Esmee and I had a terrific finish to the show. After winning team silver we had a international rider farewell ceremony where we were driven around the arena in really old two seater British cars (waving like the queen of course). Toni and the show organisers did such a terrific job of making us feel special that is for sure!
They also presented me with the Top International Rider award! What an honour!
We then ended the night watching the Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Freestyles with Esmee and Family, Lucy, Connie (Anapavlova's owner), Libby (Connie's coach), Victoria (Libby's daughter), and some other girls from their barn. I don't think we could have been with better company! Such an awesome group and they definitely helped make this whole experience.
The small tour horses and riders here are very strong. In a few years I think Australia may be a country to be reckoned with in dressage. They have improved so much over the last few years and are continuing to improve the quality of both horses and training. Now they just need to get their recycling on track and I may want to stay for a while....... =)
We are off to Cairns with Esmee and her parents for a short trip to see some sights. Hoping for some nice sun and relaxation (I can say for sure that both parents and riders experienced some stress this week!).
Hugs to all back home!
Cheers from Sydney!
Lindsay
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Team Daaarby
I think Esmee and I did a terrific job representing Canada and proving that size does not matter! Team Canada placed second today and Esmee and I did it on the smallest horses in the derby! Ricky stands 14.3hh and Esmee's quarter horse cross was only slightly larger. Placing second as a team and standing beside all the large warmbloods in presentations was quite the experience!
Esmee had a good go to start our team off and placed 6th individually. She did a great job and rode a tactful test. Ricky and I got off very well and had a very fun ride! He is quite the little handy guy and gives you a good feel when he is over his back. He really gave me a good effort in the trot and a little too much effort in the canter - he started one tempis after our first pirouette instead of countr cantering! No worries though, I had tons of fun and would ride him any day! He gave me a super little expressive trot and we managed to keep him up in front and supple at the same time. I really did have tons of fun rding him and enjoyed every step of the test - the one tempis were just a added bonus! =)
Ricky and I placed 4th overall and Ricky was a little rocket ship in the presentations. I do not think I have had to hold a horse back so much in my life! Maxine (Ricky's terrific owner) did warn me to "hang on" in the presentations but to be honest I thought "how spunky could this litttle guy get?!" Apparently quite spunky! I was holding on for dear life!
Just watching the young horse classes (Cashew watch out when I get home!). The take away from the 5 year old class and commentary from Stephen Clarke is: "You can only collect as much as you can go forward." They have a test rider for the 4 and 5 year old classes and HOLY CRAP, I want to be able to ride like that test rider some day. He truly brings out the best of those horses in a matter of minutes and looks great doing it! It is really fun to see the horses under the test rider and to see how quickly and efficiently he gets them in front of the leg. Spectacular!
Between watching the different classes and riding the various horses, I feel like I have taken in a lot over only a few days. I cannot wait to get home and jump back on my own ponies. An experience like this teaches you a lot about your own riding and also makes you truly appreciate the bond you have with your own horse. As with any horse, Oslo has been difficult at times, but I do not think I realised the bond that we have and I really miss him!
The Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Freestyles are this evening along with the international rider farewell ceremony. I am very excited to see the Freestyles tonight for there is some very talented horses here.
It is sad to know things are coming to a close, but I am so thankful to everyone who has helped me get here and supported me through my riding career. A big thank you to my amazing parents who have been behind me every step of the day and have helped me become not only the rider but the person I am. Thanks to Esmee for being a terrific teammate. I don't think I could have had a more supportive and fun teammate! A huge thank you to the owners of Ana and Ricky - Connie and Maxine. Not only are they remarkably generous but also so supportive of all the international riders. Toni Venhaus did a terrific job of organising the show and figuring out the required logistics with Dressage Canada in order for Esmee and I to attend this event. And thank you to ADA and PAADA for sponsoring me on this journey. One more general thank you to everyone back home who has helped me in the past with my riding and given me support along the way!
