wwyd: dressage test edition

Ok. Happy February, folks. It's winter. It's frozen. There isn't a whole heckuva lot going on right now. Perfect time for some idle hypothetical planning for the future, yes? 

Not like, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" type nonsense, tho. Bc who on earth has that kind of energy as we stare into the gaping maw of a 3rd straight pandemic year, wtf.  

we've already had something like 3 meaningful snow events just in january.... sigh, no dice on another mild winter i guess!

No no, let's talk much more imminent future. Like, the next six weeks. Even more specifically: some very low key, casual schooling dressage shows that may or may not get cancelled bc of weather, and that I may or may not enter anyway. Sound good?

And, in the meantime, pics today are 100% unrelated to this topic at hand -- but are just general snapshots of day to day life with Chuck in Winter. 

charlie managed to decapitate one of the snaps on his smartpak sheet ugh

So. Ok, here's the deal. There are three (3) upcoming local dressage opportunities. Two are just standard shows -- as in, you select a test to enter, ride that test, accept your judgment, and move on with life. 

The third (not chronologically) is one of those Fix-a-Test Clinics, wherein you select your test and ride it -- but then spend something like 15-20min with the judge, who coaches you through aspects of the test in order to improve the presentation and score. 

luckily they can just replace that little buckle-on strap, rather than having to get a whole new blanket

In all instances, but particularly the FaT Clinic, we have every reason to expect kind (or at least, reasonable) judges who aren't likely to rip out the hearts of any wayward rider who dares to present an imperfect or -- gasp! -- messy test in arctic February at a local venue. 

bc lord knows charlie already has enough clothing, thanks. this Harrison Howard anti-rub shoulder bib remains an essential item in his wardrobe! 

Some additional detail on venue facilities, as this may play an important role in selecting tests: 

- The two standard schooling shows will likely be held in a 20x40m indoor arena -- the same size as a small dressage court (ie, the size used for all lower level eventing tests and intro/training level dressage tests). 

- It is *possible* that one or both of these shows could move to the outside ring that accommodates a regulation 20x60m court, but it's a big a gamble. 

- The FaT clinic will be in a 20x60m indoor.

- Depending on weather and ground conditions, warm up areas may be very limited for all events.

other new essential kit?? some surpass for charlie's ugly hock!

The order of the potential events is: 1st Show, FaT Clinic, 2nd Show. So. My question, dear readers, is.... Which tests should I ride? In which events? And, why?

The smartest choice would be to go all in on the new 2022 Novice Eventing tests. It's the test we'll see in competition during the upcoming season, and this would give us a good chance to set some baselines -- and get some pointers in the FaT. 

i might be deluding myself, but i think it's helping. still a big weird looking hock tho

Pros: The test is intended to be ridden in a small court, so would be fine to do in the shows. Plus, obvi, the above point about getting a head start on the upcoming season. 

Cons: Eh, this is definitely among the most boring options, imho.

all these ice/snow events mean charlie's herd (typically housed farthest afield down the long hilly driveway) gets put up in paddocks so nobody dies trying to get the wild beasties up and down the icy road

Also.... Let's be real, there's always going to be a bit of a ceiling to Charlie's dressage scores unless I get serious about riding him more round. But.... I legit don't really want to ride him round for the sake of being round, since when I get too preoccupied with headset, I tend to get the horse behind my leg. No thanks haha! 

gives me prime opportunity to observe his social life! he's definitely preferential toward the brown boys (vs the red boys, or gray boy) -- and some of my barn mates are convinced Moose will be the ultimate new BFF. 
(also omg i know his blanket is twisted, i swear he wears it like that on purpose bleh)

Bc.... Charlie is actually capable of some more advanced stuff -- like all of 1st Level, and, honestly, now that I can kinda sorta sit the trot, 2-1 looks pretty comfortably within his wheelhouse. 

And, when my energy and focus is on the details like balance and impulsion and bend necessary to do those more advanced movements (and necessary to actually sit omg), Charlie just sorta goes round all on his own. Which, you may recall, is my whole approach anyway :: Charlie's frame should reflect the correctness in our way of going, not the other way around. Ymmv. 

but then he's also spent a lot of quality time with Bentley lately too.... idk, time will tell. or maybe he'll just have two best friends instead of one? 

So. You see my conundrum. We could have more fun doing more interesting tests, while still pulling mediocre scores -- bc the whole "mediocre score" thing feels inevitable anyway, tbh.

In the schooling shows, I could maybe take a look at the 2022 Training or Prelim tests, since those are designed for small courts but tend to have more 1st level stuff. Remember I used to do that with Izzy back in the day too. Then maybe do 2-1 in the FaT clinic? Or 1-3?? 

anyway. mikey is everybody's best friend <3

Or I could still do the 2022 Novice tests in the schooling shows, since, bleh, again, that's probably the smartest choice --- at least get a taste of what's coming our way this season, ya know? 

But.... thinking back to the 4 years we spent riding the 2018 test, we really never properly aced that two loop serpentine at trot -- and now there are TWO in the new 2022 test. So... maybe the FaT clinic would actually help us scrounge up a couple more points?? 

It's hard to believe, really, given how impressively flat our scores were over that 4 year period haha, so again, not sure it'll really make a difference....

as is sweet shetland stallion TT, looking all sorts of snugly in the snow! 

But. Entries are coming due soon, so I gotta make some decisions. Thus, my questions to you: Which tests would you choose, and for which events? Why?

Would you stick with the safe choice and work on shoring up as many points as possible on ol' faithful? Or would you say to hell with it, let's take that atrocious sitting trot out in public and see what happens? Or maybe there's some sort of middle ground in there? 

I make absolutely zero promises to follow any advice haha (and lord knows these winter shows have a pretty solid history of cancellations anyway). But I'm curious ;)