Show recap x2. Dressage makes me go bipolar

Thanks Jen for all the photos!!!

First off. 

Someone out there was beyond incredible to me last week. Making it possible for me to enjoy this show at the Hoosier Horse Park even more than I normally would, and really giving me a solid kick in the pants that I have so many supporting me and clearly some extraordinary friends.

I know you read this blog and THANK YOU!! :)

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I decided not to school Hampton on Friday in an attempt to save his energy. He has been to this facility multiple times a year since he was 4 years old so it's not like he needed to see the show rings anyhow. Liz and I somehow got to bed at a decent hour, which was good because I had an 8am ride for the PSG on Saturday.

Saturday morning Hampton warned up fine. We marched in and had a respectable test, I thought. We did have a mistake in the fours, and the left piro got sticky. But otherwise, I was not disappointed. I didn't think we would get a 60 since we made mistakes, but I would not call the test a disaster.

I went to get my test and was pretty discouraged to see a dismal 55%. Youch. Things we normally get 7s on, this judge was giving us 5.5s and 6s. She REALLY did not think Hampton and I should have dared to go down centerline at PSG because her comment was "Totally on the forehand and inappropriate for this level."

Welp, ok then.

However, this judge was scoring so low all day that people actually filed complaints.

There were even scores in the 40s. Hampton was high point PSG horse for the day with a 55!
I mean good grief. (That's us at the very top)

For the record, I think it is poor sportsmanship to complain about a judge's scoring. You are paying for their opinion, and sometimes you ain't ganna like it. So no, I did not complain to management. I DID bitch to Liz and Jen though hahaha! That is totally allowed.

And I was pretty bummed as this was the second judge in a row to make such a comment.

Did I need to take the hint? Should I throw in the towel and take up basketweaving? Showing hamsters? I was at a loss on how to proceed. I knew that after two judges tell you that you shouldn't be showing this level, you really start to question yourself.

We spent the rest of the day drinking and lounging by the stalls which was really nice. For dinner I hung out with Jen and her hubs who cooked yet another amazing meal. Yum yum!

I spy Jen and a certain pony in the background

Sunday I had the I-1 test to do and figured at this point I might as well go balls to the wall because I had nothing to lose. I knew I needed to keep Hampton's poll UP and him firing off the ground. And that was probably going to require pissing him off a little.

So that's what I did.

Our warm up was not classical dressage by any means. I was sick of Hampton bullying me and throwing his neck down and croup up to get out of work. NO SIR. So the very moment he tried to do that, I floated his teeth with that curb. Yep. Yes I did. It was most certainly not soft, harmonious dressage.

I went into the test telling myself to ride him no matter what. If the judge says I am too rough, then I'll know.

the I-1 ended up going quite well. We only missed ONE two-tempi, and the canter piros def still need work. BUT I rode the ever living snot out of him and had some really great moments.

This judge (NOT the same lady as Saturday THANK FUCK) rewarded us with a fabulous 64.3%!!

Our highest score at the FEI levels to date!
Our only second time doing the I-1
A score toward my GOLD medal
And we qualified to do a I-1 freestyle!!

The judge did not comment one time about my riding. And there were a number of times I smacked him behind my leg, or did a mild teeth floating with the curb.

And another high point for the day!!

Please excuse my saggy breeches. #DQfail

I'm very encouraged. And while I would still like to improve my PSG scores, I think the I-1 really suits us because there is literally no time for me to let Hampton bully me. It made me ride stronger and more aggressive. And since I meant biz-nass, Hampton was like "YES MAAM" (ok more like "ok you slave driving wench')

We've still got a lot to work on, but I'm going to keep pushing on. Hampton proved he CAN do this and is willing. I need to add more positive tension, and ask more of him now.

May or may not do one more show this year. I'm leaning toward one in Oct, when it's a bit cooler at least.

And now I need to start thinking about a freestyle!!!