TAURANGA DRESSAGE - Day Two Of Three Day Series

11th July 2010, second day of the dressage at Tauranga.

The morning did not start well at all, flat battery in ute, got float stuck, horse hooning around paddock, sisters horse escapes and can't catch it, terrible accident on back road to Tauranga involving the girl that is currently leading the series, everyone ok thankfully but their ute written off, slipped on ice, late for class..............................so yeah, not a good start to the day.

1st test I thought was actually ok, judge did not think so and I got slammed 52.31%, second test I thought was not flash at all, had some really nice comments and a score of 58% for fourth so pleased.

Had 9 in our class this time so was an ok effort. I am still struggling with Dev being in front of the leg but are doing a few things to hopefully get more out of him and more on the aids. Fingers xd.

Final day is on the 8th August, we are currently coming second for the series along with two others so need to really make this day count and hopefully we can come home with either Champion or Reserve :)

Crew Update:
Well Luigi sold a couple of months ago, he has gone down to the SI and his new owner Louise (SJer) is stoked with him. She has had him all over the farm, at the sea, road riding with no probs at all. Can't wait to see some pics. He will be campaigned lightly over the next season.

Viva, Lucy and Boxer are hanging out together over the 40acres. They roam at their leisure and think this is great especially for Boxer who has lots of hills to play on.

Annie is at Lindas, Linda said she is looking very big so really excited to see her foal!! Hopefully there are no complications like last time, so far things are looking good though.

TAURANGA DRESSAGE 13th JUNE 2010

What a weekend to be out and about, cold, wet and windy!!

Dev had his first registered start in Tauranga on the weekend, he was well behaved given the weather and upset horses around him. Second test was a little untidy as I think we were both over it by then but still came away with a good score.

So we now have 8 level 1 points!! 1.2 - 65% = 2nd and 1.3 - 62.30% = 3rd. Was super easy placings as there were only 3 riders in my class!

This was the first day of a 3 day series so am looking forward to improving our scores at the following days.

Dressage Rotorua - Held at Taupo 9th May 2010

Headed to Taupo on Sunday for dressage, unfortunately our grounds are closed at the moment so this day was held at the NEC.

It was a lovely day down there, a tad cold but generally is this time of the year.

There were 22 starters in my classes and I placed 7th and 11th. 1.2 - 63.75% & 1.4 - 65.20%.

There were some super little ponies there that cleaned up, actually there was a truck load of them, all show ponies by the looks of things. The young girls were wrapped they had placed and I was happy for them too, encourages the younger riders when they can get a ribbon!

Dev went awesome, a huge improvement on Te Aroha, guess that's what happens when you don't ride like a muppet. He is starting to work in a better outline now, just have to work at keeping him together. We have struggled with the lefthand canter for a while but have been working on it for the last month. Was wrapped to see he got an 8 for his canter on this lead, must be doing something right ;)

Not alot happening again for a while so will keep him ticking over, we went down to the x-country course the other day and I had a wee jump, obviously nothing too big as it must be the first time in years I have jumped out. Enjoyed it immensely and look forward to doing that again!

Update Time

Well it has been a while but have been doing a bit with Dev so this is a good way to track our progress.

I took Boxer to the Rotorua A&P show back in January 2010 and was thrilled that he was such a gentleman to take out. We had an awesome day and he looked amazing. There were about 25 horses in the inhand and he was placed in most of his classes. The judge Sue McKenna had some wonderful things to say about him and said he had paces to go all the way, a very cool comment.

So placings:

1st Suitable Dressage
1st Suitable Eventer
1st Warmblood
2nd Grey
2nd 3yrs and under

I have done two more dressage days on Dev, one in Rotorua where we got a 68% and 60% and we went to Te Aroha the other day and unfortunately placed very low as neither I nor him really had it happening. He had a bit of a runny nose a couple of days beforehand and felt very flat and less energy than usual, I rode like a muppet and the results reflected it.

We have Te Aroha coming up again in April and May and also dressage in Taupo in May so we have a bit to work on. I have been having lessons with Christine Weal, she is a great instructor and we are on the right track.

Annie is with Linda and is in foal to Airthrey Highlander so can't wait to see the result of that mating!

Luigi is still with his starters, he is not really ready for any serious work so is just chilling out in the paddock watching the going ons.

I have been lucky enough this year to get a good supply of red clover hay so am set for winter feed, will be about time soon to don the winter covers and see what this years winter brings.