Area II eventing is just about wrapped up for the year, and Doozy finished her first season as an event horse at the Waredaca Starter Trial! And it was a really fun, really great day!!
all dressed up and ready to go!
Lucky / unlucky for you, there is exactly zero media from our dressage test. Which is just as well, it really isn't anything to look at anyway haha. I will say: Doozy was very good in warm up. Very chill even tho it was a somewhat chaotic ring -- on grass, an odd shape, uneven (and very hard dry) ground, and LOTS of ponies and horses.
literally the sweetest critter <3 no photos from dressage, you're welcome LOL
But Doozy just went about her warm up, was obedient. Did the things, and I'm more or less happy with my riding. The test itself (in the arena on footing) was... not good. But not bc Doozy was bad -- she was actually totally fine! No accidental canters or anything!
plenty of jompies media tho!
Just... Not good yet lol. Doozy was pretty strong, we were late for all of our down transitions (including the final halt -- almost ended up in the judge's lap!), our ring craft was pretty bad in terms of line of travel -- falling in off the rail, not getting into our corners, etc etc.
takeaway from the day: #Jomps2Small
I'm happy with how the horse felt tho -- not frantic or stressed. Just, really green with a decidedly middling pilot LOL. She just did literally what she thought the test should be. Our homework this winter will be to get into as many dressage courts as possible to really sorta normalize that it's just another regular ride in there.
literally cantering largely lol
Anyway, the judge gave us a very generous 35.0% - knocked back to 36.3% bc I got an error for use of voice WHOOPS lol. That penalty put us in 7th of 7, which, ya know. Yep that tracks LOL.
Nbd, tho, it's not news that I kinda suck at riding dressage, and my sweet little mare reflects that. But what we lack on the flat, we make up for over fences!! Sorta!!
occasionally i rode to a more impressive distance lol
For real, tho, the jumping phases are definitely stronger for us haha. Tho ya know, we can't *always* be perfect like Doozy was at Loch Moy last month! She warmed up a bit stronger than she's been lately -- stronger than she was at Thornridge and Loch Moy, and definitely more amped than she's been at home.
but eh, i don't mind the casual easy feeling tbh even tho the rails are expensive
So I rode her a bit more connected and held together than maybe we've been trending, but it worked out for us. She had more of a draw in one direction across the ring vs the other, and we had two basically identical rails when she kinda just blew past the distance and just cantered over the jumps.
such a good girl!
We've been jumping BN at home for the last few weeks and suddenly these fences are feeling very small. Which, ya know, fine by me! The casual rails are annoying but ya know. I am who I am as a rider and I think I prefer the ultra casual vibe to the ultra careful. YMMV.
she did all auto-changes around the course, except for one sorta longish loop where she comfortably held a balanced counter canter
For her part, Doozy is getting really good at landing in a better balance and making quick turns after fences. She also took full responsibility for all our lead changes in this round. I literally don't even think I checked once -- a testament to how balanced she feels.
So, with show jumping completed, nothing was left but to stroll over to the cross country field, pop over the warm up fence, and then wait our turn at the box!
chillin in the box
It's interesting bc I walked Waredaca's starter course after volunteering at their recognized event in May, and thought the jumps looked huge. But on this day? Everything looked basically perfect for us. It was a short-ish course, only 9 efforts over about 1100m, so I guess it's possible they didn't use their biggest jumps for the level... But honestly I think Doozy has just grown up so quickly!
then it's Go Time! guys, Waredaca is stunningly beautiful -- even when everything is dry crispy brown
Our course was one big loop around the gorgeous centerpiece lake, with lots of terrain up and down. The first two sets of jumps were basically the same as Charlie's last time at this event, in 2019 and I distinctly recalled being very annoyed at myself for letting him cannonball down the hill to jump 2 and subsequently make an icky feeling mess of it lol.
So I promised myself that I'd ride Doozy down every hillside intentionally and in balance. And go figure! It worked haha -- she was perfect to every jump at the bottom of a hill!
i did my job riding downhill to jump 2, and doozy rewarded me with a very pleasant effort!
I also recalled from past visits to Waredaca -- both as a volunteer and rider -- that a LOT of horses, especially at the lower levels, have surprise stops at jump 3. My guess is that riders get complacent when the horses carry them easily down hill (and back toward the trailers) over jumps 1 and 2, without realizing that turning UPhill, back away from the trailers, and toward the unseen for jump 3 might produce a VERY different feeling in the horse.
And Doozy kinda had that feeling too! Jump 3 kinda emerges after a long uphill pull and she definitely was sorta like, ''oooh where did that come from?" But we were on a good line and in good balance well enough in advance that her brain had enough time to process the jump's appearance, and she was fine.
the course was kinda arranged in 'twos' - which was really fun! these two lakeside jumps caught out about half the division, across all splits -- a tricky downhill approach with a lot of environmental distractions (ie, the lake itself)
Jump 4 was close by, sorta a long bending line from 3 -- a palisade style fence right at the top of the hill before running down again. The whole course was kinda like this too -- sets of jumps in pairs that kinda gave us a lot to think about, but then long runs in between.
