Yesterday we took Dream time, Morten's four year old Don Schufro x Leandro mare, to the mare test in Ikast. It was an important show for two reasons: her scores are permanantly recorded in her passport, deciding which studbook she is entered in to (premium or regular), and it was our last chance to qualify for the big show in Herning next spring. 

Baby mare ROCKED IT, winning the mare test and earning a premium title.  

In the undersaddle class, which was open also to geldings and stallions, we placed second with an 8.2 and earned one of three spots awarded to the show in Herning.

WOOOHOOOO!

Since Dream Time is pregnant (by Romanov), we may or may not make the trip to the big show next March; she'll tell us if she wants to work that hard. Regardless if we go, it's awesome to qualify.

Baby girl delivered everything. In hand she was gorgeous and under saddle she was amazing. Gone are the days of spooking and exploding. She is now obedient and graceful, making big eyes and flirting with everyone. Her canter has improved so much as she has regained her balance and confidence; we even scored an 8 for it yesterday!

It was interesting when they measured her to find out she is 169 cm, just about 16.3 hands. When I started in December, I would guess she was 16.1hh maybe? She's so elegant and light that it was a surprise to learn how tall she's become! I think this would explain a lot of the problems I've had in the canter all spring/summer.

Anyway, she's amazing. I believe she would be a horse for Verden next year if it weren't for that bun in the oven (which I'm sure will be nothing less than stunning).  

When I get to sit on something like this every day, how can my job not rock?  

Well, it took a few weeks, but here is my last test with Countess with the scores and comments from the judges. 

My riding mistakes = your educational opportunity (or, a chance for some pointing and laughing).

Yesterday I went to the Elite Mare Show in Vilhelmsborg, about one hour away. While it can be interesting to see a bunch of top mares presented in hand, the main reason I went was to watch the Youngster Cup, where the best Danish branded 6 and 7 year olds compete. 

It was certainly worth watching, as some masterful riding made performing a Prix St George on a seven year old look easy!

I've attached the video of Andreas Helgstrand riding UNO Donna Unique, winning with a 79%. Unbelievalbe mare, she is so inspiring to see live. I will show this to Denny Crane one day and say, "see what your sister can do?"  

not that I actually went anywhere!

August seemed to be a month of update-suckage. It's been super busy with shows and training, but for whatever reason I just felt like I haven't had anything to say.

In mid-August I took Dream Time and Hot News to a show in Billund, for the 4 year old Championships. Stinka (Hot News) was the champion of the warm up but after a too-long walk break ended up behind my leg and sticky in the ring. However the judge still liked him and we were rewarded with a 7,84.

Dream Time was 100% improved since our last outing. She didn't spook, resist, change leads, jig in the walk, lose rhythm in the trot... nothing. She was GREAT. I could have pushed for more trot but after our last catastrophes I rode a little on the safe side; we scored an 8,5 for that. The judge didn't love us though and gave us tepid marks that totaled 7,6 overall. While I know her canter and walk can have a lot of tension, it was still disappointing.  I'm glad Morten was there and was happy with our performance and didn't just see our results!

Last weekend I took Double Up and Countess to Aalborg for another attempt at Prix St George. Double Up was hugely improved since our last show, much more in front of my leg and with fewer mistakes. However, I let him dive down up front too often (when he was so nice & up in the warmup!) and the judge rightfully hammered us for that.

On Countess I made the rookie mistake of being prepared to ride AT THE WRONG TIME. I thought I was in at 10:54 when the judge was expecting me at 11:28. At 10:54 I had one helluva great horse under me. After 30 minutes of walking she was still a great sport but we were both a little past our peak.

It was still a good class with lots of improvement, but too many mistakes to end up in the ribbons. I rode the trot too fast and of course, had her neck too short. Sigh.

The judge made very positive comments in both tests, so even though the results weren't what I'd hoped for, I still felt encouraged after reading the tests and getting Morten's feedback on the video. His best comment was, "it's not the horse, it's YOU. Once YOU get it sorted out, it's going to be great. The horse can do it, no problem."

This is why I've started working with a sports psychologist. More on that later.

Meanwhile at home, training is going well. Today was particularly fabulous, with a lot of help from Morten. With three horses I rode the piaffe & passage with his help from the ground. Of course my favorite was the work with Countess.

She has an epic piaffe and her passage is coming soooo great; the transitions between are tough though. Today we had for the first time amazing transitions from piaffe to passage. Not once, but THREE TIMES we did it. They were soft and easy. The passage after was a little tame, it needs more power and energy, but it will come. Such a good feeling!!

So, I'll leave you with the latest PSG tests and I'll try to make another Dressage for Dad so you can see the scores. Till then, cheers!