Esmee had a good go to start our team off and placed 6th individually. She did a great job and rode a tactful test. Ricky and I got off very well and had a very fun ride! He is quite the little handy guy and gives you a good feel when he is over his back. He really gave me a good effort in the trot and a little too much effort in the canter - he started one tempis after our first pirouette instead of countr cantering! No worries though, I had tons of fun and would ride him any day! He gave me a super little expressive trot and we managed to keep him up in front and supple at the same time. I really did have tons of fun rding him and enjoyed every step of the test - the one tempis were just a added bonus! =)
Ricky and I placed 4th overall and Ricky was a little rocket ship in the presentations. I do not think I have had to hold a horse back so much in my life! Maxine (Ricky's terrific owner) did warn me to "hang on" in the presentations but to be honest I thought "how spunky could this litttle guy get?!" Apparently quite spunky! I was holding on for dear life!
Just watching the young horse classes (Cashew watch out when I get home!). The take away from the 5 year old class and commentary from Stephen Clarke is: "You can only collect as much as you can go forward." They have a test rider for the 4 and 5 year old classes and HOLY CRAP, I want to be able to ride like that test rider some day. He truly brings out the best of those horses in a matter of minutes and looks great doing it! It is really fun to see the horses under the test rider and to see how quickly and efficiently he gets them in front of the leg. Spectacular!
Between watching the different classes and riding the various horses, I feel like I have taken in a lot over only a few days. I cannot wait to get home and jump back on my own ponies. An experience like this teaches you a lot about your own riding and also makes you truly appreciate the bond you have with your own horse. As with any horse, Oslo has been difficult at times, but I do not think I realised the bond that we have and I really miss him!
The Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Freestyles are this evening along with the international rider farewell ceremony. I am very excited to see the Freestyles tonight for there is some very talented horses here.
It is sad to know things are coming to a close, but I am so thankful to everyone who has helped me get here and supported me through my riding career. A big thank you to my amazing parents who have been behind me every step of the day and have helped me become not only the rider but the person I am. Thanks to Esmee for being a terrific teammate. I don't think I could have had a more supportive and fun teammate! A huge thank you to the owners of Ana and Ricky - Connie and Maxine. Not only are they remarkably generous but also so supportive of all the international riders. Toni Venhaus did a terrific job of organising the show and figuring out the required logistics with Dressage Canada in order for Esmee and I to attend this event. And thank you to ADA and PAADA for sponsoring me on this journey. One more general thank you to everyone back home who has helped me in the past with my riding and given me support along the way!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Intermediaire Test
Had a much more forward go today! Had a few mistakes and I think Ana was giving me the finger a couple of times but overall I was happy with the improvement to the impulsion. We had a go button for most of the test and she was more expressive. I think she may have been a bit tired as well but she had her own plan in the rein back and flying change at the end of the extended canter. I just couldn't keep her on the aids in the extended canter and she totally knew the rein back was coming and just did her own thing! We also buggared up our two tempis. Our three tempis were beautiful and then on the fifth two tempi Ana just did not repsond to the change aid! She came onto the diagonal super straight and forward and the first changes were terrific and then it went out the window! haha. We got a better sore today though and it was nice to see Stephen Clarke gave us the highed score on the panel (over 62%).
We had some great stuff and we achieved our goal of being more in front of the leg so we are happy. Ana was a great partner and I had tons of fun on her.
Esmee had a terrific go today as well. She did an awesome job and Ricky looked great. She also had him much more in front of the leg and put down a good test. The trot was quite expressive today and her canter zig-zag was one of the best movements in her test. She also improved her score and was really happy with her ride.
A number of school groups were out at the park today and I did a mini interview with one of the girls' group today. I think I was more nervous for that than I was for my test! I thought it was really cool though that schools do field trips to the big shows here!