Jumps 5 and 6 produced the most issues on course. I suspect riders kinda tore down the hill along the road -- which took you pretty far to the right -- then had to careen over to the left toward the lake to get to this line. If the horse was looking more at the lake then the jumps... Yea, that might be a problem lol. Doozy was great, tho, and was able to stay in balance and get on the right line for the jumps plenty early enough to stay very straight and centered.
holy mother of dog, we had a down bank on course...!!
She then took it upon herself to trot across the dam, which I totally get bc it's a lot to look at -- basically a raised path right up against the lake. Plus, I was glad she wanted to trot bc our next jump... Well, it wasn't a jump at all. It was a friggin down back oh my god.
True story, guys. Somehow in all my years doing lower level eventing, I've NEVER encountered a down bank on course. Like, sure, Charlie was plenty schooled to them. But we just... Never saw it. Doozy schooled the banks at Windurra that one time.... But again, never in my mind did I think we'd see that question at this level lol, so I didn't even bother practicing at Tranquillity last week (even tho we practiced banks up!).
So. Yea. I was unsure how it would go LOL. But Doozy being Doozy, she just stepped on down and proceeded to the next jump <3
water wasn't flagged but we seized the opportunity for a little practice anyway
What a mare, guys, omg. With that question behind us, we continued on with a little detour through the water. Just to practice, ya know? I'd opted to take the option instead at Loch Moy, since we really haven't had much chance to school water (and it's SO DRY everywhere lately).
But, eh, this was a perfect opportunity, so we took it! Doozy took a little persuading but then just stepped in and walked through. Good enough for now, and we'll practice more later!
lololol the goodest most casual girl over the last!! these little jumps are too easy for her!
Then just a little canter over to the finish line -- a small barn jump that Doozy basically just loped over LOL. And that was it!
I'm so stinkin proud of this mare. She really seems to get it now. Seems to understand the game, and wants to play. She wasn't even that strong out on the xc course -- was more thoughtful and intentional to the jumps despite occasionally wanting to get strung out on all the hills. But even then, it felt like she was learning as she went along.
through the finish flags <3 <3 so pleased with this critter!
And I'm happy with my own self for getting out there and doing it. Looking back on my years with Charlie, there's a pretty clear trend of being a little too hard on myself for rider mistakes and imperfections. More than a few times, I was disappointed with how an event went bc I thought I should have done better as a rider.
In retrospect, that all feels pretty self-defeating, like I robbed myself of the pleasure of just... enjoying my horse. Like, let's be real.... Who is really going to care more than I do about our performance? None of this matters for literally anything, except for what it means to me.
strutting like the champion she is <3
So with Doozy, I'm trying to keep it really simple. I want to keep learning, keep pushing myself and developing myself as a rider. I want to get better. But most fundamentally, I want to enjoy it and feel fulfilled by the experience.
I ordered pro photos from our day at Loch Moy a few weeks ago!!! Actual physical prints, bc they were $5/each compared to $40 per web resolution digital download. And they finally arrived!
no, can't be a pic of me smiling in the dressage ring?? all photos used with purchase from Erin Gilmore Photography
Not gonna lie, I was kinda surprised about the pricing model -- presumably there's a business reason for why the actual physical products (that require shipping) cost less than the digital equivalent? Maybe somebody here knows.
superstar mare, bein a superstar
Regardless, obvi I had to snag a few! None of the dressage pictures were super impressive, naturally... Recall Doozy was pretty tense... Plus, eh, we're just not that good at it!
lookin sharp, Ms Dooz!
We got a few nice jumping efforts tho <3 <3
wheeeee rompin around the xc!
And I'm always a sucker for generic shots of just cruising around, lookin majestic!
this mare has the best expressions <3
My favorite shots, tho, are the random candids <3 Would I buy the below picture for $40? No, probably not. But for $5? Yep I love it haha!
she knows she did good <3
There used to be another photography company that covered these events and would sell you a thumb drive with every single (un-edited) pic from your day, for the bargain price of $99. And guys, I bought that thumb drive *every time.* When I'm just buying individual photos tho... Eh, I have a hard time spending more than $50 or $60 total. Ymmv.
I do love the pictures tho, any long-time reader knows this blog most fundamentally serves as a searchable indexed photographic archive of the last 10 years of my horsey history. It's fun to look at these pictures today and appreciate how far Doozy has come in the last few months! It's also fun to imagine under what circumstances I might be looking back on these pictures months or even years from now <3
The last year brought a LOT of changes my way. Obviously the new horse, and then the big barn move after being in one place for so long. Since moving this summer, tho, all these other unexpected shifts have also bubbled up in my consciousness.
sweet critter <3
I have a not-so-secret habit of really overthinking things, and of getting deeply micro in worrying about each and every step stage and phase of a given plan. Often to the detriment of my mental state re: calm vs anxious.
excited critter!!
None of that was anybody's fault but my own -- don't misunderstand. But... Changing my environment, and particularly, stripping out some of the routines and dependences I'd cultivated (consciously or otherwise) over the years really really cleared the air. Cleared my head space.
what can i say but that i like the profile and dimension of this jump for warm up? doozy don't care that it's narrow!
