| Venue: | Aston-le-Walls | Test: | Novice 34 |
| Discipline: | Dressage – RC Area 5 Regional Qualifier | Judge: | Emma Briggs |
| Date: | Sunday, 20 March 2022 | Percentage: | 65.95% |
| Placing: | 3rd |
Absolutely beautiful spring day, lovely sunshine and, as always, Washbrook Farm was a fabulous setting.
Nash felt great – very relaxed but listening to me. Despite a busy and intimidating warm up area – he was working well. Did quite a bit of lateral work in the warm up, which did help to engage the hind leg and produce more self carriage. I’ve worked hard over the last few weeks on getting Nash to really step under and lift in front, and I’m pleased to report that there were no comments at all about him being ‘deep’ or ‘behind the vertical’.
There were 26 teams, and as usual at Area 5 Qualifier events, some hot competition! We didn’t fare well in the team event, but very pleased with Nash’s 3rd place – which was a Misterton best of the day! One of my team mates kindly took a video of the test (from across another 2 arenas) and I must say I think he’s looking much more balanced and uphill. I was a bit sloppy in a couple of the transitions, and could have ridden the circles more accurately, but no major mistakes ( I also rode without a caller – so also pleased I remembered my way round)!
Judge’s comments were:
“A harmonious test, 3 correct paces. You now need to develop the support from the hindleg – especially in the transitions to gain the marks available – and they will come.”