All the international and two Australian riders got horses drawn for the Derby (or "Daarby" as they say it here). Esmee ended up with "Colonial Hot & Handsome" and I ended up with Ricky!!! Too funny. He will definitely be a bit small for me (well maybe a lot) but it will be fun. I should have some insider information from Esmee this way too. Esmee's horse is apparently a nice steady quarter horse cross. Esmee rides at 12:57PM and I ride last at 1:33PM. Should be exciting! Esmee and I are eager and ready to compete as a team. Go Canada!!!
We are headed to an Australian footie game tonight with Esmee and family and Lucy from Ireland! =)
Cheers!
Lindsay
We had some great stuff and we achieved our goal of being more in front of the leg so we are happy. Ana was a great partner and I had tons of fun on her.
Esmee had a terrific go today as well. She did an awesome job and Ricky looked great. She also had him much more in front of the leg and put down a good test. The trot was quite expressive today and her canter zig-zag was one of the best movements in her test. She also improved her score and was really happy with her ride.
A number of school groups were out at the park today and I did a mini interview with one of the girls' group today. I think I was more nervous for that than I was for my test! I thought it was really cool though that schools do field trips to the big shows here!
All the international and two Australian riders got horses drawn for the Derby (or "Daarby" as they say it here). Esmee ended up with "Colonial Hot & Handsome" and I ended up with Ricky!!! Too funny. He will definitely be a bit small for me (well maybe a lot) but it will be fun. I should have some insider information from Esmee this way too. Esmee's horse is apparently a nice steady quarter horse cross. Esmee rides at 12:57PM and I ride last at 1:33PM. Should be exciting! Esmee and I are eager and ready to compete as a team. Go Canada!!!
We are headed to an Australian footie game tonight with Esmee and family and Lucy from Ireland! =)
Cheers!
Lindsay
Almost time!
Just watching the beginning of the CDI I1 class and waiting for Esmee to go at noon. It is another beautiful day, but it is a bit breezy.
Some of the horses here are absolutely gorgeous and they have definitely have some very good quality horses. The PSG and I1 class in the CDI has 35 riders! And the Grand Prix class has almost 20 riders. Quite the large CDI classes. They do like their horses quite big here though it seems! Some gigantic horses. We also noticed that there are way more male dressage riders here. Interesting to note the differences.
Lucy, the rider representing Ireland had a good go today and managed to make her horse get a couple clean right to left changes - he has been giving her a number of troubles but holy crap can Lucy ride! She did an amazng job and got everything out of her horse that I think was possible. She is a great rider and a very fun person to be stabled beside! Now I really want to go to Ireland and visit her!
Ana and I had a ride again this morning to try and get some of the I1 stuff figured. Ana seems to know the two tempis too well so I really need to make sure I control the straightness and make her wait when I first turn onto the diagonal. She is also so quick in the rein back so I need to be especially careful and gentle with the aid for that. My biggest concern is that we are going to have to be very strategic in getting a compromise of forward and roundness. When she is super round she tends to fall behind the leg and it is very difficult to get her going again! On the other hand, when she is nice and forward it is very difficult to keep her over the back and round enough. Hopefully we can figure out the perfect compromise though. We are planning for a very short warm-up because I have a feeling Ana might be a bit tired and we want to make sure she has enough gas in the tank!
Wish us luck! =)
Lindsay and Ana
Some of the horses here are absolutely gorgeous and they have definitely have some very good quality horses. The PSG and I1 class in the CDI has 35 riders! And the Grand Prix class has almost 20 riders. Quite the large CDI classes. They do like their horses quite big here though it seems! Some gigantic horses. We also noticed that there are way more male dressage riders here. Interesting to note the differences.
Lucy, the rider representing Ireland had a good go today and managed to make her horse get a couple clean right to left changes - he has been giving her a number of troubles but holy crap can Lucy ride! She did an amazng job and got everything out of her horse that I think was possible. She is a great rider and a very fun person to be stabled beside! Now I really want to go to Ireland and visit her!
