Friday, the third - was a super day weather wise... blue skies, nice breeze in the mountains of Tunbridge.. which is a very scenic spot. Elektra did well.. but the judging seemed harsh -- the highest score of the day was a 62%. Still Elektra managed to bring home two fourths and 2 reds. Each test showed improvement in scores and the judges were impressed that Zoe and Elektra made those improvements over the course of the day. Zoe rode Training Level Tests 1, 2, 3, and 4 (but not in that order).
Schooling with Morgan stallions and flags.. Elektra is very well behaved for a young girl.
Zoe's first ride time was 12:04... made for an easy morning getting ready BUT a longer day in the end. One horse leaves and Elektra enters on deck... the bell will ring in a second.
The 4 tests are on You Tube if you are curious to watch. The order that Zoe rode them:
All in all - we were pleased and ready to make the needed improvements. Zoe knows now where her focus lies with silly Elektra. She got some nice comments with mostly 7's on her gait and trot - a nice 8 here and there-- she definitely needs work with her canter and transitions. But that's what it is all about.. learning and improving. The judges did also comment on how obviously Zoe was studying her score results as they could see those little improvements with each performance.
Not that we are making excuses -- we have not had the time to school and practice much in June -- with all our activities and our lesson schedule... Zoe and Elektra have a big day coming up in July at GMHA and she hopes she can find more time to ride for that one. Last week.. in order to get both Elektra and Nimue in the ring.. we had to go together.. me driving and Zoe riding. In past years, I have set up a dressage ring with white rope and letters. This year - with both driving and riding - the size of the dressage rings is different -- so no real marked boundaries. Luckily, Zoe has a mathematical/geometrical brain and can ride a pretty perfect test with no letters or chain. We were still crossing paths in the ring and dodging raindrops :)
Well, it's nice to know if we ever wanted to go out together for a drive/ride -- these two would go side by side no problem.
Saturday, the 3rd -- in preparation for the first big show day on the 4th -- we harnessed up Nimue and took her out for a quick 6 mile trot as a treat. Zoe's daughter Rena accompanied us for the first time... she is a bit scared of the cart but also really wanted to try it out. I think due to her handicap - CP - she is a bit more concerned of a fall than some people. She had a great time though and felt very safe on our quick 6 mile trot. Nimue is an outstanding pony !! We met a few obstacles out on the back roads... Rena felt safe the entire drive.
Nimue's head went up for a second when this passed us...
but no hesitation or spooks... just a look.
We stopped in the big ring on the way home so Zoe could get in her first and only practice time with the cones course. We did not have enough cones really to make a good course -- but some practice is better than none I guess. First time through -- they knocked a few down.. second was much better -- this is very rough ground -- so you really have to work to stay in the cart and also steer with precision !! Kind of fun :)
Time to give Nimue and bath and pack the car for tomorrow. Our ride time is 9:30 in the morning which is early for us with the distance of the drive north. I guess Nimue is as ready as she is ever going to be... but I am nervous anyway -- I can be a total worrywart pre-show. We have a cheap cart, cheap whip, cheap harness, homemade apron -- yikes.. Nimue walks her diagonal sloppily and is iffy in her backing.. sometimes OK , sometimes not. Oh well... after packing the car I am too tired to care.
These fairgrounds are beautiful - we arrive in the early morning.. the fog has not quite lifted out of the valley and it's BRRRR cold... reports for weather in the 90's but right now it's only around 40 something.
We take a slow trot around the perimeter of the grounds ... I am a passenger with the camera today... first time for me :)
When we arrive - Zoe realizes that we have brought the wrong tests to study... so we go in search of someone who can lend us the printed test to memorize.
The cones course is being set up. The cones are placed at a distance just a bit wider than the widest cart at the show. That gives the more narrow carts a little advantage. Tennis balls are placed atop each cone - there are 30 cones.
