|
|
|
|
|
COMPETITIONS SYDNEY CDI - MAY 2008 has seen us get back into competitions after the EI disruptions. The first competition was the CDI held at SIEC in May. We took Aria down in the Prix St Georges and Intermediate 1. We felt that it was important for her to have a run in the indoor arena there before stepping out at Grand Prix. The Wednesday was her first and only opportunity to have a practice run in the indoor. She was quite full of herself to say the least but seemed to appreciate the fact that other horses were in there with her (the rider did not share the same sentiments!). Thursday was the Prix St George and she was third to go (not the most desirable draw). Expecting an explosive test after the previous day's warm-up, she proved me wrong and put together a lovely test. With that said it was not error-free, but I was very happy to get 58.1% and 17th place in a field of 31 horses. Friday was the Intermediate 1 test and she was fourth to go, and this time straight after Heath Ryan and Jive Magic (again, not the most desirable draw). After Thursday's test, I was more confident that she would be calm in the arena and rode her more forward. The test was much better, but the judges did not agree and we ended up with 57.5% and 24th place. Overall, it was a great event and I was very pleased with how Aria went in the atmospheric indoor arena. NORTH COAST CHAMPS - MAY The following weekend was the North Coast Championships held at Nana Glen. Chris competed Heste Colour By Numbers (Jo) in the two official Novice classes where he won a 1st (66.2%) and 2nd (65.6%) place, making him official Novice Champion. I competed Aria in her first ever (horse & rider) Grand Prix! The organisers were unable to get two A levels so the test was associate. I was quite nervous but I got through the test with no course errors and some nice movements. The one time changes decided not to happen on the day, but overall a great first test to score with 55.5%.
I also competed Gelinero in his first Novice tests. He was a lovely boy on the first day and ended up with 3rd place and 63.8%. The next day, he was a nervous wreck and was looking for paddock-mate Aria the whole time (she didn't come the first day). He ended up with 5th place and 61.2%.
SUMMERLAND DRESSAGE CLUB, JUNE The first weekend in June was Summerland Dressage Club, held at Bangalow. I rode Aria in her first Intermediate 2 and a Grand Prix. We were looking forward to seeing a show down between the four Aachimedes progeny competing, but 2 scratched in the end. Aria was 2nd in the Inter 2, and 1st in the Grand Prix. Chris competed KW Maid of Ice in the Prix St George for the first time. It was a neat and tidy test with some nice half passes and walk pirouettes. The extended trot needed more and the collected trot needed more cadence for higher marks. She ended up with 2nd place.
GRAFTON RIDING CLUB CHAMPS - JULY Despite a few set backs prior to the weekend, these championships ended up being a success. Unfortunately Gelly was not eligible for the Novice champion as Saturday morning saw him covered with welt-type bites all down one side of him. Needless to say, he did not compete on this day. Sunday morning, I got him out and was pleased to see that the welts had disappeared, so we loaded the two horses on the truck and made the short journey into Grafton. Gelly went in one official Novice class that morning which he ended up winning with 64%. It was not a flashy test, but very quiet and obedient, which is really all you are after with a young horse. Later in the day, Aria was entered in the Intermediare 2 and the Grand Prix. She did not appreciate the effort the club made to set up the arena in the sand rodeo ring and could cope with various "boogey-men" around the outside of the ring. Piaffe was non-existent but amazingly she got all of her one-time changes (a first)! Very quickly, I am realising that in order to get a half decent score on a "little" (and I can say this because I also ride a giant one!) horse, there can be no mistakes in the test. Nonetheless, she ended up with the Big Tour Champion. It was a great weekend. FUTURE EVENTS August - Manning Valley Championships (Aria - Grand Prix, Jo - Medium) August - Bellingen Riding Club Championships (Gelly- Novice, Annie - PStG, Int 1) October - Australian Championships (Aria - Int 2, Grand Prix & Kur - Hopefully!)
|
|
Summerland Dressage Stables Ph: +61 2 6647 7311 Mob: 0421 358 373 Email: aaronandleah@bigpond.com cfsport@bigpond.com |