Ana and I had a ride again this morning to try and get some of the I1 stuff figured. Ana seems to know the two tempis too well so I really need to make sure I control the straightness and make her wait when I first turn onto the diagonal. She is also so quick in the rein back so I need to be especially careful and gentle with the aid for that. My biggest concern is that we are going to have to be very strategic in getting a compromise of forward and roundness. When she is super round she tends to fall behind the leg and it is very difficult to get her going again! On the other hand, when she is nice and forward it is very difficult to keep her over the back and round enough. Hopefully we can figure out the perfect compromise though. We are planning for a very short warm-up because I have a feeling Ana might be a bit tired and we want to make sure she has enough gas in the tank!
Wish us luck! =)
Lindsay and Ana
Live Scoring
Follow the live scoring at http://www.snafflebytes.net
The show organizer would love some Canadian hits!
Ana and I go at 1:09 PM tomorrow and Esmee and Ricky go at 12:00 PM.
The show organizer would love some Canadian hits!
Ana and I go at 1:09 PM tomorrow and Esmee and Ricky go at 12:00 PM.
PSG Ride
Ana came out feeling terrific this morning and we worked out a number of the remaining test movements in our first warm-up. The footing was wet and heavy this morning from the rain we got last night, but Ana was so good and just trucked though it!
I was feeling confident after the warm-up and eager to get in the show ring. To my amazement I was not as nervous as I anticipated, but I was a little anxious to be the first international rider up for the day.
Our second warm-up was pretty short and we focused on the connection and bein in front of the leg. Unfortunately though, this did not transfer into the show ring. Ana is not only a dominant mare, but she is a smart mare too! She knew the exact moment we went down centreline. Holy crap did she make me work in the trot! I just could not get her back in front of my leg and she gradually fell more and more behind in the trot tour. We had a good medium and extended, but our lateral was lacking energy and impulsion. She actually feel so far behind the leg she almost halted in the walk transition at G on centreline after the second half-pass. I just could not get her in front and felt like a little girl on her Thelwell pony! Our lack of energy transferred into the walk pirouettes too, but we both got a much needed break in the extended walk to get ourselves a bit more composed for the canter tour. Things went better, but we still needed more energy and to be rounder in the canter pirouettes. Connie was impessed at least that the right canter pirouette was better than the left! The ultimate sign of our need for more energy was the break in the transition from extended canter to the collected canter/flying change. I didn't have her enough in front of the leg for the half-halt I gave her. Therefore, she just dropped right out from underneath me and fell into the trot. We quickly recovered though and ended with a great centreline and square halt at least!
Overall though, for our first test together, I think we had a respectable ride. Ana is supposed to like the Intermediaire I test better and hopefully we can work on a strategic plan to keep her more in front of the leg for the actual test. I think we will have a slightly shorter warm-up and perhaps bigger spurs! I did not realise the extent to which you need to know how your horse actually responds to things while you are in the ring. They all change and throw new hurdles at you once you go down centreline. So, we will make sure to have a game plan for tomorrow! Ana Pavlova and I will trot up a storm, I promise!
Lindsay and Ana
I was feeling confident after the warm-up and eager to get in the show ring. To my amazement I was not as nervous as I anticipated, but I was a little anxious to be the first international rider up for the day.
Our second warm-up was pretty short and we focused on the connection and bein in front of the leg. Unfortunately though, this did not transfer into the show ring. Ana is not only a dominant mare, but she is a smart mare too! She knew the exact moment we went down centreline. Holy crap did she make me work in the trot! I just could not get her back in front of my leg and she gradually fell more and more behind in the trot tour. We had a good medium and extended, but our lateral was lacking energy and impulsion. She actually feel so far behind the leg she almost halted in the walk transition at G on centreline after the second half-pass. I just could not get her in front and felt like a little girl on her Thelwell pony! Our lack of energy transferred into the walk pirouettes too, but we both got a much needed break in the extended walk to get ourselves a bit more composed for the canter tour. Things went better, but we still needed more energy and to be rounder in the canter pirouettes. Connie was impessed at least that the right canter pirouette was better than the left! The ultimate sign of our need for more energy was the break in the transition from extended canter to the collected canter/flying change. I didn't have her enough in front of the leg for the half-halt I gave her. Therefore, she just dropped right out from underneath me and fell into the trot. We quickly recovered though and ended with a great centreline and square halt at least!
