It's been a few weeks since I last posted, but I am happy to report that I am no longer a secondary/high school student! My exams are over, and the next time I'll be in school is to collect my A Level results. Where the time has gone, I have no idea, but I'm excited for the next chapter of my life and everything the future has to offer.
In terms of catching you all up with what's been happening: I had the dressage test, and it was okay. For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram, I finished sixth (last) in the Novice class, but considered that I had never ridden the test before the day nor had Rowan been used for the novice test until I rode him, it was fairly decent. I did get a little lost at one point. I had a complete mind blank and couldn't remember the FEM section of the N33 test, but as it was a just a fun competition the judges told me what to do. Rowan also had difficulty with the medium paces, as I'm not sure how recently he's been asked for that sort of movement. He did a brilliant extended trot in the warm up, but sadly in the actual test he tried to break into canter. There were various other sticky points, such as the give and retake of the reins. I felt as though I was doing it, but it didn't seem like that to the judges. Things like that wouldn't have been an issue if I had been able to have a practice ride, but it's just something to bear in mind for the future. Rowan really was trying, bless him, and I can't thank my stables enough for holding competitions like this as flatwork is definitely my stronger point when it comes to competing.
My last two PC sessions have been on Bailey, and let's just say that in comparison to the cobbies I have been riding he feels gigantic. I've missed his forward going nature, but I've found him to be a little flatter than usual and a lot stronger/excited in the approach to poles and fences. Usually anchoring the reins so to speak will get him to listen and collect, but he's not doing much collecting. If I had a private lesson on him this is something I would really like to work on, but in a pony club lesson there's not too much I can do apart from circle him where possible to get him to ease up and slow down. It was quite funny yesterday though, because we were doing a bit of grid work and on our second go Bails decided that the first two jumps were too small, so he decided to demolish them and then jump the 3ftish final fence cleanly. He's certainly a special horse, but I love him for it (except at competitions - his lack of respect for small fences certainly becomes an issue there!). I have to say though, there is something quite satisfying about being on the tallest horse in a lesson. Does anyone else ever feel that way?
Now that my exams are out the way, I'll be able to focus more on increasing my horsey knowledge and going back to nature a little. Not having to stay in to revise means that I can go on walks and hopefully get some photography done now that the weather is improving. Having said this, I went out on Friday and ended up getting rather burnt, so I may hold off on the whole outdoorsy thing for a few more days to let my skin heal a bit more - it doesn't need to get any more painful!
Until next time...