Early morning sun on Nimue's back. We are still chilly -- but in an hour from now, we swelter -- and Zoe bakes up well done in her flannel apron (material we found hiding in a box in the attic that matched the seat of the cart nicely) - her long sleeved shirt and black blazer.
This show gives us the opportunity to study outfits and carts. Candids of some of the rigs, horses and whips.
Handsome pony with lovely feathers just entering the start gate for cones.
most carts were a Meadow brook type.
This is a unique cart - I am going to have to study up on the advantages of this shaft arrangement.
The only other easy entry there at the show -- but this horse is entered in the race in the afternoon.
With a wooden cart -- the harness can still be black apparently - but the lines must be brown leather.
Our neighbor's sister.. both of these sisters are driving girls.
The only team at the show.
Later in the day -- we watched the cart and dog class.
This dog followed behind on a leash which is acceptable as an entry along with the little dogs riding up on the seat. Dogs following have to be quite well trained to be in the right spot always and change gaits and direction in the ring. I immediately thought of Heather Keller and her dogs ! (Skygazer Curlies)
I don't think my dogs would be so obediant and quiet. My vet is a driving man (he has a big team) and on a competitive drive, his dog went along as he always does -- and he bounced right out of the cart, emded up running back t the trailer and waiting there for the end of the drive. :)
This couple entered every class with their horse.. either the husband or the wife as whip -- all the driven dressage tests, the cones, the dog class and the your way-my way. Adorable.
As I said -- Zoe was roasted well done waiting for the various classes. Nimue was the model pony. Her first time traveling off the farm to drive, her first show... she was so well behaved.
In her tests - Nimue outdid herself... we worried needlessly about her free walk across the diagonal as it was perfect with great comments from the judge) Her lengthened trot was -- quote-- nice nice nice... (big smile) Nimue received all 6's and 7's with a few 8's thrown in. Her backing (as you will see on the video) was needing more work. She ended up with scores of 64.5 % in the Training Level test 2 and a 67.6% for the Preliminary Level test 3. There were 25 horses entered; Nimue did not place but she did rank 7th and 10th -- not bad.. I am very proud of my pony and very proud of my daughter !!
Nimue is a home bred Curly mare, as is her dam and dam's sire.
At the end of each test, the judge came out and gave comments verbally -- very helpful. Afterwards, I thanked the judge personally for being so great and also commented on how friendly the driving crowd is in general -- and how much fun we had at the show. She replied that she likes to help out the beginners hoping they will stay with it and become the returning old drivers of the future. Also adding, in her opinion, a driving show is the only place you can show up with only your horse or pony and borrow everything else. I found this to be so true !! She was encouraging in all her remarks and suggestions... reminding us to focus on the horse's performance and worry about our presentation (outift and cart) later, as we progressed. AHHHH sound advice :) So remember all of the rest of you who think perhaps to wait until you have the "right" equipment" to try your first driving show.... go ahead and do it !! :)
What a super experience !!! We got so many compliments on Nimue -- everyone thought she was just lovely.
The last competition we watched before we left was the race -
everyone was encouraging us to enter Nimue as after they saw her timed cones and Zoe letting her trot out on the track for fun... they felt she could win :) We passed on that -- but perhaps another time.
here is Zoe and Nimue at the cones course-- unfortunately, Zoe oversteered Nu=imue into a cone - so she did not get a winning time. Practice Practice !! but still fun.
here's a photo of a nice surprise I received From Bunny Reveglia in New Mexico. I sent her boxes of Curly hair this spring... including quite a bit of the yearling first shed.. which according to her is the nicest. Here is a scarf made from Curly fiber and Merino wool mix spun on a drop spindle and crocheted. Pretty cool !!
Here's the curly hair on the hoof last fall -- and this spring after fully shedding. OYY Piccolo.. who by the way is a wonderful little pony colt for sale- presently under 11 hands.
Hope you all had a Happy Fourth... today is catch up day for chores ..
Enjoy ~
For the First time in the history of CSI, there were 4 USDF All Breeds awarded.
One of those champs is