Overall though, for our first test together, I think we had a respectable ride. Ana is supposed to like the Intermediaire I test better and hopefully we can work on a strategic plan to keep her more in front of the leg for the actual test. I think we will have a slightly shorter warm-up and perhaps bigger spurs! I did not realise the extent to which you need to know how your horse actually responds to things while you are in the ring. They all change and throw new hurdles at you once you go down centreline. So, we will make sure to have a game plan for tomorrow! Ana Pavlova and I will trot up a storm, I promise!
Lindsay and Ana
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Jog and Ring Familiarisation
It is going to be a short post this evening since I need to get to bed in preparation for our PSG ride time tomorrow of 9:54 AM. It was a very busy day with the jog, ring familiarisation and welcome reception. With Ana's owner, coach, mom, and I we have all decided it is best for me to do an early morning ride and then put her back in the stall and bring her back out only half an hour before our actual ride. This is what we do with Oslo at the shows, so I feel confident in this method and we all think Ana will respond to it well. Therefore, we will do a ride at 7:30 AM and then let both of us rest until 9:15 AM when we will do a bunch more walking and then our final warm-up before heading down centre line!
I had a fantastic ride on Ana this morning. I took about 15 minutes first thing in the walk to just get her super supple and figure out how to get her more properly in front of the leg. This allowed me to really play around with the leg aid and connection without making either of us tired! Right from the start in the trot then she felt wonderful in front and I had a much better sense for how to ask for the lateral work. I felt that we really gelled well today and I am feeling fairly confident. There are still a number of things we need to practice before our actual test tomorrow, but we got the majority of the communication figured out now. A few things still need to be sorted like our walk/canter transitions, our half-pass steepness, centre lines, and the should fore to the left in the canter, especially before the pirouettes. I have confidence though that we can work some of these bugs out tomorrow morning, and if not, at least we have a better connection and understanding of each other now!
Ana's owner, Connie Bookless, has been terrific and her coach, Libby, has also been amazing! They are both so helpful and positive. Libby has taken the time to help mom and I during warm-up and Connie has provided me with the very important hints and tips for riding Miss Ana!
I apologize for not posting any pictures yet. We have had some internet issues, but we have all the photos loaded on the laptop now, so once we actually get a good internet connection with the laptop, I will make sure to post a bunch of pictures. It truly is beautiful here and we have been quite lucky with the weather here (knock on wood of course). My tan still has a long way to go, but at least it hasn't been too hot for riding. Just perfect actually.
That is all for tonight. Hopefully I have great news and pictures for tomorrow's post!
Goodnight!
Linds and Ana
I had a fantastic ride on Ana this morning. I took about 15 minutes first thing in the walk to just get her super supple and figure out how to get her more properly in front of the leg. This allowed me to really play around with the leg aid and connection without making either of us tired! Right from the start in the trot then she felt wonderful in front and I had a much better sense for how to ask for the lateral work. I felt that we really gelled well today and I am feeling fairly confident. There are still a number of things we need to practice before our actual test tomorrow, but we got the majority of the communication figured out now. A few things still need to be sorted like our walk/canter transitions, our half-pass steepness, centre lines, and the should fore to the left in the canter, especially before the pirouettes. I have confidence though that we can work some of these bugs out tomorrow morning, and if not, at least we have a better connection and understanding of each other now!
Ana's owner, Connie Bookless, has been terrific and her coach, Libby, has also been amazing! They are both so helpful and positive. Libby has taken the time to help mom and I during warm-up and Connie has provided me with the very important hints and tips for riding Miss Ana!
