Kicking off 2013 right!

On Saturday, Bugger and I set off to Aiken for the Full Gallop Horse Trials to run as a one day on Sunday.  I was stoked to get the season started and to practice what we have been working on all winter.  We were to compete in the Open Intermediate.

Unfortunately, Sunday morning in Aiken was a bit chilly.  Our dressage time was 7:51 and the grass was still covered with frost.  Bug was feeling a bit frisky due to the cold, but he warmed up pretty well.  Unfortunately, the dressage arenas are right next to a barn which happened to be housing a panicky screaming horse.  There was also a woman taking her horse for handwalk directly behind the judge's car.  All of these things combined with the cold and it being the first show of the season......Bug was a bit distracted.  We had some really nice moments, but we had some that were just not up to par.  I was pretty disappointed, as we have been working so hard and making so many improvements.  We ended up on a 40.

The show jumping course was a good test for the beginning of the season.  However, Bug felt great.  There were a few moments that I would like to have ridden a bit better, keeping him softer and rounder to the fences, but all in all, it was a pretty great round.  We were double clear and moved on to XC ready to tackle the course.

My goal for XC was to ride on a loopy rein and to use my body and legs to change his stride as needed rather than taking a pull.  Bug really doesn't need me to pull, he just needs me to change his balance.  I am determined to figure it all out so that we can start making time by jumping out of stride rather than up in the air.  Our round felt brilliant!  I didn't push him for speed, just a bigger stride.  The ground was quite hard, and I didn't want him to have to go too fast.  We finished clear and 20 seconds over time.  I was quite thrilled with my boy.

We ended up 2nd in the division and brought home a pretty red ribbon. :)  Great way to start off the season!! (Thanks to my student, Amelia Lowe, for the awesome action shots!)

A big thanks to my working student, Alice VanBokkelen, for holding down the fort while I was gone.  It's so nice to leave things in good hands when I have to go away.

This Saturday, Hotty and Cole are making their combined test debuts as TTC, and Bug will be going to do the Advanced Test A twice.  Gotta get those fancy pants in order!

Kick on!