Over the winter I try to do as much dressage as possible in preparation for next seasons BE tests, and Sparsholt Agricultural College is one of my favourite venues. The arenas are fab, and even though it has a relaxed atmosphere the organisation is always very slick. I entered Soap for 2 long arena tests Prelim 15, and Novice 38 and today was his first attempt at a Novice test in competition. Unfortunately due to crazy 40+mph winds and rain all week I didn’t manage to get much practise in before the day (nothing like being well prepared!) so was not quite sure how he would take to being asked for medium trot and counter canter after so little prep, and I was getting very baffled by all the extra letters to remember! He warmed up well for his first test but a little sluggish, and my nerves were not exactly helped by realising I was warming up next to Louisa Lockwood! Eeeke! I did my best ‘I know what I’m doing I’m a pro don’t you know?’ impression when I entered the arena and despite an initial gawp to the right up the centre line from Soap, because he could see out of the side door he did a sweet test, but there is potential for so much more from him…
When the scores went up we had managed 68.7% (knocking on the door of that illusive 70%!) and equal 6th place, and best of all because our score was over 63% we gained a qualification for the Sparsholt Dressage Championships in June 2010! Very chuffed with our results and hoping for a good first time Novice performance we entered our 2nd test. It all went pretty smoothly but Soap threw in a flying change in his first counter canter (I haven’t taught him flying changes yet so he’s taking the rap for that one!) and on his 2nd counter canter he tried to change leg but I corrected him and got the nice comment ‘well recovered and maintained’ for that movement. Both judges commented that he needs more ‘jump’ in his right lead canter so that is something to try and improve on from today. We finished Novice 38 with a very respectable 62.58% just 0.5% off qualification score, and a really pleasing Novice debut score. Polos, and pats administered we managed to whizz off home just as the heavens opened, all in all a pretty mega day!