Hello again everyone,
Oslo and I have spent the summer, since coming home from California in the middle of June, training for the Grand Prix. It has been a great summer with some mixed weather, but I remember all the sunny days out in the arena at Trakehner Glen and at the farm! Those are the best days, especially when you get to work on piaffe, passage, and one tempis! Don't get me wrong, we have had some frustrating times as well. One day we have 6 one tempis, the next we have none, and then a couple weeks later we have 15! Unfortunately, we are back to somewhere around 7 or 9, but we know it is possible to get 15! One step at a time.
So, we may be considered a bit crazy and out of our league, but Oslo and I have entered the Intermediare 2 test and the Young Rider Grand Prix for the Calgary Gold show this weekend. I figure, neither of us is getting any younger and we have been having a great summer, so we might as well try it! I am feeling fairly confident about the piaffe and passage (he has really seem to have taken to the piaffe now that he truly understands it!) and all of our lateral work is quite good. The one tempis will almost guaranteed be an issue, but we have a plan of attack and as Lientje texted me the other day: "ride the test one movement at a time because the judges score it one movement at a time." If I keep in front of the leg and on my half-halt I know we can at least demonstrate a number of very good quality one tempis. If the stars are aligned, we may just be able to do the 11 required for the I2 test and the 15 required for the GP. Otherwise, if things fall a bit off the rails, we will do as many one, two sequences as possible, with a one, two, three at the end. Try to keep it neat and tidy, but go for it when it feels good!
That is our game plan for the show anyways! This week we are focusing on exercises to get, and keep, Oslo super in front of the leg. He can do everything in the tests, but in order for it to be reliable, he needs to be in front of the leg. So, not too much test practising over the next couple of days, more transitions and a serious focus on keeping Oslo engaged and soft in the connection, which of course, is just another way to say "truly in front of the leg". We have practised the movements and tests already in the past few weeks, so I am trying to mix things up a bit for Oslo to try and avoid any anticipation in the ring.
We are very excited for the weekend and we hope to see many of you there! I need to send out a huge big thank you to our show clothing sponsor, the DRESSAGE BOUTIQUE and Indie Equestrian. Christel, has the most comfortable and stylish breeches out there. I cannot wait to show in my new white Euro-Star ones! Also, check out Christel's very own fashion line, Indie Equestrian. She has great dresses, scarves, jackets, etc. Something for everyone! You can check out her store at http://www.dressageboutique.com/.
Happy riding and enjoy this beautiful sunshine! :)
Lindsay and Oslo