I apologize for not posting any pictures yet. We have had some internet issues, but we have all the photos loaded on the laptop now, so once we actually get a good internet connection with the laptop, I will make sure to post a bunch of pictures. It truly is beautiful here and we have been quite lucky with the weather here (knock on wood of course). My tan still has a long way to go, but at least it hasn't been too hot for riding. Just perfect actually.
That is all for tonight. Hopefully I have great news and pictures for tomorrow's post!
Goodnight!
Linds and Ana
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Another First Ride
We started the day off with a quick tour into the heart of Sydney. We rode the train downtown with all the morning commuters and then took a ferry to Manly which provided us with a great tour of the harbour. It is truly a beautiful harbour city.
Then it was down to business with my ride on Casey first thing in the afternoon at Horsely Park. Right from the start I felt more confident and had a much better feeling for him. He had great lateral work and I really felt like I could trust the canter more today. I just had to get him more on the half-halt and keep him supple in front.
Esmee had a great go on Ricky today and they seem to be jelling together!
Another horse - Anna Paplova, arrived this morning as well for us to try. Esmee was content with her match so they offered me a ride on her for me to compare to Casey. Anna is a 12 year old Hanoverian with a great temperament, but a strong personality (as her owner described her). She is completely opposite to Casey in every way so it was an interesting adjustment for me to make in a matter of minutes! Anna is short, compact, and very strong. Her neck is almost as wide as it is long and she knows how to use it! She has great natural gaits though and gives you a very nice feeling if you can get her supple! It was a battle to get her truly in front of the leg, yet keep her trust in you as the rider. Her canter is very balanced and I had a much better go at the flying changes on her compared to Casey. Anna seems to need more leg support and connection in all her work than Casey. Therefore, when I was given the choice, I chose Anna. It was a very difficult decision due to the significant differences between the horses and the connections we have made with both owners, but I just felt that my riding style was more suited towards Anna. She may not have been the safest choice since she can be quite difficult and strong in front, but I just felt the match was better. I have the confidence that I can really focus on the quality of the gaits and my riding with Anna as my partner. So I hope she feels the same and we can have another great ride tomorrow while getting used to the competition ring! I am one ride behind now since Anna didn't arrive until today, but I have the confidence we can make up for it come Thursday!
Jog tomorrow as well. I will try and do another update from the park afterwards!
Goodnight from Sydney!
Lindsay and Anna =)
Then it was down to business with my ride on Casey first thing in the afternoon at Horsely Park. Right from the start I felt more confident and had a much better feeling for him. He had great lateral work and I really felt like I could trust the canter more today. I just had to get him more on the half-halt and keep him supple in front.
Esmee had a great go on Ricky today and they seem to be jelling together!
Another horse - Anna Paplova, arrived this morning as well for us to try. Esmee was content with her match so they offered me a ride on her for me to compare to Casey. Anna is a 12 year old Hanoverian with a great temperament, but a strong personality (as her owner described her). She is completely opposite to Casey in every way so it was an interesting adjustment for me to make in a matter of minutes! Anna is short, compact, and very strong. Her neck is almost as wide as it is long and she knows how to use it! She has great natural gaits though and gives you a very nice feeling if you can get her supple! It was a battle to get her truly in front of the leg, yet keep her trust in you as the rider. Her canter is very balanced and I had a much better go at the flying changes on her compared to Casey. Anna seems to need more leg support and connection in all her work than Casey. Therefore, when I was given the choice, I chose Anna. It was a very difficult decision due to the significant differences between the horses and the connections we have made with both owners, but I just felt that my riding style was more suited towards Anna. She may not have been the safest choice since she can be quite difficult and strong in front, but I just felt the match was better. I have the confidence that I can really focus on the quality of the gaits and my riding with Anna as my partner. So I hope she feels the same and we can have another great ride tomorrow while getting used to the competition ring! I am one ride behind now since Anna didn't arrive until today, but I have the confidence we can make up for it come Thursday!
Jog tomorrow as well. I will try and do another update from the park afterwards!
Goodnight from Sydney!
Lindsay and Anna =)
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