training level test 2

i didn't dismount between my tests, as there was only about 20 minutes between them. i stood with Ruby in the on-deck area with Megan holding her head while i strstched my aching arm and shoulder. riding one handed dressage is not as easy as it may seem! i was ultimately more confident going into the second one, and put more pressure on myself. at this point my heart was going crazy! i've got to work on the show nerves. the test went well until near the end when i asked for right lead canter. sure enough, Ruby chose to completely blow off my outside aides, and we missed the transition entirely. then i made the mistake of insisting she do it on our 20m circle right, when really i should have brought her back, balanced her and THEN asked. c'est la vie! i was immensely upset afterward and very sullen. i had been sure i'd improve on my first test and we really botched it! but at the end of the day, i only missed first place by 0.4%, and i ended up tied for second. so not too bad after all. we still scored 70.86%, which is satisfactory, and it's only a schooling show and not a rated one. anyhow, there is much to work on and perfect before the next one, and i have this certain feeling that next time i ride Ms. Ruby, there will have been leaps and bounds made. mom said "dressage is a language, and you and Ruby are starting to speak." i think so too! 

the results from the show!

on another note, i spoke to Laureen Johnson, discipline director of the US para-equestrian association, and she inquired if i was intending to compete at next year's World Equestrian Games, to be eld in Normandy, Fr. i responded with a resounding YES!! and now am very much more in need of that special horse to take me there!it felt great to know i have that shot. moving on and up! i'm itching to get back in the saddle and test my theory that Ruby and i are going to have made improvements after the show. 

the judges have spoken

i realize this post is long overdue, but to my credit i have not been slacking. on the contrary, i've been rather overworking myself the past few weeks and have now seemed to hit a wall. i am taking this time to regather my wits and strength, and to update you all on the goings on with my equestrian endeavors. 
this sunday past (the 24th) was the first horseshow of the season for me. the day dawned sunny and crisp; ideal conditions. i woke with a tight neck and back (nerves) at the dim hour of 6am..i was planning to sleep til 7 in order to reach the grounds by 11, but my psyche had other plans. up and truly anxious by 6, on the road at 930, and my roommate and i reached White Birch right on schedule 2 hours before my first ride time.
i must say that this show had more mayhem than any i've attended thus far. the air was buzzing with nervous horses, each causing their peers to worry in turn. this did nothing to calm my own nerves...especially witnessing several wild steeds causing a ruckus in their paddocks, bucking, rearing and behaving all sorts of ridiculous. luckily Ruby had one ride before me, so even though she was anxious and wouldn't stand still at the trailer, she was somewhat warmed up. 
my first test was training level 1. i approached the on-deck area and watched as the rider before me completed the test. unfortunately, for reasons only apparent in a horse's mind, this horse spooked massively, throwing her rider and proceeded to bolt from the arena, straight toward where i was on Ruby. this was a hairy moment to say the least, as one loose horse will often cause one's own mount to panic and fly away. Megan kept a tight grip, as did i, and someone caught that horse and all was alright. however, my anxiety doubled, knowing that Ruby would likely try something in the same corner, having seen this entire event. i entered the ring very stiff, i think. i was taut as a bow...good old Ruby soldiered on, and i relaxed into the "zone. all was going well; i had her in a decent frame, and she was listening fairly well; when in our first canter part we approached that fated corner and low and behold, Ruby tensed up and started to do something. i had anticipated as much though; so i kept her going, insisted she keep cool and the moment passed. that was really the highlight in my mind..intervening in a potential spook fest. anyway we finished up that first test, and took first with a 71.89% score. not too bad!! i finished out the day with a first and second; both scores over 70%, and a satisfied glow. i think this bodes well for the show season. i've included the video from my first test my roomy so nicely recorded! and i will elaborate on the training test 2 tomorrow. enjoy!

USEF

sorry i haven't posted in a few days!Hollywood life just gets crazy sometimes.
i'm here to update you all on my saturday lesson. first off, i still have that slight fracture in my left wrist, which is bothering me. but not enough to stop me from riding, obviously! i have a show coming up in 3 weeks, and it will be my Training Level debut, so there's much work to be done and no time to take off! i'm learning all three tests, just in case. 

one foot on the ground!

saturday was the first real scorcher of a day we've had since last year; it was 86 and sunny at 10:00am. i am consistently working only with Ruby for the time being, as she is a fancier mover, and goes into a good frame; she will be the one moving me up the lower levels for the next few seasons. she was responsive right from the get-go; as she has recently realized that i'm not going to put up with laziness anymore. she gave me a good powerful walk and had some spirit. she also went right into a frame without much coaxing from me; even at the walk. there were sticky points during bending warmups where she thought she'd ignore my left side, but we worked out those issues much quicker than before. 

schooling the canter

after warming up, Brie had us working on canter transitions, upward and downward, and i uncovered a new problem to be sorted. i have mentioned that Ruby is quite a strong mare, and when going from canter to trot she's reminiscent of a freight train. well, Brie wasn't ok with that, so we spent a good half hour or so working the canter to a point where she was nearly cantering in place and THEN asking for the trot. it took a lot of energy, but we finally were able to go from a good collected canter into a decent controlled trot. however, by that time, Ruby was pissy and ready to get back to her hay. 
we weren't finished. 
i loved saturday's lesson because Brie kept me and Ruby working quite awhile longer than the lesson time; there were kinks to be sorted out and after that, we needed to go through our test to start getting it in order. we did most of training test 3, but got it backwards and a bit confused; but she had us work an extra 45 minutes or so until we got satisafctory transitions. poor Ruby was entirely miffed by the end of it; and i was drenched and parched. but it was an awesome lesson, and i have a great feeling for the upcoming show. plus, even more exciting, i will actually have friends coming to support me. i had no relatives or anyone close to me at my last competition, which was a bit sad (especially since i won!) so i'm very excited to be able to have some great friends coming out to watch. i will update you all after tomorrow's lesson with megan (i have to seriously memorize these tests beforehand!) until then, here are a couple pictures that my awesome friend Adela was able to get from saturday! 

down the centerline

cantering along with a cast on