the rides started. There were only five of us and Jill let each of us ride whenever we were ready. Ashke and I waited in the shade until it was our turn (we went last) and then gave it our best shot. We had the fastest time, despite feeling like we were both running on empty. 

I hope you all can see this video.

At the end of the day, he done good.

One of my goals last year was to earn a score high enough to qualify for the National Championship show. This year, I accomplished that goal. Ironically, I cannot ride in the National Championship show this year, although it is good to know I qualified. 

Ashke came home sound and mostly in alignment. I'm so proud of him.