Cooper Ranch Rated Show

Lovely facility - too bad it was blowing 30+mph

Well, it was blowing like crazy on Saturday, but we had good rides. 63 on First-3 and 65 on First-4. Rico was VERY good. (All the photos here are from Saturday) I still am struggling a bit with the lengthenings at the canter, but overall, his gaits are SO much better balanced, and his canter work was much much much easier to ride because it was even and regular. His back soreness is a bit of a concern since I can’t seem to sit him very well. I also need to loose a MAJOR amount of weight. I think I have a plan for that (since I don’t like giving up the eating) but we’ll see. Too bad tape worms are supposed to be bad for you. We were first in ALL our classes for the weekend!!! WHOO HOO!

Warming up - with Carolyn coaching via headset

Sunday dawned freaking COLD (42) and still windy, but only 20 mph. So the wind chill on my poor clipped pony was not good. I turned him out in Mary’s round pen to get the snort and blow out and his blanket came undone, flipped around him and he ended up ripping through it as it spooked him. It was the 35$ non-water proof I got off of ebay, so no biggie. But it was a good lesson for me – check and re-check the fastenings before turning out loopy pony.

Pretty Latice mane!

We headed over about 945 to the show, no spooking on the walk over (big change from yesterday). He went straight to work and showed much disdain for the warm up ring – he clearly wanted to head to the show court. I worked hard on giving hands and pushing him with my legs to the contact – a very big hurdle for me, who clutches the reins and has a tendancy to try to pull him into collection (bad bad bad!)

Good halt! Need to keep his poll up tho!

 We had trouble on First 3 the day before doing our change of lead through the trot – again with me grabbing and bracing. Carolyn told me to relax and exhale before and First 4 went much better. So I tried to remember that for Sunday’s ride. I made sure to take some deep breaths during the free walk, and as I exhaled, Rico let out some big sighs of his own – so we’re definitely in sync! I just have to remember that for next time! When the change came around I caught myself bracing a little, and then relaxed, probably taking more trot steps than was appropriate, but it was still an improvement from the First-3 test. We got 7s on our canter loops, which was a big improvement. Overall score was 66 and change!

We ended up the Adult Amateur high score of the whole show, which was a nice treat! As you progress up the levels, the scores tend to get lower and lower, so your high scorers are typically your Training Level and First level riders, with the occasional Second and Third level thrown in. So That tempers the award, but still – Rico beat all the warm bloods! Judges can like or not like your horse’s way of moving, or somewhere in the middle – we just happened to be one of the “liked” horses this weekend, so I don’t take too much stock in the award.

YAY RICO!

What I AM very very VERY pleased with is the horse I rode – clearly, he is so much better if I ride him to his potential. Its my riding that’s holding him back, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to improve me to show him off! AND given the winds and the weather, he was an absolute trooper, giving Arabians a wonderful reputation as a steady and calm horse in crazy weather conditions. I was so proud of him and his attitude and willingness. What a great horse I have!!!

I don’t know when the next show is – probably one in January at the same facility. I would absolutely LOVE to be ready to show second level by then. But I couldn’t beat the confidence and excitement I had showing First again – because I knew I had better quality gaits and a more fit horse this go round.

What a great weekend. What a wonderful horse I have!!!

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