In particular, my ride planning has become simpler and a LOT more intentional. I already wrote last summer about how, if I didn't want to be the 'eccentric (and possibly over-horsed) new boarder who couldn't reliably trot a circle... well, maybe it was time to fix that!' Nothing quite like a little exposure to snap us back to reality, right?
new to us roll tops! next time we'll do the bigger options <3
Similarly, at the new place -- I pass the outdoor ring on my way into the barn, making it a breeze to pause and set ground poles or jump heights (or grids! spoiler!). I was notoriously lazy about setting jumps intentionally at the last place, where the ring was farther afield and we typically arrived already mounted.
This might sound like the most "Duh" statement ever... but... it turns out, I ride more deliberately when I have a deliberate plan LOL. And maybe it's just me, but... I don't seem to hold myself to the same account when just casually popping over whatever was set up in the jump ring, as I do when I'm working over exercises I set up myself. Ymmv.
lol i was brave and jumped a tiny log going slightly down hill, yay me
A related thread, and more in line with today's post, relates to xc schooling. We had an extremely functional and complete xc course at the last place, but it often wasn't mowed, or horses were turned out, or there were so many gates.... Or whatever million excuses for not going out as often as you'd expect.
we did the little roller coaster again too!
But now, scheduling xc schooling practice is a more formal item on the checklist -- and it's resulting in this new normal routine that is just doing wonders for my confidence!
Bc again... It turns out, when we intentionally ship out and pay a fee to use an actual proper schooling facility... I apparently put in a little more thoughtfulness and effort lol...
MUCH GALLOPE!!!!
Getting out to Tranquillity is such a breeze --- esp bc I'm generally often traveling alone now. Another weird change with unexpected benefits. Not that I don't love and miss my former regular riding buddies (especially Amy), but ...perhaps I'd grown to be, er, overly inclusive with my anxieties and worries??
was probably too conservative to this little line but they're small jumps and doozy was fine!
Bc apparently when I'm hyper focusing on every little detail of every little plan, anything and everything that's a part of that microcosm gets swept up into my constellation of concentration.
But now that it's just me and my own horse most of the time? It's really simplified the details and logistics, go figure. And, weirdly, it feels like less pressure. Nobody** cares if I show up 30min earlier or later than expected, there aren't other schedules to juggle, no expectations beyond my own wants and whims! It's nice!
(**Again --- all these feelings were pure constructions inside my own brain and not AT ALL a reflection of my riding buddies whom I LOVE. And Charlie absolutely always STRONGLY PREFERRED traveling in company, whereas Doozy... eh, she's wayyyyyy less neurotic LOL!)
they took out all the weird brush so now the out jump was just a glorified cavaletti
And it's clear that both Doozy and I are benefiting from more routinized (and less mentally anguished) activity. No joke -- I literally could't believe how well I slept the night before Loch Moy. Like, sure, melatonin was absolutely involved LOL... But still!! No existential dread, OMG!
barbie dream horse <3
So.... Knowing that we're hoping to squeak in one last horse trial of the season, I woke up this past Saturday morning, looked outside and thought, "Wow, today is the day to get back to Tranquillity again!" And Lo! My friend Katie was available and happy to come act as Designated Scraper** too!! Woot woot, let's GO!
(**In other words, the conscious human capable of dialing 911 in case of emergency)
casually steppin up! you'll have to watch the helmet cam for this whole series tho bc there's two more jumps in quick succession <3
We'd had so much fun on my last trip to Tranquillity that I planned to basically just repeat almost that exact ride, with just a few little differences. We jumped a few more jumps than last time, and strung more stuff together.
lol pretty casual about the fake ditch too... ma'am!
In particular, we put a whole really cool line together from the Barbie Dream House up the hill to the banks, quick turn (literally like 5 strides) to the starter table, then turn again to the little coop. A proper little mini course!
I also wanted to jump the fake ditch again since Waredaca sometimes has those on their baby courses. It was obvi nbd for Doozy lol.
polite down the line
Mostly, tho, we kept it simple and familiar and obscenely fun and positive! Doozy was GAME, great to ride -- understood the assignment -- happy to jump.
finished over something still small but with a bit more spread <3 <3
And I felt great too! Felt confident in the plan, felt like we were both benefiting from easy low key reps inside our comfort zone. And I'm especially excited about the observable changes in Doozy's way of going and rideability even in just these last 3 trips to Tranquillity.
Honestly.... I'm kinda hoping to keep these little outings going on a roughly monthly basis for the foreseeable future. There are so many options that we're unlikely to outgrow the place for some time - and the low key frequent and intentional repetition seems to be really working for Doozy. Plus, these rides are so fun, why not, right?
Mostly tho... I'm just grateful for where we are right now. Change is hard for me... And it's been a year of big changes. But we did it! And here we are now, nearing the end of our first full season together, with this mare out there rocking around an easy peasy cross country school like it's her most favorite thing in the world!
